How do I Trader Joe's?
April 3, 2018 8:10 AM Subscribe
What things should be on the shopping list for a vegan person who is overwhelmed by Trader Joe's and wants to make the most out of a trip?
I am (for reasons unbeknownst) very attracted by the idea of Trader Joe's...but every time I've ever gone inside (I've only ventured in twice before), I get quickly overwhelmed by the crowds and by the (to my eyes) haphazard organization of things, and I leave without exploring much beyond the mediocre produce and the cheap wine section. For my next trip, I'd like to go in armed with a shopping list of all the Trader Joe's secret gems that everyone except me seems to know about!
I think these elusive gems I've heard tell about mostly exist in the frozen food area, but I might be wrong about that....
So, I'm looking for your suggestions of Trader Joe's-specific things that are:
- vegan
- healthy (for a fairly broad definition of "healthy")
- preferably gluten free (though this is not a deal breaker for a truly exceptional item)
- delicious
- pretty easy to prepare (I am willing to extend some effort...)
- savoury (though if there is a sweet/dessert thing that is not to be missed, I'll consider it)
If you include a general idea of WHERE to look for said items within the store, your answer will be considered extra double good.
Things that are already on my list:
- veggie gyoza
- frozen riced cauliflower
Thanks, friends!
I am (for reasons unbeknownst) very attracted by the idea of Trader Joe's...but every time I've ever gone inside (I've only ventured in twice before), I get quickly overwhelmed by the crowds and by the (to my eyes) haphazard organization of things, and I leave without exploring much beyond the mediocre produce and the cheap wine section. For my next trip, I'd like to go in armed with a shopping list of all the Trader Joe's secret gems that everyone except me seems to know about!
I think these elusive gems I've heard tell about mostly exist in the frozen food area, but I might be wrong about that....
So, I'm looking for your suggestions of Trader Joe's-specific things that are:
- vegan
- healthy (for a fairly broad definition of "healthy")
- preferably gluten free (though this is not a deal breaker for a truly exceptional item)
- delicious
- pretty easy to prepare (I am willing to extend some effort...)
- savoury (though if there is a sweet/dessert thing that is not to be missed, I'll consider it)
If you include a general idea of WHERE to look for said items within the store, your answer will be considered extra double good.
Things that are already on my list:
- veggie gyoza
- frozen riced cauliflower
Thanks, friends!
Best answer: From the refrigerated sauces and dips we are pretty big fans of the vegan kale pesto and also the garlic dip/toum and also the z'hug (cilantro based Yemeni hot sauce, though with a pesto-like consistency). At the store we go to most often they recently swapped the deli meats and sliced cheese for the dips/spreads so they (the dips) are now with the produce and not in the next aisle over with the cheese.
The plantain chips are better than anyone elses - way less greasy.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:24 AM on April 3, 2018
The plantain chips are better than anyone elses - way less greasy.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:24 AM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: When you pick up the gyoza, be sure to grab a bottle of gyoza dipping sauce from the shelf above it!
posted by ejs at 8:27 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ejs at 8:27 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I would divide into sections, and come up with things - specific or not - you might want in these categories that roughly match the organization of the store:
-perishable goods (produce and cut produce, non-dairy "dairy", non-meat "meats", refrigerated prepared food)
-pantry goods (baking, cooking, oils, sauces, spices, etc.)
-frozen single ingredients (edamame, riced cauliflower, etc.)
-frozen meals (bagged fried rices, microwave meals, etc.)
-non-booze beverages
-wine/beer
-snacks (chips, candy)
I've been to many trader joe's stores and they all have things organized frustratingly differently but those rough categories seem to hold store-to-store.
You can find a lot of best-of lists to start formulating your list for each of those categories, but approaching sections one at a time with an idea of what you might like to look for should help with overwhelmed feelings. You can also request a list of all the vegan products from any of the store associates, they should keep them in the back.
posted by mosst at 8:27 AM on April 3, 2018
-perishable goods (produce and cut produce, non-dairy "dairy", non-meat "meats", refrigerated prepared food)
-pantry goods (baking, cooking, oils, sauces, spices, etc.)
