Because I have one in my neighborhood now and because I can't afford to shop much in the foodie shops.
Great stuff I have tried:
The trail mixes (especially "Simply the Best" w/cranberries, cherries, cashews, almonds, pineapple, etc.)The tamales (cheese > chicken > beef imo)Seeded Whole Wheat Bread (the one that looks kind of like a knockoff of "The Baker")European Style Whole Milk Yogurt (plain)Swiss Dark ChocolateGyoza Dumplings (esp. pork)
Good/Decent:Hofbrau Bock beerPollo Asado (the pre-marinated one you cook yourself)Salmon Roulettes (frozen)Fajita BurritoEnchiladas VerdesCrab PattiesQuesadillas (the non-frozen ones)Natural peanut butter (hard to fuck this up)Whole Wheat Blueberry MuffinsFrench Vanilla Ice Cream
Meh:Wild salmonVegetable BurritoSome kind of frozen vegetable medley with weird flavored-butter melty clumpsMost of the other jarred pasta sauces
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:09 (fifteen years ago) link
It's a bit disturbing how easily Trader Joe's has lulled me into eating so much frozen food. But I guess law school is partly to blame for that.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:12 (fifteen years ago) link
classic: lb bag of pecans for $6sourdough breadhard-to-find red-label california style sourdough breadfocaccia ($2.99)seasonal spiced apple drink with cloves and thingsdud: recalled peanut productsnot selling individual avocadossome weird kind of carrots that sound delicious but you get them home and they're just more frozen carrots with weird lumps of ginger infused butter that you eat on their own, just a bowl of carrots whose refined charisma you thought might carry them.
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:16 (fifteen years ago) link
chili mango slices <3
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:16 (fifteen years ago) link
some weird kind of carrots that sound delicious but you get them home and they're just more frozen carrots with weird lumps of ginger infused butter that you eat on their own, just a bowl of carrots whose refined charisma you thought might carry them.
― deveraux billings (schlump), Tuesday, March 10, 2009 11:16 PM (13 minutes ago) Bookmark
Yeah, that! It was gross!
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:32 (fifteen years ago) link
classic:
salmon pattiespeanut butter filled pretzelsi will second gyoza dumplings and seeded whole wheatone of the bacons they sell, can't recall details
dud:
andouille sausage (this made me feel fucked up)
i don't have a microwave so large swaths of their frozen stuff is useless to me.
― He grew in Pussyville. Population: him. (call all destroyer), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:42 (fifteen years ago) link
The cioppino is the absolute most refined, delicious, and clutch frozen dinner I have ever had. Throw it on some spaghetti and you have an even bigger meal.
― throwbookatface (skygreenleopard), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:49 (fifteen years ago) link
do you have to microwave that?
― He grew in Pussyville. Population: him. (call all destroyer), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:51 (fifteen years ago) link
s: that white cheddar w/ the carmalized onions in it (<---- my favorite shit ever)
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:51 (fifteen years ago) link
s: mango mochi
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 03:52 (fifteen years ago) link
classic:vege medley w/balsamic butter dressingvege medley w/potato wedges^both great tossed with spag and oilvegan choc chip cookiesalmond caramel clusterschocolate ice cream (some of the best ice cream and it's CHEAP)hashbrownsfrozen vege lasagna
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:18 (fifteen years ago) link
i wish trader joe's was not so crowded so i could go more often and buy cheap delicious things.
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:19 (fifteen years ago) link
their fresh fruit is shit - every time we get stuff from there it goes rotten in a couple of days
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:28 (fifteen years ago) link
no one's mentioned the dark chocolate ginger pieces...they're...delightful
― dbro, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:34 (fifteen years ago) link
oh i had a party and put out the dark chocolate covered almonds rolled in dark cocoa and ppl were like omg nommmmm
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:34 (fifteen years ago) link
lacey cookies A++++++ not sure if they're TJ brand though
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:38 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, produce is generally hit or miss. I like buying their big bags o' mixed chard or "southern greens." I love cooking greens and cleaning/cutting them is such a pain, especially in my tiny-ass kitchen.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:57 (fifteen years ago) link
As far as crowds -- best time to go is 10AM or earlier on a weekend (well, excluding going on a weekday during work hours, which you probably can't do). Another good time -- dinner hours, Friday evening.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 04:58 (fifteen years ago) link
the way they treat their apples makes me want to cry. you can paw through a whole shelf of apples and find none that aren't bruised
i always feel sorry for the people who are holding the signs that shepherd the line. at first i thought it was a pretty good lazy job, then i realised that it's queueing, ALL DAY LONG, never getting anywhere. when you're at the bank and there's a massive line, you always rely on that schadenfreude of other people piling up behind you and having to wait longer. but if you're the trader joe linesman ... always at the end of the line.
they also call it 'twelve items or fewer' which is nice
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:02 (fifteen years ago) link
I always find the cashiers super nice -- do they pay unusually well or something?
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:03 (fifteen years ago) link
their bagged greens do seem to last really well - we get the baby spinach a lot, it's a big bag and stays fresh for close to two weeks.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:04 (fifteen years ago) link
dinner hours?? no way. that is also known as 'after work' when everyone in the world goes!
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:04 (fifteen years ago) link
omfghttp://justinsomnia.org/images/trader-joes-chocolate-croissants.jpg
― can u do me a kindness (jergins), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:06 (fifteen years ago) link
But Friday night it seems to work, like maybe 7:30 or later.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:08 (fifteen years ago) link
good:
breadpeanut butter (also almond butter)three cheese frozen pizzasole filetssharp cheddar (cheap!)chocolate-covered edamametomato soup (okay, not as good as Amy's)
always disappointing:
anything salsa-relatedproduce
i stay away from the frozen dinners and pre-marinated crap too, and the overpriced meats.
― Tracy Michael Jordan Catalano (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:09 (fifteen years ago) link
they have nicely prized frozen meats. i prefer whole foods' frozen fishes.
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:10 (fifteen years ago) link
cheeapest clif bars off the net!
― can u do me a kindness (jergins), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:11 (fifteen years ago) link
"good:
bread"
But not good, the plain-old "Whole Wheat Bread" (the one with very small slices) -- cardboardy. Same with the bread that comes in imitation Alvarado Street Bakery packaging.
It's funny how TJ will have like five different brands of the same product that are all TJ's and all knockoffs of other brands, and then they compete against each other.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:12 (fifteen years ago) link
classic x100: free samples of coffee
― iatee, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:12 (fifteen years ago) link
Suggest Ban Permalink― deveraux billings (schlump), Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:02 PM Bookmark
I have never seen this
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:12 (fifteen years ago) link
I like the "New Zealand Grass Fed Organic Cheddar" -- very cheap! (not as yummy as Cabot, but, you know, in this economy...)
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:13 (fifteen years ago) link
i have never bought any of the cheese/fresh meats because the line wraps around the store and makes it impossible to get to anything in that case
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:22 (fifteen years ago) link
do you live in somewhere with a breezy, unencumbered open plan trader joe's? like one in arizona where they test out new products?
i think there is a bit on the website dedicated to regional variations, if anyone is keen for more idiosyncratic tj innovation
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:31 (fifteen years ago) link
I like the "New Zealand Grass Fed Organic Cheddar" -- very cheap!
That stuff's good -- it's a little earthy-tasting, though. I usually just get the Wisconsin sharp white cheddar.
You know what's pretty good, and new I think (at least in my neck of the woods)? The edamame hummus.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:46 (fifteen years ago) link
My favorite of their hummuses is the Mediterranean Hummus
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:54 (fifteen years ago) link
should be its own thread/poll, but i have come to the conclusion that all other houmouses are bullshit. i have been burned too many times. original is BEST, though red pepper is sometimes acceptable.
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:58 (fifteen years ago) link
Do you specifically mean Trader Joe's original or are you just against flavored hummuses in general?
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:59 (fifteen years ago) link
― throwbookatface (skygreenleopard)
One of my all-time faves too. I put it on rice at first but it's even better on pasta. And you can cook the seafood/sauce in a pan - no microwave necessary.
Also the Chicken Gorgonzola in the frozen section is classic. Make a sandwich with their cibatta.
― nickn, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:16 (fifteen years ago) link
A lot of their frozen stuff works in the toaster oven if you can wait around for a little while.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:19 (fifteen years ago) link
their veggie meatballs are awesome. also, their wheat tortillas are shit for everything EXCEPT making enchiladas, we discovered today, in which case they are the best tortillas you can possibly buy.
― akm, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Do the frozen stuff (entrees & such) on the stovetop with a little oil, maybe a little water--set it on medium-low and stir.
― WARS OF ARMAGEDDON (Karaoke Version) (Sparkle Motion), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:37 (fifteen years ago) link
best: chocolate covered pretzelschocolate mint hot chocolatechocolate covered fruitlacey cookiesbrie - good price compared to Whole Foodssome of the frozen appetizers - mushroom turnovers I remember being pretty yummy, though I haven't had them in awhilegreek style yogurtdecent prices on fancy brand hard liquorbig jugs of juicespiced apple cider
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:36 (fifteen years ago) link
agreed - Whole Foods has frozen soft-shell crab. They spent almost a year building a Whole Foods down my block, and I resented it a lot. Then I saw the frozen soft-shell crab. Best sandwich I've ever had was a soft-shell crab prepared burger like. Sorry to derail TJ thread with WF talk.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:41 (fifteen years ago) link
I fuck w/ the mushroom turnovers
― as per diddy's twitter (The Reverend), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:41 (fifteen years ago) link
i don't really buy stuff from the freezer aisle much, but the frozen naan is classic! dud: i bought some frozen egg rolls recently and they came out kinda mushy and greasy. but classic: frozen puff pastry. and their pizzas aren't half bad, esp. the roasted vegetable one.
i'm stoked that they have the winter loaf fruit and nut bread right now! it's super-delicious, esp. the bits of candied orange peel.
one of my other favorite things is the nitrate-free pastrami, which has a very beefy/briny flavor.
if i buy pre-sliced sandwich bread at all, i buy the milton's whole grain bread or the new repackaged TJ's version of it (it's cheaper).
the cheese selection is somewhat meh, but i'm all about that cotswold cheddar. and i've been keeping little hunks of their grana padano around to grate on pasta, etc.
they used to have these triple-shot cans of iced espresso at a very good price. i'm deeply dismayed that they've stopped carrying them.
― NYSE:JAH (get bent), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:56 (fifteen years ago) link
so many things i've had from TJs were good or great the first time, horrible the second. the veggie chorizo, for instance. i hardly buy anything but staples there these days, the occasional lazy can of veggie chili... my wife loves their frozen pizzas. i find them pretty disgusting. they got rid of a lot of my favorite stuff in the past year or so.
quinoa bread - yum. not good for toast, though, just making sandwiches. everything bagels are okay. i'm really straining to think of anything exciting... um, chili-lime pistachios.
the balsamic veggie medley - blarrgh. canned soups - blarrgh.
― WEREWOLF CONGRESS (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:06 (fifteen years ago) link
when has something called a "veggie medley" EVER been good?
― NYSE:JAH (get bent), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:16 (fifteen years ago) link
they had this half-round of sourdough bread, might've been whole wheat sourdough that was awesome.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:31 (fifteen years ago) link
maybe if it was fried veggie medley, it'd be good. However, most things called "veggie medley" tend not to be fried.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:33 (fifteen years ago) link
veggie medleys/mixed vegetable mixes are never good, this is true
pretty good -moroccan salted olivesgreek yogurtbaby beetsginger cookies, the small ones that come in a round plastic containersome of the frozen enchiladas (chicken chile verde)relatively inexpensive walnuts, almonds, also almond butter
― football consultant, oakland raiders (daria-g), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 11:16 (fifteen years ago) link
yes:veggie meatballs (addicted to these)garlic hummus dipcoffee
no:produce (obviously)"soy nuggets"
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 11:51 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm still into soy nuggets, though my girlfriend has gradually lost interest in them.
Other likes, with caveats:
margarita pizza (though it's no substitute for the great goat cheese pizza, which has since been discontinued)
frozen mildly spiced vegetable burritos (though I stopped buying them after I realized how calorie-laden they are)
fresh mild salsa (though it tends to get overly acidic after a couple of days)
I guess I have no complaints about the frozen seafood I've bought there.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 12:46 (fifteen years ago) link
My gf also just walked into the room and said, "Did you mention BRITISH MUFFINS?" I said no because I don't give a shit about them, but for posterity, I should mention that she eats the cinnamon raisin variety pretty much every day.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 12:47 (fifteen years ago) link
^different from English muffins?
― f f murray abraham (G00blar), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:39 (fifteen years ago) link
Not that I can tell.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:43 (fifteen years ago) link
Wait, I take that back: I guess they don't have Thomas-style nooks and crannies.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:44 (fifteen years ago) link
That's the Welsh influence.
― f f murray abraham (G00blar), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:48 (fifteen years ago) link
Undoubtedly.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:56 (fifteen years ago) link
decent prices on fancy brand hard liquor
where do you live that they do this? i want to move there.
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:12 (fifteen years ago) link
should mention that i've grown past charles shaw (hooray i am old!) but i still like to buy wines at their wine shop cause they're about $3-8 cheaper for most things than the shop in my neighborhood.
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:13 (fifteen years ago) link
they dont have liquor or wine @ the bk outpost
― rip dom passantino 3/5/09 never forget (max), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:13 (fifteen years ago) link
tbh i have not really been feeling tjs lately after eating nothing but stuff from their store all thru college
― rip dom passantino 3/5/09 never forget (max), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:14 (fifteen years ago) link
will ride for the chocolate covered peanut butter filled pretzels tho
those Maple Cream cookies are out of control good.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:34 (fifteen years ago) link
that sounds absolutely disgusting
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:34 (fifteen years ago) link
These are not being appreciated enough.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:35 (fifteen years ago) link
I've ventured into Trader Joe's out of curiosity, but I always get frustrated and leave empty-handed. I can't stand the in-no-way-intuitive layout (soy sauce is stocked in the freezer section next to eggrolls?) and there are huge gaps in what they stock (Thai rice sticks were the only non-Italian noodles I could find). But I don't buy prepared foods or snacks, so maybe TJ wasn't meant for me.
― lindseykai, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:56 (fifteen years ago) link
ugh, we got the chili mango slices and found them GROSS.
BUT WHY TJ DID YOU STOP SELLING THE CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUTS? My gf asked, they said they weren't selling. WTF
― dan selzer, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:07 (fifteen years ago) link
But I don't buy prepared foods or snacks, so maybe TJ wasn't meant for me.
Possibly. CHILXor dan m. has said the same. I don't really go nuts with all of the snacks and cookies and shit, either, but there are two things that I eat with a great deal of regularity -- cereal and sandwiches -- and TJ's is definitely good for things like cheese, soy milk, condiments, etc.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:10 (fifteen years ago) link
bread talk: quinoa bread is some crumbly shit.the half-loaves of sourdough are great though. i don't really understand wholewheat sourdough, but the white loaves. also the tuscan panes and similar little seeded breads.
i remember someone speaking up for soy chorizo a while ago and being curious, because i don't really go in for faux-meat stuff. but the backlash has dissuaded me. are veggie meatballs good: for real?
also: little cherry tomatoes. can't really find them anywhere cheaper.
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:21 (fifteen years ago) link
― dan selzer, Wednesday, March 11, 2009 11:07 AM (16 minutes ago) Bookmark
Someone told me they have some kind of fairly strict system where they rotate out the bottom x% of products (in sales terms).
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:24 (fifteen years ago) link
If you don't like prepared foods it's true that TJ doesn't have a lot to offer besides staples. It's definitely not a store for true foodies or cooking enthusiasts. Produce at the little green markets in the area is equally cheap and generally better. And Sahadi's and Damascus Bakery are good for specialty items.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:27 (fifteen years ago) link
got to chime in for this lemon pepper w/ grinder trader joe's sells. my mom bought it for us randomly and it took my wife and i a couple months to actually try it, but now we cannot live without it. which is a problem because we're running low and we live in a state with no Trader Joe's. Mom?
― tylerw, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:29 (fifteen years ago) link
still so sad that tjs discontinued the flax pasta. brown rice and whole wheat is proving to be no substitute. the flax one ended up being just the right consistency -- not to chewy, but still on the firm side that let you know it was a bit more healthy than white flour. one of the managers told me a few months back they'd be trying out another flax variety, but no dice so far.
― robotsinlove, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:38 (fifteen years ago) link
may god help me if they ever get rid of darrell lea black licorice
life without it would be bleak
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:41 (fifteen years ago) link
omg that reminds me the 25 seasoning salute is like a gift from the heavens!
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 16:49 (fifteen years ago) link
Third on the veggie meatballs...also:
-super lazy but the three-packs of frozen brown rice somehow microwave perfectly every time and are great on-the-fly
-boil-in-bag Indian dal (nice w/ their mango chutney)
-GARLIC NAAN (not frozen)
-strawberry kefir (drinkable yogurt)
-red pepper-tomato soup in the carton thingy
― Hadrian VIII, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 17:29 (fifteen years ago) link
O yeah the carton soups have generally treated me well.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 17:58 (fifteen years ago) link
third the carton soups - the red pepper/tomato is a fave of mine too
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:13 (fifteen years ago) link
big fan of these.
Also, A ________ Walks Into a Bar
― Your heartbeat soun like sasquatch feet (polyphonic), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:14 (fifteen years ago) link
the red pepper/tomato is pretty good, but honestly i kind of live on Amy's low-fat cream of tomato.
― Tracy Michael Jordan Catalano (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:17 (fifteen years ago) link
Also:
Green apple granolaVegetarian sushiLentil wrap
― Your heartbeat soun like sasquatch feet (polyphonic), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:17 (fifteen years ago) link
Vegetarian sushi
Should've mentioned this earlier as a do-not-want. It's kind of gross.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:19 (fifteen years ago) link
my boyfriend loves those soy nuggets - we discovered, by accident (lol), that the trick is to totally overbake them (45mins at 400)
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:20 (fifteen years ago) link
It's lettuce, rice, squash and a little bit of tofu. What makes it gross?
― Your heartbeat soun like sasquatch feet (polyphonic), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:21 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm on the fence about soy nuggets.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:22 (fifteen years ago) link
xp They're a little sweet, which isn't something I want in sushi. I'm guessing it's preservatives.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:26 (fifteen years ago) link
oh those fruit leather things w/ fiber added :)
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:27 (fifteen years ago) link
i haven't been to tj's in like, months, though.
we discovered, by accident (lol), that the trick is to totally overbake them (45mins at 400)
Wow, you have far more patience than I do. If I'm eating soy nuggets, it's because I don't want to spend more than 5 minutes preparing a meal. (I just microwave them.)
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:30 (fifteen years ago) link
frozen mac n cheese is amazing
― cool app (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:30 (fifteen years ago) link
expensive tho
you can make real food in 45 minutes!
― Tracy Michael Jordan Catalano (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:42 (fifteen years ago) link
^^Yeah, that's my point!
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:45 (fifteen years ago) link
i KNOW that - but cooking is one of my least favourite activities, esp since me and my bf and pretty much polar differences when it comes to tastes.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:47 (fifteen years ago) link
;_;
if you come visit i will teach you to <3 cooking :)
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:54 (fifteen years ago) link
i don't have either the patience, efficiency or creativity to ever really enjoy cooking. the whole thing just stresses me out!
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:09 (fifteen years ago) link
This is mad tasty (although I prefer the tandoori naan) but I end up freezing it anyway because otherwise it goes bad v quickly
xps: yeah, as someone who doesn't enjoy cooking at all (although my capabilities in that department are pretty good, tbh), TJ's is a godsend
― The-Reverend (rev), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:16 (fifteen years ago) link
me too, rev - i CAN cook, and often do a reasonably good job of it. i was cooking family meals for 5 most week nights from the time i was 12-13. but i hate thinking about food and how to make it. which is also why tj's is so good - i can eat prettily healthily without putting much effort in.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:24 (fifteen years ago) link
Recent TJ's classicness:Asparagus Risotto (might be too salty for some, but this is pretty much all I'm getting from the frozen aisle)German Mountain cheeseChicken sausage and polenta lasagna
― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:42 (fifteen years ago) link
Love:Columbus Salame Co. coldcuts (although these are not TJs exclusively)Cheaper prices on vino and booze, even if maddingly inconsistent stocking of beer brandsFlavored pita chips - OMMFG.
Hate:Milk - sour in like, 4 daysProduce - just not well-looked after, even in CA
On the whole, TJ for froze and pre-packaged, and bread if I'm feeling meh about Von's selection. As detailed on numerous other threads, the South Pasadena area has an embarassment of riches when it comes to grocery stores - WF, TJ, Vons, Ralphs, Bristol Farms and Pavillions all within 2 miles, and a BevMo in the mix, as well.
You pretty much can cook anything you want on an hour's notice.
― Barackin' In the Free World (B.L.A.M.), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:44 (fifteen years ago) link
never had problems with TJ's milk
― The-Reverend (rev), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:46 (fifteen years ago) link
i can eat prettily healthily
Not to sound self-righteous -- because God knows I'm not the healthiest eater -- but if you're buying anything that's prepackaged (unless it's just like frozen green beans or whatever), you're definitely sacrificing a certain amount of healthiness. Trader Joe's items are usually better than what you'd find at a mainstream supermarket (I don't recall seeing high-fructose corn syrup in any of their products, for instance), but any ready-to-eat product is still going to have way more sodium and other chemical preservatives than if you just made it yourself.
This is a big part of why I gave up those TJ's burritos. For a while I told myself they were a cheap, healthy meal -- vegan even! -- and then I read the nutritional info more closely. TJ's also has a tortilla soup in a jar that I had a couple times and liked but stopped buying when I realized it contained like 80% of your RDA of sodium.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:49 (fifteen years ago) link
IIRC, South Pasadena has a pretty good farmer's market on Thursday.
And yeah, TJ's produce is uniformly poor but I do like those big tubs of fresh basil.
― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:50 (fifteen years ago) link
that's why i said 'pretty healthily' - i do realise i don't have the most amazingly nutritious diet, but i have to make a compromise: i could eat super healthily and feel stressed about it every day and dread coming home to cook, or i can do what i'm doing now.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:58 (fifteen years ago) link
and then I read the nutritional info more closely
this is where you went wrong, I think
― iatee, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 20:09 (fifteen years ago) link
god please bring one of these yuppie huts to walkable distance from my jersey city home thanknig u in advnce
― WOOKIE JOHNSON (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 20:12 (fifteen years ago) link
xxp Totally. I feel much the same way, J.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 20:56 (fifteen years ago) link
xp: tehresa - Trader Joe's has booze in the locations I go to - the San Francisco one, one in Emeryville, CA and new one in Oakland, CA. I think they're trying to open a store in Berkeley, and the city is hassling them about selling hard alcohol because it is on a street homeless people frequent, and Berkeley is concerned that Trader Joe's selling booze will somehow enable their already existant substance abuse problems. So maybe your TJ's lack of booze is the product of some city zoning issue.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 20:56 (fifteen years ago) link
the half-loaves of sourdough are great though. i don't really understand wholewheat sourdough, but the white loaves. also the tuscan panes and similar little seeded breads.
It's sourdough bread made w/whole wheat flour. Or is it that you don't understand why this product would exist? I think the bread I was thinking of was the tuscan panes, though. I'm not a fan of pre-sliced bread, but I struggle to use up a whole loaf before it goes hard. The tuscan things actually last quite a while.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:01 (fifteen years ago) link
So maybe your TJ's lack of booze is the product of some city zoning issue.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, March 11, 2009 4:56 PM (15 minutes ago) Bookmark
In NYC I think it's a limit on the number of liquor sale licenses in a geographical area. The Brooklyn one has beer but not wine or liquor.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:13 (fifteen years ago) link
(although I have a feeling they get away with beers that approach wine-levels in ABV)
I think they're trying to open a store in Berkeley, and the city is hassling them about selling hard alcohol because it is on a street homeless people frequent
as opposed to every other street in the city. god I hate berkeley sometimes - opening up that trader joe's is the nicest thing that could ever happen to that area. (I used to live a few blocks away)
― iatee, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:27 (fifteen years ago) link
in ny though there are rules about selling both beer and wine, that's why it's always one or the other and not both.
― dan selzer, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:31 (fifteen years ago) link
There's a lot to loathe about berkeley. However they do have the best record store, video store, and book store in the East Bay.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:34 (fifteen years ago) link
There's already a TJ's on College. How many do you need?
― Your heartbeat soun like sasquatch feet (polyphonic), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:37 (fifteen years ago) link
In NYC I think it's a limit on the number of liquor sale licenses in a geographical area
California has these limits, too. There's a liquor license market and liquor license brokers. Parts of San Francisco are at the geographical limit, such that if you wanted to open a liquor store or restaurant/bar/club you would have to buy someone else's liquor license.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:38 (fifteen years ago) link
The new one is going to be on University where the Firestone tire place was (I think). I was surprised they opened the one on Lakeshore because there was one on College and the Emeryville one, though the Lakeshore one is a really good location. Probably my best TJ's shopping experience was after happy hour at the Easy Lounge across the street - tipsy TJ's shopping. Had to really focus on buying things other than chocolate covered snacks and sausage.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 21:42 (fifteen years ago) link
the one on college is shit - it's close to my work, but the other one is closer to where i live - and the one time we went there they were out of practically everything.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:00 (fifteen years ago) link
I would rather they open something else up at the Firestone lot. There has got to be something else that could go in there and be of use. 2 Andronicos, 1 Berkeley Bowl, 2 Safeways, 1 Whole Foods, and 1 Trader Joes seems like plenty of grocery options to me.
― Your heartbeat soun like sasquatch feet (polyphonic), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:04 (fifteen years ago) link
I've never been to the one on College. I tend to avoid that area, except for Zachary's Pizza.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:06 (fifteen years ago) link
if you don't have a car in berkeley, the college one is way too far away. don't think I've ever even been?
― iatee, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:08 (fifteen years ago) link
You guys need a bicycle with a basket, I think.
Anyway, off topic, my apologies.
― Your heartbeat soun like sasquatch feet (polyphonic), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:10 (fifteen years ago) link
If I worked in downtown Berkeley, I could see going to the Firestone trader joe's to get lunch. That Berkeley Bowl, Whole Foods, and Andronico's are so close together seems like overkill, but where I grew up 3 of the 5 supermarkets for the town were within 5 blocks, and that was where the supermarkets were, perhaps the same logic as putting all the car dealerships in one area - though that logic applied to supermarkets is not airtight.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:12 (fifteen years ago) link
you see the same thing in new zealand too - all the big chain supermarkets along one street.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:16 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah, the town where I grew up was home to the first super-Walmart in Northern California. I think it might have as many big chain retail stores as the city I live in now that has 8x as many people.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:18 (fifteen years ago) link
Last night's dinner was one of those metallic bags of Trader Joe's Dal Makhani, over leftover rice, with some frozen mixed veggies. The veggies were totally unseasoned, but the Dal Makhani more than compensated, and we both sat there eating going, "Oh wow, this is gooood."
This was prepared entirely with a microwave and two bowls.
― kenan, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 23:14 (fifteen years ago) link
Second the booze-loving. Big bottle of Walker Black (the 1.75L) for $7 cheaper than the BevMo, and you probably even a greater discount over liquor stores. Bought some bourbon and some good wines there the other day, I look forward to one tonight.
― throwbookatface (skygreenleopard), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 23:34 (fifteen years ago) link
this thread totally was the only reason I made the uphill trudge to trader joe's today
I decided to buy the 'simpler times' beer because I am crazy poor and it is crazy cheap! is it any good?
― iatee, Thursday, 12 March 2009 02:22 (fifteen years ago) link
It's less complicated.
― kenan, Thursday, 12 March 2009 02:27 (fifteen years ago) link
it's certainly drinkable, though it needs a more hilarious label to suit the name.
― He grew in Pussyville. Population: him. (call all destroyer), Thursday, 12 March 2009 02:29 (fifteen years ago) link
ah yeah, i just don't really understand it based on having eaten it. all the familiar sourdough taste was missing. the tuscan panes are real good.
― deveraux billings (schlump), Thursday, 12 March 2009 03:38 (fifteen years ago) link
lovelovelove (and would marry) the chocolate raspberry sticks.
― VegemiteGrrrl, Thursday, 12 March 2009 04:21 (fifteen years ago) link
So I was in Trader Joe's the other day with my son, who's 3 1/2, and really likes the ready-to-heat chili mac in the refrigerated section, and my son runs over to the refrigerator case, grabs a box of chili mac, hoists it over his head like the Stanley Cup, and bellows "CHIIIILLLLLIIIII MAAAAAAAAC!" to the great amusement of all nearby TJ employees.
So, chili mac.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Thursday, 12 March 2009 04:55 (fifteen years ago) link
the trader joe's near me is just this side of being too far to conveniently walk to for regular shopping expeditions, so it's been a while since i've partook of their stuff
that being said, something about their snacks always seemed slightly "off" to me-- their hummus, chips, salsa etc.
i remember their greek yogurt being awesome, though
plus awesome cheap beer, olive oil, nuts...
― laceychabertfan@aol.com (dell), Thursday, 12 March 2009 18:58 (fifteen years ago) link
it's hard to go wrong with chocolate-covered fruit products - raspberry sticks are my fave after the milk chocolate covered pretzels.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:01 (fifteen years ago) link
jaymc, i had a nightmare about astronomical sodium levels last night, thanks to you
― just1n3, Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:02 (fifteen years ago) link
Haha, sorry.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:06 (fifteen years ago) link
the TJ's in berkeley is going to be like three blocks from my house so Yes to that (although I don't see how anyone is going to park, maybe they're doing underground parking or something). This is the former location of the supermarket immortalized in that Ginsburg poem, incidentally.
― akm, Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:24 (fifteen years ago) link
^^ really? For some reason I thought it was the Safeway in the Marina in SF.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:34 (fifteen years ago) link
no.
also, yeah, there are a lot of supermarkets in berkeley, but not as many as lots of other places, and anyway, andronicos and whole foods are prohibitively expensive for lots of people these day, and north berkeley safeway is fucking gross (though i shop there all the time)
― akm, Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:34 (fifteen years ago) link
anyway now I saw somewhere else that it was about something on college, but the daily planet in berkeley had an article a while back that stated it was about a supermarket that used to be on that lot. Gisburg lived on Milvia, right down from where I live now, which is where Howl was written.
― akm, Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:35 (fifteen years ago) link
ok here it is: http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-05-22/article/30062?headline=Reader-Report-Requiem-for-a-Berkeley-Strip-Mall
― akm, Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:37 (fifteen years ago) link
the ginsberg thing... wow, weird.
i hung out one night with a guy who worked at trader joe's. he was friends with a dodgy ex-roommate of mine. at one point he was like, "oh i'm going outside for a second to smoke some crack". i thought he was joking but he was totally and completely serious. it was kind of horrifying. such a nice young man, too...
