My favorite thing to get at Trader's is probably the Vintage Ale. Released each year around this time, it is one of the best deals in beer. At ~$5 for a 750 ml of bottle conditioned ale, it's a bargain. Contract brewed by Unibroue, a Canadian brewery that specializes in Belgian style ales, they are bottled on lees, which means it contains yeast sediment. Like wine, they continue to age in the bottle. Don't let the fact that it is described as "spiced" dissuade you. Great to drink immediately but they get even better after a few years. I always buy extras and I currently have two bottles of 2019 left in my beer cellar (or as my wife calls it, the bottom of the linen closet). I will regularly give two bottles to friends, one for now and one to hold onto, and it's always nice when they let me know that they found the bottle that they'd stashed and forgotten about. I missed the 2021 release because it came out earlier than usual but I heard that this years should be in stores in early December. Anyone who likes beer should absolutely pick up a few and keep at least one of them for a year to compare to the new release.
As for the items available year round, their pre-cooked pork belly is really good and goes great in home-made ramen. And by home-made, I mean doctored bowls of the higher end instant ramen. I also love the "Everything But The Bagel" smoked salmon. It hits the spot on a piece of toast on a rushed morning before heading out the door.
I just discovered TJ's Amarena Cherries. They give Luxardo Maraschino Cherries a run for the money at a fraction of the price. When I was looking for them the other day, the woman who showed me where they are grabbed two of them for herself. These aren't the neon red ones you get in the supermarket and normally put in a Shirley Temple (though I plan to try it soon). Great in a cocktail, I am looking forward to using one or two of them along with some of the syrup to make a true Cherry Coke using a bottle of Mexican Coke that still is made with real cane sugar
I can throw a piece of bread in the toaster and go get dressed. Put butter on the toast to soften while I'm taking meds, spread the butter, put a piece of salmon on, and eat while I pack my lunch. If I have time, I'll make a cup of tea and have a bowl of cereal and read the news while I eat.
I've always aspired to the table with a full breakfast, eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc., on a weekday work morning. That setup is probably the most unrealistic thing I've ever seen in a movie or on TV.
Wait...TJ's has Hatch green chile mac and cheese in their frozen section?
I think I need to look for that. I am going through Green chile withdrawals. I ordered some from Amazon just to make green chile chicken stew a few weeks ago.
I am not a big TJs shopper mostly because I just don't see how someone could buy all their groceries there. Maybe it is just the ones by me. But I do get a few items there when I can; primarily the Masala Veggie Burgers, which I love for the taste but also because it contains pieces of actual vegetables.
You are correct about Trader's being closer to a specialty market than a supermarket. They carry a lot of staples, milk, eggs, juice, spices, etc., at good prices but the limits to what they carry definitely mean they are more of a supplemental place to shop and can't be relied on for all of your grocery needs.
I tend to shop at multiple stores anyway, so I am always amazed by people who are loyal to one store only, but I especially don't understand those who pledge allegiance to TJs. I really only like maybe 4 products in the whole store.
I agree. For me, TJs is so much processed food, way too high in sodium (especially the frozen foods) and sugar. It's a place I go to a few times a year for flowers and infrequent junk food "treats" like chips, cookies, crackers, etc., things I don't want in the house all the time. They did have a bunch of ube flavored stuff awhile back some of which that I liked, but it went away (thankfully!).
Does it have a vinegary taste? I know it's often a component in Chinese restaurant sauces, but I find it overwhelming in frozen meals usually and I hate it.
No- it’s surprisingly delicious and really tastes as close to Orange Chicken from a Chinese restaurant as you’re going to get in a frozen meal. It’s sweet and tangy, no vinegar taste.
Surprised no one has mentioned the roasted garlic and pesto pizza! The butter chicken is a regular in my freezer. Unexpected cheddar (the brick and the spreadable) slaps. The seasonal scented body butters are amazing- so thick and hydrating. Currently burning the chocolate croissant candle and it smells so edible and delicious!!
Just shopped there today and picked up my latest favorite from TJs-----the griddle cakes. Also got some crumpets, lentil curls, rambutans and some green chili chicken burritos.
I miss their turkey bolognese. It was discontinued last year and I am still not over it.