-frozen single ingredients (edamame, riced cauliflower, etc.)
-frozen meals (bagged fried rices, microwave meals, etc.)
-non-booze beverages
-wine/beer
-snacks (chips, candy)
I've been to many trader joe's stores and they all have things organized frustratingly differently but those rough categories seem to hold store-to-store.
You can find a lot of best-of lists to start formulating your list for each of those categories, but approaching sections one at a time with an idea of what you might like to look for should help with overwhelmed feelings. You can also request a list of all the vegan products from any of the store associates, they should keep them in the back.
posted by mosst at 8:27 AM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: For a snack I always get the wasabi coated dried seaweed. They are vegan and gf and tasty, I like munching on them while carrying the rest of my groceries home.
You might find this list of reviewed vegan things at TJs useful (I'm not the author).
posted by threementholsandafuneral at 8:28 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
You might find this list of reviewed vegan things at TJs useful (I'm not the author).
posted by threementholsandafuneral at 8:28 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I find myself buying certain staples at TJs since these are typically rebranded, higher quality items that are sometimes cheaper than their alternatively branded counterparts (but sometimes they're more expensive!). We skip most of the frozen/preprepared stuff, because quality is all over the map. There's a few exceptions, but I'm not sure they're vegan.
Oils tend to be pretty good quality and priced pretty well. Things like olives, capers and other pickles have a tendency to be much better quality than you can get at your typical supermarket for the same price. Canned tomatoes are probably Muir-Glen rebrands, and a pretty good buy. Their saffron is usually of good quality, and relatively inexpensive.
Some people swear by TJ's brand booze, but I find it pretty rough (both their wines and beers), YMMV.
If you include a general idea of WHERE to look for said items within the store, your answer will be considered extra double good.
Even here in my local area, this differs pretty drastically aside from super loose groupings (ie, frozen stuff, fridge stuff, produce, everythingelse). It's freaking chaos. One of my least favorite things about TJ's is that if I'm in a different neighborhood running errands and want to wrap my TJ run into that, it takes three times as long to do the same run because everything is in a different spot. And depending on the size of your TJ's, certain items might not be available or ordered for that store; we tend to go to the larger TJ's in our area.
posted by furnace.heart at 8:30 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Oils tend to be pretty good quality and priced pretty well. Things like olives, capers and other pickles have a tendency to be much better quality than you can get at your typical supermarket for the same price. Canned tomatoes are probably Muir-Glen rebrands, and a pretty good buy. Their saffron is usually of good quality, and relatively inexpensive.
Some people swear by TJ's brand booze, but I find it pretty rough (both their wines and beers), YMMV.
If you include a general idea of WHERE to look for said items within the store, your answer will be considered extra double good.
Even here in my local area, this differs pretty drastically aside from super loose groupings (ie, frozen stuff, fridge stuff, produce, everythingelse). It's freaking chaos. One of my least favorite things about TJ's is that if I'm in a different neighborhood running errands and want to wrap my TJ run into that, it takes three times as long to do the same run because everything is in a different spot. And depending on the size of your TJ's, certain items might not be available or ordered for that store; we tend to go to the larger TJ's in our area.
posted by furnace.heart at 8:30 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Here are my favorite vegan recommendations in no particular order:
-japanese fried rice [frozen prepared food]
-soy chorizo [refrigerated prepared food]
-vegan chocolate chips [baking]
-vegetable masala burgers [frozen prepared food] (seriously even the veggie-burger-averse I know love these spiced veggie-centric burgers)
Also, apparently you can get that official list of vegan products online too, it's here.
posted by mosst at 8:31 AM on April 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
-japanese fried rice [frozen prepared food]
-soy chorizo [refrigerated prepared food]
-vegan chocolate chips [baking]
-vegetable masala burgers [frozen prepared food] (seriously even the veggie-burger-averse I know love these spiced veggie-centric burgers)
Also, apparently you can get that official list of vegan products online too, it's here.