― laceychabertfan@aol.com (dell), Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:39 (fifteen years ago) link
I thought it was the Trader Joe's parking lot in Berkeley that Delroy Lindo got into an altercation at, but it looks like it was Whole Foods. (I think Adamrl mentioned this a while ago.)
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Thursday, 12 March 2009 19:45 (fifteen years ago) link
there is no trader joe's in berkeley yet so it must have been, if it wasn't berkeley bowl
― akm, Thursday, 12 March 2009 20:57 (fifteen years ago) link
the berkeley bowl parking lot probably has more altercations than any Berkeley supermarket.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Thursday, 12 March 2009 21:11 (fifteen years ago) link
berkeley bowl is an overrated pain the ass. it'll be good when they open the new one, but seriously, it is just groceries, and not even cheap groceries.
― akm, Thursday, 12 March 2009 21:22 (fifteen years ago) link
^^ agreed.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Thursday, 12 March 2009 21:30 (fifteen years ago) link
go shop at grocery outlet for some real entertainment though
― akm, Thursday, 12 March 2009 21:37 (fifteen years ago) link
I saw a lesbian furry couple at Whole Foods a couple weeks back. Okay, only one of them was wearing a tail, the other had a fake fur animal print jacket. I saw them again the other day, not in furry garb.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Thursday, 12 March 2009 21:40 (fifteen years ago) link
i realized after a trip to fairway the other day that their products are like 10x plus awesome than trader joe's.
― yur twit (tehresa), Saturday, 14 March 2009 17:04 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't even know what fairway is, but I know that's a lie
― iatee, Saturday, 14 March 2009 18:44 (fifteen years ago) link
In NYC I think it's a limit on the number of liquor sale licenses in a geographical area. The Brooklyn one has beer but not wine or liquor
Wine and liquor can't be sold at grocery stores in New York State (and food can't be sold at liquor stores, I think), although there has been talk to allow wine to be sold.
― tokyo rosemary, Saturday, 14 March 2009 19:52 (fifteen years ago) link
Fairway is pretty great. I wish it weren't all the way down in Red Hook.
― lindseykai, Saturday, 14 March 2009 20:12 (fifteen years ago) link
i went to the 72nd street one!
― yur twit (tehresa), Saturday, 14 March 2009 21:46 (fifteen years ago) link
Since this is such an East Bay flavored thread I'll give a shoutout to the TJ's on Concord Ave in Concord. It doesn't get too crowded and there's never stuff out of stock. You need a car though.
― Maltodextrin, Saturday, 14 March 2009 22:05 (fifteen years ago) link
I've noticed that cereal can be really cheap at Trader Joes. My favorite cereal, Nature's Path Organic Heritage, costs about half as much there as it does at the nearby Lucky.
― Maltodextrin, Saturday, 14 March 2009 22:07 (fifteen years ago) link
boo outer east bay
― iatee, Saturday, 14 March 2009 22:08 (fifteen years ago) link
2 Andronicos, 1 Berkeley Bowl, 2 Safeways, 1 Whole Foods, and 1 Trader Joes
+ another berkeley bowl soon
― iatee, Saturday, 14 March 2009 22:09 (fifteen years ago) link
the chilis are real yum
― Surmounter, Monday, 23 March 2009 14:59 (fourteen years ago) link
beef, chicken, veggie, WHATEVEr
fairway is incredible. i miss it (both locations).
― battlestar elastica (get bent), Monday, 23 March 2009 17:30 (fourteen years ago) link
the red hook location is cool because you can go out back and have a lovely waterfront view while you enjoy a coffee and bagel.
― battlestar elastica (get bent), Monday, 23 March 2009 17:31 (fourteen years ago) link
Fairway is better, but they're slightly different concepts. TJ's is really no-frills and cheap -- emphasis is basically on lowest prices possible without completely giving up a few little yuppie pleasures. Fairway is more of a bargain gourmet store (although their staples are very reasonable) -- cheese counter, fresh fish, fantastic store-brand olive oil, etc.
― Comprehensive Nuclear Suggest-Ban Treaty (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 March 2009 18:05 (fourteen years ago) link
my mom is a total stan for the lox at fairway
― battlestar elastica (get bent), Monday, 23 March 2009 18:11 (fourteen years ago) link
i got these mini spinach pizzas from TJ's last week - they didn't taste too bad but MY GOD THE SMELL. i just couldn't bring myself to eat them.
― where we turn sweet dreams into remarkable realities (just1n3), Monday, 23 March 2009 18:51 (fourteen years ago) link
then how do you know they didn't taste too bad?
― congratulations (n/a), Monday, 23 March 2009 18:53 (fourteen years ago) link
i managed a few bites, smarty-pants
― where we turn sweet dreams into remarkable realities (just1n3), Monday, 23 March 2009 18:56 (fourteen years ago) link
these trader joe's avocados i bought are the worst avocados i've ever had :(
― corps of discovery (schlump), Monday, 20 April 2009 23:45 (fourteen years ago) link
their wheat thins equivalent is godlike
― zurück zum Traphaus (donna rouge), Monday, 20 April 2009 23:55 (fourteen years ago) link
trader joes produce = sketchy, at best
― Dr. Johnson (askance johnson), Tuesday, 21 April 2009 00:11 (fourteen years ago) link
uh huh. the way they treat their apples is criminal. it is not really the emphasis, i guess, and the cherry tomatoes are o k enough and cheap enough to be useful. i am feverishly ploughing through their bread range, still; all the variations of the panes that have like, pumpkin seeds or honey or poppy seeds etc are terrific.
― corps of discovery (schlump), Tuesday, 21 April 2009 00:33 (fourteen years ago) link
i've gotten some decent tj's avocados, but avocados here generally suck anyway so maybe they weren't really that great?
― tehresa, Tuesday, 21 April 2009 02:11 (fourteen years ago) link
their mexican blackberries are awesome. never had a problem with their avocados, either. or at least no problem i haven't had with avocados from anywhere.
― GÖTT DAT SCHING (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 22 April 2009 04:18 (fourteen years ago) link
Struck out for the first time with Trader Joe's indian food. The palak paneer is horrid. When people say, "I hate indian food," this is what they're talking about. Super stinky, extra runny, much too dark, really a nightmare. I'm having a cup of miso just to get the taste out of my mouth. I'm drinking to forget.
― tits akimbo (kenan), Wednesday, 22 April 2009 17:54 (fourteen years ago) link
Chocolate covered pretzels: Like CRACK, I tell you!
― Alex in NYC, Wednesday, 22 April 2009 18:08 (fourteen years ago) link
ny avocado bashing = ??you just have to spend time choosing them. there's a place near my house that regularly has SPECIAL OFFER $1 AVOCADO offers because they've forgotten about a box and you can almost run them through your fingers like sand they're so soft. but i think they're easy enough to find. i saw an avocado tree for $75 in california recently though and ... that's probably the way to do it.
― corps of discovery (schlump), Wednesday, 22 April 2009 18:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Tempting Trail Mix: aptly named
― tits akimbo (kenan), Wednesday, 22 April 2009 18:11 (fourteen years ago) link
The TJ's Punjab Cholley is one of the better Indian foods I've tried from there.
And I'll go on record as loving the frozen cheese and potato Pierogi (they spell it Perogi). One of these days when I do the pan frying step, I'm going to use the fat left over from frying the cubed Pancetta that they sell (or maybe some ordinary bacon fat) rather than the olive oil I usually use.
― nickn, Wednesday, 22 April 2009 23:06 (fourteen years ago) link
i saw an avocado tree for $75 in california recently though and ... that's probably the way to do it.
my grandparents have had an avocado tree for over twenty years. total avocado yield, approximately 15, half of which were gnawed by roof rats. commercial avocados are all grafted, though, and if your tree isn't you may get practically inedible fruit.
― GÖTT DAT SCHING (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 23 April 2009 02:00 (fourteen years ago) link
you could feed me bad avocados non stop and it still wouldn't displace the story i heard about someone with an avocado tree, pulling them free and spreading them like butter.
― corps of discovery (schlump), Thursday, 23 April 2009 03:16 (fourteen years ago) link
im not gonna lie i mostly eat frozen TJs food for everything
good: mini chicken tacosfour-cheese pizzapesto flatbreadjo-jos of any sortgorgonzola gnocchignocchi florentina (what i just ate LOLOLOMG)chicken vindaloolil pistachio cookies
medium: kung pao chickenpunjab spinach sauce
bad: taquitos horrible eww
― 69, Thursday, 23 April 2009 03:23 (fourteen years ago) link
the chicken/udon noodle stirfry is damn good
― where we turn sweet dreams into remarkable realities (just1n3), Thursday, 23 April 2009 03:59 (fourteen years ago) link
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/502236593_f944cd9cc1.jpg
― Dr. Phil, Thursday, 23 April 2009 04:07 (fourteen years ago) link
^^^ are these actually good? I am suspicious of TJ cereal.
― iatee, Thursday, 23 April 2009 06:04 (fourteen years ago) link
I like them, but I like most cereals I've tried there. They're not made by TJ; I've seen Barbara's cereals elsewhere. How wrong can you go for @2.99?
― nickn, Thursday, 23 April 2009 06:12 (fourteen years ago) link
I bought the strawberry yogurt o's or something and it was kinda gross so I'm just hesitant to try again. I like sugary junk food cereals.
― iatee, Thursday, 23 April 2009 06:38 (fourteen years ago) link
puffins are harder than driveway gravel, man.
i really like the (new?) TJ's frozen indian thing that has paneer but isn't palak paneer. paneer masala or tikka, i think.
― GÖTT DAT SCHING (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 23 April 2009 07:25 (fourteen years ago) link
puffins are amazing
― tehresa, Friday, 24 April 2009 03:10 (fourteen years ago) link
hell yes they're good
^ far from it. u maddddd
― Dr. Phil, Friday, 24 April 2009 03:21 (fourteen years ago) link
maybe i got a bad box or somethin
― GÖTT DAT SCHING (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 24 April 2009 03:23 (fourteen years ago) link
hehe
― Dr. Phil, Friday, 24 April 2009 03:31 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, Joe's O's taste like sawdust, so I haven't bothered with a whole lot of TJ's-brand cereal. Nature's Path does me good, though.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Saturday, 25 April 2009 05:18 (fourteen years ago) link
Best TJ cereal is the granola in the bag, with Brazil nuts. It's the "Tropical" variety of some type they carry that has a couple other types (which are good too, but Brazil nuts!)
― nickn, Saturday, 25 April 2009 05:26 (fourteen years ago) link
I still miss the pumpkin granola TJ has in the fall. Why the hell are pumpkins seasonal? Some folks want it year round!
― Carroll Shelby Downard (Elvis Telecom), Saturday, 25 April 2009 06:09 (fourteen years ago) link
trader joe's is like the centre of american pumpkin festivity. it goes CRAZY come pumpkin harvest.
also puffins suck but maybe i think that because i bought the peanut butter kind (asking for trouble).
― corps of discovery (schlump), Saturday, 25 April 2009 15:21 (fourteen years ago) link
god the green chili/cheese tamales are good
― iatee, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 03:46 (fourteen years ago) link
I shoulda figured this out by now considering that they're the second item mentioned on this thread.
4 of these + microwave + guacamole = all I need in life
― iatee, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 03:47 (fourteen years ago) link
AVOID. If it's a matter of poverty, cheap vodka and soda has got to provide a more satisfying buzz.
― phlegm brûlée (j.lu), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 03:54 (fourteen years ago) link
Eh, I think it's alright.
― Garri$on Kilo (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 03:56 (fourteen years ago) link
haha I like it a lot actually
― iatee, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 04:04 (fourteen years ago) link
I'd probably drink it over anything else in its price range, especially since it's over 6%
― Garri$on Kilo (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 04:08 (fourteen years ago) link
right now it's 3 bucks for a 6 pack at my trader joe's, so I don't think anything else in its price range even *exists*
― iatee, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 04:10 (fourteen years ago) link
regardless, it's the 2 buck chuck of beer - maybe not objectively *good*...but good ENOUGH
― iatee, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 04:11 (fourteen years ago) link
context: I am 22 and v. v. poor
― iatee, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 04:13 (fourteen years ago) link
i can't do "bad" alcohol; totally not a snobbery thing, 100% a "more likely to make me sick" thing. is this beer skunky at all?
― elliot easton ellis (get bent), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 04:53 (fourteen years ago) link
i put seasoning salute in my eggs today and they tasted like yellow magic.
― ricardos montalban (tehresa), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 17:39 (fourteen years ago) link
instant miso soup: on par w/ miso soup in most average japanese restaurants! includes dried mushrooms, too!
― tehresa, Thursday, 8 October 2009 21:50 (fourteen years ago) link
also just bought a new jar of 21 seasoning salute bc i managed to go through an entire one in like, 3.5 months!
― tehresa, Thursday, 8 October 2009 21:51 (fourteen years ago) link
i think i love the idea of trader joes more than the actual thing
― Cousin Larry Soetoro (jeff), Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:03 (fourteen years ago) link
i like some of their foods a lot more than the idea
― Ømår Littel (Jordan), Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:05 (fourteen years ago) link
they're hit or miss. some are amazing, some not so much. i like to experiment. btw do not get the seafood sausages.
― tehresa, Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:06 (fourteen years ago) link
haha, gross.
found out their microwave popcorn is surprisingly good. also i've been getting the Simpler Times beer because it is ridiculously cheap, and the chicken tikka masala has become my fallback lazy dinner.
― Ømår Littel (Jordan), Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:14 (fourteen years ago) link
^^^^^ have had that exact meal multiple times
― iatee, Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:16 (fourteen years ago) link
i'm curious about the beer btw...it says it's made by a brewery here in wisconsin, but is that true for trader joe's everywhere? or do they get different local breweries to make beers for their brands?
― Ømår Littel (Jordan), Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:17 (fourteen years ago) link
says it's from wisconsin in the california TJs too
― iatee, Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:18 (fourteen years ago) link
also there is this alternate $3 beer that they have at some TJs - I forgot the name, but wow, it was godawful stuff
― iatee, Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:19 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah i think i tried that (once)
― Ømår Littel (Jordan), Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:26 (fourteen years ago) link
they have some decent booze that i have a hard time finding elsewhere.. rear admiral joseph gin, monopolowa vodka
― hyperstudio (skeletor), Thursday, 8 October 2009 23:50 (fourteen years ago) link
and they tend to play pretty good music in tj's
― hyperstudio (skeletor), Thursday, 8 October 2009 23:52 (fourteen years ago) link
they have some decent booze
tj's, sadly, cannot sell booze in Oregon. I do like their dried fruit and nuts. Charles Shaw plonk is classic plonk. I drink it religiously, in conjunction with tj's scrumptious Body of Christ wafer cookies.
― Aimless, Friday, 9 October 2009 01:35 (fourteen years ago) link
damn this 'spicy smoky peach salsa' is hella good
― iatee, Friday, 9 October 2009 21:12 (fourteen years ago) link
Dudes, have any of you tried Trader Joe's cornbread? I've made it twice now, and it's excellent. Just the right amount of sweetness.
― kshighway1, Saturday, 10 October 2009 04:33 (fourteen years ago) link
guys have we discussed the cinnamon and sugar pita chips?
― Winky (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Saturday, 10 October 2009 15:56 (fourteen years ago) link
I just spent $175 at trader joes! I hope my freezer is big enough.
― Jeff, Saturday, 10 October 2009 18:03 (fourteen years ago) link
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4000032126_ba4f711ae4.jpg
― Jeff, Sunday, 11 October 2009 03:04 (fourteen years ago) link
Black bean and roasted corn salsa, so good.
― Jeff, Sunday, 11 October 2009 20:00 (fourteen years ago) link
http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/epic-fail-mushroom-medley-fail.jpg
― Not the real Village People, Monday, 19 October 2009 04:24 (fourteen years ago) link
the beer bread mix is tasty!
― bonus beats (ojo), Monday, 19 October 2009 05:09 (fourteen years ago) link
I'll be making some Trader Joe's cornbread later tonight. So so so good!
― kshighway1, Monday, 19 October 2009 05:15 (fourteen years ago) link
Serious questions for those of you who feel positively towards TJ's cornbread and pumpkin bread, etc: how do these mixes stand up against scratch versions of these various quickbreads? What are you supposed to add to the mixes ?
― she is writing about love (Jenny), Monday, 19 October 2009 13:04 (fourteen years ago) link
i am a fan of tj's cornbread. i've never been quite able to make it quite as delicious myself, and it's just eggs, oil, and mix. (i think) not being a huge cornbread fan in general, though, i could have low standards.
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Monday, 19 October 2009 13:07 (fourteen years ago) link
I trust your opinion, Amanda! I can potentially make pretty good cornbread, but it's not very consistent and the best recipe I have requires the use of the food processor, which is a pain in the ass to get out and clean and put away. Okay, I think I will expand into the quickbread mixes on my next TJ's trip.
― she is writing about love (Jenny), Monday, 19 October 2009 13:12 (fourteen years ago) link
― iatee, Thursday, 8 October 2009 22:19 (1 week ago) Permalink
Red Oval. DUD. Go with Simpler Times, much much better. The Simpler Times pilsner is almost sweet tasting, but I like the lager better. Excellent cheapie beer.
― throwbookatface (skygreenleopard), Monday, 19 October 2009 21:42 (fourteen years ago) link
I'm not savvy enough to make cornbread from scratch, but I can say that Trader Joe's cornbread is the perfect consistency and tastes just sweet enough. Way better than the premade shit I was buying from Shaw's bakery before.
― kshighway1, Tuesday, 20 October 2009 01:48 (fourteen years ago) link
OMG the cornbread!!! this thread pushed me towards buying it, i just made it and it is so good. "Just the right amount of sweetness." is exactly right.
― armed with swords and hash (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 16 November 2009 20:38 (fourteen years ago) link
wow so new 'dark chocolate lover's' 85% tj brand chocolate is goooood. fruity tasting. rich. and cheap!
― tehresa, Tuesday, 1 December 2009 06:23 (fourteen years ago) link
red oval beer tastes better than simpler times and is cheaper
― max, Monday, 4 January 2010 02:11 (fourteen years ago) link
$2.99 for a six pack its like--how can you NOT buy this beer
in bulk
yeah i had some on new year's and it was pretty tasty
― leave garbage snickers eat snickers leave garbage (jeff), Monday, 4 January 2010 02:42 (fourteen years ago) link
in the frozen appetizer section: arancini with fontina cheese --> delicious
DELICIOUS!
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Monday, 11 January 2010 23:49 (fourteen years ago) link
I made a special trip to TJ's on Sunday to get a pint of their chocolate sorbet and the fucking hippies stopped carrying it.
― Darin, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:08 (fourteen years ago) link
Their honey-sesame coated cashews are to die for.
― Darin, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:10 (fourteen years ago) link
I wish that TJ's delivered, like Pea Pod, because I'm just far away enough from a TJ's to make getting there a pain in the ass, but boy do I miss having a freezer full of food that requires nothing more than a couple Ts of water and the application of heat to turn it into dinner.
― she is writing about love (Jenny), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Dark Chocolate Covered Powerberries <3 <3 <3
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:18 (fourteen years ago) link
products i have mourned: coconut sorbetpuff pastry that is not rolled, but lies flat in a sheetcoconut cashews (RIP homies, i loved u truly)
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:19 (fourteen years ago) link
wtf soooo not otm
― iatee, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 01:12 (fourteen years ago) link
u have no taste buds imo
― max, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 01:13 (fourteen years ago) link
simpler times tastes like bad coors lightred oval tastes like bad red stripe
― max, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 01:14 (fourteen years ago) link
oh man i am sort of one of those anti-prepared food people but this thread just makes it sound so good. (is it really?)
― Maria, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 01:15 (fourteen years ago) link
yes. And what isn't good is made up by the fact that your not preparing food, which is priceless.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 02:02 (fourteen years ago) link
I used to buy frozen burritos from TJ's every now and then until I got freaked out by all the sodium.
― Hoisin Murphy (jaymc), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 02:09 (fourteen years ago) link
Like I said on the Friday night thread, TJ's gluten-free ginger snap cookies are CRACK IN A BISCUIT.
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 02:46 (fourteen years ago) link
I don't give a crap about sodium but I like tj's for easy solutions to common problems: quick cook steel cut oats, cheap and decent olive oil, samosas I can make in my toaster oven, shit like that. Also decent cheap wine. (not chuck, but lots of other $3.99 brands)
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 02:52 (fourteen years ago) link
ehh...turns out the nearest trader joe's is pretty far anyway. (10 miles, but probably almost a 30 min drive due to traffic lights, etc.)
― Maria, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 02:55 (fourteen years ago) link
― Darin
this is my husband's main addiction. they were still carrying it at our TJ's but he is trying to wean himself off.
also: i highly recommend this pizza thing (i forget the name/brand), that is a super thin crust, caramelized onions, couple cheeses and prosciutto. it's amazing.
― DAN P3RRY MAD AT GRANDMA (just1n3), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 03:10 (fourteen years ago) link
I will confirm -- that flatbread thing IS good.
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 03:35 (fourteen years ago) link
arancini with fontina cheese --> delicious
these taste surprisingly like the ones my mother-in-law cooks
― velko, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:03 (fourteen years ago) link
anybody know what happened to the cocoa powder covered hazelnuts? last seen maybe 5 years ago. :/
― Player is killed, but they are resurrected, and the 45 Revolver glow gold (dyao), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:06 (fourteen years ago) link
can't tell if that's an endorsement or not (xpost)
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:07 (fourteen years ago) link
she's italian so yeah, tj's are better than i would expect
― velko, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:08 (fourteen years ago) link
I like these too, they're not called pizzas, um, tarts maybe? Some kind of French-ish name.
I like the made-in-Italy pizzas, they have a few types, thought they seemed to have stopped carrying my favorite, the goat cheese and black olive one.
― nickn, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:43 (fourteen years ago) link
they have this new product that's polenta balls, spinach, and peas in a tomato cream sauce. i bought it based on trying a sample a few visits ago, and it's fuckin great. will buy again.
― The Détourn of the Depressed (get bent), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:49 (fourteen years ago) link
"fuckin great" may be an overstatement, but it is pretty nice.
― The Détourn of the Depressed (get bent), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:50 (fourteen years ago) link
also i just saw those arancini mentioned upthread and wondered how they were. however, trying to steer away from carby/cheesy things in the new year and toward the resolution cliche of veg/fruit/grains.
― The Détourn of the Depressed (get bent), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 04:52 (fourteen years ago) link
if you're looking for healthy options at tj's, you could do much worse than the frozen soba noodle dish. it's vegan, 250 calories or something (their pad thai has 600!) and tasty enough for lunch if you add a little soy sauce/sriracha.
i don't mind it at least.
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 17:38 (fourteen years ago) link
Will try that, A.
― Hoisin Murphy (jaymc), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 17:40 (fourteen years ago) link
i am a big fan of the annie chung's miso soup bowls, which they have at TJs and other grocery stores. they're low-cal also (i want to say like 220 calories) and filling, though they're probably pretty high in sodium, given that it's miso soup
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 17:43 (fourteen years ago) link
i like those! the udon is my favorite. i always add hot sauce and spinach.
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 17:46 (fourteen years ago) link
― cool app (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Wednesday, March 11, 2009 1:30 PM (10 months ago) Bookmark
http://imgur.com/FQdMl.gif
― bnw, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 18:04 (fourteen years ago) link
I had the Chicken Enchiladas in the refrigerated (not frozen) section last night and they were fantastic.
― brotherlovesdub, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 18:48 (fourteen years ago) link
the trader joe's instant miso soup is great and v low cal but also v v v high in sodium.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:14 (fourteen years ago) link
also: i highly recommend this pizza thing (i forget the name/brand), that is a super thin crust, caramelized onions, couple cheeses and prosciutto. it's amazing.I like these too, they're not called pizzas, um, tarts maybe? Some kind of French-ish name.I like the made-in-Italy pizzas, they have a few types, thought they seemed to have stopped carrying my favorite, the goat cheese and black olive one.― nickn, Monday, January 11, 2010 8:43 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark
― nickn, Monday, January 11, 2010 8:43 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark
Been munching on these a while now. I love the black truffle flatbread, great for 2-3 people depending on what you eat with it.
The prosciutto one is more of a true tart - cracker-thin crust, but the rest are more like thin pizzas. All very good.
― throwbookatface (skygreenleopard), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 02:27 (fourteen years ago) link
DUD: Trader Joe's brand Comte cheese. Tastes like cheese-flavored candle wax.
― throwbookatface (skygreenleopard), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 02:39 (fourteen years ago) link
miso is naturally very high in sodium to begin with so...
― dyao, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 02:46 (fourteen years ago) link
their frozen mac n cheese is truly amazing
― DAN P3RRY MAD AT GRANDMA (just1n3), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 02:57 (fourteen years ago) link
i have two boxes of their mac in the freezer.
― The Détourn of the Depressed (get bent), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 03:56 (fourteen years ago) link
Have not had best luck with TJ's cheese - although the "Italian Truffle Cheese" is hard to stop eating.
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 03:59 (fourteen years ago) link
The Old Amsterdam Gouda is pretty good, but Their Stilton was sub-par (but half what a good one costs). It's not really a place for high-end cheeses.
― nickn, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 04:19 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah, the cheese section is 2nd rate, i mostly go for the cheap booze and some stuff my kids like
― velko, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 04:23 (fourteen years ago) link
They don't have many, like "real" cheeses in the chese snobby sense - like the kind that stink a lot and taste better when you leave them out.
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 04:37 (fourteen years ago) link
I wouldn't say 2nd rate, just not top-end. I also like the Black Diamond Swiss (sliced), and most are acceptable (and priced accordingly).
x-post
― nickn, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 04:38 (fourteen years ago) link
I have only recently starting going to TJ's, here are my yays and nays:
nay:
Vietnamese sandwich-style wrap (it was just gross)
eh:
candy-cane jojos (they were good but a bit too minty)microwavable pad thai (sold in a little blue take-out container, tasty but it was all noodles and sauce, some veggies would have rounded it out nicely)
yay:
vegetable masala burger (indian spiced veggie burger, YUM)goddess dressing (i use it as sauce for a wrap i make with the masala burger)spice chai latte powdered (chai powders are so hit and miss, theirs is very very good)
I bought a wrap at a coffeehouse in san francisco that I loved, and I recognized the veggie burger and found the right dressing so I could make it myself. i make it at home with a tortilla, tomatoes, spinach and red onions, it's delicious.
― musically, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 06:36 (fourteen years ago) link
The frozen chana masala is pretty yum, as are the boxed daals and curries in the pouches.
The frozen mac and cheese is so holy shit yum.
― kate78, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 07:19 (fourteen years ago) link
Cornbread is way too sweet. I prefer mine more savory.
― Jeff, Monday, 25 January 2010 02:24 (fourteen years ago) link
It taste like a breakfast muffin.
vegetable masala burger (indian spiced veggie burger, YUM)
These are pretty crappy imo. Much cheaper than most veggie burgers but they really aren't the same thing. 1st ingredient is potatoes; v. little protein.
― smothered in country gravy (Whitey on the Moon), Monday, 25 January 2010 02:39 (fourteen years ago) link
if you want protein eat a real burger.
― musically, Monday, 25 January 2010 04:18 (fourteen years ago) link
Frozen avocado halves: sounded like a bad idea, was a bad idea.
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Monday, 25 January 2010 04:36 (fourteen years ago) link
Two things have been getting to me lately:
1) How everything has so much packaging (like why do I need to buy two zuchinnis on a little tray with plastic wrap -- can't you just sell me zuchinnis?)
2) How bad I feel from eating too much of their frozen stuff - probably because of fat and sodium. This is not actually healthy food.
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Monday, 25 January 2010 04:37 (fourteen years ago) link
1) otm2) but it's tasty!
― iatee, Monday, 25 January 2010 04:43 (fourteen years ago) link
spice chai latte powdered (chai powders are so hit and miss, theirs is very very good)
yeah I luv this stuff, it was out the last time I went :(
― iatee, Monday, 25 January 2010 04:44 (fourteen years ago) link
they have a frozen pesto tortellini that's quite nice. yeah i know frozen food is not great for you but i keep some things around for nights when i don't feel like cooking.
― The Détourn of the Depressed (get bent), Monday, 25 January 2010 06:03 (fourteen years ago) link
hey my trader joe's had a sign up that said they are going to start offering more individual fruits and vegetables in an effort to be more eco-friendly. the only problem w/ this is that they sell them individually, not by weight, which probably makes things more $. but maybe not. anyway, i think my store is about half and half now in terms of loose vs. prepackaged produce.
― bwoling and drifting (tehresa), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 06:32 (fourteen years ago) link
my TJs has gone in the other direction. kiwis in plastic trays! how am i supposed to tell how ripe they are?
― international slackness (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 06:38 (fourteen years ago) link
i bought a tray of bran muffins from tj's a few days ago and just noticed the mold growing on them. serves me right for not checking the expiration date?
― from peanut to president (get bent), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 07:23 (fourteen years ago) link
fucking obsessed with the "Soy Nuggets"
― you have to forgive me (surm), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 08:03 (fourteen years ago) link
considering how incredibly busy our local TJs is, i'm always surprised by how often we buy stuff from there that is moldy.
classic: the frozen lava cakes
― just1n3, Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:51 (fourteen years ago) link
i bought some baaaad oranges the other day ;_;
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 16:49 (fourteen years ago) link
i got some bad tomatoes a few weeks ago :(
― bwoling and drifting (tehresa), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 17:14 (fourteen years ago) link
This is why, although I like many of the things the sell, I find myself going there so infrequently; because I'd have to go to another food mart anywa to get fruit/veggies and some other staples.
― hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 18:14 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah tj's produce has fucked me over on enough occasions that i only go there for about three things now
― call all destroyer, Wednesday, 10 February 2010 18:17 (fourteen years ago) link
i'm guessing that it's a matter of location. when i lived in ny, the veggies were terrible, but in wa, they are pretty good. they are my go-to for zucchini, spinach, blackberries, apples, red peppers, artichokes (in summer). and their brussels sprouts are generally better looking and cheaper than safeway.
― bwoling and drifting (tehresa), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 18:20 (fourteen years ago) link
i dig their tomatoes tbh
― you have to forgive me (surm), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 18:23 (fourteen years ago) link
I liked trader joe's a lot more before moving to ny.
I mean I still mostly only shop there, but the process has gone from 'annoying' to 'incredibly stressful'...maybe this will be better when they open the chelsea and uws shops
but yeah the overall variety of stuff + produce + shopping experience was way better in california
― iatee, Wednesday, 10 February 2010 18:25 (fourteen years ago) link
They have a new type of mustard with mustard seeds. I like it. I also like their multi-grain or whole wheat pretzels and their peaberry coffee and their cheap coffee filters and their low sodium whole wheat bread and their low sodium tongol tuna, which must be a unique Trader Joe's species. I bought some Granny Smith apples there last weekend and they are pretty good and not too bruised. However, their bagged oranges were much worse than the ones they have at Shaw's.