Lots of my favorite have already been mentioned so here’s a few I think are new to the comment section:
The frozen croissants are amazing, especially the almond ones.
I put a few on a baking tray in the oven right before I head to bed and put the tray in a cold oven so they can defrost and rise overnight. Then in the morning I have lovely fluffy croissants I pop back in a heated oven to bake for an easy weekend breakfast (I’m not nearly together enough to try this on a workday/school morning).
I also love their ice cream bars/treats, especially the mini cones and chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches.
One of my favorite TJs items that they apparently discontinued were the Spicy Dill Pickles (I think they were organic too? but that's not why I like them). The perfect level of spiciness for a pickle. Other brands are way too hot to be enjoyable. I look for them every time I'm there but haven't seen them in prob 2 years. Also, the Soycatash (sp?), the combo corn, edamame and red pepper is dynamite, and I'm so surprised a major brand hasn't copied this, It's so much better than a standard veggie mix. Yet another one that I can't find anymore, I think it's hit and miss.
I LOVE the hazelnut Bambas, as well as the sesame honey almonds, and the coffee caramel almonds. Delish.
Their chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels. I could eat a whole bag in one sitting.
haha I just commented almost exactly the same thing. 😂 they're so good!!!
My favorite thing to get at Trader's is probably the Vintage Ale. Released each year around this time, it is one of the best deals in beer. At ~$5 for a 750 ml of bottle conditioned ale, it's a bargain. Contract brewed by Unibroue, a Canadian brewery that specializes in Belgian style ales, they are bottled on lees, which means it contains yeast sediment. Like wine, they continue to age in the bottle. Don't let the fact that it is described as "spiced" dissuade you. Great to drink immediately but they get even better after a few years. I always buy extras and I currently have two bottles of 2019 left in my beer cellar (or as my wife calls it, the bottom of the linen closet). I will regularly give two bottles to friends, one for now and one to hold onto, and it's always nice when they let me know that they found the bottle that they'd stashed and forgotten about. I missed the 2021 release because it came out earlier than usual but I heard that this years should be in stores in early December. Anyone who likes beer should absolutely pick up a few and keep at least one of them for a year to compare to the new release.
As for the items available year round, their pre-cooked pork belly is really good and goes great in home-made ramen. And by home-made, I mean doctored bowls of the higher end instant ramen. I also love the "Everything But The Bagel" smoked salmon. It hits the spot on a piece of toast on a rushed morning before heading out the door.
I just discovered TJ's Amarena Cherries. They give Luxardo Maraschino Cherries a run for the money at a fraction of the price. When I was looking for them the other day, the woman who showed me where they are grabbed two of them for herself. These aren't the neon red ones you get in the supermarket and normally put in a Shirley Temple (though I plan to try it soon). Great in a cocktail, I am looking forward to using one or two of them along with some of the syrup to make a true Cherry Coke using a bottle of Mexican Coke that still is made with real cane sugar
If you have smoked salmon on toast during a rushed morning, what do your non-rushed mornings look like?
I can throw a piece of bread in the toaster and go get dressed. Put butter on the toast to soften while I'm taking meds, spread the butter, put a piece of salmon on, and eat while I pack my lunch. If I have time, I'll make a cup of tea and have a bowl of cereal and read the news while I eat.
I've always aspired to the table with a full breakfast, eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc., on a weekday work morning. That setup is probably the most unrealistic thing I've ever seen in a movie or on TV.
The samosas - both the chicken and the vegetable versions. Done up in the air fryer they are way better than they have any right to be.
You are so right. They are the best ones I've had in the US.
A couple of seasonal recommendations: the peppermint mini-cones and the sugar-glazed lebkuchen cookies
Another seasonal suggestion, the ginger sandwich cookies. Holy hell were those good.
Tj’s: frozen dumplings, rosemary raisin crackers, seasonings, jalapeño artichoke dip, frozen mac and cheese, seasonal candles, seasonal jams, wine, and of course, flowers.
The frozen mac and cheese is a dangerous health hazard. (But try the hatch chile version too!)
Wait...TJ's has Hatch green chile mac and cheese in their frozen section?
I think I need to look for that. I am going through Green chile withdrawals. I ordered some from Amazon just to make green chile chicken stew a few weeks ago.