posted by mosst at 8:31 AM on April 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
Best answer: You can also find the official list of gluten free products here. Unfortunately you'll have to search yourself to check the nexus with the vegan list.
posted by mosst at 8:34 AM on April 3, 2018
posted by mosst at 8:34 AM on April 3, 2018
I really love their Gluten and Vegan Snickerdoodle cookies. In my Trader Joe, they're with the snacks that sit above the freezers.
posted by ilovewinter at 8:36 AM on April 3, 2018
posted by ilovewinter at 8:36 AM on April 3, 2018
TJs staff are super nice. If I’m ever overwhelmed, I go up to them with my list and say “I’m here to try TJs vegan foods. I’m looking for X. Can you help me find it?” And then they do. Highly recommend this approach to help you if you’re feeling stuck! It won’t work for your whole list but will reduce the mental friction on certain items. Plus, stock varies from store to store, so the staff can alsoclue you in on 1) if a particular item is not stocked at their store, and 2) if you mention your search criteria (IE vegan foods) recommend other options.
posted by samthemander at 8:37 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 8:37 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
I really love their jasmine brown rice. It's the only kind I use. It's just dried rice, so it's in that section.
Not healthful, but the caramel corn is vegan and is excellent (it's with the chips), especially if you mix it with the blister peanuts.
posted by FencingGal at 8:39 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Not healthful, but the caramel corn is vegan and is excellent (it's with the chips), especially if you mix it with the blister peanuts.
posted by FencingGal at 8:39 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The soy chorizo! It's exceptionally good fake meat.
The brownie crisps are excellent, but probably not GF.
I'm very fond of their natural peanut butter, which is excellently priced. And their trail mixes are usually great too.
posted by snaw at 8:49 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
The brownie crisps are excellent, but probably not GF.
I'm very fond of their natural peanut butter, which is excellently priced. And their trail mixes are usually great too.
posted by snaw at 8:49 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The cans of Dolmas, BUT THE ARTICHOKE ANTIPASTO SPREAD GOES ON EVERYTHING.
In the same vein, the skinny tall jar of pitted black olives is my jam.
Their basic marinara sauce in a jar.
Canned Jackfruit + BBQ sauce in a slowcooker or instant pot makes vegan pulled pork that is amazing. Not vegan, eat it all the time.
Great prices on organic tomato paste and canned tomatoes- if you cook a lot you will need this in your pantry.
I could go on and on. But the artichoke spread is indispensable, IMHO.
Oh. Fresh mushrooms at a great price.
posted by jbenben at 8:51 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
In the same vein, the skinny tall jar of pitted black olives is my jam.
Their basic marinara sauce in a jar.
Canned Jackfruit + BBQ sauce in a slowcooker or instant pot makes vegan pulled pork that is amazing. Not vegan, eat it all the time.
Great prices on organic tomato paste and canned tomatoes- if you cook a lot you will need this in your pantry.
I could go on and on. But the artichoke spread is indispensable, IMHO.
Oh. Fresh mushrooms at a great price.
posted by jbenben at 8:51 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The grocery aisle is overwhelming but there's a wealth of good, cheap, relatively-healthful gluten-free stuff.
Pasta section: look for the brown rice and quinoa pasta (the rotini is the best). The red lentil penne is also good! Some people don't like the black bean pasta, but I do, especially with tomatoes sauteed in olive oil and a bit of garlic and cumin.
Baking section: all-purpose GF flour (in little pink bag) which works well for lots of basic recipes; affordable almond flour and coconut flour, too! Affordable spices, very good bourbon vanilla extract.
In the refrigerated section, by the regular milk, they have very affordable cartons of excellent almond milk. The cereal section has good-quality gluten-free rolled oats, if that's of interest to you!
The produce section isn't great, but has a few gems: bags of shishito peppers, a kale and cabbage blend called Cruciferous Crunch. Depending on the season, they may have potted basil plants for sale, and it's often surprisingly healthy! Mine is thriving right now and I've had it a few weeks.