― youn, Friday, 12 February 2010 00:08 (fourteen years ago) link
At the Trader Joe's in Irvine, I bought La Crema Pinot Noir, which was pretty good -- balanced, elegant -- but that is not a Trader Joe's brand.
― youn, Friday, 12 February 2010 00:09 (fourteen years ago) link
Search: beer bread box mix. It's delicious and super easy!
― she is writing about love (Jenny), Monday, 22 March 2010 15:07 (thirteen years ago) link
there used to be excellent tom yam cashews <a href="http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2009/07/trader-joes-chewy-crisp-tom-yum-cashews-like-a-drug.html">that were like this</a> but TJs discontinued them, for no good reason. anybody know where i can get more? those motherfuckers were incredible.
― the artist formerly known as (remy bean), Monday, 22 March 2010 15:15 (thirteen years ago) link
i bought those once! they were delicious. that's two delicious cashews that have been cancelled. the other were coconut cashews and they were DIVINE. RIP.
― figgy pudding (La Lechera), Monday, 22 March 2010 15:26 (thirteen years ago) link
i'm addicted to those frozen lava cakes. so amazingly good.
― just1n3, Monday, 22 March 2010 22:28 (thirteen years ago) link
i just discovered they have chipwiches! i used to freaking love chipwiches.
― kogi taco ergo sum (get bent), Tuesday, 23 March 2010 04:30 (thirteen years ago) link
i had to buy ice cream sandwiches in honor of greenberg, which i saw today. i got white wine instead of whiskey, though.
― kogi taco ergo sum (get bent), Tuesday, 23 March 2010 04:31 (thirteen years ago) link
UNGH I am soooooooooooo loving this Triple Berry-O's cereal. I am really excited about the Soy Chorizo in my fridge, too, and the Roasted Garlic Marinara I caved and bought (I haven't purchased jarred tomato sauce in abt 3 years but I have a hunch this one is rly rly good). I also have the Vegetable Masala burgers in my freezer which I already love.
― sassy boy, throwin' shade (Stevie D), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 15:40 (thirteen years ago) link
oatmeal. raisin. cookies.
― altered dominant (get bent), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:31 (thirteen years ago) link
I live by one of these now, however it's too full to get IN THE DOOR most of the time. Is it worth my taking a couple of hours off work to try to do some shopping? Am on super-tight budget for a while longer, maybe I should be looking at TJ's...?
― Ask foreigners and they will tell you the gospel comes from America. (Laurel), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:37 (thirteen years ago) link
Triple Berry-O's cereal = yesss, I just restocked on this yesterday.
― iatee, Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:38 (thirteen years ago) link
The best TJ's shopping experience Jeff and I had was when we went late on the Saturday adjacent to St. Patrick's day and in a snow storm. There was room to move around in there!
― she is writing about love (Jenny), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:39 (thirteen years ago) link
Is it worth my taking a couple of hours off work to try to do some shopping?
yes...unless you mostly buy produce
― iatee, Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:42 (thirteen years ago) link
lol @ city folks, my average trader joes shopping trip from walking in to walking out is ~5 min
― emotional radiohead whatever (Jordan), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:43 (thirteen years ago) link
That TJs on Lincoln/Grace is expanding into the old CB2, fortunately.
― HOOS zing-steen (jaymc), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:45 (thirteen years ago) link
I know! That's super exciting.
― she is writing about love (Jenny), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:55 (thirteen years ago) link
i meant to offer my support for the panang curry sticks. they're delicious and so quick in the toaster oven.
― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:59 (thirteen years ago) link
making their nitrate (etc) free hot dogs tonight, along with their chicken sundried tomato sausage.
― altered dominant (get bent), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 21:37 (thirteen years ago) link
me n the gf ate considerably more than half a box of ginger snaps yesterday night. I think that might be my POO: tj's answer
― iatee, Wednesday, 14 April 2010 21:40 (thirteen years ago) link
i still haven't kicked my tj's tikka masala habit and i've added their nan to the problem.
― emotional radiohead whatever (Jordan), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 21:41 (thirteen years ago) link
I've found a good time to go to TJs in order to beat the insanity is late on weekends. Like after 7 on Saturday or Sunday Nights. This requires you, like me, be super lame, however.
― crazy ass between (askance johnson), Wednesday, 14 April 2010 21:56 (thirteen years ago) link
laurel, if you go by on friday night around 9pm, you'll be good! just plan a shopping trip before your friday night goings out since you never go out til like 11 or 12 anyway!
― tehresa, Thursday, 15 April 2010 02:51 (thirteen years ago) link
knew a guy who used to drive out of the city to CT, where TJs shopping was a whole other roomy aisled experience. i actually like getting to zone out in lines for a long while.
― Earning your Masters in Library and Information Science is beautiful (schlump), Thursday, 15 April 2010 11:37 (thirteen years ago) link
i actually like getting to zone out in lines for a long while.
you, sir/ma'am, are a masochist.
― sassy boy, throwin' shade (Stevie D), Thursday, 15 April 2010 12:23 (thirteen years ago) link
For real.
It's not even the lines that are the hassle. It's being unable to stand anywhere that is not in somebody else's way/not be able to go anywhere else because somebody else is in your way. Like, I want to compare the ingredients list on the ging carrot soup and the butternut squash soup, without having to grab a box of each and go huddle in the corner by the vitamins to read.
― she is writing about love (Jenny), Thursday, 15 April 2010 12:30 (thirteen years ago) link
monday nights around 9pm are the best time to go to our local TJ's with a car -- we can actually find a parking space.
― altered dominant (get bent), Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:26 (thirteen years ago) link
The checkout lines here can wrap all the way around the perimeter of the store and back out onto the sidewalk, but they actually move pretty fast. The even bigger problem is what Jenny said -- it takes probably 4x or 5x as long to do ANYTHING because you can't move until the person in front of you does, and she can't move until that man's cart moves, and so on.
― Ask foreigners and they will tell you the gospel comes from America. (Laurel), Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:32 (thirteen years ago) link
i usually go on mondays around 11am and the place is literally crawling with children/mothers. many of these kids enjoy pushing their own carts and it's chaos sometimes trying to get ava/sophie/hank to move his cart, pls.
― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:35 (thirteen years ago) link
Pro tip to Chicago TJ's shoppers: I try to go in one of the far left lines, over by the beer. They're usually shorter.
― HOOS zing-steen (jaymc), Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:36 (thirteen years ago) link
ava/sophie/hank
Haha.
― HOOS zing-steen (jaymc), Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:38 (thirteen years ago) link
Pro tips to TJs shoppers: try to embrace serenity; think of the line as an extension of yourself, a spiritual family extending forward from your heartspace. The children are our future and learning to push miniature shopping carts is a valuable lyfe skill. Reward your own patience with free samples of mango lemonade.
― congratulations (n/a), Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:40 (thirteen years ago) link
i know i knowthe shopping has to get done sometime
― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:42 (thirteen years ago) link
We are going to stop going to TJ and pay other ppl to do the shopping for us.
― Jeff, Thursday, 15 April 2010 13:45 (thirteen years ago) link
cool, more room for me and my kids ava, sophie, and hank
― congratulations (n/a), Thursday, 15 April 2010 14:06 (thirteen years ago) link
one time i saw a confrontation between a mom, her ava and a girl she was friends with in high school. they were all like HIEEE, HOW ARRRRRE YOUUUU and then mom introduced ava and said she had another one on the way and friend pretended to be happy, but i could tell she wanted out of that conversation prontoit was a scene from a nicole holofcener moviethis was in the yogurt area btw
― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Thursday, 15 April 2010 14:13 (thirteen years ago) link
don't forget little max and taylor.
― altered dominant (get bent), Thursday, 15 April 2010 14:17 (thirteen years ago) link
No Dylan?
(and don't forget Madison)
― nickn, Thursday, 15 April 2010 16:44 (thirteen years ago) link
It's usually Hunter at my TJs. "Hunter, stop that or no balloon!"
― drinkin a carton of peace juice (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 15 April 2010 16:49 (thirteen years ago) link
Where's Mason?
― kate78, Thursday, 15 April 2010 16:52 (thirteen years ago) link
Hunter and Madison are too old to care about having their own baby carts. Josephine and Aloysius can't walk yet, so they can't push a cart.
― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Thursday, 15 April 2010 17:12 (thirteen years ago) link
So, the soyrizo TASTES amazing but it just crumbles to bits when I take it out of the plastic. Is there a way to avoid this, really? Or is the product just basically ground "meat" packaged in a plastic sausage casing?
― (Rice Dream) (Stevie D), Monday, 17 May 2010 19:03 (thirteen years ago) link
It's great for tacos. I think the flavor might even be too intense as an actual encased sausage?
― Spencer Chow, Monday, 17 May 2010 19:47 (thirteen years ago) link
Hunh, this just popped up:
http://www.utne.com/Environment/The-EcoMyth-of-Trader-Joes.aspx
The Eco-Myth of Trader Joe’s5/14/2010 12:40:08 PM
by Danielle Maestretti
― Don Homer, I have baked a special donut just-a for you (kingfish), Monday, 17 May 2010 19:49 (thirteen years ago) link
the eco-myth? you can't buy an apple at tj's without getting 2 pounds of plastic.
― iatee, Monday, 17 May 2010 20:18 (thirteen years ago) link
when did they ever claim to be eco-conscious?
― EGOT Schiele (get bent), Tuesday, 18 May 2010 00:13 (thirteen years ago) link
projection from their primary audience, i'd imagine
― Don Homer, I have baked a special donut just-a for you (kingfish), Tuesday, 18 May 2010 00:22 (thirteen years ago) link
One thing that bugs me about TJs is how a lot of their frozen Mexican items contain a lot of extra ingredients that aren't covered by the product name. So you'll get like a "Black Bean and Cheese" burrito and it'll also have pieces of tofu and broccoli in it. Which isn't necessarily bad, but they should call it a Veggie Burrito or something. And sometimes I just want beans and cheese and nothing else. But I am boring.
However I had the green chili and cheese tamales for the first time last night and those are dang good and don't have a bunch of weird vegetables in them.
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 19 May 2010 17:48 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah all their tamales are solid
― iatee, Wednesday, 19 May 2010 17:48 (thirteen years ago) link
I used to get their Vegetable Burritos and they were delicious, but there were two burritos per package and I almost always found myself eating both and then feeling guilty about it.
― jaymc, Wednesday, 19 May 2010 18:15 (thirteen years ago) link
(Oh, I guess I mentioned this upthread.)
― jaymc, Wednesday, 19 May 2010 18:17 (thirteen years ago) link
you felt so guilty you mentioned it 2x
― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Wednesday, 19 May 2010 18:21 (thirteen years ago) link
uncrystallized candied ginger is off the hook
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/1846858567_cebf0b7194.jpg
― all yoga attacks are fire based (rogermexico.), Thursday, 20 May 2010 04:56 (thirteen years ago) link
holy shit yes
― EGOT Schiele (get bent), Thursday, 20 May 2010 04:58 (thirteen years ago) link
are the trader joe's hot dogs (nitrate/nitrite-free, hormone-free, etc) just repackaged hebrew national? they're pretty good.
― EGOT Schiele (get bent), Wednesday, 26 May 2010 03:14 (thirteen years ago) link
I just had some of that filled pasta, think it was prosciutto in little pasta bundles. It wasn't good.
― Not the real Village People, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 04:50 (thirteen years ago) link
i never get to go there unless someone drives me and i hate frozen food but the best thing they have is that bread with the pumpkin seeds in it!!!! nice and dense and yeasty-tasting
― harbl, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:41 (thirteen years ago) link
also yeah the retarded packaging drives me nuts. bell peppers on styrofoam trays w/ shrink wrap why? so i can't look at them or buy odd numbers of them?
― harbl, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:44 (thirteen years ago) link
everyone knows this i have just been there like 4 times in my life
― harbl, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:45 (thirteen years ago) link
its because they dont have scales. so they have to make sure theyre selling the same weight of each product
― max, Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:48 (thirteen years ago) link
there aren't any of these in my immediate neighborhood -- there's one at Union Square, but i've never been in there.
― Aspergers Makes My Pee Smell Funny (Eisbaer), Sunday, 30 May 2010 19:51 (thirteen years ago) link
the paneer tikka masala makes a wonderful 11 p.m. dinner. not that anyone should be eating dinner at 11 p.m.
― Pies and Whispers (get bent), Thursday, 8 July 2010 05:49 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh please, I rarely eat dinner before 11 pm. Do ppl actually pay attention to, like, times of the day you should and should not eat food? Is that shit even real?
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uSTXn4H5jY (Stevie D), Thursday, 8 July 2010 05:53 (thirteen years ago) link
i do like to sleep at night, yes.
― Pies and Whispers (get bent), Thursday, 8 July 2010 05:55 (thirteen years ago) link
Cosign on paneer tikka masala. Dope, imo.
― VegemiteGrrrl, Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:02 (thirteen years ago) link
paneer was my shit for a long time, now i start to feel queasy when i think about it. i think i ate it three times one week, though, so maybe that's it.
― I DRIVE A PORSCHE! WHAT DO YOU DRIVE?! (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 8 July 2010 12:58 (thirteen years ago) link
almond meal: awesome!
― tehresa, Friday, 23 July 2010 22:05 (thirteen years ago) link
You guys big upping that corn bread mix, man, I totally disagree with you on "right amount of sweetness." That cornbread was as sweet as Funfetti.
http://mai-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/pillsbury_funfetti.jpg
― mercy, sportsmanship, morality (Abbott), Friday, 23 July 2010 22:40 (thirteen years ago) link
soy nuggets til i drop yo
― janice (surm), Friday, 23 July 2010 22:45 (thirteen years ago) link
I didn't like the cornbread too much either, but I'm a fan of southern style, aka not sweet at all, cornbread.
― sinister chemical wisdom (Jenny), Friday, 23 July 2010 23:05 (thirteen years ago) link
Same here. I usually make cornbread to eat with salty pinto beans & it was a terrible, terrible combination. Like Funfetti with salt pork on top.
― mercy, sportsmanship, morality (Abbott), Friday, 23 July 2010 23:06 (thirteen years ago) link
soy nugs always and forever.
― A B C, Saturday, 24 July 2010 00:24 (thirteen years ago) link
have any of you guys tried the souffle balls yet?
― A B C, Saturday, 24 July 2010 00:25 (thirteen years ago) link
That sounds absolutely horrid.
― tehresa, Saturday, 24 July 2010 00:40 (thirteen years ago) link
YO waht are soy nuggets; i want them
― Lexaprotend (Stevie D), Saturday, 24 July 2010 02:37 (thirteen years ago) link
Love the chilie mango slices.
― Jeff, Sunday, 25 July 2010 23:31 (thirteen years ago) link
white bean and basil hummus oh man
― iatee, Sunday, 25 July 2010 23:33 (thirteen years ago) link
the mango-something 'gel' cups (not bone gelatin) are good
― colored breens (tremendoid), Sunday, 25 July 2010 23:38 (thirteen years ago) link
peanut butter cups put reeses to shame
― iatee, Wednesday, 28 July 2010 03:07 (thirteen years ago) link
have nyc ilxors been going to the new chelsea one? lots of open space, easily the most bearable nyc trader joes outside of the queens one (which is in the middle of nowhere)
― iatee, Wednesday, 28 July 2010 03:10 (thirteen years ago) link
possibly just cause people don't know it exists...
― iatee, Wednesday, 28 July 2010 03:11 (thirteen years ago) link
Normally I have a tough time eating someone else's corn b read.
― Shut Up. Kenny G. Etc. (u s steel), Wednesday, 28 July 2010 03:20 (thirteen years ago) link
the chipotle salsa has a nice kick to it
― welcome back, ma$ed god (The Reverend), Sunday, 22 August 2010 05:24 (thirteen years ago) link
i picked up some "double rainbow" (lol rite) brand sorbet the other night -- mango/tangerine flavor. hella yum.
― diurnal eternal falafel (get bent), Sunday, 22 August 2010 05:27 (thirteen years ago) link
i can't believe they make 100% cranberry juice. i really can't. i've been waiting my whole life for someone to do that. its my dream come true. i can now die happy and fulfilled. we are talking straight up cranberries in juice form. no water no nothing. of course i'm no hero, i cut it with seltzer or ginger ale and its heaven on earth. its makes me want to buy a case of vodka and i don't even drink vodka.
― scott seward, Sunday, 22 August 2010 11:54 (thirteen years ago) link
Ooh how much is it? I've been getting not-from-concentrate cranberry for years but it is always $$$$$$
― tehresa, Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:19 (thirteen years ago) link
its not that much. i dunno, four bucks or something for a big glass juice size. someone brought it to our house and left it in the fridge and i sipped some thinking it was regular cran juice and my eyes lit up and i saw god!
― scott seward, Sunday, 22 August 2010 17:16 (thirteen years ago) link
i can't believe they make 100% cranberry juice. i really can't. i've been waiting my whole life for someone to do that. its my dream come true. i can now die happy and fulfilled.
ditto. the unmolested cranberry is a thing of beauty.
― diurnal eternal falafel (get bent), Sunday, 22 August 2010 19:24 (thirteen years ago) link
fascinating article on Trader Joe's history and market strategy: Inside the secret world of Trader Joe's. Includes juicy bits on where some of their food comes from (their pita chips come from Stacy's, a division of Frito-Lay) and how they choose their locations (one way is checking out an area's gourmet food magazine subscription numbers).
― her breath came in short pants (sciolism), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 08:09 (thirteen years ago) link
Store managers, "captains" in Trader Joe's parlance -- the nautical titles are a holdover from Coulombe (newly promoted captains are commanders; assistant store managers are first mates) -- can make in the low six figures, and full-time crew members can start in the $40,000 to $60,000 range. But on top of the pay, Trader Joe's annually contributes 15.4% of employees' gross income to tax-deferred retirement accounts.
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 12:55 (thirteen years ago) link
Uh... That's pretty good starting pay and do I love Trader Joe's enough to consider a career change?
― Jenny, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 13:08 (thirteen years ago) link
Wow, jeez, no kidding.
― jaymc, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 13:13 (thirteen years ago) link
I heard it's a cult. You make money but give up so much more.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 14:55 (thirteen years ago) link
Like, your very soul? Or something less than that?
― sharkless dick stick (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 15:30 (thirteen years ago) link
iirc to officially become a 'captain' you have to kill a whole foods worker
― iatee, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 15:33 (thirteen years ago) link
Whoa. I have extensive grocery and retail experience.....dotdotdotdotdotdot
― next person tries to teach me about JOY IN LIFE gets a tubgirl in return (Jesse), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 15:41 (thirteen years ago) link
Even some retail management experience.
Done and done.
― Jenny, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:01 (thirteen years ago) link
ha, yeah, i once overheard a conversation in a video store (back in the olden days, when that was a viable business model) between two employees. the one guy was like 'oh, man i loooove trader joe's. they have the best food and it's so cheap' and the other guy kept saying 'i don't know, man, i just feel like there's something bad about that place. you KNOW there is, there's gotta be a catch!' 'you mean, like, they treat their employees bad?' 'nah, not necessarily, just something. it's too good to be true, man.'
― dell (del), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:17 (thirteen years ago) link
my favorite trader joe's story involves hanging out with some guy that my roommate at the pal-ed around with. at one point she took off, and the guy was like, 'hey do you mind if i just hang out here with you? i don't feel like going home just yet' and i was like 'sure, whatever'. we proceeded to hang out and drink beer and listen to music while he regaled me with stories about growing up in la and skateboarding and being in some gang or something. there was also talk of his job at trader joe's. and his wife. anyhow, at one point, he tells me that he needs to step outside 'i gotta go smoke some crack!'. i thought he was just being silly and that he was just going to run down the street to buy some cigarettes or whatever. silly me, it turns out he actually went outside and...smoked crack.
anyhow, according to him trader joe's was a great place to work!
― dell (del), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:26 (thirteen years ago) link
I would like a job that would both accommodate a crack habit and pay enough to maintain it.
― Jenny, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:29 (thirteen years ago) link
there is a trader joe's down the street from my house now so it's a twice-a-week stop. my vote goes for the peanut butter cups.
― akm, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:31 (thirteen years ago) link
also yeah some people are pretty paranoid about trader joe's since their parent company (in Germany) is so secretive. the founder just died actually like two weeks ago, I think. But I don't think it's like, linked with the Masons or anything. (unlike, say, Bay Area vegan restaurants CAfe Gratitude, which is completely hooked up with the Forum).
― akm, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:36 (thirteen years ago) link
there are probably more of those opportunities than you think...plus just imagine the residuals from your eventual augusten burroughs-style tell-all! it could buy a LOT of greek yogurt and trader giotto's evoo
― dell (del), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:36 (thirteen years ago) link
does cafe gratitude still exist? that was possibly the worst dining-out experience i've ever had. it simultaneously made me angry and creeped me out.
― dell (del), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:39 (thirteen years ago) link
hate that place so much
― iatee, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:44 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh man. What a load of bullshit. Never have I hated hippies more than after my meal at Cafe Gratitude. I walked by tons of great taco shacks to eat there. NEVER AGAIN!
― brotherlovesdub, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 17:10 (thirteen years ago) link
just made a margarita with tj's 100% agave reposado tequilanot bad at all
― Max Armstrong (buzza), Monday, 30 August 2010 05:00 (thirteen years ago) link
Guys wtf is Cafe Gratitude and why so hated?
― don't hate the playa, hate the del carmen (Stevie D), Monday, 30 August 2010 05:48 (thirteen years ago) link
Did they print their menu in Papyrus or something?
― don't hate the playa, hate the del carmen (Stevie D), Monday, 30 August 2010 05:49 (thirteen years ago) link
bay area vegan restaurant
here's what the menu is like:
COOKED SPECIALTIES
Available in select locations
I AM TRUSTING TAMAL PLATE $12 A handmade corn tamal made with stone-ground heirloom masa and filled w/seasonal vegetables served with beans, salsa verde & Mexican cilantro coleslaw Add avocado $2 or “cheese” $2.25
I AM TRANSFORMED TACO PLATE $12 Two handmade corn tortillas with brown rice, beans, salsa verde, guacamole & cashew nacho cheese. Served with a side salad with fig balsamic dressing Add avocado $2, sautéed mushrooms $2 or sautéed onions $1
I AM WISE QUESADILLA PLATE $12 Two handmade corn tortillas w/bean puree and macadamia cheddar cheese served with guacamole, salsa roja & cilantro spiced Mexican coleslaw
I AM VIBRANT SAUTEED GREENS $7 Seasonal greens sautéed with garlic and pumpkin seeds
I AM FORTIFIED STEAMED VEGETABLE BOWL $12 Organic quinoa or brown rice topped with steamed seasonal vegetables and choice of sauce: garlic tahini, Indian curry or Thai coconut Add avocado $2, “cheese”$2.25, black beans $2 or extra sauce $1.50
― iatee, Monday, 30 August 2010 05:55 (thirteen years ago) link
so to order the disgusting $12 tacos you actually say "I'd like one 'I am transformed' please"
― iatee, Monday, 30 August 2010 05:56 (thirteen years ago) link
Cafe Gratitude is our expression of a world of plenty. Our food and people are a celebration of our aliveness. We select the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves, as we are one and the same. We support local farmers, sustainable agriculture, and environmentally-friendly products. Our food is prepared with love. We invite you to step inside and enjoy being someone who chooses: loving your life, adoring yourself, accepting the world, being generous and grateful every day, and experiencing being provided for. Have fun and enjoy being nourished.
― iatee, Monday, 30 August 2010 05:57 (thirteen years ago) link
and apparently you're not ~allowed~ to ask with shortcuts, e.g. "i'll have the steamed vege bowl" - you HAVE to say "I AM FORTIFIED".
― just1n3, Monday, 30 August 2010 14:32 (thirteen years ago) link
it goes without saying that people are mortified to work there or no?
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Monday, 30 August 2010 14:33 (thirteen years ago) link
I AM WISE QUESADILLA
― schlump, Monday, 30 August 2010 14:42 (thirteen years ago) link
I AM SATISFIED SMALL CAFÉ SALAD $9 Mixed greens, carrots, beets, tomatoes, sprouts, Brazil nut Parmesan & teriyaki almonds [I AM NOT QUITE SATISFIED, SO PLEASE] Add avocado $2 or hummus $3.50
― next person tries to teach me about JOY IN LIFE gets a tubgirl in return (Jesse), Monday, 30 August 2010 14:59 (thirteen years ago) link
Who puts hummus on mixed greens?! That does sound like a good salad, though.
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Monday, 30 August 2010 15:01 (thirteen years ago) link
I hate that restaurant so much.
― Jenny, Monday, 30 August 2010 15:02 (thirteen years ago) link
Me fucking too. That must be what I look like to really socially conservative types.
― next person tries to teach me about JOY IN LIFE gets a tubgirl in return (Jesse), Monday, 30 August 2010 15:04 (thirteen years ago) link
I remember stopping by the Berkeley branch of Cafe Gratitude and reading the menu, and feeling, as I never have before while reading a menu, that there was something EERIE about it. Now I know why.
But look, let's stick to the real issue -- why have we not mentioned that Trader Joe's is now making tater tots? So excited.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Monday, 30 August 2010 15:16 (thirteen years ago) link
A Trader Joe's is under construction 3 or 4 blocks from my house. It looks like it might be absolutely enormous, as they are doing new construction at the same time as they are gutting a former Barnes and Noble right next door, indicating to me that it could all be one giant Trader Joes. Which would be great.
― next person tries to teach me about JOY IN LIFE gets a tubgirl in return (Jesse), Monday, 30 August 2010 15:26 (thirteen years ago) link
I am super excited about this development, as this TJ's will be .6 miles from my apartment!!!
― Jenny, Monday, 30 August 2010 15:29 (thirteen years ago) link
chicken gyozas are too garlicky and kind of salty. i'll stick to the chinese store's
― the girl with the butt tattoo (harbl), Friday, 3 September 2010 16:14 (thirteen years ago) link
but organic bolivian blend coffee is very good
in general i find trader joe's products to seem great in theory, and pretty ok upon first purchase...but three or so buys in and it all tastes gross to me, i dunno why, but i have had that experience with almost everything they sell. hummus, salsa, whatever. i burn out on their stuff really quickly
also they are notorious for suddenly discontinuing favored items. they used to sell really fucking good vegan raviolis. oh man.
if you live in a part of the world where you can purchase alcohol there then tj's is a godsend, though.
― momus comes out of the sky and he stands there (del), Friday, 3 September 2010 21:54 (thirteen years ago) link
chalk it up to the soylent green factor, i guess...
― momus comes out of the sky and he stands there (del), Friday, 3 September 2010 21:55 (thirteen years ago) link
i was looking for frozen ravioli a couple weeks ago and they only had the 2-serving size in the cheese section. i don't care about most of their premade foods though. i mostly just get bread, coffee, yogurts, and canned stuff.
― the girl with the butt tattoo (harbl), Friday, 3 September 2010 22:18 (thirteen years ago) link
the canned cuban-style black beans are a staple of my household.
― corn smut (get bent), Friday, 3 September 2010 22:25 (thirteen years ago) link
but i have had that experience with almost everything they sell. hummus, salsa, whatever. i burn out on their stuff really quickly
i'm this way with the frozen food, where it seems the more exotic the 'dish' the more salty and unsubtle they make it and it gets old, but the commodity type stuff (hummus, peanut butter etc) holds up pretty well for me. we have an indian garbanzo bean dish in the freezer almost makes me queasy to look at now.
― Mr. or Ms. Narc-on-the-couch (tremendoid), Friday, 3 September 2010 22:25 (thirteen years ago) link
i usually get a bunch of their indian dishes and mix them up in a pan with tofu and/or rice. it's a good, hearty weeknight dinner.
― corn smut (get bent), Friday, 3 September 2010 22:26 (thirteen years ago) link
i mostly just get bread, coffee, yogurts, and canned stuff.
that sounds like a good strategy. i haven't bought their yogurt in years but i remember it being pretty great. i imagine their coffee would be good, too. and i had their canned refried black beans recently as part of some nachos concoction and i was surprised by how good it was
i usually get a bunch of their indian dishes and mix them up in a pan with tofu and/or rice.
are you talking about their frozen stuff or the tasty bites-style stuff that comes in the pouches? if the latter, i am always pleasantly taken with how good that stuff is
― momus comes out of the sky and he stands there (del), Friday, 3 September 2010 22:45 (thirteen years ago) link
harbl otm re: bolivian coffee. it is pricier than crap coffee but not as pricey as *fancy* coffee and it tastes really good and is not too acidic <3
― tehresa, Friday, 3 September 2010 22:59 (thirteen years ago) link
i buy both.
― corn smut (get bent), Friday, 3 September 2010 22:59 (thirteen years ago) link
i tried the bolivian coffee and it's really really goodthanks for the rec!
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Friday, 10 September 2010 14:29 (thirteen years ago) link
got the 100% cran :D :D :D
― tehresa, Friday, 10 September 2010 23:13 (thirteen years ago) link
did that expose article confirm that the tasty bites stuff was actually repackaged tasty bites?it's got me curious now what all the other items are.i think they used to carry kashi cereals; maybe they still do, but under disguise?
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 10 September 2010 23:23 (thirteen years ago) link
Yup, it's Tasty Bite. I think the black bean and veg enchiladas are Amy's.
― Jenny, Saturday, 11 September 2010 02:29 (thirteen years ago) link
The pre-packaged tuna curry meals are back! Bought one tonight but haven't eaten it yet. Packaging looks essentially the same, but they've been gone for over a year.
― nickn, Saturday, 11 September 2010 04:08 (thirteen years ago) link
the greek yogurt is delicious, but my god, 60% rdv of saturated fat? in one serving?
― corn smut (get bent), Sunday, 12 September 2010 00:01 (thirteen years ago) link
i always get the 0%. still delicious.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 14 September 2010 12:39 (thirteen years ago) link
got genuinely excited yesterday when i saw that puff pastry is backit's the only puff pastry i can find that is packaged flat
now i can make little goat chz and onion galettes for a weeknight dinner (no tedious dough-making) and gazillions of other delicious warm flaky things
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Tuesday, 14 September 2010 12:46 (thirteen years ago) link
The location of the TJ on Lincoln in Chicago has always been something of a mystery to me. I'm never in the area and every time I am, I feel like it's like spotting a ghost ship. I'm looking forward to a new one opening on my walk home.
― Jesse, Tuesday, 14 September 2010 14:17 (thirteen years ago) link
that's the one I go to like 3x a week. It's three blocks from my house.
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 14 September 2010 14:18 (thirteen years ago) link
ITS LOCATION IS A MYSTERY
― Jesse, Tuesday, 14 September 2010 14:24 (thirteen years ago) link
to jesse
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Tuesday, 14 September 2010 18:57 (thirteen years ago) link
I drove there without looking at a map first so it can't be hard to find.