They do and it’s fabulous! Honestly the only frozen mac I didn’t love was the pizza mac.
Triple Ginger Snaps are the best! And they have a bunch of frozen stuff that I like.
My favorite is the Brown Sugar-Oat milk creamer. As well as the Harvest Pasta Sauce.
The Trader Joe's christmas oreos are delicious, as are the maple ones. All the popcorn snacks are great.
That’s the creamer I use in my cold brew everyday!
I am not a big TJs shopper mostly because I just don't see how someone could buy all their groceries there. Maybe it is just the ones by me. But I do get a few items there when I can; primarily the Masala Veggie Burgers, which I love for the taste but also because it contains pieces of actual vegetables.
You are correct about Trader's being closer to a specialty market than a supermarket. They carry a lot of staples, milk, eggs, juice, spices, etc., at good prices but the limits to what they carry definitely mean they are more of a supplemental place to shop and can't be relied on for all of your grocery needs.
I tend to shop at multiple stores anyway, so I am always amazed by people who are loyal to one store only, but I especially don't understand those who pledge allegiance to TJs. I really only like maybe 4 products in the whole store.
I agree. For me, TJs is so much processed food, way too high in sodium (especially the frozen foods) and sugar. It's a place I go to a few times a year for flowers and infrequent junk food "treats" like chips, cookies, crackers, etc., things I don't want in the house all the time. They did have a bunch of ube flavored stuff awhile back some of which that I liked, but it went away (thankfully!).
The frozen mandarin orange chicken is a must buy for me. Chinese restaurant quality at home for minimal effort, its a classic.
Does it have a vinegary taste? I know it's often a component in Chinese restaurant sauces, but I find it overwhelming in frozen meals usually and I hate it.
No- it’s surprisingly delicious and really tastes as close to Orange Chicken from a Chinese restaurant as you’re going to get in a frozen meal. It’s sweet and tangy, no vinegar taste.
Nope! It’s really pretty good.
Same!!
Surprised no one has mentioned the roasted garlic and pesto pizza! The butter chicken is a regular in my freezer. Unexpected cheddar (the brick and the spreadable) slaps. The seasonal scented body butters are amazing- so thick and hydrating. Currently burning the chocolate croissant candle and it smells so edible and delicious!!
Chocolate croissant candle?? BRB!
Just shopped there today and picked up my latest favorite from TJs-----the griddle cakes. Also got some crumpets, lentil curls, rambutans and some green chili chicken burritos.
I miss their turkey bolognese. It was discontinued last year and I am still not over it.
Two of my favorites: shredded beef burrito and fire roasted veggies, have been discontinued.
Lots of my favorite have already been mentioned so here’s a few I think are new to the comment section:
The frozen croissants are amazing, especially the almond ones.
I put a few on a baking tray in the oven right before I head to bed and put the tray in a cold oven so they can defrost and rise overnight. Then in the morning I have lovely fluffy croissants I pop back in a heated oven to bake for an easy weekend breakfast (I’m not nearly together enough to try this on a workday/school morning).
I also love their ice cream bars/treats, especially the mini cones and chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches.
The frozen croissants are far better than they have a right to be, and nothing beats a croissant warm from the oven.
My current TJ’s fav is frozen Thai green curry with tofu. Delicious! I also love their (refrigerated/fresh case) habanero and ghost-pepper salsa.
That Thai green curry is so good I had to stop buying it for a while so I wouldn't get tired of it.
One of my favorite TJs items that they apparently discontinued were the Spicy Dill Pickles (I think they were organic too? but that's not why I like them). The perfect level of spiciness for a pickle. Other brands are way too hot to be enjoyable. I look for them every time I'm there but haven't seen them in prob 2 years. Also, the Soycatash (sp?), the combo corn, edamame and red pepper is dynamite, and I'm so surprised a major brand hasn't copied this, It's so much better than a standard veggie mix. Yet another one that I can't find anymore, I think it's hit and miss.
I LOVE the hazelnut Bambas, as well as the sesame honey almonds, and the coffee caramel almonds. Delish.
There is one in the wealthy subbie here in town, but it's always a zoo so my wife and I never shop there.
My teenager can't wait to get his hands on the butternut squash mac & cheese.