I'm currently really into their Bamba peanut snacks. They're constantly moving these around but you can often find them with the popcorn and chips.
posted by halation at 8:59 AM on April 3, 2018
Pasta section: look for the brown rice and quinoa pasta (the rotini is the best). The red lentil penne is also good! Some people don't like the black bean pasta, but I do, especially with tomatoes sauteed in olive oil and a bit of garlic and cumin.
Baking section: all-purpose GF flour (in little pink bag) which works well for lots of basic recipes; affordable almond flour and coconut flour, too! Affordable spices, very good bourbon vanilla extract.
In the refrigerated section, by the regular milk, they have very affordable cartons of excellent almond milk. The cereal section has good-quality gluten-free rolled oats, if that's of interest to you!
The produce section isn't great, but has a few gems: bags of shishito peppers, a kale and cabbage blend called Cruciferous Crunch. Depending on the season, they may have potted basil plants for sale, and it's often surprisingly healthy! Mine is thriving right now and I've had it a few weeks.
I'm currently really into their Bamba peanut snacks. They're constantly moving these around but you can often find them with the popcorn and chips.
posted by halation at 8:59 AM on April 3, 2018
I enjoy TJs the most when I can fully browse the aisles. Can you try to go at a less crowded time? Try first thing in the morning before the crowds get there. There are so many things that you don't find elsewhere that is so much easier when there aren't a ton of people around.
posted by hydra77 at 9:04 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by hydra77 at 9:04 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Roasted coconut chips are one of my favorite things to put on salads, and the giant corn nuts ("incan corn") are unbelievably good.
posted by hungrybruno at 9:04 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by hungrybruno at 9:04 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: - Zhoug Sauce if you like spicy things. Herby, spicy deliciousness. You will find this in the hummus area.
- truffle potato chips!
- stir fried cauliflower rice - I eat the whole bag. It's like 3 servings, but only 250 calories for the entire bag. In my store, this is not with the frozen veggies - it's with the frozen rice and Asian foods.
- the Green Goddess Salad Dressing, in the refrigerated dressing section. Don't get this. It's all mine. Please stop purchasing it, everyone. I want all of it, and it seems hard to replenish.
If you'e on Instagram, follow the Trader Joe's Vegan account. Comments on products often act like reviews.
posted by raztaj at 9:11 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
- truffle potato chips!
- stir fried cauliflower rice - I eat the whole bag. It's like 3 servings, but only 250 calories for the entire bag. In my store, this is not with the frozen veggies - it's with the frozen rice and Asian foods.
- the Green Goddess Salad Dressing, in the refrigerated dressing section. Don't get this. It's all mine. Please stop purchasing it, everyone. I want all of it, and it seems hard to replenish.
If you'e on Instagram, follow the Trader Joe's Vegan account. Comments on products often act like reviews.
posted by raztaj at 9:11 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I'm eating the gluten free rolled oats right now! They come in a massive (32 oz) bag for $3.99 and are great.
The soups are pretty good--the carrot/ginger one and tomato/red pepper are listed as GF and are pantry staples for me. The veggie broth is good, comes in a low sodium version, and is a great deal compared to regular grocery stores.
Nth the plantain chips. Trader Joe's tortilla chips are also my golden god of chips.
I've never been completely let down by anything frozen--it was always at least good enough to finish, if not to buy again.
Produce is hit or miss, mostly miss.
posted by assenav at 9:19 AM on April 3, 2018
The soups are pretty good--the carrot/ginger one and tomato/red pepper are listed as GF and are pantry staples for me. The veggie broth is good, comes in a low sodium version, and is a great deal compared to regular grocery stores.
Nth the plantain chips. Trader Joe's tortilla chips are also my golden god of chips.
I've never been completely let down by anything frozen--it was always at least good enough to finish, if not to buy again.
Produce is hit or miss, mostly miss.
posted by assenav at 9:19 AM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: Nthing canned jackfruit! They're a pantry staple of mine.
posted by missmary6 at 9:27 AM on April 3, 2018
posted by missmary6 at 9:27 AM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: I actually find their produce to be good. The 3-packs of bell peppers are excellent. I find that their berries are also very reasonably priced, as are their grapes. The broccoli slaw bagged veggies are good and I like their power greens mix. I like their roasted Brussel sprouts that come in a vacuum bag but I haven't seen them around lately.