― Jenny, Tuesday, 14 September 2010 19:04 (thirteen years ago) link
It's like the Island on LOST to me.
― Jesse, Tuesday, 14 September 2010 19:06 (thirteen years ago) link
FOUND IT!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41894171796@N01/4991054943/
I was riding down Lincoln tonight and there it was.
Wound up going to the one on Clybourn b/c it was closer to where I was going. The Masala Lentil Dip is great! Despite having lost all sense of smell, and therefore most sense of taste, this dip tastes great and it has a weird effect on my tongue. Probably the hot spices, but it feels different from just plain hot.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 02:27 (thirteen years ago) link
grrr stupid new Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4991054943_7838668723.jpgphoto.JPG by Jesse1, on Flickr
the chili mango slices and peanut butter cups are their tastiest treats yet! and they have the best overpriced almond butter in town
― babygirlwc, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 03:05 (thirteen years ago) link
They were out of chili mango slices (they had pineapple) so I bought the "juicy" dried mango slices and put cayenne on them and it was wonderful.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 03:08 (thirteen years ago) link
xp
ya the stuff with flaxseeds is amazing. and i assume you mean overpriced in general and not overpriced in comparison to other almond butter prices, cus 5 dollars for a 16 oz jar is probably as cheap as ive ever seen it
― /\/K/\/\, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 03:10 (thirteen years ago) link
I like the for real mozzarella cheese sticks. A+
― Jenny, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 03:10 (thirteen years ago) link
loved this place when i lived in california... we only have some indie-ish places and whole foods here in denver. whole foods blows beyond belief.
― lieutenant jimmy john (kelpolaris), Wednesday, 15 September 2010 03:40 (thirteen years ago) link
I love the almond butter/peanut butters with flax.
I've been liking the Dunkelweizen a lot lately (I think it says Josef Brau on it but it looks identical to the beers that say Trader Joes).
We're sort of addicted to the sliced goat cheese that comes in the blue pack.
Today I tried their newer frozen spinach lasagna and it actually had like a lot of spinach in it, which is good.
― Ground Zero Mostel (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 15 September 2010 03:46 (thirteen years ago) link
This Paneer Tikka Pasala with spinach basmati rice is pretty great. Can't complain about the $3 Red Oval, either.
― Green Manalishi (Viceroy), Friday, 17 September 2010 00:08 (thirteen years ago) link
*Masala
I noticed the Red Oval had been renamed to Name Tag in my TJs last month. Same graphics but a different name (the brewery name also changed). I assume they didn't get permission to use the older name.
― nickn, Friday, 17 September 2010 00:14 (thirteen years ago) link
i noticed that the tuna curries were back! i have a few boxes in the kitchen that i can hardly wait to dive into.
― microtonal hall & oates (get bent), Friday, 17 September 2010 00:20 (thirteen years ago) link
I got the TJ vegetable gyoza and they were OK, but the inside was sort of gummy. The ingredients list shows a couple kinds of flour and a couple kinds of starch, so I guess that's why. Overall OK, but could do without the paste.
http://vietworldkitchen.com/.a/6a00d8341ef22f53ef01156ff232b4970c-500pi
― dumplings (Jesse), Tuesday, 28 September 2010 02:18 (thirteen years ago) link
vegetable ones are so-so, i like the chicken ones
― buzza, Tuesday, 28 September 2010 04:27 (thirteen years ago) link
Lol at the Cafe Gratitude stuff upthread. I miss Berkeley!
― Oh man, schnitzelwich (admrl), Tuesday, 28 September 2010 04:48 (thirteen years ago) link
tj's has an awesome sweet potato gnocchi w/ sage and brown butter. i wasn't expecting it to be this good.
― that's so percussion (get bent), Monday, 4 October 2010 02:04 (thirteen years ago) link
and the kennebunkport pumpkin ale is decent if a little sweet for my taste.
― that's so percussion (get bent), Monday, 4 October 2010 02:06 (thirteen years ago) link
Chile spiced pineapple may be better than chili spiced mango.
― Jeff, Saturday, 16 October 2010 23:06 (thirteen years ago) link
Best to buy both and eat at the same time.
So Red Oval Lager has now become Name Tag Lager. Anyone know why they changed the name? I have a feeling it has something to do with the name/logo being very similar to Red Stripe and the Red Stripe folks weren't very happy about it.
― The Porcupine Captain With A Crew of White Rabbits (Viceroy), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 01:25 (thirteen years ago) link
But the logo is still similar. I assumed whoever owned the original Red Oval hadn't actually given them permission to resurrect it. It was an existing brand some decades ago, I thought.
― nickn, Tuesday, 26 October 2010 01:29 (thirteen years ago) link
OIC I didn't know Red Oval had a history to it...
― The Porcupine Captain With A Crew of White Rabbits (Viceroy), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 01:34 (thirteen years ago) link
used their bolivian coffee to make turkish coffee this afternoon. i like! not too acidic, has kind of a desserty flavor.
― the moray eels eat the (get bent), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 01:45 (thirteen years ago) link
i've been drinking joe's dark bc it was cheaper but i think i really have to go back to bolivian.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 26 October 2010 01:46 (thirteen years ago) link
Wheat Berry Salad was kinda good. Not everything with a sweet component needs bleuueue or goat cheese to "balance" it, though.
― BENDLESS WOOKIEE (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 02:34 (thirteen years ago) link
i made the chicken egg rolls with dinner -- i can't get them as crispy as i want them, but i did get them tasting great by finishing them off in a skillet with oil, soy sauce, turmeric, and black pepper.
― the moray eels eat the (get bent), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 02:41 (thirteen years ago) link
I had the frozen Chicken Tikka Masala today and it was not bad at all. Probably about on the level of an average indian buffet.
Bolivian coffee is the best one I've had so far too, although I can't say I'm thrilled with it. My last purchase I spent $12/lb on some Crop to Cup Ethiopian and it was hugely better. I'll still probably mostly drink the TJ's to save cash.
― Bobby Short, Wayne Shorter (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 02:46 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh, btw the brown rice blend with daikon radish = YUM.
― Bobby Short, Wayne Shorter (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 02:47 (thirteen years ago) link
suddenly addicted to their "spicy chai latte" powder
― bows don't kill people, arrows do (Jordan), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 21:05 (thirteen years ago) link
meanwhile i've had to wean myself off the chicken tikka masala boxes, since i don't have a microwave anymore
― bows don't kill people, arrows do (Jordan), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 21:06 (thirteen years ago) link
I just bought a box of JOE's Os (instead of Cheerios) - test-drive tomorrow AM
― bad boy for life (m coleman), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 21:16 (thirteen years ago) link
did i get excited about the return of their puff pastry yet? because i am excited about this. SO MANY POSSIBILITIES.
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 22:48 (thirteen years ago) link
Adult Gummy Multivitamin Dietary Supplement is the bee's knees.
― avant-sarsgaard (litel), Wednesday, 27 October 2010 02:29 (thirteen years ago) link
thumbs up on the cha siu bao (pork buns). would buy again!
― the moray eels eat the (get bent), Wednesday, 27 October 2010 23:02 (thirteen years ago) link
I am big into their bags of freeze dried bananas or starwberries. I never got over my childhood idea that food they eat in space is probably the most glamorous food.
― 17th Century Catholic Spain (Abbbottt), Thursday, 28 October 2010 05:03 (thirteen years ago) link
thumbs aloft on TJ's frozen edamame
― bad boy for life (m coleman), Thursday, 28 October 2010 10:33 (thirteen years ago) link
wasabi peas, what's up?
― once a remy bean always a (remy bean), Thursday, 28 October 2010 10:57 (thirteen years ago) link
One thing I have to say, pretty much all their frozen stuff has WAY too much sodium, and I always get this weird tingling on my tongue after I eat one (is that sodium or MSG) and feel a little crappy.
― don't hassle deerhhof (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 2 November 2010 23:36 (thirteen years ago) link
I mean maybe that's just the only way to make a frozen thing taste good, but still I think they could go a little easier.
― don't hassle deerhhof (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 2 November 2010 23:37 (thirteen years ago) link
Ran in and grabbed a caprese salad today for lunch - these are pretty good: mozzarella fresca, cherry tomatoes, giant pile of arugula, basil vinaigrette. When I got back to the office to eat it, I noticed something odd about the mozzarella. At first I thought it was moldy around the edges, but no: it had somehow turned a pale purple-gray where it was touching the arugula.
― Jaq, Wednesday, 3 November 2010 21:58 (thirteen years ago) link
That post was short, but it was still a roller-coaster ride of skepticism, appreciation, and disgust, then relief.
― SEXY HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN PORTUGAL (Jesse), Wednesday, 3 November 2010 22:13 (thirteen years ago) link
Have I mentioned that their pre-made sushi is profoundly horrible, even by the low standards of grocery store sushi? The rice is mealy and mushy.
― SEXY HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN PORTUGAL (Jesse), Wednesday, 3 November 2010 22:14 (thirteen years ago) link
I made the sushi mistake one time only. Not worth it even in sushi desparation.
― Jaq, Wednesday, 3 November 2010 22:31 (thirteen years ago) link
no, it is patently disgustinggluey
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Wednesday, 3 November 2010 22:33 (thirteen years ago) link
have i mentioned that i love their $3.99 turkey & swiss sandwiches? one of the best lunch deals in town.
― the moray eels eat the (get bent), Wednesday, 3 November 2010 22:37 (thirteen years ago) link
rice cakes, but I wish they had an unsalted version
dijon mustard
tuna, which is a kind that is neither white nor non-white, and comes unsalted
coffee filters (very cheap)
I bought two boxes of excellent peaches from Trader Joe's this past summer.
― youn, Wednesday, 3 November 2010 22:48 (thirteen years ago) link
ha, my only TJ experience involved their horrible sushi. guhhhhh
― Unfrozen Caveman Board-Lawyer (WmC), Thursday, 4 November 2010 00:56 (thirteen years ago) link
Their dark chocolate peanut butter cups are awesome. Also, boxes of frozen naan and garlic naan... and their three layer hummus. Very sad I can't go to Trader Joe's more often. Very glad my friend shops there often and brings snacks to my house.
― Sara R-C, Thursday, 4 November 2010 05:48 (thirteen years ago) link
My local chain market started carrying naan and so does Target...still not as good as restaurant naan but I love it when supermarkets make so-called "hippie" food available, like when old people can buy soy milk and couscous not just people in cool urban areas.
― like you really know who trisomie 21 is (u s steel), Thursday, 4 November 2010 08:28 (thirteen years ago) link
I miss Trader Joe's. I don't know where the best places to shop are down here in the sticks.
― Melissa W, Thursday, 4 November 2010 08:38 (thirteen years ago) link
what i know is that they have veggie potstickers (frozen) that are AOK
and that you should never buy their soups, because they are extremely nasty
and that they have sesame crackers that are the best ever, but often not in stock
and that they have nice cabot sharp white cheddar for cheap, which you cannot otherwise get on the west coast, yes!
and that they are otherwise mostly worth avoiding
― naked human hands and a foam rubber head (contenderizer), Thursday, 4 November 2010 09:27 (thirteen years ago) link
I'm getting very aggravated with TJ's overnaming or misnaming things, particularly in cheese For eg.
The only actual made in Italy mozzarella is labeled by the brand name not what it is whereas everything from string cheese to grated industrial rubber gets labeled as mozzarellaGrana Padano Parmesan, two names, one label, which is it?
OK so these are the only two I noticed yesterday but its annoying.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 4 November 2010 12:20 (thirteen years ago) link
maybe it's a blend of grana padano and parmesan?
― the moray eels eat the (get bent), Thursday, 4 November 2010 19:30 (thirteen years ago) link
does not compute in block form
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 4 November 2010 20:10 (thirteen years ago) link
which is it?
Probably neither? If you want Parmesan in the US, gotta make sure it says "Parmagiano Reggiano" or you could get whatever the maker considers "parmesan".
― hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Thursday, 4 November 2010 20:15 (thirteen years ago) link
This was, on closer inspection of the label, Italian Padano.
I know I'm a stick in the mud European and think things should be labeled as what they are and where they come from. The California Ersatz "Mozzarella" is pretty good really. Domestic parmesan is pretty awful though.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 4 November 2010 20:19 (thirteen years ago) link
There's one place I know of in Wisconsin that does a decent parmesan, but yeah most are geared to emulate Kraft parmesan rather than Parmesan parmesan.
― hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Thursday, 4 November 2010 21:21 (thirteen years ago) link
f all u all, tj's parmesan is delicious and also the best deal in town
― congratulations (n/a), Thursday, 4 November 2010 21:38 (thirteen years ago) link
TJ's actual italian parmesan is the best deal in town, and he padona is good too, I just object to the label.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 4 November 2010 21:40 (thirteen years ago) link
tbh i haven't been to a tj's in many moons cause if i only ever want either some cheap shit at a place w/a huge selection (supermarket) or quality food that i'm splurging on (whole foods). any time i go to tj's i get like 20 mediocre things and mayyybe 1 or 2 legit "hey you need to try this shit" tasty things. i was just reminded about the choc-covered edamame tho so think i'll have to go back and give the place yet another try.
― hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Thursday, 4 November 2010 21:45 (thirteen years ago) link
http://greenlagirl.com/cafe-gratitude-los-angeles-now-under-construction-opens-feb-2011/
― the moray eels eat the (get bent), Friday, 5 November 2010 06:19 (thirteen years ago) link
i generally go to tj's first for my staples, and then fill in the rest from whole foods and other local stores. i've found that food costs around here are ridiculous, but i can generally get staples cheapest at tj's. i know i can count on getting my yogurt and canned goods and coffee and lemons, etc.
they've just opened in my parents' town, after at least a 15 year wait. i think it will be too mobbed for them to actually shop there :( (this also happened when whole foods opened).
― tehresa, Saturday, 6 November 2010 15:17 (thirteen years ago) link
Ok really guys, the fucking sodium. A little-ass thing of curried lentils should not have 60% of my daily sodium.
― portrait of the artist as a yung joc (Hurting 2), Monday, 15 November 2010 22:50 (thirteen years ago) link
Yum!
― Jeff, Monday, 15 November 2010 23:08 (thirteen years ago) link
Haha. Agreed to both Hurting and Jeff.
― SEXY HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN PORTUGAL (Jesse), Monday, 15 November 2010 23:11 (thirteen years ago) link
It is delicious, but it makes me feel awful.
― portrait of the artist as a yung joc (Hurting 2), Monday, 15 November 2010 23:12 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeh for someone who is starting to have trouble with hypertension, It would be nice if they let you salt the shit out of the food yourself.
― SEXY HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN PORTUGAL (Jesse), Monday, 15 November 2010 23:18 (thirteen years ago) link
you could just cook the food yourself.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 16 November 2010 01:02 (thirteen years ago) link
Adding water to a package and applying heat IS "cooking food myself" for the most part. If I don't get take-out, I have succeeded.
― SEXY HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN PORTUGAL (Jesse), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 03:21 (thirteen years ago) link
I actually really like cooking, but only with others. Cooking for just myself is just a chore, and I usually just bake a potato or sautee some vegetables. I would literally prefer doing laundry or doing maintenance on my files.
― SEXY HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN PORTUGAL (Jesse), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 03:23 (thirteen years ago) link
Dark chocolate mint UFOs. Frozen mac & cheese. Another vote for tamales, yogurt, and paneer tikka masala (until I get tired of it).
It is almost candy cane joe-joes time.
― teeny, Tuesday, 16 November 2010 04:05 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh hell yes. I devour a box of those every year, then buy another box and eat four of them and forget about it. BUT MAN THAT FIRST BOX.
― you're not là-bas of me (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 05:51 (thirteen years ago) link
Chocolate covered raspberry sticksPeanut butter pretzels
Cannot fuck with TJs on either front
Paneer tikka masala cosign
― That is the stench of tyranny (VegemiteGrrrl), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 06:02 (thirteen years ago) link
I would literally prefer . . . doing maintenance on my files.
Is that a euphemism?
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 13:52 (thirteen years ago) link
I'm currently enjoying a bagel topped with cream cheese and TJ's pumpkin butter, which is very good. I also like the pumpkin muffin mix, which is even better if you cream half a block of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of sugar, and an egg yolk together and plop a teaspoon of that in the middle of each muffin before you bake them.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 13:54 (thirteen years ago) link
I wanted to buy pumpkin butter but the girl vetoed it cause we didn't have anything to put it on. I will pretty much buy pumpkin anything, tho.
― iatee, Tuesday, 16 November 2010 13:56 (thirteen years ago) link
Me, too! Now you know that it is good on bagels, so you can get some bagels and some pumpkin butter.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 14:40 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh did I not mention the flax-seed peanut butter? So good.
― portrait of the artist as a yung joc (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 14:52 (thirteen years ago) link
Dark chocolate sea salt caramels (holiday seasonal item): I LOVE YOUthese shits are so good
chocolate - high qualitycaramel - buttery and smoothsalt - salty and from the DEAD SEA (purportedly)
anyway, these candies are divine and i'm tempted to buy a bunch just to keep for later when they become unseasonal again
― The Great Jumanji, (La Lechera), Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:08 (thirteen years ago) link
Just had the pesto pizza. It was delicious! They can do no wrong with their personal-bake pizzas, IMO, but the pesto just became my new favorite.
― Ignore Me! (Viceroy), Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:11 (thirteen years ago) link
pesto pizza is of our lazy backup dinners
I have had a lot of pesto pizzas...
― iatee, Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:12 (thirteen years ago) link
Anyone know about the brandy beans? Will they get you drunk? They look really good.
― Ignore Me! (Viceroy), Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:13 (thirteen years ago) link
"is one of our"
― iatee, Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:13 (thirteen years ago) link
i buy the raw pizza dough (in the refrigerator section) fairly often. i like to bake it up with a bit of olive oil brushed on for extra crispness.
― and then peaced (get bent), Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:16 (thirteen years ago) link
cranberry spiced cider!
― tehresa, Saturday, 4 December 2010 23:46 (thirteen years ago) link
splashed in glass of seltzer is awesome. also nice hot.
mango chicken sausage
― positive reflection is the key (harbl), Monday, 17 January 2011 20:58 (thirteen years ago) link
When the hell will the TJ down the street ever open?? I never see workers there anymore when I walk to or from the bus. I see some signs of activity, at least - ducts and pipes get moved around - so at least I know they haven't given up. I keep delaying certain purchases until it opens.
― also, that Christmas tree has a dildo on its head (Jesse), Monday, 17 January 2011 21:04 (thirteen years ago) link
Rumors on Yelp said they would open in January, which is clearly not possible.
cilantro/jalapeno hummus
― hubertus bigend (m coleman), Monday, 17 January 2011 23:33 (thirteen years ago) link
YES! The cilantro jalapeño hummus is amazing.
― ENBB, Tuesday, 18 January 2011 00:00 (thirteen years ago) link
That sounds great but I don't know what I would use it for. My appetite feels like it just got off the bus in Times Square in 1976.
― Slade Venom Secret Police (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 18 January 2011 08:05 (thirteen years ago) link
i have a few different tj's frozen dinners i can choose from tonight:
-mac & cheese-paneer tikka masala-pesto tortellini-sweet potato gnocchi -polenta provencale
i am spoiled and i don't know what to choose!
― PWN: The Paul Winfield Network (get bent), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 03:23 (thirteen years ago) link
Pander tikka masala ftw
― VegemiteGrrrl, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 03:24 (thirteen years ago) link
Ohhh but Mac n cheese
Yep, you're screwed
mac n cheese is the BEST
you know what i am really loving from tj's is the lavender dishwashing detergent
― just1n3, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 03:26 (thirteen years ago) link
polenta provencale is my favorite!
― Stop Non-Erotic Cabaret (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 03:27 (thirteen years ago) link
isn't it good?
― PWN: The Paul Winfield Network (get bent), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 03:31 (thirteen years ago) link
saw a cauliflower & romanesco frozen veggie thing in a butter sauce that looked tempting but i just had the most amazing romanesco courtesy of my local farmers market the other day so why bother
― buzza, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:05 (thirteen years ago) link
Have decided to drastically reduce my consumption of TJ's prepared foods. They're great but they make me feel bad and get fat.
― hey boys, suppers on me, our video just went bacterial (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:06 (thirteen years ago) link
prepared meaning frozen/boxed
― hey boys, suppers on me, our video just went bacterial (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:07 (thirteen years ago) link
so sad I didn't buy more holiday vintage ale though
i like their frozen (and unadulterated) flat beans (green and yellow). they're great caramelized with some onions and fennel and topped with your seafood of choice.
― ergonomically chromium plated fish slice (La Lechera), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:08 (thirteen years ago) link
saw a cauliflower & romanesco frozen veggie thing in a butter sauce that looked tempting
i've had this. def good for a weeknight side dish.
(btw i went with the sweet potato gnocchi tonight.)
― PWN: The Paul Winfield Network (get bent), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:09 (thirteen years ago) link
Romanesco look both delicious and loathesome in a trypohpia-inducing way.
― also, that Christmas tree has a dildo on its head (Jesse), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:18 (thirteen years ago) link
trypophobia, that is
anyone buy lactaid milk at trader joe's? they used to stock the hormone free kind, I'm positive, but now I can't seem to find any.
― akm, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:48 (thirteen years ago) link
never mind I'm retarded, it's right there on the side.
right now my neighborhood trader joe's is selling off all their christmas cookies for like, 99 cents.
― akm, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:59 (thirteen years ago) link
(it is kind of disgusting there are cookies from two months ago around, but you know, when you want cookies...)
Tj's is great for losing weight because everything is prepackage with nutritional information.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 13:53 (thirteen years ago) link
The one in Brooklyn has these "Taster's Packs" of Unibroue beers for $8 right now -- it's 4 different strong ales in the 8-9% alcohol range. Drinking a Don De Dieu right now, a belgian-style golden ale. Quite good.
― The Corner Stander, The Suggest Ban Hammer (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 1 March 2011 03:27 (thirteen years ago) link
As beers go, I don't recommend the Vienna style lager. The knockoff Corona however is almost as good as the real thing.
― calstars, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 03:39 (thirteen years ago) link
The Trader Jose's thing? That shit is tasty!
― wizards of wonder are the keepers of knowledge (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 1 March 2011 03:40 (thirteen years ago) link
Almost as good as Corona is not high praise in my book.
― The Corner Stander, The Suggest Ban Hammer (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 1 March 2011 03:46 (thirteen years ago) link
I do think the TJ's Dunkelweisen and Hofbrau Bock are pretty good.
wait are you talking about la playa? bc that was shit.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 03:46 (thirteen years ago) link
but i think that is fake tecate, which is also shit.
no longer finding the mint chocolate UFOs or the quart of strawberry yogurt at my TJs, this is very disappointing.
currently loving the little dry pint pack of little sweet peppers. Picked up these goofy pea puff snacks today, they are like cheetos but made with peas, they are very snacky. $$ for basically air though. My 2 yo girl loves the dried seaweed snack, the other day she was no-nap delirious, naked on the kitchen floor doing the curly shuffle while cramming seaweed in her mouth, I was dying.
― teeny, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 03:57 (thirteen years ago) link
The go-to cheap TJ beer is Name Tag (Red Oval).
― nickn, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 04:30 (thirteen years ago) link
green curry tuna >> red curry tuna
― hauntological-hysteric theater (get bent), Saturday, 5 March 2011 21:47 (thirteen years ago) link
The one in Brooklyn has these "Taster's Packs" of Unibroue beers for $8 right now -- it's 4 different strong ales in the 8-9% alcohol range. Drinking a Don De Dieu right now, a belgian-style golden ale. Quite good.― The Corner Stander, The Suggest Ban Hammer (Hurting 2), Tuesday, March 1, 2011 3:27 AM (4 days ago) Bookmark
― The Corner Stander, The Suggest Ban Hammer (Hurting 2), Tuesday, March 1, 2011 3:27 AM (4 days ago) Bookmark
I hope (fer yer sake) there is at least one Fin du Monde in there, because that shit is some golden fucking ambrosia
― bernard snowy, Saturday, 5 March 2011 22:01 (thirteen years ago) link
Bought the Unibroue assortment a couple weeks ago and it was great. and, yeah, there's a fin du monde in there. (plus maudite, don de dieu and one I can't remember).
― first it smells like donuts, then it smells like don't ask (askance johnson), Saturday, 5 March 2011 22:07 (thirteen years ago) link
trois pistoles? that's their strong dark one, also v.good
― bernard snowy, Saturday, 5 March 2011 22:59 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah, there's a Trois Pistoles
― bury my heart at wounded nerd (Hurting 2), Sunday, 6 March 2011 00:56 (thirteen years ago) link
― nickn, Monday, February 28, 2011 9:30 PM (5 days ago)
Definitely. Drinking it right now. Though the $2 upgrade to Trader Jose is worth it -- if you like cerveza.
― Threadkiller General (Viceroy), Sunday, 6 March 2011 01:06 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah that red curry tuna wasn't that good
― los blue jeans, Sunday, 6 March 2011 02:04 (thirteen years ago) link
I enjoy the red and green curry tuna packs.
― Jeff, Sunday, 6 March 2011 02:06 (thirteen years ago) link
sweet potato gnocci however - not too bad at all
― los blue jeans, Sunday, 6 March 2011 02:07 (thirteen years ago) link
do you heat up the tuna? I had it room temperature - this could have been the problem
?? I always heat up the tuna curry, both colors, and it is always delicious.
― first it smells like donuts, then it smells like don't ask (askance johnson), Sunday, 6 March 2011 02:11 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah, I use a rice cooker with a steamer basket. Rice in bottom, two tuna packets on top in the basket. All done at the same time.
― Jeff, Sunday, 6 March 2011 02:28 (thirteen years ago) link
ah. good idea. might give that another shot.
― los blue jeans, Sunday, 6 March 2011 02:47 (thirteen years ago) link
There's a refrigerated thing that I think is new, with hummus, some kinda little chopped up salad, tahini and pita/falafel. It's pretty good, especially if you're too lazy to make your own falafel. And oh, am I.
― Aquarian Necromancer Octopus (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 6 March 2011 07:20 (thirteen years ago) link
i just cook the rice and mix it up with the room-temp tuna.
― hauntological-hysteric theater (get bent), Sunday, 6 March 2011 09:23 (thirteen years ago) link
The tuna also good on noodles, and they don't have to be Thai noodles, I usually just use fettucini.
― nickn, Sunday, 6 March 2011 18:52 (thirteen years ago) link
Lincoln Park TJ's construction update: The lights are on inside and they've installed many shelves, freezers, and fridges.
― Jesse, Monday, 7 March 2011 02:14 (thirteen years ago) link
I actually thought the tuna curry was kinda gross, but whatev.
― jaymc, Monday, 7 March 2011 04:25 (thirteen years ago) link
Were you eating it cold right out of the pouch with your bare hands while sitting in a dark room alone and crying? Because you should really heat those tuna things up first.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Monday, 7 March 2011 04:53 (thirteen years ago) link
TJ's funyons are really good!
― first it smells like donuts, then it smells like don't ask (askance johnson), Monday, 7 March 2011 04:59 (thirteen years ago) link
toasted oatmeal flakes ++
― gravity tractor VS asteroid B612 (m coleman), Monday, 7 March 2011 10:43 (thirteen years ago) link
Sweet & Spicy Pecans are delicious. Problem is I could eat the whole tiny bag, which contains 5 servings. Normally, I could care less, but it just seems excessive with 950 calories and 85 g of fat.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 9 March 2011 01:53 (thirteen years ago) link
lemongrass chicken sticks, om nom.
― minsktrans.by (get bent), Wednesday, 9 March 2011 22:54 (thirteen years ago) link
Ooh I got those for 1st time recently. Problem is my oven doesn't get hot enough to cook them. Thinking about combo microwave and toaster to finish off the package.
― go peddle your bullshit somewhere else sister (Laurel), Wednesday, 9 March 2011 23:06 (thirteen years ago) link
TJ's butternut squash ravioli for breakfast. Normally I'm down with the squash+pasta combo, but this is cloyingly sweet for something that should be savory. Too much brown sugar?
― minsktrans.by (get bent), Monday, 14 March 2011 14:52 (thirteen years ago) link
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/stckhlmcnd/pretzels.jpg
― butterfield earth (get bent), Tuesday, 5 April 2011 06:36 (twelve years ago) link
does anyone else get as excited by good pretzels as i do?
(it's a depressing world; gimme *something* to live for.)
― butterfield earth (get bent), Tuesday, 5 April 2011 06:41 (twelve years ago) link
the other night i had a big pretzel craving but the only ones within walking distance of me were rold golds :/
― Sittin' Fran (donna rouge), Tuesday, 5 April 2011 06:45 (twelve years ago) link
The sweet potato gnochi were kind of meh. Maybe I over-cooked them.
― nickn, Tuesday, 5 April 2011 07:09 (twelve years ago) link
They had these pretty tasty little Mexican chicken pizzas. And now they're gone because the masa crusts turned out to have trace amounts of wheat. Damn you, gluten intolerants!
― GLOWER METAL (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 5 April 2011 08:29 (twelve years ago) link
Those pretzels are amazing! I'm always afraid of cracking a tooth, but that makes me eat them slowly. So good.
I have been totally enjoying the not-from-concentrate cranberry juice. So tart and clear-tasting!
― Ralpharina (La Lechera), Tuesday, 5 April 2011 12:27 (twelve years ago) link
I was really into these honey-wheat pretzels rolled in sesame seeds. Can't remember what brand, but they were damn good. Would stan for pretzels! Especially because I love mustard and they are an excellent vehicle.
― quincie, Tuesday, 5 April 2011 15:29 (twelve years ago) link
I ate a box of the maple leaf cookies in one day
― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Tuesday, 5 April 2011 15:30 (twelve years ago) link
TJ's makes a dark chocolate peppermint patty. I am in big trouble.
― Back up the lesbian canoe (Laurel), Tuesday, 5 April 2011 15:45 (twelve years ago) link
they also have a new frozen palak paneer (in an orange box) that's very good. yup, spinach is still my fav vegetable.
― butterfield earth (get bent), Wednesday, 6 April 2011 05:32 (twelve years ago) link
si si
― electrophonic gin & tonic (m coleman), Wednesday, 6 April 2011 09:43 (twelve years ago) link
Oh my god you guys. The non-dairy mochi (chocolate/coconut/mango, made with coconut milk) are so good.
― GLOWER METAL (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 19 April 2011 10:39 (twelve years ago) link
I have eaten (and continue to eat) a shocking number of graham crackers for someone who is not 6 years old. Trader Joe's cinnamon grahams are the #1 best. Store brand and Honey Maid -- you are in trouble. They taste like cookies. If only they had some with some ginger in them, whoa.
