I HATE to shop — really hate it. I go to the store before God is awake to avoid women with a dozen kids driving semis down the aisles (without signaling); I pay for a business membership at Sam’s Club so I can make it to the toilet paper mountain without being crushed. But there is an exception — and that is Trader Joe’s. We’ve had one location in Albuquerque for a few years, but it was way off my beaten path. Now, I have my own Trader Joe’s. It’s only a couple of miles down the road.
After work today I rushed home to feed our babies. I noticed the goat’s milk supply was low. The first quart of goat’s milk I had purchased at the store at which I buy chicken backs and necks. It cost $6.39. But I wanted to get some “handcrafted” frozen burritos, and THE BEST frozen roasted corn which are Trader Joe’s products. I checked out their goat’s milk when I went in — only $2.99 a quart (now the boyz can eat all they want). Joe’s flower bouquets are beautiful. Vicki would still be there taking photos. They carry local wines — the St. Claire Malvasia is splendid with cheese and pears. The produce is so fresh that it’s unaware it’s no longer on its branch or vine. Oh, I so heart Trader Joe’s!
Love, love, love Trader Joe’s! They have the best frozen mini-carmelized onion, goat cheese tart things. They’re unreal. I like T J’s better than Whole Foods; less hype, better produce.
Heard of it – but never been to one. Isn’t the home of Two Buck Chuck?
*sob* I love Trader Joe’s. There is one in Nashville I think, 1.5 hours away. I hit it up when I visit my mom in Ohio though! I so wish we had one here.
The new cardiologist has one next to his office. And since his office is a weekly visit I get to go more often! Bananas at the grocery store 79 cents/lb, bananas at TJ’s 19 cents/lb!
Have you tried the chicken masala in the frozen foods section? To die for! (of course then you must buy the frozen Naan bread!)
Trader Joe’s is also very socially conscious as grocery store chains go. They have a corporate policy when they put in a store to set up an arrangement with the local food bank to take any produce that is getting moved out and it’s always still very fresh.
I wrote produce but they also do it with the other foods that have a date.
We don’t have a TJ’s close to us out here, but Fresh and Easy is a nice substitute…. I heart F&E! TJ’s is pretty darned awesome…. tho usually too crowded for my liking 🙁
I have never had the pleasure of going to a TJ’s. I was given a delightfully decadent birthday cake from there and it was a little bit of heaven on a plate. It would be nice if they opened one up in our area.
My office is above a Trader Joe’s! Needless to say, I am there daily. 🙂 The goat milk yogurt is very good. It was recommended to me by a nutritionist because it is lower allergen than cow’s milk yogurt. yum!!
We don’t have one here either. I think the only time I’ve been was to the one in Palm Springs last year. I wish . . .
Penni, you liked shopping at the kaleidoscope store.
The kaleidoscope store is in a class by itself, and, like TJ’s, worth battling the crowds. However, they have no foodstuff for the boyz. I do expect the boyz would roll a kaleidoscope around and try to chew on it.
🙂 I will have to check out their flowers…………
Ours is on the other side of town, and sort of off my beaten path.
But with all the specific recommendations here, especially for frozen things that could turn into dinner on week nights……………
🙂
Trader Joe’s rules. There is no substitute. (Not even Henry’s!)
Trader Joes is OK here in Issaquah, WA but it’s full of the granola-eating, Birkenstock-wearing-in-the-middle-of-winter types who are rude and all about ME (them, not me!) But they do have nice, unsalted real nuts in the off season for a big Blue and Gold Macaw named Tango who love his nuts. Not shells to break though, and he needs that….so I will be stocking up on more inshell nuts this holiday season. Ugh, just when I have soooooo much leftover money.