The frozen pucks of steel cut oats are pretty excellent and vegan. The Japanese-style fried rice in the frozen section is also good, as is the vegan tikki masala.
Am I the first person to recommend Inner Peas? Those are vegan and so good!!
posted by sockermom at 9:42 AM on April 3, 2018
The frozen pucks of steel cut oats are pretty excellent and vegan. The Japanese-style fried rice in the frozen section is also good, as is the vegan tikki masala.
Am I the first person to recommend Inner Peas? Those are vegan and so good!!
posted by sockermom at 9:42 AM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: The matcha ice cream mochi is vegan (the ice cream is coconut milk-based) and it's delicious.
Seconding the soy chorizo. It's incredibly flavor-dense and as a bonus, isn't greasy like pork chorizo.
They have a lot of pre-chopped produce like zoodles, riced cauliflower, peeled and chopped butternut squash, pre-cut pre-washed kale, etc. that I find really helpful for quick meal prep.
I have had good luck with the wine. They have a lot of decent under-$10 California red blends.
The veggie meatballs are delicious.
posted by capricorn at 10:12 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Seconding the soy chorizo. It's incredibly flavor-dense and as a bonus, isn't greasy like pork chorizo.
They have a lot of pre-chopped produce like zoodles, riced cauliflower, peeled and chopped butternut squash, pre-cut pre-washed kale, etc. that I find really helpful for quick meal prep.
I have had good luck with the wine. They have a lot of decent under-$10 California red blends.
The veggie meatballs are delicious.
posted by capricorn at 10:12 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Try to go at an off-peak time if you can, at least at first. Don't go right after work, or between 3-6pm on a Sunday.
Their staff is soooo friendly! They'll help you find anything.
posted by radioamy at 10:54 AM on April 3, 2018
Their staff is soooo friendly! They'll help you find anything.
posted by radioamy at 10:54 AM on April 3, 2018
To me, TJ's always seems set up for the person who stops in to buy dinner on the way home from work. Trendy, plenty of prepared foods, not the best place for someone who wants to buy food in the morning and cook all day.
I also think it was a clever trick to get people to think of store-branded food as "gourmet" when, at any other store, store-branded food would have the stigma of "cheap and not as good."
So, if it works for you, fine, but if it doesn't, don't fall for the hype.
posted by SemiSalt at 11:23 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
I also think it was a clever trick to get people to think of store-branded food as "gourmet" when, at any other store, store-branded food would have the stigma of "cheap and not as good."
So, if it works for you, fine, but if it doesn't, don't fall for the hype.
posted by SemiSalt at 11:23 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: They are the only place I can reliably find frozen herbs. They’re in a red rectangular container and pop out as little herby ice cubes. Big win.
Also for no known reason, their Thompson Raisins (by nuts and such, in a clear bag) are just better. I’m not a raisin fan and go out of my way for these. If you want to hang out in this aisle and pick up chewy dried banana, that would also be a good choice. Silver pouch.
posted by OrangeVelour at 11:31 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also for no known reason, their Thompson Raisins (by nuts and such, in a clear bag) are just better. I’m not a raisin fan and go out of my way for these. If you want to hang out in this aisle and pick up chewy dried banana, that would also be a good choice. Silver pouch.
posted by OrangeVelour at 11:31 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
My wife loves the lentil chip/crisp things. The spud crunchies are awesome. Their dehydrated veggie snacks (especially broccoli, but also okra) are good too. The vegan cookies (found near the bread at my local store) are very nice.
posted by miltthetank at 11:33 AM on April 3, 2018
posted by miltthetank at 11:33 AM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: Produce section: green goddess dressing is amazing and I also like the individual packs of guacamole.