― deez m'uts (La Lechera), Wednesday, 4 May 2011 14:56 (twelve years ago) link
Dud/destroy: TJ's gourmet jelly beans. Like, some things you just can't make with natural flavors.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Wednesday, 4 May 2011 15:12 (twelve years ago) link
Yay! First shopping trip to the brand new, very local TJ. The experience was horrible (went right after work and without the slightest list or plan, plus I left my heavy gym bag in the cart, so I didn't want to let it too far out of my sight, making navigating hard), but I enjoyed a tuna curry and got a bunch of other crap like chili peppered pineapple and frozen mango, which is great in the Greek yogurt with a little honey.
i meant to offer my support for the panang curry sticks. they're delicious and so quick in the toaster oven.― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Wednesday, April 14, 2010 3:59 PM (1 year ago)
― an outlet to express the dark invocations of (La Lechera), Wednesday, April 14, 2010 3:59 PM (1 year ago)
What are these? Chicken sticks?
― a giant and leaky bag of mayhem (Jesse), Tuesday, 10 May 2011 04:21 (twelve years ago) link
they're like little spring rolls.
― Nardil the Human MAOI (get bent), Tuesday, 10 May 2011 07:03 (twelve years ago) link
ugh, their greek yogurt isn't that good.
wine, salads, soda water. that's it.
― it is his "enigmatic signifier" (the table is the table), Tuesday, 10 May 2011 07:07 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, they are like wee spring rolls that taste like panang currythey're probably gross if you think about them too hard, but what prepared frozen appetizer isn't
― deez m'uts (La Lechera), Tuesday, 10 May 2011 13:01 (twelve years ago) link
their greek yogurt is not the best greek yogurt on the market, but it is definitely the best for the price (ugh chobani)
― tehresa, Tuesday, 10 May 2011 13:15 (twelve years ago) link
They should just bring back the beer bread. Dammit.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 10 May 2011 13:21 (twelve years ago) link
Tbh I haven't tried TJ's Greek yogurt, I just meant the mango would be good in it in general.
― a giant and leaky bag of mayhem (Jesse), Tuesday, 10 May 2011 13:23 (twelve years ago) link
<3 the very cherry frozen berry mix
― tehresa, Tuesday, 10 May 2011 15:11 (twelve years ago) link
The chili pineapple chunks are the only things I've ever bought from TJ's that I chucked out shortly after buying.
I like the multigrain pita chips.
― Bryan, Tuesday, 10 May 2011 16:11 (twelve years ago) link
omg chile mango fruit floes <3
― tehresa, Friday, 13 May 2011 04:30 (twelve years ago) link
Dammit - I tried one of the curry tuna things and loved it - it's better than some of the local pan-Asian take-out I would get, but at a fraction of the price. But then I went back tonight and they told me that the vendor wouldn't be able to provide it for the foreseeable future.
― a giant and leaky bag of mayhem (Jesse), Friday, 13 May 2011 04:47 (twelve years ago) link
The choc-van-caramel ice cream with the cone on the container is way too sweet.
― hated old moniker, too tired to think of a clever new one (Hurting 2), Friday, 13 May 2011 05:37 (twelve years ago) link
two buck chuck cabsalt and pepper potato chipsany kind of cheese - best prices for great cheese!
― Wiggywoo, Friday, 13 May 2011 05:48 (twelve years ago) link
Last time those curry tuna things vanished they were gone for about two years, Imo stop by a TJs on the way home tomorrow and stock up if there's any there.
― nickn, Friday, 13 May 2011 06:50 (twelve years ago) link
Damn, that is bad news about the curry tuna!
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Friday, 13 May 2011 13:06 (twelve years ago) link
Why is this happening to ME? Why NOW? I guess I could dump curry sauce on tuna, but it just wouldn't be the same ;__;
Being serious tho, the two guys who checked into the tuna sitch were very helpful and knowledgeable. And the one guy had the greenest eyes I've ever seen.
― a giant and leaky bag of mayhem (Jesse), Friday, 13 May 2011 13:32 (twelve years ago) link
It's pretty easy to make half-assed curries at home (please don't judge me vis a vis authenticity) - preferred amount of jarred curry paste fried w/ onions, add one can of coconut milk, then add a protein (I usually use TJ's frozen tilapia filets or leftover roasted chicken or tofu) and cook/heat, then optionally add some frozen peas or other mixed vegetables.
HOWEVER that is nowhere near as easy as putting tuna curry pouches in the steamer basket of the rice cooker while rice cooks below, resulting in a hot meal in ~ 20 minutes without me having to do anything other than measure rice and water and open a box.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Friday, 13 May 2011 14:06 (twelve years ago) link
You're totally right. When I lived in the Vietnamese hood, I would buy lots of tins of curry paste and coconut milk, and then slop them together with whatever I had around the house. It never occurred to me to slop curry on tuna, however. That's madness!
― a giant and leaky bag of mayhem (Jesse), Friday, 13 May 2011 14:34 (twelve years ago) link
cinnamon crumb coffee cake mix & cornbread mix are wicked good
― backlash stan straw man fan (m coleman), Sunday, 15 May 2011 15:56 (twelve years ago) link
My attempt to be witty with a TJ's clerk went real bad and embarrassing today. I took the bus, and there was a guy on the bus who was ranting very congenially about local architecture, and saying hello to people, and just generally being loud and totally inappropriate and crazy but in a really amicable way so it was pretty easy to just tune him out (as opposed to the typical racist, paranoid, dangerous sounding rants). So but he came to Trader Joe's and approached shoppers to say hello and ask them how they were doing and whether they liked Trader Joe's and it was pretty clear he was not acting in a socially acceptable way but the line between inappropriately friendly crazy person and helpful TJ's employee is kind of thin, you know, so people were responding to him, albeit hesitantly.
ANYWAY I was checking out and bus dude came up behind me, waving and yelling hello to everybody, and the cashier catches my eye and gives me that "please tell me we are on the same page about thinking this other person is crazy" look and I return the look and say out loud, "We rode the bus here together. He's very enthusiastic, but ultimately harmless." And the clerk was like, "OH! Great! I love it when people are enthusiastic!" and I was like, "No, we did not ride the bus TOGETHER, we were just on the same bus." And the clerk is like, "OH! Okay! Ha, great! How do you like these vegetarian sausages?"
About that time, a manager comes over to corral the bus dude, and the clerk asks me if I'm walking or driving (for grocery distribution purposes) and I say, "Taking the bus. Maybe with my friend over there." And the clerk's eyes got all wide and he was like, "OH YEAH, that is great! He is really friendly! That is awesome, to be so friendly. I really respect that." And I was like "HE IS NOT REALLY MY FRIEND. And yes, he is friendly, but he is pretty clearly pathologically friendly."
Anyway, way to not get my delightfully dry sense of humor, excessively sincere Trader Joe's clerk.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:21 (twelve years ago) link
Re: the vegetarian sausages, while he was asking me about them, he was also scanning my many meat purchases (chicken breasts, pork chops, steaks, and Canadian bacon) and I said in a totally "I AM MAKING A REALLY DUMB JOKE" tone, "Well, as a vegetarian, I really like them," and he was just all, "Totally! I'm a vegetarian and I love them, too!!!!"
And there was also a different clerk who was talking about how much bacon his TJ's location sells, and I was like, "Well, we are the hog butcher to the world" and he was like, "Really? That is so cool!" but it would be kind of awful of me to judge somebody for not getting that dumb joke.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:24 (twelve years ago) link
(Note: I totally judged him for not getting that dumb joke.)
I got judged for not getting a hog butcher Chicago joke, right here on the ILX.
― free inappropriate education (Abbbottt), Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:35 (twelve years ago) link
lol. once in the freezer section there was a sign next to the pork buns with a picture of tj's employee 'ben' saying that they were his "pick" with the quote "i eat them every day!" so when it was time for checkout, bf recognized him as one of the cashiers and insisted we get in his line, then proceeded to ask him about the pork buns and if he really did eat them every day because we thought it probably wasn't that healthy. he admitted it was probably more like 3 times a week. he also said he was from hawaii and he never thought he'd find pork buns anywhere else so he was so excited about them. uh... have you tried chinese restaurants, dude?
― tehresa, Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:35 (twelve years ago) link
Abbbbbs, I would never judge a non-Chicagoan for not getting a hog butcher Chicago joke! But I mean, if you have a job selling pork products in Chicago, it seems like that should be in the employee training manual.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:37 (twelve years ago) link
Last time I was at Trader Joe's the clerk asked me what my spiritual guide animal was, which was unusual small talk, but also interesting enough. I told her a magpie because "I am easily distracted," and she said, "why does that make you a magpie?" So I grabbed a shiny pen and said, "A magpie would be distracted by your shiny pen and take it," and she grabbed the pen out of my hand. She did not like my object lesson.
― free inappropriate education (Abbbottt), Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:38 (twelve years ago) link
The Ben's Bun's story is kind of like the seamy underbelly of TJ's super friendly employee policy. I am imagining Ben's manager forcing him to memorize some stock patter about the pork buns. "But they are available in Chinese restaurants! Why should I say I could never find them outside of Hawaii? I'm from Bayonne!"
xp LOL
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:41 (twelve years ago) link
haha - last trip to TJ's in NYC I left thinking "jeez these check-out people sure are FRIENDLY - maybe they're imported from California?"
― backlash stan straw man fan (m coleman), Monday, 30 May 2011 01:52 (twelve years ago) link
the line between inappropriately friendly crazy person and helpful TJ's employee is kind of thin, you know
tru
― self diagnosed personality disorders I have googled (los blue jeans), Monday, 30 May 2011 03:10 (twelve years ago) link
FRIENDLY - maybe they're imported from California?"
Was going to say that where I live in California is like a whole town of TJs employees. And the TJs employees are terrifyingly friendly.
― Star Trek II: Sweater Guy Goes to Tennis Planet (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 30 May 2011 04:52 (twelve years ago) link
My hell.
― Jeff, Monday, 30 May 2011 14:14 (twelve years ago) link
friendly AND sincere it's like apple store employees and tj's employees are trained via same methodology but apple store employees get an extra module on how to deal with dry humour
― obliquity of the ecliptic (rrrobyn), Monday, 30 May 2011 14:26 (twelve years ago) link
did a big shop with two friends at tj's in sf and we were musing about whether we could split the bill between 3 cards and the cashier guy was like 'no problem at all' and was so chill about it (it wasn't a crazy busy time of day). i was impressed.
we had a bbq and i tried the veggie sausage and they were okay, but the pork sausages were way better. weirdly, that tj's had only one kind of pork sausage (bratwurst) and like 50 kinds of chicken sausages.
― obliquity of the ecliptic (rrrobyn), Monday, 30 May 2011 14:30 (twelve years ago) link
The Chicago TJ employees seem to fall into the "wacky" friendly type, which is perhaps the worst kind of friendly. This isn't Seinfeld, no one wants wacky friends when they are buying groceries.
― Jeff, Monday, 30 May 2011 14:35 (twelve years ago) link
For some reason when it opened in Portland it was like they were offering free samples of heroin or something - flocks of people. No parking.
― Latham Green, Monday, 30 May 2011 14:48 (twelve years ago) link
Seagull people
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Monday, 30 May 2011 15:03 (twelve years ago) link
no - cat people!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APrBdP0bBJM
― Latham Green, Monday, 30 May 2011 15:11 (twelve years ago) link
and then...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0L0D80Xg-A&feature=related
― Latham Green, Monday, 30 May 2011 15:13 (twelve years ago) link
<3<3<3
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Monday, 30 May 2011 16:04 (twelve years ago) link
That song is so OTM.
I just got back from a trip to tj's and my checkout person gave me a high five after he checked my Id and realized that i am a fellow Virgo. Then we had a nice conversation and I think he gave me a free apple.
Sometimes these convos are painful, but today it was nice. Not busy, didn't seem pained at all. They always ask me what I plan to do with the fennel, and this guy just chatted with me like a human being.
― Garyln (La Lechera), Monday, 30 May 2011 16:12 (twelve years ago) link
I remember once at Hannafords the checkout guy saw our leeks and wa s like "Oh I love these" and proceeded to rub his huge nose u pand down them, snorting in their oniony goodness. Didn't he ever go to nose school? You don't slide your nose on other's tubers.
― Latham Green, Monday, 30 May 2011 16:17 (twelve years ago) link
haha trader joe's in video is the trader joe's we went to (more than once) in SF!
― obliquity of the ecliptic (rrrobyn), Monday, 30 May 2011 18:30 (twelve years ago) link
or at least the insane parking lot is
Second dud ever for a Trader Joe's product- the chicken sausage with garlic, spinach and fontina. It wasn't due to expire for another month, but it smelled soooooooo bad when i took it out of the package. I still cooked them and it made my house smell like dead hooker vag. Or what I would assume...
― Yerac, Monday, 30 May 2011 21:03 (twelve years ago) link
weirdly, that tj's had only one kind of pork sausage (bratwurst) and like 50 kinds of chicken sausages.
that was the case at the tj's i was at yesterday -- no idea about the pork sausage, but there were many chicken sausages to choose from. i went with the spinach/fontina/roasted garlic ones and they were delish.
xp hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha
― cee-lo v. city of new london (get bent), Monday, 30 May 2011 21:09 (twelve years ago) link
i didn't think they smelled like dead hooker vag, but i am a bit congested.
― cee-lo v. city of new london (get bent), Monday, 30 May 2011 21:10 (twelve years ago) link
yeah hopefully not from your memory there Yerac. Today I wrote Jennis Macaroons to tell them they taste like vomit
― Latham Green, Monday, 30 May 2011 21:10 (twelve years ago) link
The garlic and herb chicken sausages are really, really good on a crusty roll with sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions. And mustard. And I throw a little red wine in with the shrooms and onions. I'm classy.
― Star Trek II: Sweater Guy Goes to Tennis Planet (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 30 May 2011 22:28 (twelve years ago) link
my daughter excitedly bought "yogurt beans" - yogurt covered raisins - boy was she sad when she tasted them. Also a boxed soup languished in our cuppboard for a year and then was executed to the trash
― Latham Green, Tuesday, 31 May 2011 12:55 (twelve years ago) link
dead hooker vag
rejected DJP screen name
― backlash stan straw man fan (m coleman), Tuesday, 31 May 2011 14:36 (twelve years ago) link
I don't buy much produce at TJ's but the jumbo-size packages of blueberries are consistently plump & juicy. product-wise my son now reps for the jarred marinara sauce. it's OK.
― backlash stan straw man fan (m coleman), Tuesday, 31 May 2011 14:40 (twelve years ago) link
I like wild Maine blueberrieshttp://www.wymans.com/
you can get em frozen and thaw the delight
― Latham Green, Tuesday, 31 May 2011 18:00 (twelve years ago) link
I bought the Donut O's and they are not that great.
I love the horseradish hummus.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 1 June 2011 01:34 (twelve years ago) link
Is that a donut flavored cereal?!?!
― free inappropriate education (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 1 June 2011 01:35 (twelve years ago) link
No. Trader Joe's Old Fashioned Donut O's are donut holes.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 1 June 2011 02:03 (twelve years ago) link
THE CURRY TUNA IS BACK. BACK AGAIN. TUNA'S BACK. TELL A FRIEND.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 01:50 (twelve years ago) link
really liking the pistacho/white chocolate cookies and i'm by no means a white chocolate head
actually, most of their cookies are pretty boss
― creme de cassie (donna rouge), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 01:51 (twelve years ago) link
i will have some now, in fact, having just eaten TJ's pork gyoza
― creme de cassie (donna rouge), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 01:53 (twelve years ago) link
Do they have gyoza sauce?
Their sweet chili sauce is kind of underwhelming. Plus I'm used to paying $1.75 for a big ass jug of the good stuff in "Little Saigon" and it bothers me to pay any more.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 02:00 (twelve years ago) link
idk, i have sriracha
― creme de cassie (donna rouge), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 02:06 (twelve years ago) link
My lips are pursed in disapproval.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 02:09 (twelve years ago) link
they do sell gyoza sauce. i've never bought it. damn i have some of their sweet chili in the cupboard (unopened). sad to hear it will be not awesome.
― tehresa, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 03:11 (twelve years ago) link
It's OK, but I like the real deal.
Why can't I buy salt or white sugar there? I guess I know why, sort of, but I still want it.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 03:58 (twelve years ago) link
them
They have salt at TJs. A bit plastic tube of sea salt, with a kind of inconvenient spout.
― unmetalled world (wk), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 04:09 (twelve years ago) link
it's blue
they usually have sugar, too, but i find that stuff is always getting moved round and isn't always in the most obvious place.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 04:37 (twelve years ago) link
uh, "big" plastic tube of salt. hey guess what else, trader joes has. booz
― unmetalled world (wk), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 05:58 (twelve years ago) link
when I'm walking by a trader joes I stop in for a little coffee
― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 06:18 (twelve years ago) link
I worked a job earlier this year where my main duty was to buy the best things from trader joes that I could
― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 06:19 (twelve years ago) link
i have four (4) boxes of the red curry tuna in my kitchen. they didn't have any of the green curry this time, or the last time i checked.
― are you are missing whiney (get bent), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 07:18 (twelve years ago) link
I just want plain old salt. I'll stick with my local crappy little overpriced supermarket for that.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 10:56 (twelve years ago) link
They only pepper they carry comes in a little plastic pepper grinder, which I get goes with the whole TJ's ethos, but that is also annoying.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 12:24 (twelve years ago) link
pepper is evil
― Latham Green, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 12:45 (twelve years ago) link
That's weird.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 15:13 (twelve years ago) link
The pepper grinder is not bad. The top unscrews too, so you can dump it into a nicer grinder.
― unmetalled world (wk), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 16:53 (twelve years ago) link
Unlike a giant plastic tub of pepper that I bought at Costco which had a built in, unremovable grinder, so I had to take a hacksaw to the thing. Annoying.
― unmetalled world (wk), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 16:54 (twelve years ago) link
That's what I did, but it felt very wasteful with all that unnecessary excess plastic and parts.
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 18:14 (twelve years ago) link
okay, so i don't know what they did, but this jar of dijon is hands-down the most vinegary, sinus-clearingly painful dijon i've ever tasted. i like things spicy, but it's too much. i don't remember my last jar tasting so crazy. anyone else have this experience with the TJ's Dijon?
― whenever the vein was to throb (the table is the table), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:01 (twelve years ago) link
oh i love that stuff!but their brown/grainy mustard tastes like shit to me.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:03 (twelve years ago) link
i like their dijon -- makes great salad dressing!!
― Garyln (La Lechera), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:11 (twelve years ago) link
btw have we discussed the roasted seaweed snacks? totally a delivery method for salt and sesame oil but low calorie (most of the cal is from fat, sigh) and deliciously addicting.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:13 (twelve years ago) link
weird! maybe i'm just becoming more sensitive or something? i could hardly eat my tuna sandwich just now, every bite made my eyes water and snot come pouring out my nose.
― whenever the vein was to throb (the table is the table), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:14 (twelve years ago) link
i maintain what i'm guessing that i said upthread, but am too lazy to cntrl-f to confirm. basically, any trader joe's premade product or snack or whatever kinda tastes great on the first five or so intial buys, but after that, burnout sets in quickly. this holds true even though they will sell umpteen varieties of stuff, so iow across the flavor range. doesn't matter-- hummus, salsa, whatever, it all gets gross too quick. not sure exactly what this speaks to; am entirely willing to entertain notions that my palate is just dumb or i am simply crazy in this particular sphere of life.
― dell (del), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:16 (twelve years ago) link
table, I feel the same way--I have to use the TJ dijon really sparingly. usually end up using it w/chinese...too strong for my usual sandwich needs.
― bentelec, Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:24 (twelve years ago) link
i feel that. there are things that i used to LOVE that now i just buy occasionally. i don't think i ever consciously thought, 'this doesn't taste so great anymore' but maybe they taste SO good originally that yeah, you burn out/overdo it and then learn to taper off.xpost to dell
― tehresa, Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:25 (twelve years ago) link
i am all about that dijon, ditto on the salad dressing uses
― hardcore oatmeal (Jordan), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:28 (twelve years ago) link
i pretty much only buy a few things at TJs— condiments, salad greens, almondmilk, bubble water, chips— so i don't really get fatigued that easily. imo their hummus sucks, and most of their veggies are below par (ie i'm a california vegetable snob, sorry). i also never, ever buy pre-fab food, it just grosses me out too much.
― whenever the vein was to throb (the table is the table), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:30 (twelve years ago) link
i'm on a horseradish mustard tip lately, so with all due respect, you dijon assholes aka ppl can all go SUCK IT
cheers
:D
― dell (del), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:33 (twelve years ago) link
do not feague with trader joginger !
― coffeetripperspillerslyricmakeruppers (Latham Green), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:57 (twelve years ago) link
I stopped buying TJ's "imported" dried pasta (.99/lb) after two consecutive batches had the faint but definite taste of cinnamon
― backlash stan straw man fan (m coleman), Tuesday, 14 June 2011 21:40 (twelve years ago) link
I probably eat their filled pasta (ravioli etc.) once a week so I've tried a bunch of different ones.
Really good: Arugula & Prosciutto Ravioli, Spinach Ricotta Ravioli, Portabello Mushroom Ravioli, Artichoke Ravioli
Not so good: the one with chicken, the spinach tortellini
― mike and the quantum mechanics (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 15 June 2011 00:12 (twelve years ago) link
The folks and my (and Jenny and Jeff's) brand new local TJ are not quite as preternaturally gregarious as at others I've been to. Which is fine, just a little bit of a surprise. Still pretty friendly and helpful though, a stark contrast to the brain dead, gruff staff at my local non-chain store.
― Jesse, Wednesday, 15 June 2011 01:29 (twelve years ago) link
Bistro biscuits are great afternoon coffee cookies, if you're into that sort of thing.
― Garyln (La Lechera), Wednesday, 15 June 2011 01:59 (twelve years ago) link
Soy chorizo burrito is about as good as microwave burritos could possibly be. I actually like the chorizo in it much more than the kind they sell in the store.
Also like the Tofu Spring Rolls.
― Concierto Para Bongo (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 15 June 2011 09:19 (twelve years ago) link
I have two exciting announcements:
(1) smoked sea salt (sure, it comes in a grinder, but it's cheap compared to the Maldon smoked sea salt I would have to order ON THE INTERNET) Excited about this(2) floral pepper (also in a grinder, but you have to be kidding me -- pepper with flowers ground up in it? am i dreaming?!)
Both are tasty (I just tasted them plain, not on anything) and I'm pretty psyched to use them in dinners.
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:21 (twelve years ago) link
and lunches and breakfasts and let's be honest, straight from the container when i need a little boost of salt or pepper
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:24 (twelve years ago) link
oh shit, I saw those new grinders and thought they were ridiculous and ignored the salt since I hate salt grinders on principle but I didn't realize it was smoked. now I'll have to try it.
― lizard tails, a self-regenerating food source for survival (wk), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:26 (twelve years ago) link
chocolate and coffee beans sounded interesting but I could just wash out an empty pepper grinder and try that myself.
I saw the smoked stuff the oth day!! Will try it soon. What kind of foods/dishes do you suggest for actually noticing the difference over other salts? On crudite with simple flavors so the salt can come through?
― it's not that print journalists don't have a sense of humour, it's just (Laurel), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:26 (twelve years ago) link
yes -- on simply cooked veggies on simple whitefish or salmon with herbson saladsin olive oil dip for breadshrimpeggsi could go on
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:29 (twelve years ago) link
also, i have a little salad kit at work with oil, vinegar, and salt/pepper grinders so that i don't have to bring anything to dress my salad, i can just throw some veggies in a container and eat it at work without much worry/fuss.
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:31 (twelve years ago) link
You're good, you make individual meals. I make one pot of something with the flavors all mixed together and eat it for 4 days. :) But maybe fancy salts will make me eat fresher!
― it's not that print journalists don't have a sense of humour, it's just (Laurel), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:32 (twelve years ago) link
i like soy chorizo more than i like most meat substitutes. and having recently looked at the ingredients of a package of real chorizo*, i'm willing to give up the authenticity of greasy animal guts for something less queasy-making.
*which, don't get me wrong, is delicious
― orinoco flowbee (get bent), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:39 (twelve years ago) link
ALSO I am now a fan of their little sampler of Spanish meats. The anchovies they sell at my TJs are pretty good too. Cento? I think? Their sardines are bad though.
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 21:43 (twelve years ago) link
ok i am getting some of this salt. they've had it at my local tj's for ages and i never realized it could be so great!
― tehresa, Tuesday, 2 August 2011 22:30 (twelve years ago) link
potatoesgreensratatouille or little individual vegetable pile-ups might be gross or might be crazy good on watermelon?!
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 22:34 (twelve years ago) link
anything that adds a lot of flavor with little to no effort is worth trying in my bookit's also only $1.99 so it's not really much of a gamble, not like the half bag of scallops i lost to freezerburn ;_;
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 22:35 (twelve years ago) link
I make meals but I also make parts of meals and then assemble them in different ways. A crock-potted batch of black beans can yield a lot of different things. This salt would taste REALLY good in a pot of black beans, I think.
― it was pleasant and delightful, just like (La Lechera), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 22:38 (twelve years ago) link
i bought the smoked sea salt.
also bought some fresh mozz, jarred pesto, "tuscan pane" bread -- thinking of adding roasted zucchini & tomato and making some crostini for dinner.
― orinoco flowbee (get bent), Tuesday, 2 August 2011 23:35 (twelve years ago) link
have been eating tons of the frozen wild coho salmon for the past 2 years and it's great and cheap but last week whole foods had fresh coho for 8.99/lb and omg the difference is insane. i will be sad when i have to go back.
― tehresa, Wednesday, 3 August 2011 00:46 (twelve years ago) link
I like the enormous bags of frozen chicken boobs and thighs. It's nice to have a couple around so I can make a huge basic curry, freeze it, then add various vegetables later.
― weakness for Cinnabon; rampant heterosexuality (Je55e), Wednesday, 3 August 2011 01:02 (twelve years ago) link
i make very good "healthy" (yeah, i know) peanut butter and jelly sandwiches using tj's stuff. milton's multigrain bread, unsalted organic peanut butter, reduced-sugar preserves (apricot's my fav), maybe some sliced banana if i'm feeling elvis-ish.
― orinoco flowbee (get bent), Wednesday, 3 August 2011 19:25 (twelve years ago) link
bought a bag of the sweet potato corn chips & am proud of myself that i did not house the whole bag over last wkend
― johnny crunch, Wednesday, 3 August 2011 19:27 (twelve years ago) link
"trader ming's kung pao noodles & sauce" is sorta bad, but i expected it to be. everything i've bought from them that has come with an "asian" sauce has been bleh -- cloyingly sweet. i redeemed it by adding a little sriracha.
― orinoco flowbee (get bent), Thursday, 4 August 2011 19:21 (twelve years ago) link
I am in luuuuuuuve with their individual frozen meals. Decided not to cook or buy groc for the last week b/c of heat and because I'm going away tomorrow, and their little pasta-with-spinach frozen bricks have been AWESOME.
― it's not that print journalists don't have a sense of humour, it's just (Laurel), Thursday, 4 August 2011 19:34 (twelve years ago) link
I am a big fan of those for lunch. They are better tasting and more satisfying than your standard frozen dinners. I love the green chili chicken burritos, the Indian food options, the green chili chicken enchiladas, and there was a tofu and shitake mushroom one that's really good, too.
― ilx poster and keen dairy observer (Jenny), Thursday, 4 August 2011 19:40 (twelve years ago) link
Their frozen meals (including burritos, etc.) are kind of expensive, aren't they? I cheap out when it comes to that stuff, which is dumb b/c I have no problem spending way more on equivalent take-out.
― weakness for Cinnabon; rampant heterosexuality (Je55e), Thursday, 4 August 2011 20:48 (twelve years ago) link
i mostly just get the frozen indian food, cuz they do that well. sometimes the frozen vegetables, if they're something that's not in season.
― orinoco flowbee (get bent), Thursday, 4 August 2011 20:55 (twelve years ago) link
xp I don't think so. More expensive than cooking food yourself and freezing individual portions to eat through the week but way cheaper than takeout. Not as cheap as like $1 Marie Callendar garbage but I am okay with that.
― ilx poster and keen dairy observer (Jenny), Thursday, 4 August 2011 20:58 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah I feel their frozen dinners aren't too bad, compared to takeout or something. Looking forward to the new one opening up two blocks from my office!
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Thursday, 4 August 2011 21:18 (twelve years ago) link
The ones I got were like $3 and $3.69 or something. That's cheap to me! The alternative is trying to buy food in Midtown, Manhattan, so I'm fine with three bucks.
― it's not that print journalists don't have a sense of humour, it's just (Laurel), Thursday, 4 August 2011 21:23 (twelve years ago) link
the green chili chicken enchiladas
probably my all-time favorite of the tj's frozen items. admittedly i have not had a ton of them.
― tehresa, Thursday, 4 August 2011 22:25 (twelve years ago) link
These here, right? http://heateatreview.com/2007/07/06/trader-joes-chicken-enchiladas-verde/
They are super delicious. Pro tip: bring leftover rice (from when you made rice and curry tuna the night before, perhaps) and use that to soak up the extra sauce.
― ilx poster and keen dairy observer (Jenny), Thursday, 4 August 2011 23:42 (twelve years ago) link
tj's frozen edamame are way tastier (and of course cheaper) than the ones at my local organic grocery. i also buy lots of tj's frozen strawbs & bluebs for my wife and kid's smoothies. (never been much on smoothies, personally.) tho it does feel weird to buy frozen when berries are in season.
― chief content officer (m coleman), Thursday, 4 August 2011 23:48 (twelve years ago) link
they were selling fresh rainier cherries at my local tj's for $3.99 a quart (which is unheard of), but it was only for like a week or two. now they're gone, but the season ended around early august anyway.
― orinoco flowbee (get bent), Thursday, 4 August 2011 23:52 (twelve years ago) link
but they're the most delicious cherries: they're tart but also have a nectarinish quality.
― orinoco flowbee (get bent), Thursday, 4 August 2011 23:53 (twelve years ago) link
mmmmm. i think all the cherries we get on the east coast are from michigan
― chief content officer (m coleman), Thursday, 4 August 2011 23:59 (twelve years ago) link
finally got around to trying the tuna curry. holy shit, you guys weren't kidding!
― tehresa, Friday, 5 August 2011 17:14 (twelve years ago) link
they have the green curry tuna at the toluca lake tj's! i thought it was gone forever.
my lunch was one of their lentil wraps. i scarfed it down while waiting at the bus stop and spilled a little of the tahini sauce on my dress, giving me a lewinsky-like stain that i was embarrassed about on the ride home. i hope no one saw it.
― dance cook (get bent), Thursday, 11 August 2011 00:52 (twelve years ago) link
If they did, they probably just thought you were a sloppy prostitute.
― ilx poster and keen dairy observer (Jenny), Thursday, 11 August 2011 01:05 (twelve years ago) link
that's a relief.