Frozen: Falafel is pretty good, & cauliflower “fried rice”
Snacks aisle: their freeze dried and dehydrated fruits (especially blueberries and strawberries) are really high quality. Also love the coconut chips.
posted by permiechickie at 11:39 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Frozen: Falafel is pretty good, & cauliflower “fried rice”
Snacks aisle: their freeze dried and dehydrated fruits (especially blueberries and strawberries) are really high quality. Also love the coconut chips.
posted by permiechickie at 11:39 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The pre-cooked lentils! They are in the refrigerated veggie section, and if you ever want a bunch of delicious lentils without having to pick through dry beans or rinse them or soak them or season them, they are EXCELLENT.
Also the bruschetta, which is with the dips.
AND, seconding the dolmas, they are fantastic. One of my regular meals is half a can of dolmas, a bunch of grape tomatoes, and walnuts. SO GOOD.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 12:04 PM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Also the bruschetta, which is with the dips.
AND, seconding the dolmas, they are fantastic. One of my regular meals is half a can of dolmas, a bunch of grape tomatoes, and walnuts. SO GOOD.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 12:04 PM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Figure out an off time where you can just slowly peruse the whole store. Don't get hung up on any one item, it could be temporarily out of stock or surprise never seen again. Conversely new products show up, which could be one time only or seasonal or permanently. See something new that you like? Run immediately back and buy all that you can store. My store has a new products shelf I always checkout,but that doesn't help with new frozen/fresh/refrigerated items that get mixed into their sections.
Once you figure out where things are, you can beeline through the store on busy days, but they get so crowded I try to only go on off hours.
posted by TheAdamist at 12:27 PM on April 3, 2018
Once you figure out where things are, you can beeline through the store on busy days, but they get so crowded I try to only go on off hours.
posted by TheAdamist at 12:27 PM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: TJs is my weekly shop so I could move through the space blindfolded. Every store is set slightly differently. (I occasionally go to one in the suburbs that's the reverse of mine and also kind of triangularly-shaped and that throws me off momentarily). There's no universal TJ's map, but you do tend to get general groupings of things:
--Produce, both fruit and veg, will be with fresh cut flowers, as well as things like tofu, tofurky products, hummus, grab-and-go and prepared typed things (pizza dough lives here!).
--Salsa, pasta, condiments, sauces oils, pickles, tapas-typed-things and grains (rice, cous cous, etc...) are all grouped together. This is an AWESOME aisle. They have a lot of fancified condiments and sauces and things at very good prices.
--Pantry staples (flour, spices, sugar, baking mixes) are not really TJ's primary thing and you'll find them all together only taking up a few shelves. The aforementioned saffron lives here and also some nice baking mixes, though I don't know the vegan status of them.
--Breads and baked goods are all grouped together, usually off to one side, and usually also near the coffee and tea.
--Dairy is obvs all together, along with eggs and refrigerated juices. You'll also find refrigerated soy milk (hubs says it is identical to the kind we used to get at the Chinese grocer) and non-dairy spreads here.
--Frozen takes up a lot of space because TJs sells a lot of frozen food. Frozen veg is together, frozen meat substitute things are together (there's not a lot of them and TJs is not really the place I ever get stuff like that) and often they're sort of lumped in with frozen breakfast foods. The frozen cases you do just kind of have to peruse and eyeball. Note that they usually have stuff up above them as well. The sauces you see up there also live elsewhere in the store, you can ignore them if you are feeling overwhelmed, but above those are often the cookies and candy and that's just where they live. The cookie aisle is literally the frozen food aisle, but taller. In some stores the crackers also work that way.
--You'll also find nuts all together (lots of nuts), and snack foods all together (also very good), and nut butters all together (but not necessarily with the nuts).
TJ's pro tips: Do not get attached to anything because they notoriously discontinue products all the time, and introduce new ones randomly. My life was recently ruined by their discontinuing jarred sweet hot peppers (essential to my pizza experience!!!). They also discontinued carrying Morningstar Farms fake bacon last year (but continue to carry the sausage--it's a mystery). Things being discontinued follow no rhyme or reason and are not based on popularity of the item. It's all just supply chain necromancy.