― dance cook (get bent), Thursday, 11 August 2011 01:09 (twelve years ago) link
chile spiced mango is :O
― dayo, Saturday, 10 September 2011 11:34 (twelve years ago) link
Okay the green curry tuna. Whoah.
― Octavia Butler's gonna be piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiised (Laurel), Saturday, 10 September 2011 11:46 (twelve years ago) link
vegetable masala burgers are A+
― dayo, Saturday, 10 September 2011 16:51 (twelve years ago) link
i am perplexed by the "seaweed snacks" -- i got the wasabi kind and i found that it was basically pieces of seaweed with wasabi powder on them.
pros:tasty/zestywould be excellent crumbled on rice with edamame, avocado, tofu, whatever else you likewould make an interesting base for a light appetizer so long as it would hold upsort of satisfies the need to eat salty/crunchy snax
cons:packaged with desciccant (ew)is basically like 12 pieces of seaweed in a box in a bagthe crunch does not satisfy like a good chip or cracker would, or even a carrot
mixed feelings about the seaweed snacks
― i drive a wood paneled station dragon (La Lechera), Saturday, 10 September 2011 16:57 (twelve years ago) link
oh I saw those yesterday and that's just their version of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nori
sanpaku advocates them as an alternative to snacking on chips since they are very low calories
but yeah they are expensive for what you get since it's real seaweed and we don't do a lot of seaweed harvesting in the US! you also kind of need the dessicants, it turns into a chewy rubbery mess if you let it sit outside for even a day.
― dayo, Saturday, 10 September 2011 17:01 (twelve years ago) link
fwiw nori will be much cheaper at just about any asian supermarket you go to, which could make it more economical. if you want to sprinkle it over rice or something you could try to get http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aonori in a shaker
― dayo, Saturday, 10 September 2011 17:07 (twelve years ago) link
right -- i think i'll get it at my asian market instead, if i ever buy it again. they are very low calories, but also i would not rate them high on the crunch satisfaction scale. cucumbers or celery or even a bunch of lettuce is crunchier than these things.
i have nori in a shaker (2 kinds!) and i love it. lunches are so easy and don't need to be refrigerated if you save up soy sauce packets from takeout.
― i drive a wood paneled station dragon (La Lechera), Saturday, 10 September 2011 17:08 (twelve years ago) link
oh wow apparently nori is really high in b12, relatively speaking. I wonder if vegans utilize this fact?
― dayo, Saturday, 10 September 2011 17:11 (twelve years ago) link
random nori trivia:nori gets lumped in w/seaweed but it's in fact marine algae (i guess "seaweed" is more marketable than "algae"). is also high in iron for you vegans out there
― quaff the spud you warbling milkbag (outdoor_miner), Saturday, 10 September 2011 20:55 (twelve years ago) link
Bought some of the smoked sea salt LL recommended and am enjoying it immensely.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Saturday, 10 September 2011 21:35 (twelve years ago) link
Oh yeah its really is good
― Aerosol, Saturday, 10 September 2011 21:47 (twelve years ago) link
Too much smoke, not enough salt.
― Jeff, Saturday, 10 September 2011 21:49 (twelve years ago) link
dark chocolate almonds w/ turbinado sugar and sea salt are unfair imo, you have to eat the whole box
― dayo, Sunday, 11 September 2011 00:19 (twelve years ago) link
The three potato medley chips (unsalted) with the smoked sea salt are really good.
...until one day you buy a box of 'em and then realize (after you've eaten one) you're sick of them and never want to see them again. I think they're still frozen into the back of my fridge somewhere.
― The actor that played Jesus made some odd choices. (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 11 September 2011 02:27 (twelve years ago) link
That seems to happen to me with most frozen foods that I ever like.
― Jews Did Irene (Hurting 2), Sunday, 11 September 2011 05:33 (twelve years ago) link
It's been a while since I priced out the seaweed but when they first came out with them it was a lot cheaper than what you can buy at asian markets around here. At least as far as the toasted nori snacks go. you can't really compare it to big sheets of untoasted nori.
really? I was surprised at how subtle it is. when you first smell it, the smokiness seems overwhelming, but when you cook with it, it's not really that noticeable imo.
― the wheelie king (wk), Sunday, 11 September 2011 06:17 (twelve years ago) link
I just ate it raw on cucumbers, so do cooking.
― Jeff, Sunday, 11 September 2011 14:43 (twelve years ago) link
No cooking
I've used it on the chicken the last two times we've had chicken for dinner.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Sunday, 11 September 2011 14:55 (twelve years ago) link
FYI
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Sunday, 11 September 2011 14:56 (twelve years ago) link
So raw too much smoke, cooked I can't taste it at all. All around product fail.
― Jeff, Sunday, 11 September 2011 14:57 (twelve years ago) link
i really like the seaweed! and it's 99 cents!
― tehresa, Monday, 12 September 2011 23:23 (twelve years ago) link
i got the smoked salt - it was great on salmon
I thought the green curry tuna was too sweet. Disappointed.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 00:38 (twelve years ago) link
really feeling these pretzel rolls lately
― hardcore oatmeal (Jordan), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 01:54 (twelve years ago) link
I hope you buy them when you're done.
― it was as good of a time as any to show a lighter side of 9/11 research (Je55e), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 02:34 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZKgQ4CSVRw
― hardcore oatmeal (Jordan), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 02:38 (twelve years ago) link
trader joe's thai green cury is pretty good for something you just pour from a jar and heat
― partistan (dayo), Saturday, 17 September 2011 21:56 (twelve years ago) link
holy shit those wasabi seaweed snax are SPICY!
― tehresa, Saturday, 17 September 2011 22:12 (twelve years ago) link
http://boldandfab.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/pow.jpg%3Fw%3D300%26h%3D198
― tehresa, Saturday, 17 September 2011 22:13 (twelve years ago) link
the lamb vindaloo = relatively spicy for a tj's product!
― debenture banhart (get bent), Sunday, 18 September 2011 21:29 (twelve years ago) link
ooh is this frozen or like their tasty bites?
― tehresa, Sunday, 18 September 2011 22:13 (twelve years ago) link
frozen. in a purple box!
― debenture banhart (get bent), Sunday, 18 September 2011 22:18 (twelve years ago) link
i may have to try this!
― tehresa, Sunday, 18 September 2011 22:26 (twelve years ago) link
*adds to list*
― Whiney G. Blutfarten (dayo), Sunday, 18 September 2011 22:31 (twelve years ago) link
turns out trader joe's is owned by aldi - not surprising! no middleman. I love both!
― Whiney G. Blutfarten (dayo), Monday, 19 September 2011 11:15 (twelve years ago) link
but the line between inappropriately friendly crazy person and helpful TJ's employee is kind of thin
so OTM btw
― Whiney G. Blutfarten (dayo), Monday, 19 September 2011 11:36 (twelve years ago) link
Aldi and TJ are actually two separate business groups -- the two arms of Aldi were ran by brothers, one of whom recently passed away. The US Aldi stores are completely separate from TJ afaik.
― mh, Monday, 19 September 2011 14:28 (twelve years ago) link
I have a loyalty to Aldi that I do not have for Trader Joe's. If I want "health food" I am willing to pay $10 for an Indian frozen dinner or a $28 dollar bag of coffee and feel snooty. On the other hand it is hard to turn down 99 cent pasta or frozen veggies.
― We Still Have Communism in This World (Mount Cleaners), Monday, 19 September 2011 14:38 (twelve years ago) link
TJ's does have 99 cent pasta...
― tehresa, Monday, 19 September 2011 17:49 (twelve years ago) link
― mh, Monday, September 19, 2011 10:28 AM (4 hours ago) Bookmark
ok whatever! they still seem to share a lot of business ideas. and maybe even suppliers - the peppercorn grinder I bought from TJ's recently is exactly the same as the one I bought from Aldi a year ago, except for the label! and maybe the TJs one was a little more expensive
― Whiney G. Blutfarten (dayo), Monday, 19 September 2011 18:49 (twelve years ago) link
mango lassi was disappointing! i just assumed mango + yogurt would taste awesome. the mango yogurt gummies are pretty good, though.
― Philip Nunez, Monday, 19 September 2011 19:04 (twelve years ago) link
german sensibilities
― mh, Monday, 19 September 2011 19:29 (twelve years ago) link
so what are the good TJ beers? I was overwhelmed by the choice!
― Whiney G. Blutfarten (dayo), Monday, 19 September 2011 19:48 (twelve years ago) link
last time i got beer at tj's, i just went with moretti (the italian beer). i haven't liked any of tj's own-brand beer yet.
― the tyrone power mixtape (get bent), Monday, 19 September 2011 19:51 (twelve years ago) link
I like the Bohemian lager tbh! I hardly ever get it only because it's so heavy to carry home w all my groceries.
― Octavia Butler's gonna be piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiised (Laurel), Monday, 19 September 2011 19:51 (twelve years ago) link
name tag lager was on sale for like $3 for a sixer, should have got some
― mh, Monday, 19 September 2011 19:51 (twelve years ago) link
steinlager (from new zealand) is okay too.
― the tyrone power mixtape (get bent), Monday, 19 September 2011 19:52 (twelve years ago) link
lol that's not the sale price!xpost
― tehresa, Monday, 19 September 2011 22:12 (twelve years ago) link
Trader Joe's Product Discussion, Whole Grains Edition
Harvest Grains Blend - it's in a bag in the shelf-stable aisle. I love this stuff. It's really easy and if you make it per package instructions (butter, broth/water, grains) it's a nice change from rice. A couple of nights ago we made this in one pot with with carrots, celery, onions, and leftover roasted chicken. A+. Also, it's cheap.
Rolled Oats - regular oatmeal, not Irish oatmeal or instant oatmeal or frozen oatmeal. Just a bag of oatmeal. I guess I've eaten too much Quaker Oatmeal in my life, because this stuff is weird. It doesn't lump together like proper oatmeal and I actually had to strain the excess water out of it because I didn't want oat soup. I could see some people liking this, if this is how you like your oatmeal, but I'm going back to Quaker after I finish this bag (and I see a lot of oatmeal cookies in my future to try and use this up).
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 12:24 (twelve years ago) link
Rolled Oats tl;dr: I'm spunky. I like my oatmeal lumpy.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 12:25 (twelve years ago) link
jenny you should use the oats to make granola -- it's easy!
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 13:36 (twelve years ago) link
Or maybe they would work in the litter box.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 28 September 2011 13:43 (twelve years ago) link
That's a good idea. Do you have a fave recipe?
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 13:55 (twelve years ago) link
They don't clump!
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 13:56 (twelve years ago) link
oooh i have a rolled-oats recipe for you (cookies)
1 c rolled oats1 c dessicated coconut1 c sugar1 c flour
mix
1/4 c golden syrup (or maple syrup)100g marg/butter
melt together
2tbsp warm water1 tsp baking soda
mix everything together. roll into balls. place on parchment lined cookie sheet, flatten with wet fork and bake at 325 for 22 minutes. let cool completely before eating.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 28 September 2011 15:19 (twelve years ago) link
Coconut! Awesome.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 16:21 (twelve years ago) link
the spanish deli meats are pretty good
their rice pudding is better than that at Whole Foods
― sarahel, Wednesday, 28 September 2011 17:37 (twelve years ago) link
their packaged deli meats are so expensive! i've taken to buying prosciutto at my local market because it's like 1/3 of the price and much better quality freshly sliced. i love prosciutto/jamon serrano, though, and eat it more than the average person should probably.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 17:57 (twelve years ago) link
back to TJ's chatty checkout clerks: today this wholesome-looking young african/american dude said he played in a "punk/no wave duo."
― worship someone who actively despises you (m coleman), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 18:11 (twelve years ago) link
Or maybe they would work in the litter box.They don't clump!― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Wednesday, September 28, 2011 8:56 AM (5 hours ago) Bookmark
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Wednesday, September 28, 2011 8:56 AM (5 hours ago) Bookmark
Maybe they could work like the safflower seeds system I use.
― Je55e, Wednesday, 28 September 2011 19:25 (twelve years ago) link
i went from liking the char siu bao to not liking it to liking it again. i think i just got a bad batch that one time.
― gorillex (get bent), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 19:47 (twelve years ago) link
is it really sweet?
― dayo, Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:20 (twelve years ago) link
it's a bit sweet.
― gorillex (get bent), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:36 (twelve years ago) link
The chili-lime cashews are one of the best foods in life, not just trader joe's
― san lazaro, Wednesday, 28 September 2011 23:43 (twelve years ago) link
edamame hummus is actually pretty good! strongly flavored, thought it would taste grassy but it's actually got a nice forward presence.
picked up 'stockyard oatmeal stout' and it's pretty good, but maybe I just like oatmeal stouts and I'm not capable of distinguishing between good ones and bad ones
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Monday, 3 October 2011 23:27 (twelve years ago) link
SOMEONE FED ME EDAMAME HUMMUS LAST WEEK and I've been proselytizing for it ever since. Nice garlic kick and a tangy creaminess that is so close to mayo, it's remarkable.
― Octavia Butler's gonna be piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiised (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 October 2011 01:50 (twelve years ago) link
the jalapeno hummus is awesomealso whatever the green one is at the bottom of the tri-color hummus... like the jalapeno but more awesomer and i wish they sold it individually!
― tehresa, Tuesday, 4 October 2011 03:54 (twelve years ago) link
Apple and almond stuffed pork chops: I was really skeptical of these because apple stuffing is a thing I can do and do well, but these were really tasty. For the love of god, don't cook the pork chops in the oven for the entire 20 minutes as suggested on the package, unless you like overcooked pork.
Country potatoes with haricots verts and wild mushrooms: This is one of those things that could be okay or could taste overwhelmingly like Generic Trader Joe's Packaged Prepared Food Flavor (tm). It's actually pretty good, better than I thought it would be. It's one of our regular frozen vegetable side dishes now.
And yes, we ate the pork chops and the potatoes for dinner together last week, and we'll do it again, I'm sure.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Tuesday, 4 October 2011 12:23 (twelve years ago) link
http://aintfoundagoodtitleblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tj-jaipurvegetablesfront-1-e1301250270138.jpg
― ███★★★███ (PappaWheelie V), Tuesday, 4 October 2011 13:07 (twelve years ago) link
sometimes i'll throw the boxed indian stuff together with some rice and make a biryani. yay for cheap meal extenders!
― ms. c flat (get bent), Tuesday, 4 October 2011 18:45 (twelve years ago) link
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:34 AM
good lord these things. STILL ONLY 10% CONTAINED
― tremendoid, Tuesday, 4 October 2011 19:00 (twelve years ago) link
the espresso pillows are unreal
http://zomgcandy.com/2010/01/08/trader-joes-espresso-pillows/
― ms. c flat (get bent), Tuesday, 4 October 2011 19:02 (twelve years ago) link
the toffee seems like game over. kinda glad in a way i miss so much walking through the aisles
― tremendoid, Tuesday, 4 October 2011 19:12 (twelve years ago) link
Generic Trader Joe's Packaged Prepared Food Flavor (tm)
That is exactly how I would describe the frozen cauliflower & romanesco w/ basil. Another D: Sweet Potato Tortilla chips. I mean I knew they would be bad when I was in the aisle but sometimes I just need to prove things to myself. Maybe they would be OK crushed over soup but not as a salsa delivery device; not only are they too sweet, they are about 2mm too small to fit in the neck of Trader Joe's narrow salsa jars.
― heavy vibes at the estate sale (los blue jeans), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 00:59 (twelve years ago) link
yeah what is up with the narrow salsa jars! why don't they just put everything in the wide mouth salsa jars.
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:00 (twelve years ago) link
pour it in a bowl, you uncivilized goons
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:06 (twelve years ago) link
There is such a thing as a bowl!
― nickn, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:06 (twelve years ago) link
"why don't the cans of soup come with a straw?"
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:07 (twelve years ago) link
pouring is messy
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:08 (twelve years ago) link
Speaking of sweet potatoes, I tried the sp gnocchi (frozen section) a few months ago and it was pretty bad. But the butternut squash pasta (ravioli?) in the refrigerator section is very good. I had it with olive oil and garlic, no red sauce.
― nickn, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:09 (twelve years ago) link
the sweet potato gnocchi tasted pretty good as a sample but i can def. see how it would get old fast.
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:10 (twelve years ago) link
not putting salsa into a small salsa bowl for eating is disgusting savagery!
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:11 (twelve years ago) link
ya xp ive used the sweet potato chips crushed over some soft tacos i made w/ feta & a vinegrette as ingredients so the sweetness & texture went well w/ the bitter i think
― johnny crunch, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:12 (twelve years ago) link
i pour my salsa into the brim of my sombrero
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:12 (twelve years ago) link
just inject it into my veins
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:14 (twelve years ago) link
salsa jars too narrow for a syringe
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:15 (twelve years ago) link
you're the koalahttp://cablemodem.fibertel.com.ar/themusicstore/productos/Vida%20Salvaje.jpg
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:15 (twelve years ago) link
have admit that I've been spooning salsa into a bowl lately but that's cause of the narrow neck
problem: portion control. spoon too little and you're respooning every 5th chip. spoon too much and you feel obligated to overload the chip or to waste salsa. nobody's suggesting that the leftover salsa be poured back into the jar, are we gentle men and women?
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:18 (twelve years ago) link
you could spoon salsa individually onto each chip, you dainty little man
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:19 (twelve years ago) link
that was rude and i apologize.
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:22 (twelve years ago) link
just use mindwaves to get the salsa onto the chip and the chip into your mouth and you will find that it's easy to keep your hands/bowls clean
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:22 (twelve years ago) link
I am interested in those espresso pillows. Do they have any of that bitty grainy texture that normal coffee beans have? I can't stand that.
― kinder, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:24 (twelve years ago) link
oh wait "but they lack the grit of actual beans"
― kinder, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:25 (twelve years ago) link
they are less gritty. but i like the grit of the regular beans!
― ms. c flat (get bent), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:28 (twelve years ago) link
some salsas are so good i can eat them with a spoon. but mostly they are the salsas i make on my own
― remy bean, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:34 (twelve years ago) link
still laughing at "you dainty little man"
The cilantro/jalapeno hummus is like crack
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 01:54 (twelve years ago) link
roasted tomato salsa is way too sweet. i doctored it w/ a splash of hot sauce and vinegar but ew.
― tehresa, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 03:18 (twelve years ago) link
I don't want to put salsa in a bowl and dirty up a bowl.
― jaymc, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 03:46 (twelve years ago) link
When I lived at home I always used a bowl for salsa. I continued doing that when I moved to my own place, but eventually when I started to pick up dirtbaggy loner habits that went out the window.
― heavy vibes at the estate sale (los blue jeans), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:31 (twelve years ago) link
is there a special bowl for salsa or is it just a regular bowl repurposed [via bricolage and other french post modernist theories] for salsa
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:32 (twelve years ago) link
shopped at TJ's twice now
very bizarre experience, it's like living inside a very boring RPG
haven't really checked out a lot of their products aside from generic stuff (meats and cheeses and what not)
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:35 (twelve years ago) link
if y'all had POV or POX TJ products, that would be kinda dope
you could pretend to be authentic and put it in a molcajete.
― ms. c flat (get bent), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:47 (twelve years ago) link
chocolate covered almonds with sea salt
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:48 (twelve years ago) link
that sounds amazing
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:48 (twelve years ago) link
idk the thing about TJ's is that it's just basic things (like peanut butter or olive oil) done right - no additives, weird chemicals, minimal preservatives, at a price comparable to conglomerate labels. and they're not afraid to try new shit.
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:49 (twelve years ago) link
lmao @ trader joe's employees as boring RPG characters
― iatee, Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:49 (twelve years ago) link
shopped at TJ's twice nowvery bizarre experience, it's like living inside a very boring RPG
haha - I don't quite understand, but my gut says OTM.
― Je55e, Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:50 (twelve years ago) link
i actually was going to ask, since i kind of didn't feel like doing the research
it's no bullshit that TJ's meat & produce are "better" than the shit you'd get at a normal grocery store, right? i'm justified in going to two grocery stores so i can get healthy, quality products at TJ (while buying goldfish and shit at the normal grocery store)
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:50 (twelve years ago) link
I would play a Trader Joe's RPG.
― I'll show you the power of laughter! (Abbbottt), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:51 (twelve years ago) link
the final boss is the line
― iatee, Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:52 (twelve years ago) link
i just meant that everyone is very cheery & happy and all of the products are essentially made up
i guess "it's like 'the sims irl'" would be a more accurate description than "boring RPG"
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:52 (twelve years ago) link
no, the final boss is the checkout cashier who engages you in super friendly conversation
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:53 (twelve years ago) link
nu'uh jord - trader joe's is the place where the dope goldfish and shit is, the healthier produce and whatever you find elsewhere
― iatee, Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:53 (twelve years ago) link
it's kinda more like you're the final boss, because you get to say "i'm walking this home, so you better figure out a way to fit all this shit in two bags"
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:54 (twelve years ago) link
both times i've been to TJ's it's been after work & i've been kinda tired and just wanted to get my shit and get out so i haven't spent tons of time just strolling the isles looking at stuff
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:55 (twelve years ago) link
haha I totally
a. went to trader joe's today b. asked someone to fit it in two bags
― iatee, Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:55 (twelve years ago) link
It might be interesting to visit TJ while shrooming. But really, the ultimate would be to do it at Ikea. Pretty sure it would be unbearable. xp
more xps - I like TJ for having cheap rice milk, goat cheese, and frozen chicken breasts, and a bunch of yummy convenience foods. I don't know about the "healthiness," since a lot of the convenience stuff is pretty loaded with sodium, which is, sadly a concern for me now (not that that concern has resulted in an iota of change in my eating habits.)
xp again - exactly
― Je55e, Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:56 (twelve years ago) link
basically by healthy i mean that they're not feeding their cows chicken shit & stuff
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:57 (twelve years ago) link
Oh.....yeh, they project the kind of image that would suggest that, but I dunno.
― Je55e, Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:58 (twelve years ago) link
they probably are tho
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:59 (twelve years ago) link
yeah :-/
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:59 (twelve years ago) link
if you wanna get good stuff
beef: get grass-fed beefchicken: get free-range chicken (no guarantee they haven't been fed other chickens or cows though)pork: not sure what the feel good version of pork is
best of all is to become a vegetarian tho
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:02 (twelve years ago) link
kosher pork
― iatee, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:03 (twelve years ago) link
i don't really like pork
was actually looking for a butcher shop around me but haven't come across one just yet
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:05 (twelve years ago) link
wasn't chicago the center of the meatpacking industry
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:06 (twelve years ago) link
hog butcher 2 da world
― I'll show you the power of laughter! (Abbbottt), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:07 (twelve years ago) link
Things I go out of my way to get @ TJs: coffee, wine, frozen samosas, chili mango popsicles, cheese, meat, frozen puff pastry (seasonal, sadly)
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:08 (twelve years ago) link
I just got frozen veggie samosas!
their coffee is pretty good for what it is, but I wish they would offer more beans in medium roast and not medium dark roast
― (╯°□°)╯︵ mode squad) (dayo), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:14 (twelve years ago) link
Some of the Chicago thread folks know of good butcher shops. I've seen a couple in the....is it actually called the meatpacking district? It's in the West Loop around Lake and Halsted where there are warehouses and trendy restaurants....
― Je55e, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:16 (twelve years ago) link
Fulton Market, not meatpacking district. Anyway, my commute takes me past a butcher and a seafood wholesaler. See: http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/12/03/travel/03surfacing.html
― Je55e, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:17 (twelve years ago) link
it's no bullshit that TJ's meat & produce are "better" than the shit you'd get at a normal grocery store, right
what? no? maybe? I don't understand this comment at all. they carry like 5 pieces of mediocre prepack meat in the back. do people really buy their expensive average beef?
― remy bean, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:17 (twelve years ago) link
costco's grass-fed beef is better and cheaper.
― ms. c flat (get bent), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:19 (twelve years ago) link
or it used to be; i haven't bought it in a while.
― ms. c flat (get bent), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:20 (twelve years ago) link
Veggie samosas + carrot ginger soup is my go-to lazymeal.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:24 (twelve years ago) link
Also nuts & dried fruits are things I always get at tj's. For making cookies/scones/other baked goods, granola, oatmeal additions, w/e
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:34 (twelve years ago) link
produce is not that good at TJ's, possibly better than random megasupermarket (cheaper,more organic options)
― larvae o'dooley, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:37 (twelve years ago) link
yeah there's a farmer's market in the playground of an elementary school literally half a block from me on saturday mornings, so i can get good produce pretty easily thankfully
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:38 (twelve years ago) link
Oh j0rdan...that farmers mkt will not likely last all year. Is this your first Chicago winter?
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:39 (twelve years ago) link
ha, yeah
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:39 (twelve years ago) link
well for a few weeks anyway, then
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:40 (twelve years ago) link
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, October 5, 2011 10:38 PM (4 minutes ago) Bookmark
j0rd i think you live on my old street!
― horseshoe, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:43 (twelve years ago) link
do i?????????
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:44 (twelve years ago) link
well i guess you could live on any number of parallel streets between broadway and sheridan?
― horseshoe, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:45 (twelve years ago) link
or broadway and halsted?
but the school is n3ttleh0rst, right?
is it bad for me to be broadcasting where you live on ilx? my bad.
― horseshoe, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:47 (twelve years ago) link
i live b/w broadway & halsted
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:47 (twelve years ago) link
it's okay
i lived on aldine between broadway and sheridan. y'all can have your thread back now!
― horseshoe, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:48 (twelve years ago) link
but yeah, that's the school
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:48 (twelve years ago) link
grass fed blah blah blah
― Jeff, Thursday, 6 October 2011 02:51 (twelve years ago) link
That's all I can muster at this point, carry on.
We used to live right there, too, at Broadway and Addison. You're like a block from Whole Foods if you want better meat. The produce at Treasure Island is pretty good and cheap. That grocery store is fun.
NOW you can have your thread back. :)
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Thursday, 6 October 2011 03:07 (twelve years ago) link
lol treasure island looks super skeezy
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 03:10 (twelve years ago) link
It's the perfect balance of skeezy enough to be interesting but not so skeezy that it's bad times in there. Also, it's Chicago's most European supermarket, whatever the hell that means. I miss shopping there. It is perfectly weird.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Thursday, 6 October 2011 03:16 (twelve years ago) link
Aww jordan I envy you in getting to know a cool new city . That shit is the best
― Aerosol, Thursday, 6 October 2011 03:17 (twelve years ago) link
haha oh man that place i never knew what to make of it. lol at "Chicago's most European supermarket."
― horseshoe, Thursday, 6 October 2011 03:18 (twelve years ago) link
Some days I would go to Jewel, Treasure Island, and Whole Foods in one fell swoop.
― Jeff, Thursday, 6 October 2011 12:17 (twelve years ago) link
Thai kao soi frozen soup, pretty sweet but also admirably spicy. Bit pricey at $4 a box though. I like the tom yam soup too but I get a little disgusted about how everything is in its own little plastic bag.
― teeny, Saturday, 8 October 2011 16:59 (twelve years ago) link
soy chorizo - why do they put it in a casing? when you take it out it looks like ground meat (being generous) or babyfood. pretty good though
― dayo, Saturday, 8 October 2011 17:12 (twelve years ago) link
pumpkin cream cheese!!!
― sarahel, Monday, 10 October 2011 21:19 (twelve years ago) link
I have since learned that chorizo is supposed to come in a casing? not sure though.
-goat cheese and sundried tomato ravioli - boring! kind of salty, no flavor, no tanginess of the sun dried tomatoes.
― 2001: a based godyssey (dayo), Monday, 10 October 2011 22:05 (twelve years ago) link
usually it does -- mexican chorizo does usually come in a casing imedon't most sausages come in a casing, regardless of whether you eat it in or out of the casing?
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Monday, 10 October 2011 22:14 (twelve years ago) link
isn't that what sausages are?
this one said you had to remove the casing. it was plastic, I think.
― 2001: a based godyssey (dayo), Monday, 10 October 2011 22:21 (twelve years ago) link
oh yeah you totally have to squeeze it out or cut it out or whatever. it really does not do any favors to the texture of that stuff. i have eaten it, but i can't recommend it.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Monday, 10 October 2011 22:22 (twelve years ago) link
fucking heavy w/ LEMON CRISP cookies... little lemon cookies with powdered sugar & chocolate. and i don't really like sweets.
also, brioche rolls: dope
was kinda pissed that my store didn't have CHORIZO, which is the only sausage i really like. they had SOY CHORIZO or some some such nonsense tho. also their fresh fish selection is kind of wack... it's mostly just salmon, at least out here. also they sell grated parm for $6 or something which i mean c'mon.
― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 13 October 2011 23:58 (twelve years ago) link
i'm not really into their fish selection although i bought some of the frozen swordfish steaks the other week and they were dece
― theosophy b. hawkins (donna rouge), Friday, 14 October 2011 00:10 (twelve years ago) link
The grated parm I get is like $4, which is probably what a can of bland kraft parm costs.
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 14 October 2011 00:19 (twelve years ago) link
buy a block and a grater for $5 and grow some arm mucles
― 2001: a based godyssey (dayo), Friday, 14 October 2011 00:45 (twelve years ago) link
…you dainty little man.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Friday, 14 October 2011 01:12 (twelve years ago) link
I bought a fucking stalk of brussels sprouts at TJ! amazing. wondering if I can just roast the stalk whole. what a weird plant! so noise.
http://summertomato.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Brussels-Sprouts-Stalks.jpg
― 2001: a based godyssey (dayo), Friday, 14 October 2011 18:31 (twelve years ago) link
Let it be known: puff pastry season has begunI bought some this week, haven't decided what I want to do with it first.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 20 October 2011 14:56 (twelve years ago) link
pumpkin ale is shit
― dayo, Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:48 (twelve years ago) link
what a weird plant! so noise.
you could convincingly post that in whatever weed thread is on the noise board imo
― mid-song laughing elvis (schlump), Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:52 (twelve years ago) link
How much did you pay for puff pastry? I've only seen it frozen in Whole Foods for like $10. I was so disgusted I actually made some and it was successful! Still have some in the freezer: TARTLETS TIME
― kinder, Friday, 21 October 2011 01:09 (twelve years ago) link
The only way I got myself to do the shopping this eve was by promising myself edamame hummus.
― WE DO NOT HAVE "SECRET" "MEETINGS." I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND (Laurel), Friday, 21 October 2011 01:12 (twelve years ago) link
i've been buying/cooking those brussels sprouts like crazy.
i really like the vegan trail mix cookies. it is hard not to eat more than one at a time.