Go at an offpeak time. The stores seem chaotic and crowded because they have a smaller footprint than a regular grocery store and tend to move into small spaces that would normally be, like, a CVS, not a full grocery store. I suggest going after dinner on a weeknight. It's insanity from 5:30-6:30 due to people stopping in on their way home, but after 7:00 it's smooth sailing.
The staff are SUPER helpful. They are paid well and it shows. If you can't find something, ask them! If you are unsure whether something is tasty or worth your while, ask them!
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:41 PM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
--Produce, both fruit and veg, will be with fresh cut flowers, as well as things like tofu, tofurky products, hummus, grab-and-go and prepared typed things (pizza dough lives here!).
--Salsa, pasta, condiments, sauces oils, pickles, tapas-typed-things and grains (rice, cous cous, etc...) are all grouped together. This is an AWESOME aisle. They have a lot of fancified condiments and sauces and things at very good prices.
--Pantry staples (flour, spices, sugar, baking mixes) are not really TJ's primary thing and you'll find them all together only taking up a few shelves. The aforementioned saffron lives here and also some nice baking mixes, though I don't know the vegan status of them.
--Breads and baked goods are all grouped together, usually off to one side, and usually also near the coffee and tea.
--Dairy is obvs all together, along with eggs and refrigerated juices. You'll also find refrigerated soy milk (hubs says it is identical to the kind we used to get at the Chinese grocer) and non-dairy spreads here.
--Frozen takes up a lot of space because TJs sells a lot of frozen food. Frozen veg is together, frozen meat substitute things are together (there's not a lot of them and TJs is not really the place I ever get stuff like that) and often they're sort of lumped in with frozen breakfast foods. The frozen cases you do just kind of have to peruse and eyeball. Note that they usually have stuff up above them as well. The sauces you see up there also live elsewhere in the store, you can ignore them if you are feeling overwhelmed, but above those are often the cookies and candy and that's just where they live. The cookie aisle is literally the frozen food aisle, but taller. In some stores the crackers also work that way.
--You'll also find nuts all together (lots of nuts), and snack foods all together (also very good), and nut butters all together (but not necessarily with the nuts).
TJ's pro tips: Do not get attached to anything because they notoriously discontinue products all the time, and introduce new ones randomly. My life was recently ruined by their discontinuing jarred sweet hot peppers (essential to my pizza experience!!!). They also discontinued carrying Morningstar Farms fake bacon last year (but continue to carry the sausage--it's a mystery). Things being discontinued follow no rhyme or reason and are not based on popularity of the item. It's all just supply chain necromancy.
Go at an offpeak time. The stores seem chaotic and crowded because they have a smaller footprint than a regular grocery store and tend to move into small spaces that would normally be, like, a CVS, not a full grocery store. I suggest going after dinner on a weeknight. It's insanity from 5:30-6:30 due to people stopping in on their way home, but after 7:00 it's smooth sailing.
The staff are SUPER helpful. They are paid well and it shows. If you can't find something, ask them! If you are unsure whether something is tasty or worth your while, ask them!
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:41 PM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
They're not a foodstuff but I like their lavender dryer bags.. so nice to throw in the machine when drying a load of sheets or towels.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:56 PM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:56 PM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
If you like chocolate soymilk, Trader Joe's brand is my favorite of all the commercially available ones I've tried. YMMV depending on your tastes. You can find it in shelf stable boxes there.
posted by Gymnopedist at 2:31 PM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Gymnopedist at 2:31 PM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Trader Joe's does have a Vegan List that itemizes all the vegan products within the store by category (frozen, snacks, beverages, etc). It can be found on their website or you can ask a crew member at the store to print one out for you. The nature of Trader Joe's is that they are a limited product company that brings in new products every week and discontinues products regularly. The vegan list is a great launching point but it will not be 100% comprehensive.
posted by carnivoregiraffe at 2:46 PM on April 3, 2018
posted by carnivoregiraffe at 2:46 PM on April 3, 2018
Best answer: I second the Vegetable Masala Burger. It is like a Samosa filling made into a patty. Just really delicious and like 2.50 for 4 patties! Their Fozen Mango bar is really good. I think it comes from Australia. Soy chorizo is OK, but I have had better. They have a Porcini and Truffle Trangioli that is really good, but may not be vegan. They use real truffles and the fridge smells like truffles when I refrigerate the leftovers. Produce at TJ's stinks. Especially if you live in a goodsize city like mine. Their Indian Frozen foods are on point. If you find ones that are vegan and like Indian food, try them.