― --Pablo, investment banker (get bent), Friday, 21 October 2011 01:21 (twelve years ago) link
It's like $3.99 maybe? Not $10 for sure. It's totally tartlet time.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Friday, 21 October 2011 01:22 (twelve years ago) link
There was a regular old normal looking young woman eating carrots and TJ's edamame hummus next to me on the train this afternoon.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Friday, 21 October 2011 01:44 (twelve years ago) link
i'm incredibly intrigued by this hummus
― J0rdan S., Friday, 21 October 2011 01:46 (twelve years ago) link
i wish everything there was able to taste
the dark chocolate bar w/caramel and sea salt is great, though I feel like it would be even better if it was thicker/firmer? I keep them in the fridge, too.
oh and i was gonna post about how awesome the meyer lemon thin cookies were the day ilx went down.
― sarahel, Friday, 21 October 2011 01:53 (twelve years ago) link
that bar is a poor substitute for the christmastime dark chocolate covered caramels with sea salt. they are thicker! the bar is v messy and we even tried cutting w/ knife but it still broke weird and got all messy.
― tehresa, Friday, 21 October 2011 02:07 (twelve years ago) link
Jordan, rode the Red Line more and you might be able to get to try the hummus.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Friday, 21 October 2011 03:06 (twelve years ago) link
Since my move I only get to TJ's every few weeks or so. Do they have the holiday ale yet?
― pass the duchy pon the left hand side (musical duke) (Hurting 2), Friday, 21 October 2011 03:17 (twelve years ago) link
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Thursday, October 20, 2011 11:06 PM (13 minutes ago) Bookmark
*furiously scribbling notes*
― J0rdan S., Friday, 21 October 2011 03:21 (twelve years ago) link
Lord, you are a champ for even being able to parse that sentence.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Friday, 21 October 2011 03:25 (twelve years ago) link
S: Truffle brownie mix. So delicious, probably because you add your own melted stick of butter at home. I've made brownies from scratch plenty and they are a huge pain in the ass and never as good as this box mix.
D: The pre-made, as in just open an envelope and pour it out brownie mix. It's pretty gross. Caveats: I put the batter in the oven directly after removing a roasted chicken and accidentally turned the oven off. I didn't realize it until the timer went off, at which point I restarted the oven and baked them until a toothpick came out cleanish. This might have impacted the texture. Also, putting them in right after the chicken made them taste vaguely like roasted chicken, which was really awful. However, the truffle brownie box mix is so easy that I haven't felt compelled to try this brownie mix again to see whether it was me or the mix.
― pullapartsquirrel (Jenny), Sunday, 23 October 2011 16:33 (twelve years ago) link
the hybrid corn-wheat tortillas are not half-bad! they've managed to last a few days without getting the rancid-corn smell.
― phill nilbog (get bent), Sunday, 23 October 2011 20:56 (twelve years ago) link
my favorite are the chili flour tortillas.
― tehresa, Sunday, 23 October 2011 23:26 (twelve years ago) link
"spicy, smokey peach salsa" really livened up tonight's boring old grilled chicken breasts
― dismissible objects one fucks with (m coleman), Sunday, 23 October 2011 23:49 (twelve years ago) link
habanero and lime salsa too salty, lime flavor doesn't keep well in the jar
― dayo, Sunday, 23 October 2011 23:50 (twelve years ago) link
potstickers are really good
their normal salsa sux
― J0rdan S., Sunday, 23 October 2011 23:54 (twelve years ago) link
yeah I'm not wild about jarred salsa in general but the peach (w/tomato) was pleasant surprise
― dismissible objects one fucks with (m coleman), Sunday, 23 October 2011 23:57 (twelve years ago) link
The potstickers are as good as any from the Asian restaurants and stores, but the gyoza sauce is terrible. Gyoza sauce is such a simple thing (soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic) and I think TJ ruined it by trying to jazz it up.
― Je55e, Monday, 24 October 2011 19:07 (twelve years ago) link
most of tj's chinese/japanese sauces are terrible. just make your own; it's so easy.
― phill nilbog (get bent), Monday, 24 October 2011 20:48 (twelve years ago) link
the sauce for their korean chicken wings was a disgrace.
― phill nilbog (get bent), Monday, 24 October 2011 20:49 (twelve years ago) link
better/cheaper sauces at asian mkt, not difficult to stock up periodicallybut the gyoza themselves are pretty good i think -- shrimp are my favorite, first pan fried then steamed to heat through
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Monday, 24 October 2011 21:01 (twelve years ago) link
And for Eastern European gyoza, the pierogies are very good if you make them per instructions - boil ~ 3 minutes to heat through then pan fry (in bacon grease for that extra touch). I like the potato and cheese ones better than the chicken.
― nickn, Monday, 24 October 2011 21:06 (twelve years ago) link
I miss living near the big pan-Asian supermarket (Pacific Sun?). I would regularly stock up on Srirachia, gyoza sauce, sweet chili sauce, and 1/2 gallon jugs of soy sauce. And peeled garlic! I wish they sold gyoza sauce in enormous jugs. Those little bottles don't last long. Or I wish my homemade sauce tasted as good. It is super simple, but it is never quite right.
― Je55e, Monday, 24 October 2011 21:12 (twelve years ago) link
get bent otm - spend money on different varieties of soy sauce instead
― dayo, Monday, 24 October 2011 21:13 (twelve years ago) link
Golden Pacific! I like Tai Nam these days though.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Monday, 24 October 2011 21:17 (twelve years ago) link
Last time I was there, I tried a new cheese. I don't know if they've always had it? Or not. But it was AWESOME and also like THREE DOLLARS for a wedge! It's called Toscano, I think?? Tastes like parmesan but less dried, but still having crunchy bits in it, and the rind is soaked in red wine. WOULD EAT ALL OF.
― WE DO NOT HAVE "SECRET" "MEETINGS." I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND (Laurel), Monday, 24 October 2011 21:24 (twelve years ago) link
In fact I did eat all of. Now I have to go back for more.
― WE DO NOT HAVE "SECRET" "MEETINGS." I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND (Laurel), Monday, 24 October 2011 21:25 (twelve years ago) link
more stuff that I kinda knew was not going to be good but I am dumb:the applegate turkey baloney.just don'twhy did ii don't know
― heavy vibes at the estate sale (los blue jeans), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 01:54 (twelve years ago) link
Actually, you know what? This will be a good experiment in Sandwich Theory. Is the turloney capable of redemption through advanced application of condiments, cheese, and bread?
― heavy vibes at the estate sale (los blue jeans), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 01:58 (twelve years ago) link
I'd try frying, everything is better fried.
― nickn, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 02:03 (twelve years ago) link
grilled/fried turloney w/cheddar/gruyere hybrid
― sarahel, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 02:54 (twelve years ago) link
Good:Nantes carrotslavender sachetsbrussel sprouts (bagged; have seen but not tried stalk)recycled toilet paperrice cakesbananasbran flakescanned tunapeppermint soapDijon mustard
Bad:fruit flies in the summer months
― youn, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 22:52 (twelve years ago) link
I like those lavender sachets, too.
― They're coming to get you, (Jenny), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 22:57 (twelve years ago) link
WARNING THIS IS ABOUT TAMPONSI have to say their organic cotton tampons are like 50% cheaper than everywhere else they're for sale, or even cheaper than that. And they have applicators unlike most of the organic cotton ones I was buying. I don't even know if the organic makes a difference but it's a product where it's easy to pretend. Plus I feel posh handing them out to other ladies.
― fried chicken makes Alex cry, who'd vote for such a wimpy guy? (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 02:52 (twelve years ago) link
I've never understood tampons w/out applicators.
― Je55e, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 03:02 (twelve years ago) link
You just stuff them up there with your finger. No biggie.
― They're coming to get you, (Jenny), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 03:03 (twelve years ago) link
i have no desire to do that.
― tehresa, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 03:19 (twelve years ago) link
They don't actually GO very far. Applicators ime make it seem like a bigger distance than it is because they're much longer than they probably "need" to be.
― WE DO NOT HAVE "SECRET" "MEETINGS." I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND (Laurel), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 03:27 (twelve years ago) link
I mean allowing for human variation, obv. I just think applicator-selling companies have maximized the "ew, gross" value and made them long enough that you barely even have to touch yourself.
― WE DO NOT HAVE "SECRET" "MEETINGS." I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND (Laurel), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 03:28 (twelve years ago) link
SORRY, TRADER JOE'S THREAD.
What I don't know about the distance in a bajingo could fill a bajingo (which I assume provides a tremendous amount of volume).
― Je55e, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 03:38 (twelve years ago) link
In other news I remember theirquinoa due with vegetable melangebeing quite enticing as an in-store sample, but at home it's just a pile of mushy blah.
― fried chicken makes Alex cry, who'd vote for such a wimpy guy? (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 03:57 (twelve years ago) link
Maybe it's only awesome in tablespoon-sized servings.
At the sample station at my local TJ the other day
http://i.imgur.com/wUkoy.jpg
― Je55e, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 04:09 (twelve years ago) link
You can't really make out the blue text, which reads "So watery...And with just a smack of ham!"
― Je55e, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 04:11 (twelve years ago) link
frozen eggplant curry was extremely disgusting
― dayo, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 10:53 (twelve years ago) link
Hot Ham Water! <3<3<3
― They're coming to get you, (Jenny), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 12:09 (twelve years ago) link
omg that's amazing!
― tehresa, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 22:52 (twelve years ago) link
― jaymc, Sunday, March 6, 2011 10:25 PM (7 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
― phantoms from a world gone by speak again the immortal tale: (Jenny), Sunday, March 6, 2011 10:53 PM (7 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
No, but I think I was eating it as-is, with no accompaniment.
So! I am happy to report that I bought it again and prepared some couscous and sauteed some fucking mushrooms and broccoli, and I had a really easy and tasty meal of which I'm now eating the leftovers.
― A Lip in the Blandscape (jaymc), Friday, 28 October 2011 19:13 (twelve years ago) link
It's good on the lemon-pepper pappardelle pasta they sell. Or on rice, of course.
― nickn, Friday, 28 October 2011 20:22 (twelve years ago) link
ooh i love that stuff but it's so much pricier than the other pastas i can't justify buying it.
― tehresa, Friday, 28 October 2011 22:06 (twelve years ago) link
Their frigging vanilla & cinnamon black tea is BACK. It has a confused lemur on it and it's my very favorite. I think drinking it all day was the only thing that got me through six weeks of training at a call center this time last year. Then I discovered it was seasonal and my job was once again a pit of despair. How long do you guys think tea stays good/drinkable if you don't open it because my Mormon food-hoarding instincts are at five alarms.
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Saturday, 5 November 2011 23:49 (twelve years ago) link
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12REecc_JJ0/TWBni5p-qbI/AAAAAAAAAOw/pc27YoGKjJA/s1600/Tea.jpg
the box also has a chameloeona
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Saturday, 5 November 2011 23:50 (twelve years ago) link
I mean a chameloen
you know what I mean
i obviously don't know how to store tea properly (lol american) because all the tea i've hoarded is now over-tannic and bitter.
― enchilada sauce (get bent), Saturday, 5 November 2011 23:52 (twelve years ago) link
Oh! I love that tea! It's delicious and every time i take the box out of the cupboard I'm like, "Heh. Lemur." I was just shopping at TJ's today and I didn't think to see whether it was back. That's okay because I forgot tofu and Brussels sprouts so now I have another reason to take a return trip tomorrow.
As I was buying both browning mix and pumpkin bread mix, the cashier clued me in to this recipe: http://www.traderjoes.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=91 (spoiler alert: you mix them together!!!)
― They're coming to get you, (Jenny), Sunday, 6 November 2011 00:50 (twelve years ago) link
abbbottt, oxidation is the enemy - vacuum seal! or use a straw and a ziplock bag. or freeze?
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 6 November 2011 00:52 (twelve years ago) link
My freezer is full of yarn and green chile – two of my already favorite things – so adding a third favorite thing sounds AWESOme.
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Sunday, 6 November 2011 00:52 (twelve years ago) link
haha I have an image of you opening your freezer in a year to find a spicy sweater that you can dip into hot water to make tea with.
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 6 November 2011 00:54 (twelve years ago) link
now i want a green chile sweater. :-(
― enchilada sauce (get bent), Sunday, 6 November 2011 00:56 (twelve years ago) link
not green, but:
http://foodnetworkhumor.com/img/sweater-2.jpg
― enchilada sauce (get bent), Sunday, 6 November 2011 00:58 (twelve years ago) link
Why is there yarn in your freezer, I need to know.
― bear has little fear of hades (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 6 November 2011 03:19 (twelve years ago) link
I'm bringing a lot of TJ's lunches to work now that I'm trying to save money. Best ones: Spinach Lasagna, Chicken Tikka Masala, Fajita Burrito
― pass the duchy pon the left hand side (musical duke) (Hurting 2), Sunday, 6 November 2011 03:26 (twelve years ago) link
What does that little "g" logo on that tea box mean? The pareve hesher I get.
― quincie, Sunday, 6 November 2011 15:38 (twelve years ago) link
It means glutern-free iirc
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Sunday, 6 November 2011 15:39 (twelve years ago) link
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6319422650_5d05abd7ca.jpg
freshly out of oven, waiting to cool: i took the tj's apple bread mix and added some cranberries.
― enchilada sauce (get bent), Sunday, 6 November 2011 18:47 (twelve years ago) link
tj's raised some of their booze prices lately : (
― buzza, Sunday, 6 November 2011 18:48 (twelve years ago) link
dark chocolate peanut butter cups are some kind of advanced new drug
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 6 November 2011 19:13 (twelve years ago) link
bulleit bourbon still only $19.99!
― sarahel, Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:14 (twelve years ago) link
man, i can't believe they have spirits at your TJsif mine had bulleit i would never run out of bourbon
― Yasmine Teeth (La Lechera), Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:23 (twelve years ago) link
haha the bourbon is right next to the front of the checkout line
― sarahel, Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:27 (twelve years ago) link
They do not have liquor at mine, but Costco has Bulleit for that price, here.
Net result:http://f.cl.ly/items/2p2p2T2E0X2j0h451M34/bulleit.jpg
― mh, Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:29 (twelve years ago) link
awesome! bulleit bourbon is my go-to potluck contribution.
― sarahel, Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:37 (twelve years ago) link
Green tuna curry back in stock! Wine-soaked toscano cheese not in stock. ;_;
― WE DO NOT HAVE "SECRET" "MEETINGS." I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND (Laurel), Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:39 (twelve years ago) link
newish item (or one i just noticed the other day) the mini sourdough boules are pretty great.
― sarahel, Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:42 (twelve years ago) link
Note Joy of Cooking and Bittman's book in edge of photo
― mh, Sunday, 6 November 2011 21:12 (twelve years ago) link
is that st. peter's organic ale behind those bottles
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 6 November 2011 21:15 (twelve years ago) link
pumpkin bread/muffin mix is good
tj's produce is inconsistent; bought a bag of "rainbow plums" last week and they refuse to ripen - taste like little wooden plum-shaped sculptures
― chief rocker frankie crocker (m coleman), Sunday, 6 November 2011 22:24 (twelve years ago) link
Yes, why??
My local just ran out of both the green and red. Not looking good, either, as they took down the shelf tags and filled the space with other products.
― the Smurf who'll snatch your money (Je55e), Sunday, 6 November 2011 22:33 (twelve years ago) link
As I was buying both browning mix and pumpkin bread mix, the cashier clued me in to this recipe: http://www.traderjoes.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=91 (spoiler alert: /you mix them together/!!!)
I Ickes the link just to make sure that "browning" was a typo. Glad yet disappointed to see it was.
― the Smurf who'll snatch your money (Je55e), Sunday, 6 November 2011 22:36 (twelve years ago) link
― the Smurf who'll snatch your money (Je55e), Sunday, November 6, 2011 5:33 PM (3 minutes ago) Bookmark
it's probably good for the species
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 6 November 2011 22:37 (twelve years ago) link
might need a subthread for TJ cookies imo
― J0rdan S., Sunday, 6 November 2011 22:40 (twelve years ago) link
I bought the tea because of ILX and think I will grow to like it because of ILX.
― youn, Tuesday, 8 November 2011 22:56 (twelve years ago) link
My enemy the casemaking moth (eater of wool) has shown up in my house and I put my 'spensivest yarn in there to protect it. A "deep freeze" will kill moth eggs. My freezer doesn't get cold enough to kill them but I figure the last place moths are hanging out in is the freezer.
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 8 November 2011 22:58 (twelve years ago) link
oh man I wonder if it's a good idea to freeze my suit once in a while
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Tuesday, 8 November 2011 23:02 (twelve years ago) link
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05599.html
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 8 November 2011 23:08 (twelve years ago) link
Has to reach 0ºF or lower for 72+ hours
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 8 November 2011 23:09 (twelve years ago) link
but apparently what I'm doing helps! Thx CSU extension
― despite all my rage I am still just a Latter Day Saint (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 8 November 2011 23:10 (twelve years ago) link
aw jeez
hmm
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Tuesday, 8 November 2011 23:11 (twelve years ago) link
btw wondering what the LD50 is for dark chocolate peanut butter cups
I have lost favorite suits to the moths; now engage in chemical mothball warfare. Hate the smell and wish I had a walk-in freezer for freezing all the clothes and foods.
― quincie, Wednesday, 9 November 2011 00:08 (twelve years ago) link
I determined today that the vanilla Greek yogurt is probably my favorite yogurt ever.
http://runningwithcake.com/files/2009/07/Greek-Yogurt-Display.JPG
― They're coming to get you, (Jenny), Wednesday, 9 November 2011 01:00 (twelve years ago) link
they have a potato chip called "trader joe's ode to the classic potato chip" which idk if it's new or something I hadn't tried it but holy fuck this is a quality potato chip
― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Saturday, 12 November 2011 21:10 (twelve years ago) link
what kind of oil? say peanut say peanut
― patio hunter (get bent), Saturday, 12 November 2011 21:11 (twelve years ago) link
sunflower
they also have an olive oil potato chip, which is also outstanding & was actually the reason I was in the potato chip aisle when suddenly I was blindsided by this outstanding new chip
― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Saturday, 12 November 2011 21:13 (twelve years ago) link
i like sunflower. tj's sunflower seed butter is a revelation.
― patio hunter (get bent), Saturday, 12 November 2011 21:14 (twelve years ago) link
have i mentioned here how much i love their pumpernickel pretzel sticks? i served them at a party recently and people were all "woah this is an exciting new development in pretzel technology."
― patio hunter (get bent), Saturday, 12 November 2011 21:16 (twelve years ago) link
oh man those are the hotness, I burned out on 'em pretty bad when I first found out about them though. pumpernickel + a pretzel is basically a siren call to me.
― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Saturday, 12 November 2011 21:25 (twelve years ago) link
they have virgin coconut oil available now
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 13 November 2011 16:22 (twelve years ago) link
also does anybody else, after coming home from TJ's, open immediately every single prepackaged item in order to have a taste
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 13 November 2011 16:23 (twelve years ago) link
Sometimes I start eating the dark chocolate mint squares on the train on the way home.
― It means why you gotta be a montague? (Laurel), Sunday, 13 November 2011 16:23 (twelve years ago) link
I used to open all the packages until they became familiar.
― the Smurf who'll snatch your money (Je55e), Sunday, 13 November 2011 16:59 (twelve years ago) link
i do this with the cheese, esp. the double gloucester
― patio hunter (get bent), Sunday, 13 November 2011 18:04 (twelve years ago) link
new innovations in pasta technology: corn pasta
dnw, tyvm
― ASPIE Rocky (dayo), Sunday, 13 November 2011 23:50 (twelve years ago) link
The Classic Holiday Candy Mix, now on sale for 50 cents, is an unbelievable bargain.
― polyphonic, Wednesday, 4 January 2012 23:16 (twelve years ago) link
Also, the Balela chickpea salad is very good, if a bit oily.
The eggnog-coated almonds are 99 cents now, another good deal.
― nickn, Thursday, 5 January 2012 00:40 (twelve years ago) link
got scared when the packaging changed on the nature's path heritage flakes. still the same product though.
the nature's path flax flakes = not nearly as good.
― reconstituted pork offal slurry (get bent), Thursday, 5 January 2012 01:16 (twelve years ago) link
http://www.naturespath.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_packaging_node/images/product/packaging/HERITAGE%20FLAKES_B.jpg
― reconstituted pork offal slurry (get bent), Thursday, 5 January 2012 01:18 (twelve years ago) link
― nickn, Wednesday, January 4, 2012 4:40 PM (41 minutes ago)
!!!!! brb
― sarahel, Thursday, 5 January 2012 01:22 (twelve years ago) link
nature's path heritage flakes
Jesus. I mean heritage flakes.
― the Smurf who'll snatch your money (Je55e), Thursday, 5 January 2012 03:45 (twelve years ago) link
Does the package in the background say HEIRLOOM WHEAT??
― the Smurf who'll snatch your money (Je55e), Thursday, 5 January 2012 03:46 (twelve years ago) link
AND "ANCIENT GRAINS"
All together, it's ridiculous enough to be kind of awesome.
yeah the marketing is a little silly but the product tastes good and it's not loaded with sugar
― reconstituted pork offal slurry (get bent), Thursday, 5 January 2012 03:55 (twelve years ago) link
The best of the 'natural' cereals sold there imo is Barbara's Shredded Spoonful's -- created in the same evil laboratory that brought you Life
― Oh shit, that's my bone! (Hurting 2), Thursday, 5 January 2012 04:02 (twelve years ago) link
Oh I'm sure. I love that kind of thing, just saying it was pretty extreme granolery. xp
― the Smurf who'll snatch your money (Je55e), Thursday, 5 January 2012 04:04 (twelve years ago) link
i think i tried that, hurting, but i've never really gotten into shredded wheat. too much work for cereal.
― reconstituted pork offal slurry (get bent), Thursday, 5 January 2012 04:07 (twelve years ago) link
Their low sugar flake cereal is good too, but it took a while to get used to. Can't remember the name but it's obvious from the packaging.
― nickn, Thursday, 5 January 2012 05:51 (twelve years ago) link
i'm a stan for tj's toasted oatmeal flakes. my wife likes the honey almond & flax 9 whole grain cereal. and our son wolfs down the euro-style yogurt.
― no longer the deli llama (m coleman), Thursday, 5 January 2012 10:27 (twelve years ago) link
blue cheese and roasted pecan dip is very very good
― bob loblaw people (dayo), Saturday, 14 January 2012 00:30 (twelve years ago) link
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHtVpmOErXY/Ti4rB5fNrfI/AAAAAAAADNA/x4AtLVhCFew/s1600/IMAG2928.jpg
― choucrüt (get bent), Saturday, 14 January 2012 00:43 (twelve years ago) link
I'm pretty fond of the cheap beer at TJ's. right now I think my favorite is the jumping cow amber ale, it's light and fruity without being sweet. and I like the stockyard oatmeal stout too.
― dayo, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 01:56 (twelve years ago) link
The Trader Joe's 2011 Vintage Ale is really excellent this year. It's from Unibroue and is very similar to their Maudite or Trois Pistoles but much cheaper.
― Spencer Chow, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 02:01 (twelve years ago) link
shit, really? I need to see if we get that here. I suspect we don't get most of their beer selection, for some reason
― mh, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 02:02 (twelve years ago) link
The eggnog almonds are great at first but I find I cant eat more than 4 in a sitting or I get a little queasy.
― calstars, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 02:07 (twelve years ago) link
you not alone in that! but eggnog almonds are cheaper than regular almonds (!)what other TJ foods are cheaper with a coating of some sort?
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 02:11 (twelve years ago) link
They're cheaper because they're "out of season" and they want to dump them. They sold for $4.99 before Xmas/New Years, I was told.
And junk food that's hard to eat a lot of is the best kind, IMO.
― nickn, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 02:26 (twelve years ago) link
i'm this way with dark chocolate -- it's so satisfying in small doses that i never want/need to go overboard with it.
― m white btw (get bent), Tuesday, 17 January 2012 04:39 (twelve years ago) link
And i stopped in on the way home today, and both the eggnog almonds and TJ vintage ale is not stocked anymore. The holidays are over. ;_;
― nickn, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 04:47 (twelve years ago) link
RIP puff pastry too ;_;
― La Lechera, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 05:03 (twelve years ago) link
joejoes ice cream should be $2 still...
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 05:38 (twelve years ago) link
fyi:
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj7cgsIUAH1qd9q4qo1_400.jpg
enjoy w/a bit of jam or lemon curd. not at the level of danish pancakes you might find at, say, broder in portland or elsewhere, but imo these are excellent.
― omar little, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 08:47 (twelve years ago) link
i'm soaking a bag of their 17 bean and barley mix for tonight. anyone tried it?
http://thedigitallatina.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/17Bean1_thumb3.jpg
― m white btw (get bent), Thursday, 26 January 2012 21:32 (twelve years ago) link
i've had a bag of those is the panty for awhile now
― Aerosol, Thursday, 26 January 2012 21:36 (twelve years ago) link
California Slab Apricots Blenheim Variety aka apricot of the gods
― demolition with discretion (m coleman), Thursday, 26 January 2012 21:41 (twelve years ago) link
really
― the third kind of dubstep (Jordan), Thursday, 26 January 2012 21:57 (twelve years ago) link
― Aerosol, Thursday, January 26, 2012 3:36 PM (51 minutes ago) Bookmarksorry but lol
― La Lechera, Thursday, 26 January 2012 22:28 (twelve years ago) link
I have made the bean and barley soup a number of times and I'm a fan, though that could just as easily be due to my superior soup making skills as the TJ's product.
If you eat meat, I highly recommend bacon/ham. If not, I suggest kale.
― gonna give her the old fuquay-varina (Jenny), Thursday, 26 January 2012 22:30 (twelve years ago) link
Blood oranges back in stock! Oh yeah
― bentelec, Thursday, 26 January 2012 22:52 (twelve years ago) link
Oh lol xxp
― Aerosol, Thursday, 26 January 2012 22:57 (twelve years ago) link
I don't think my TJ's sells dry beans
― dayo, Thursday, 26 January 2012 23:04 (twelve years ago) link
Ours sells ones you can dry yourself.
― Jeff, Thursday, 26 January 2012 23:10 (twelve years ago) link
I bought a Braeburn apple at TJs, took two bites and found a mealy brown center. Sigh.
Otoh I bought some of the pomegranate limeade and OMG this shit is nectar of the gods
― tropical mall lady (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 27 January 2012 13:34 (twelve years ago) link
The produce pretty much sucks at the local TJ's, quality-wise.
― mh, Friday, 27 January 2012 13:59 (twelve years ago) link
My tj's started carrying bags of kale finally!
― tehresa, Friday, 27 January 2012 14:02 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah my experience w produce at TJs has never been great but it seems to be getting better.
― ENBB, Friday, 27 January 2012 14:07 (twelve years ago) link
i think if you were in a TJs while they were restocking you would see people throwing apples across the room onto the shelves, it's cool buying salads &c but anything bruisable is always crushed
ps this sounds like i am blaming staff & i'm not, i guess they just don't have good transport or w/e
― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Friday, 27 January 2012 14:19 (twelve years ago) link
It's not even just that, here. The produce is not really damaged, just kind of weak!
― mh, Friday, 27 January 2012 14:54 (twelve years ago) link
well you live in a place not easily accessible by ships?
― dayo, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:31 (twelve years ago) link
dayo, do you think that the majority of produce in the US is moved by ship?
― mh, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:33 (twelve years ago) link
the bagged kale is my jam though. Smoothies all of the days!!!
― tropical mall lady (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:51 (twelve years ago) link
in the winter time, yes! xp
― dayo, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:51 (twelve years ago) link
or maybe you don't live close to a good railline
Um I think it's all trucked tbh.
Also, does most produce travel by ocean or by air? I've always assumed air for anything perishable because sea takes...a long time.
― one little aioli (Laurel), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:55 (twelve years ago) link
pretty sure produce from south america travels by ship
― dayo, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:55 (twelve years ago) link
I mean it's trucked within the country and airfreighted from other countries to here.
it's very expensive to airfreight
― dayo, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:56 (twelve years ago) link
Strangely enough, I've noticed that. But ocean from Asia is like 4 weeks, plus another week to cross the USA by rail or truck, and what can keep for 4-6 weeks in a shipping container? Maybe I don't understand this kind of agriculture.
― one little aioli (Laurel), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:57 (twelve years ago) link
some kinds of produce don't start going bad the minute it's picked
― dayo, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:00 (twelve years ago) link
When I lived in Texas I used to watch banana containers unloaded from ships in the port; lots of bananas would fall into the water and bob around.
― quincie, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:04 (twelve years ago) link
I already miss the puff pastry.
― La Lechera, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:09 (twelve years ago) link
If we thought daily about how long ago things were actually picked we'd cry
― mh, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:12 (twelve years ago) link
apples don't go bad for like, a year
― dayo, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:31 (twelve years ago) link
frozen vegetables are actually fresher!
― tehresa, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:31 (twelve years ago) link
and, as a documentary I saw showed, juices from concentrate probably end up with more actual juice content (and definitely more fresh-frozen juice content)
― mh, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:59 (twelve years ago) link
Laurel, did you ever read "East of Eden"?
― sarahell, Friday, 27 January 2012 20:24 (twelve years ago) link
the containers are often refrigerated
― sarahell, Friday, 27 January 2012 20:25 (twelve years ago) link
the peanut butter filled pretzels don't have enough pretzel. there's too much air inside.
― textile in thighville (get bent), Tuesday, 31 January 2012 22:23 (twelve years ago) link
I haven't had any for days but I still cannot get over the pom limeade
― tropical mall lady (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 14:47 (twelve years ago) link
Simpler Times seems to be gone from the TJ's by my office nooooooooooooooooo
RIP $4 six-pack of 6.2% of drinkable beer in Manhattan
― ENERGY FOOD (en i see kay), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 15:22 (twelve years ago) link
I drank the last of my lemur tea hoard today. ;_;
― gonna give her the old fuquay-varina (Jenny), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 15:52 (twelve years ago) link
i had the meatless orange chicken last night. it wasn't bad. i stir-fried it with some broccoli florets and added soy sauce, chinese five spice, and the juice of a cara cara orange. i usually don't like tj's asian sauces, but with my modifications this one worked.
― textile in thighville (get bent), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 16:17 (twelve years ago) link
the fake speculoos and nutella (almonds not hazelnuts, wtf) are a little weird, but the dark chocolate candy bars with speculoos paste inside are pretty good.
― peter grasswich, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 17:35 (twelve years ago) link
wtf is a speculoos
― La Lechera, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 18:42 (twelve years ago) link
weird kinky fetish iirc
― mh, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 19:08 (twelve years ago) link
in a chocolate!
― La Lechera, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 19:12 (twelve years ago) link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculoos
― textile in thighville (get bent), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 21:50 (twelve years ago) link
so they're dutch windmill cookies! i love those.