Here is a non-comprehensive Vegan list to get started on.
posted by indianbadger1 at 3:36 PM on April 3, 2018
Here is a non-comprehensive Vegan list to get started on.
posted by indianbadger1 at 3:36 PM on April 3, 2018
Pick up a copy of their Fearless Flyer and see what grabs you.
posted by brujita at 5:22 PM on April 3, 2018
posted by brujita at 5:22 PM on April 3, 2018
I have always enjoyed visiting Trader Joe's when traveling, but there is not one close to me in Canada. There are so many options in 2018... I agree with Soren that the staff tend to be very helpful. Asking what is new and exciting on the Vegan front from them would be my starting point. Good luck!
posted by cookiemaster at 7:21 PM on April 3, 2018
posted by cookiemaster at 7:21 PM on April 3, 2018
I'll add the harissa salsa (with the rest of the salsas, near the chips), the raw sauerkraut (refrigerated produce section), and jarred bruschetta (near the olives/pasta sauces) to the list!
posted by kylej at 8:58 PM on April 3, 2018
posted by kylej at 8:58 PM on April 3, 2018
I came in here to recommend the zhoug and the garlic sauce/toum. They both pack a powerful flavor punch (watch out for that garlic sauce!) and both are really good with roasted/steamed veggies.
I've actually had pretty good experience with the produce, especially fruit. It's not farmer's-market level, but it's decent. I think it might depend on your location though. I like the apples (the Envy apples are soooooo good), the red seedless grapes, and the bananas. The sliced crimini mushrooms come in very handy (though note that all of the pre-chopped/sliced veggies have a shorter shelf life). The microwaveable/prehalved brussels sprouts and precooked beets are also nice. Frozen vegetables are really good - the frozen broccoli florets are a staple for me, and I also love the roasted corn and fire-roasted bell peppers/onion mix (the latter two are great for adding to rice and beans for a burrito bowl type thing).
Agree with the tips to go in the off-hours and ask for help the first few times you go. I'm enough of a regular that I can find my way around pretty much any TJs now, but the staff are always really nice and helpful.
To me, TJ's always seems set up for the person who stops in to buy dinner on the way home from work. Trendy, plenty of prepared foods, not the best place for someone who wants to buy food in the morning and cook all day.
I think Trader Joe's can work for either kind of people - I've been both at different points of my life and TJs has worked for both modes.
posted by lunasol at 11:22 AM on April 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
I've actually had pretty good experience with the produce, especially fruit. It's not farmer's-market level, but it's decent. I think it might depend on your location though. I like the apples (the Envy apples are soooooo good), the red seedless grapes, and the bananas. The sliced crimini mushrooms come in very handy (though note that all of the pre-chopped/sliced veggies have a shorter shelf life). The microwaveable/prehalved brussels sprouts and precooked beets are also nice. Frozen vegetables are really good - the frozen broccoli florets are a staple for me, and I also love the roasted corn and fire-roasted bell peppers/onion mix (the latter two are great for adding to rice and beans for a burrito bowl type thing).
Agree with the tips to go in the off-hours and ask for help the first few times you go. I'm enough of a regular that I can find my way around pretty much any TJs now, but the staff are always really nice and helpful.
To me, TJ's always seems set up for the person who stops in to buy dinner on the way home from work. Trendy, plenty of prepared foods, not the best place for someone who wants to buy food in the morning and cook all day.
I think Trader Joe's can work for either kind of people - I've been both at different points of my life and TJs has worked for both modes.
posted by lunasol at 11:22 AM on April 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kbuxton at 8:23 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]