― textile in thighville (get bent), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 21:51 (twelve years ago) link
more specifically: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculoos#Modern_paste_version
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 21:55 (twelve years ago) link
CHOOSE WISELY: EURO-NOIZE SANDWICH SPREADS OF THE GODZ SMACKDOWN
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 22:01 (twelve years ago) link
i didn't see any speculoos when i was there today, but i wasn't looking too hard either.
the falafel chips are pretty good.
― textile in thighville (get bent), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 00:24 (twelve years ago) link
Has anyone ever won their raffle?
― rayuela, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 00:25 (twelve years ago) link
the chocolate-covered potato chips were promising, but not salty enough, and the chocolate isn't v good quality.
― just1n3, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:13 (twelve years ago) link
i accidentally bought salt-free potato chips today and they are DIRE
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:30 (twelve years ago) link
ugh that sounds horrible
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:37 (twelve years ago) link
they're revolting pieces of flavorless cardboard and i hate them
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:38 (twelve years ago) link
bake them in a casserole
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:39 (twelve years ago) link
i don't want chocolate anywhere near my chips tbh
― buzza, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:41 (twelve years ago) link
i was trying to think of alternate uses for them -- crunched up on top of something would be goodmaybe even on top of a salad?
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:42 (twelve years ago) link
tonight i made some tj's cod that turned out to be possibly the worst piece of fish i've ever eaten. so disappointed. so weird because i've had the same cod before and it was wonderful.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:47 (twelve years ago) link
scrod
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 03:48 (twelve years ago) link
far too many times (ok, like three times) i have done this with butter and spent the next three months disconsolately sprinkling salt on my buttered bread...
― bentelec, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 04:00 (twelve years ago) link
So much of Trader Joe's packaged stuff is just garbage and so loaded with salt I don't bother with it anymore.I used to like the green curry tuna until I looked at the salt content. The salt free chips being shit seems right -
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/22/FDT41MR2SM.DTL
That paper tests a lot of food products and TJ's stuff is usually always at the bottom.
― svend, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 04:05 (twelve years ago) link
How about using them as breading for fried chicken?
― Christine Green Leafy Dragon Indigo, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 04:06 (twelve years ago) link
Give me all your salts
― Jeff, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 04:40 (twelve years ago) link
i had some disappointing potato chips a few months back and i used them to add texture to my mac & cheese.
― sarahell, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 05:10 (twelve years ago) link
The three-potato unsalted potato chips are pretty good if you microwave them a little bit. And sprinkle salt on them. I use the smoked sea salt.
― the box cutter killer from the calcutta gutter (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 09:44 (twelve years ago) link
Why not just pour salt into the bag??
― Spencer Chow, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 09:54 (twelve years ago) link
I don't think the salt would stick as well? You'd just wind up with a bunch of salt on the bottom of the bag.
― the box cutter killer from the calcutta gutter (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 11:15 (twelve years ago) link
Use vinegar too.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 12:30 (twelve years ago) link
― buzza, Monday, February 6, 2012 10:41 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark
but sweet-salty is a thing now
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 13:02 (twelve years ago) link
― bentelec, Monday, February 6, 2012 11:00 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark
unsalted butter is generally all around better - I think they only invented salted butter to help it keep better in the days of no refrigeration
TJ's fish is the absolute worst. Will not buy.
― happiness is the new productivity (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 13:10 (twelve years ago) link
some boston newspaper ran an investigation into fish-labeling and only TJ's and Wal-Mart consistently had correctly labeled fish
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 13:11 (twelve years ago) link
labeled correctly as 'crap' and 'refuse eating bottom-dweller' and 'something that looks like cod, but probably isn't' and 'potentially salmon; at the very least salmon-colored' and 'frozen chunk of aquatic protein supporting many nigh-invisible pin-bones at regular intervals at what we can only suppose is a sternum'
― "renegade" gnome (remy bean), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 13:15 (twelve years ago) link
the only fish ya'll should be eating are sardines imo
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 13:16 (twelve years ago) link
Fishist
― Jeff, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 13:26 (twelve years ago) link
2 out of 10: http://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2012/02/trader-joes-pasta-with-sockeye-salmon.html
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 13:30 (twelve years ago) link
Tried a sample of the beet and carrot juice. Was gross.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 14:27 (twelve years ago) link
I said I was going to cut back on buying the orange chicken
bought more orange chicken
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 14:35 (twelve years ago) link
Story of my life, right there ^^
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 16:31 (twelve years ago) link
Only not with orange chicken. That's a freezer emergency staple though, I'll admit.
see, I tell myself that, but then it mysteriously ends up cooked, in my mouth, within a few days
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 16:34 (twelve years ago) link
can we talk about the people who buy frozen, precooked white rice? like the lady in front of me who bought 12 boxes so she'd get a discount? that is so odd to me. unbelievable and lazy. how hard is it to make rice? i mean
take ricewash itput it in a potwaiteat
or
buy a rice cookerdump rice in, with watereat
― "renegade" gnome (remy bean), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 16:35 (twelve years ago) link
i didn't even know frozen, precooked white rice was a thing you could buy!
― horseshoe, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 16:36 (twelve years ago) link
I am ashamed to say I bought some once because I was impatient and thought... oh who knows what the hell I thought.
rice cooker ftw
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 16:40 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah, pre-cooked white rice is the one bridge I won't cross w/r/t food prepared by Joebots in the Trader Joe's Nutrient Processing Facility where all this stuff gets made.
I am not judging other people's pre-cooked white rice purchases, however. Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw frozen pizzas, etc.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 16:42 (twelve years ago) link
I am going to have oven-baked ham & cheese puff things for lunch (with a giant salad). Was scanning fridge for things I could leave in the oven while I took a shower this morning, since I didn't cook anything last night and won't be home for the next 3 nights in a row.
They were very greasy when I took them out of the tray this AM. A little afraid they will be ham-flavored rocks in my stomach tbh.
― one little aioli (Laurel), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 16:49 (twelve years ago) link
Um, if you are a single dad in grad school, the frozen (brown, for me) rice is a life saver.
I will rep for my rice cooker but too often I don't even have time for waiting/cleanup etc. Sad but true.
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:01 (twelve years ago) link
Tried the veg. orange chicken this week and found it to be flavorful but the consistency was kinda unexpectedly...soft/mushy? Can someone advise on how best to cook these so they crisp up on the outside a little? (I sauteed in pan w/ sauce packets, stir-fried w/ broccoli....)
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:03 (twelve years ago) link
Bake it on a cookie sheet.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:04 (twelve years ago) link
my new lazyman rice trick is: put lots of rice in cooker, unplug it when done, feel free to add a little more water and plug back in as long as it's less than 24 hours later
I didn't admit to this and will not acknowledge this post in the future
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:05 (twelve years ago) link
also, yeah, baking is the only way to get the orange chicken to warm to the correct consistency
hahaha
thank you both
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:06 (twelve years ago) link
Just seems kinda weird baking Chinese food I dunno. But so is the whole thing, so.
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:07 (twelve years ago) link
Pro tip:Cover the cookie sheet w/ foil and spray that with cooking spray. No stick easy cleanup.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:21 (twelve years ago) link
ya'll have me intrigued as to this orange chicken
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 17:58 (twelve years ago) link
Precooked rice is for people eating a cheaper, semi-DIY lunch at work where you only have a microwave, which around here I suspect is a very large percentage of Trader Joe's customers.
― ENERGY FOOD (en i see kay), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 18:12 (twelve years ago) link
the plant I used to work at had two large rice cookers going every day for lunch!
― ┌∩┐. I . A . (Aerosol), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 18:18 (twelve years ago) link
I bought rice at TJ that was not only pre-cooked but SHELF STABLE.
Though I recognized it as a shameful moment for me, given my level of not-busyness, I would not begrudge others - especially single parents - ultra convenient foods.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 19:14 (twelve years ago) link
I always thought the nonfrozen precooked rice was for camping or fallout shelter stocking or something
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 19:14 (twelve years ago) link
Iirc rice is the number one carrier of food poisoning, so ignore mh!
― just1n3, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 19:42 (twelve years ago) link
really?? sometimes i leave rice in the rice pot for a day or two. setting: keep warm. this is bad? i thought this was quite normal
― rayuela, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 19:57 (twelve years ago) link
Idk I could be making it up, but I heard it somewhere and now I reheat rice thoroughly. I guess an't be that bad if neither of you have gotten sick.
― just1n3, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:05 (twelve years ago) link
really? I mean, I guess the fact that it's at a bacteria-friendly temp for so long could do that, but I actually make it return to boiling temp before eating again. Of course, then the rice turns into a formless slurry after you do this more than twice, so... uh, yeah.
baking the orange chicken might seem odd, but remember that you are NOT making chinese food: you are heating prepackaged chinese-style food that has a fried-esque coating.
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:06 (twelve years ago) link
anecdotal evidence is kind of b.s., it's true until we DO get sick
Food safety aside, it seems like it might be bad to leave a small appliance on and unattended or only occasionally attended for a day or two.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:06 (twelve years ago) link
meh, a rice cooker is basically a crock pot
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:08 (twelve years ago) link
I wouldn't leave a crock pot on for a day or two, either!
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:10 (twelve years ago) link
what about just like 12 hours?
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:10 (twelve years ago) link
Which...is how long you're supposed to leave a slow-cooker on for. Roughly. Anywhere from like 4-12 hours, so....
― one little aioli (Laurel), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:14 (twelve years ago) link
I am probably too paranoid to leave a slow cooker on while I'm at work, which I know defeats the purpose but our drier caught on fire about a year ago and I'm still jumpy about appliance-related fire safety. But I definitely wouldn't exceed the manufacturer's recommendations on a slow cooker.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:24 (twelve years ago) link
ALSO a rice cooker is not a slow cooker, so what might be considered safe for a slow cooker might not be considered safe for a rice cooker.
a rice cooker, once it hits the target temperature, clicks into warming mode that is actually lower than the higher settings on a crock pot
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:34 (twelve years ago) link
You will never convince me, but I will stop trying to convert you to my Safety First worldview. Leave it on for weeks! Use it in the shower! Live on the edge.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:38 (twelve years ago) link
If I have extra rice I put it in the fridge and microwave it when I want to eat it again. (Don't own a rice cooker, seems superfluous).
― nickn, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:40 (twelve years ago) link
nickn otm; you all with your rice cookers must have lots of counter space.
― sarahell, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:42 (twelve years ago) link
hmm. i feel like 99% of the korean families around me growing up left rice in the cooker w/o worrying about fire hazards or food safety and i have continued this great tradition.
― rayuela, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:44 (twelve years ago) link
tbh I put it in the fridge and microwave most of the time
the korean standpoint leads me to believe you can leave it going, unless you have a fan going and the windows are closed, in which case everyone dies
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 20:49 (twelve years ago) link
i was pretty dubious about rice cookers, but i came to believe they had value and now that i have one i really appreciate it. the automation is the thing that makes it indispensable (or at least really useful) for me. i gave up on non-quick-cook rice ages ago b/c i always forgot about it and it burned.
besides being dummy-proof, i like that it has a basket for steaming vegetables, etc. also very nice: throwing some spinach or meat or whatever in with the rice so you have jazzed up rice for later meals.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 21:47 (twelve years ago) link
i cook large batches of rice and then divvy them up into zip lock bags, which i freeze and microwave later.
i do this w/ a lot of foods, actually: bacon (i bake a couple packages), pasta, pasta sauce, chicken, etc.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 21:51 (twelve years ago) link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_cereus
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 22:16 (twelve years ago) link
a rice cooker costs like $12
I have used the micro-bags of brown rice to eat with the TJ's cheapo indian box food that doesn't have rice already in it. It still works out to like $3 for lunch.
― happiness is the new productivity (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 22:24 (twelve years ago) link
the frozen palak paneer is maybe the best thing ever (also, the full tray is like 3/4 of your daily sodium intake)
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 22:27 (twelve years ago) link
this is one of those times where it's kinda hard to justify posting bc it's so vague but: yeah apparently reheating rice is bad, someone explained it to me once and said the rice wear little jackets and they disappear during cooking & it's bad to eat rice that doesn't have its protective jacket on, unless you just cooked it. like hopefully someone will swoop in with some real science, but apparently it's bad. i still reheat rice sometimes, risotto especially, because there are lots of things that are 'bad' that don't have noticeable or immediate ill-effects, or like you shouldn't use a metal spoon to stir something because it conducts heat but it isn't like your spoon/pan is particularly efficient anyway so it's fine. but just so you know, even though you don't because i didn't prove anything, i just remembered, at you, apparently rice is bad to reheat
― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 23:13 (twelve years ago) link
I eat reheated rice all the time
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 23:17 (twelve years ago) link
Me, too. Am I going to die?
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 23:24 (twelve years ago) link
maybe we already have
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 23:27 (twelve years ago) link
yeah it looks like if it drops below 140 degrees, it is bad. I am thinking that having the rice cooker constantly on makes it stay at a good temp
if you are a moron like me and reheat it, you will likely get food poisoning. I credit my past prodigious liquor consumption for a lack of poisoning
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 7 February 2012 23:36 (twelve years ago) link
Us rice reheaters must just be ticking time bombs.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 7 February 2012 23:59 (twelve years ago) link
Well, I have better historical luck avoiding food poisoning from reheated rice than I do avoiding fires due to household appliances, so I'm going to stick with the reheating method.
― carl agatha, Wednesday, 8 February 2012 00:06 (twelve years ago) link
For the veg/fake orange chicken, bake them in a toaster oven, then remove and finish them off in a pan for two minutes with the sauce and a small amount of grapeseed or vegetable oil. Probably works with the regular too although I haven't had it yet.
― Spencer Chow, Wednesday, 8 February 2012 00:28 (twelve years ago) link
Spencer bringing the wise decisions
― valleys of your mind (mh), Wednesday, 8 February 2012 02:00 (twelve years ago) link
That's exactly what I do - bake it in the toaster oven first. Sisters.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Wednesday, 8 February 2012 03:48 (twelve years ago) link
Jar of speculoos paste is fucking silly.It's like DIY Nutter Butter...out of anything.
― high five delivery device (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:32 (twelve years ago) link
Also: what do I do with this coconut oil?
― high five delivery device (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:35 (twelve years ago) link
rub it on your skin and hair
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:35 (twelve years ago) link
good for popping popcorn with xp
― Aerosol, Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:36 (twelve years ago) link
popping popcorn in coconut oil is good if you like popcorn that tastes like sunscreen instead of popcorn
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:37 (twelve years ago) link
I've been using it as lotion xp
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:39 (twelve years ago) link
What do you do with it in an eating capacity?
― high five delivery device (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:40 (twelve years ago) link
Baking! I use it in fudgey chocolate-cherry-chili-walnut cookie recipe
― just1n3, Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:52 (twelve years ago) link
when I bought my jar, the lady suggested I use it to fry porkchops in
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 14 February 2012 22:00 (twelve years ago) link
the japanese fried rice (with hijiki, edamame, tofu) is delicious.
― popcorn (get bent), Monday, 20 February 2012 22:09 (twelve years ago) link
that sounds yummy... How's the sodium content? They have a bibimbop thing now but I'm scared to even look!
― tehresa, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 00:59 (twelve years ago) link
the wasabi roasted seaweed snacks are dope
― polyphonic, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 01:00 (twelve years ago) link
How's the sodium content?
i haven't looked, but it's probably terrible.
― popcorn (get bent), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 01:17 (twelve years ago) link
Oh good. I grabbed a pack on impulse tonight.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 01:55 (twelve years ago) link
Are those just the thin seaweed pieces? I had issues with those.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 01:56 (twelve years ago) link
Yeh. I haven't opened them yet.
I got a big-ish bottle of green tea. That will be nice to throw into a water bottle w/ ice for morning commutes. Had to restrain myself from drinking more than a few mouthfuls tonight.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 02:11 (twelve years ago) link
I bought some of the Japanese fried rice on the way home today (per JBR's recommendation, better be good!), and they are 450 mg sodium per 1 cup serving, 3.5 servings per package. Don't know if that's good or bad, but it's 19% of the daily rec value.
― nickn, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 04:41 (twelve years ago) link
Love that Japanese fried rice, too, I throw in some faux-beef, spring onions and snow peas. Tasty.
― Will the waveform be unbroken? (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 04:59 (twelve years ago) link
I think I regularly go into 2000/3000 mg of sodium per day territory :/
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 12:23 (twelve years ago) link
Amateur.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 12:38 (twelve years ago) link
http://consumerist.com/2011/03/do-not-drink-an-entire-bottle-of-soy-sauce.html
― http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY (dayo), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 12:42 (twelve years ago) link
I think the food I made (homemade) yesterday ended up being close to a salt lick as far as sodium content. I might see if I can make more rice/vegetables and blend it in.
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:48 (twelve years ago) link
i usually end up throwing a bunch of other veg into any of their rices to try to cut it a bit - makes a better meal and you eat less of the sodium rice.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 16:14 (twelve years ago) link
Use it like any cooking fat. Sub 1:1 for butter/crisco in baking. I like the flavor, so use it for stir-fries etc especially with pork. But it doesn't go well with garlic/onions imo.
― Jaq, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 21:37 (twelve years ago) link
their chicken broth sux
― illuminati girl (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 21:39 (twelve years ago) link
Today I am snacking on radish wedges dipped straight into the smoked salt, so I know from sodium.
― drawn to them like a moth toward a spanakopita (Laurel), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 21:43 (twelve years ago) link
their soy chorizo is quietly remarkable
― desperado, rough rider (thomp), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 22:12 (twelve years ago) link
You KNOW, you're right! I had it at a taco-making party, served by a real Mexican woman (my friend Laura) who is vegetarian and LOVES it and she was right, too!
― drawn to them like a moth toward a spanakopita (Laurel), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 22:13 (twelve years ago) link
I like to mix it up in a rice dish with corn, peas, various chiles, frozen gandules, w/e. also good in tortillas/frittatas/egg dishes
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 22:17 (twelve years ago) link
trader joe's soyrizo is pretty much an a+ product
― valleys of your mind (mh), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 22:37 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah. I had no such issues. I ate the whole package in like five seconds (which isn't difficult).
― polyphonic, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 22:40 (twelve years ago) link
This exact thing is an all-time snack in our house.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 22:49 (twelve years ago) link
nthing the soyrizo love. i like making breakfast burritos with it.
― popcorn (get bent), Wednesday, 22 February 2012 04:14 (twelve years ago) link
I am here to recommend the frozen proof-while-you-sleep mini (not chocolate) croissants. Holy crap are they good. Croissants are expensive too, so I am glad to know that if I want one, I can get EIGHT and bake them in my own oven.
You can trust me on this because I don't eat shitty croissants and also I just gobbled two (2) of these, so the memory is flaky, buttery, and fresh.
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Saturday, 25 February 2012 16:04 (twelve years ago) link
O snap I just did this yday! On the (not amazing but still p tasty) habanero lime tortillas, w eggs and beans and mexi cheese and (not at all great) roasted garlic salsa
Has anyone taste tested the soy milks? They have the quart carton, the half gallon shelf stable "extra", and then the refrig
― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 25 February 2012 16:08 (twelve years ago) link
I like their unsweetened soy milks - cheap, too.
― just1n3, Saturday, 25 February 2012 16:15 (twelve years ago) link
their chicken broth sux― illuminati girl (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 16:39 (4 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― illuminati girl (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 16:39 (4 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
The stuff in sachets? Yes it does.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 25 February 2012 16:21 (twelve years ago) link
Can't speak to soy milks but their rice milk is good. Probably private labeled Rice Dream, imo.
― carl agatha, Saturday, 25 February 2012 17:23 (twelve years ago) link
i get their refrigerated unsweetened soy milk all the time. the shelf stable stuff is good, too.
― tehresa, Saturday, 25 February 2012 18:18 (twelve years ago) link
I get vanilla and I like the shelf stable purple carton. The almond milk is not good, sadly
― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 25 February 2012 20:09 (twelve years ago) link
jordan loves the almond milk!
― just1n3, Saturday, 25 February 2012 20:17 (twelve years ago) link
Oh they have coconut milk, too, and it makes me wildly nauseated. I don't normally have a problem with coconut or coconut products so I have no idea what that's all about.
― carl agatha, Saturday, 25 February 2012 21:24 (twelve years ago) link
xp I got the chocolateluscious did not have the luscious chocolate-covered almond flavor of Almond Breeze
― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 25 February 2012 21:28 (twelve years ago) link
is that the brown-box one? he likes that.
― just1n3, Saturday, 25 February 2012 21:30 (twelve years ago) link
the wasabi roasted seaweed snacks are dopeOh good. I grabbed a pack on impulse tonight.― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Monday, February 20, 2012 7:55 PM (5 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post PermalinkAre those just the thin seaweed pieces? I had issues with those.― Jeff, Monday, February 20, 2012 7:56 PM (5 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Monday, February 20, 2012 7:55 PM (5 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Jeff, Monday, February 20, 2012 7:56 PM (5 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Alas, I too had issues with them. The texture was one that I hate.
Oh well, I'll crumble them into some miso soup.
― garbage corn fan (Je55e), Saturday, 25 February 2012 22:06 (twelve years ago) link
i love those!
― tehresa, Saturday, 25 February 2012 22:40 (twelve years ago) link
The Italian beer Apechio is good ($3 for 1/2 litre). Usually not impressed with Italy in this regard.
― nickn, Saturday, 25 February 2012 23:26 (twelve years ago) link
I use the boxed "Soy Essentials" soymilk on cereal on the regular.
― Ascot Fitzgerald (jaymc), Saturday, 25 February 2012 23:43 (twelve years ago) link
local tj's selling "irish bangers" this weeknot bad, not real authentic but tasty enough
― buzza, Thursday, 15 March 2012 07:43 (twelve years ago) link
sipping a mug of tj's dark roast coffee right now. it's perfectly acceptable, better than their (bland) medium roast but not good enough to become my go-to
― demolition with discretion (m coleman), Thursday, 15 March 2012 10:09 (twelve years ago) link
ThLike I tend to dominate w suggestions of what we do/watch/whatever,
Was gonna ask abt these! Seriously not impressed w the rst garlic chicken sausage
― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 15 March 2012 13:26 (twelve years ago) link
Roasted vegetable pizza. Much better than I expected, for a pizza with no cheese. Definitely not a meal pizza, more like a snack pizza.
― Jeff, Saturday, 17 March 2012 18:29 (twelve years ago) link
Has anyone tried the Kim Chi Fried Rice? I'm curious as to how spicy it is.
― benernienie taumaupin (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 25 March 2012 06:06 (eleven years ago) link
That had little samples the other day and it was pretty yummy. It wasn't exceptionally spicy. I didn't buy a bag because I know I would just eat the whole thing by myself in one sitting.
― Marilyn Hagerty: the terroir of tiny town (Abbbottt), Sunday, 25 March 2012 16:02 (eleven years ago) link
breaded chickenless nuggets are oily but a good sauce delivery protein vehicle
was the TJ branded vintage ale mentioned upthread? tasty, wonder if anybody will actually buy it and let it age a few years before drinking.
― dayo, Sunday, 25 March 2012 16:05 (eleven years ago) link
Just made this kimchee fried rice, better than the TJ's stuff imo.
― Marilyn Hagerty: the terroir of tiny town (Abbbottt), Sunday, 25 March 2012 18:32 (eleven years ago) link
You get PAN CRISPINESS
― Marilyn Hagerty: the terroir of tiny town (Abbbottt), Sunday, 25 March 2012 18:34 (eleven years ago) link
I don't understand why TJ's doesn't just get a good coffee producer to make like one decent blend for them. IDK, Jim's Organic, Larry's, someone who makes good coffee but isn't as trendy right now as Stumptown and Intelligentsia. I'd pay more for it, even regular high-end coffee price, just to have it as a one-stop-shopping thing and not have to go somewhere else every time I need beans.
― i don't believe in zimmerman (Hurting 2), Sunday, 25 March 2012 20:50 (eleven years ago) link
The dark chocolate candy bar w/speculoos butter is YUMMY. Even though I *still* can't stop thinking that it sounds like it's made of ground speculums.
― Did you drop some flug in my cup? (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 27 March 2012 23:40 (eleven years ago) link
REMAINDERED ICE TREATS ALERTif you enjoy mango chile fruit floes, they are now 49cents for a pack of four (regularly $2)i don't even like em that much but it's 49 cents so i got like three, and even though the chile adds a strong spice,you know what's a stronger spice? BARGAIN.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 23:48 (eleven years ago) link
If I see them that cheap, I'll probably just buy a stand alone freezer so I can fill it up with them.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 00:23 (eleven years ago) link
pretty much hate you guys for putting the idea of the thai chili lime peanuts in my head because:1. they are delicious2. they are 180 calories per serving3. there are 15 (!!) servings per bag?
― mh, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:02 (eleven years ago) link
CASHEWS, I mean.
― mh, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:03 (eleven years ago) link
oh yeah no i can't have those things around
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:03 (eleven years ago) link
I have like two beers and want to go into bodily combat with the bag and rip it open and eat them all
― mh, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:07 (eleven years ago) link
literally the exact experience i had with them
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:08 (eleven years ago) link
7.5 nuts 4 u
I'm still enjoying the frozen rise-overnight croissants a lot. They're delicious for tiny frozen croissants.
― two overweight dachshunds with three eyes (La Lechera), Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:10 (eleven years ago) link
Mango cream bars are good. But very tiny.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:46 (eleven years ago) link
vegetable pakoras are yum. a bit of heat with a nice long finish.
― tits or kitfo (get bent), Wednesday, 18 April 2012 03:40 (eleven years ago) link
I got the lemon scented kitchen hand soap. The lemon smells like a food additive rather than something that would be used in a lotion or soap. But at least it isn't harsh and drying; I don't think it's warm enough for that yet.
― youn, Friday, 20 April 2012 01:53 (eleven years ago) link
Frozen fusilli w/ pesto and veggies was good but not great.
― Time, a group with Jam and Lewis (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 23 April 2012 01:08 (eleven years ago) link
I can't get enough of the turkey meatballs! They are shockingly good.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Thursday, 26 April 2012 17:25 (eleven years ago) link
is this new 'hazelnut chocolate' spread actually rebadged nutella?
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 27 April 2012 00:05 (eleven years ago) link
i think their chickenless mandarin chicken and breaded chickenless tenders are actually gardein products - but at half the price.
― just1n3, Friday, 27 April 2012 02:43 (eleven years ago) link
I liked the chickenless tenders but man, they were really oily after baking in the toaster oven.
― dayo, Friday, 27 April 2012 02:52 (eleven years ago) link
lol that's what i like about them!!
― just1n3, Friday, 27 April 2012 02:58 (eleven years ago) link
going nuts on these buffalo chicken meatballs right now
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Friday, 27 April 2012 05:15 (eleven years ago) link
Whoa omg want
Fruit & Nut Trek Mix bars are p good but way too cranberryish, but still a nice deal at $2.50/box of 6
― Time, a group with Jam and Lewis (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 27 April 2012 05:52 (eleven years ago) link
just bought valencia peanut butter w/ roasted flaxseeds -- what to eat with it? unfortunately all i have is an orange.
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 27 April 2012 17:39 (eleven years ago) link
breaded eggplants cutlets are my new jam.
― kate78, Friday, 27 April 2012 17:53 (eleven years ago) link
those are great.
― Sgt. Dee Dee The Brass Cupcake McCall (get bent), Friday, 27 April 2012 17:57 (eleven years ago) link
Agreed. So good and actually sort of healthy.
― Spencer Chow, Friday, 27 April 2012 19:03 (eleven years ago) link
OK, I will be in TJs in an hour or so, I am low-carbing as mentioned on another thread, and I need a good snack. If I eat another package of buffalo chicken meatballs I will likely turn orange. ADVISE ME ILE.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Friday, 27 April 2012 20:05 (eleven years ago) link
is chocolate a carb? the chocolate-covered almonds with turbine? salt seem to be cheaper than even plain roasted almonds (but it could be they put it in a subtly smaller carton).
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 27 April 2012 20:17 (eleven years ago) link
chocolate usually has tons of sugar and almonds have some carbs of their own, but i'll check the label
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Friday, 27 April 2012 20:31 (eleven years ago) link
Real mozzarella sticks
― Polly biscuit face (carl agatha), Friday, 27 April 2012 20:34 (eleven years ago) link
buffalo jerky
― kate78, Friday, 27 April 2012 21:21 (eleven years ago) link
I find the breaded eggplant cutlets to also be oily :(
― dayo, Friday, 27 April 2012 21:24 (eleven years ago) link
rip dayo. he found things to be oily.
― Polly biscuit face (carl agatha), Friday, 27 April 2012 21:40 (eleven years ago) link
― Philip Nunez, Friday, April 27, 2012 1:39 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
This is the fucking best.
Um, get some bread?
― i don't believe in zimmerman (Hurting 2), Friday, 27 April 2012 21:48 (eleven years ago) link
couldn't find any bread -- ended up dipping a nature valley granola bar in it. it had more of a jam consistency than i expected but it was still delicious. i wonder if i can freeze the peanut butter by itself and make a peanut butter bar...
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 27 April 2012 22:19 (eleven years ago) link
Their fig butter is awesome!
― Dale, dale, dale (Abbbottt), Friday, 27 April 2012 23:33 (eleven years ago) link
OK, I will be in TJs in an hour or so, I am low-carbing as mentioned on another thread, and I need a good snack.
Frozen palak paneer if you want something hot. Cheese and various salumi for something cold. The super high % dark chocolate bars aren't too bad w/r/t carbs if you can limit yourself to eating 2 or 3 sections. Avocados.
― Jaq, Friday, 27 April 2012 23:57 (eleven years ago) link
The frozen paneer is great too. Certainly the best prepackaged version I've had.
― Spencer Chow, Saturday, 28 April 2012 00:12 (eleven years ago) link
meant to say "*is* great."
― Spencer Chow, Saturday, 28 April 2012 00:13 (eleven years ago) link
not low-carb, but: the raisin-rosemary crisps are amazing. i wish i was having a party soon so i could pass these around.
― Sgt. Dee Dee The Brass Cupcake McCall (get bent), Saturday, 28 April 2012 00:33 (eleven years ago) link
Wasabi seaweed snax!
― tehresa, Saturday, 28 April 2012 00:38 (eleven years ago) link
I am a big fan of the frozen palak paneer
― dayo, Saturday, 28 April 2012 00:40 (eleven years ago) link
most of these suggestions came too late, will try next time, esp wasabi seaweed snax which sounds amazing. In fact I didn't really get much snack except artichoke-parmesan dip, but I did get a tri-tip roast and a tub of hollandaise sauce and I gotta say this made a fine family meal with very little expenditure of effort on my part.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Saturday, 28 April 2012 00:52 (eleven years ago) link
I like to put this on these bagel-based "power bar" things they sell in my supermarket's bakery - they've got dried fruit and seeds in them, it works really well.
― shabba lambides (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 28 April 2012 03:28 (eleven years ago) link
Alternately just spread it on some saltines but keep a bucket of water handy cause you'll be thirsty.
― shabba lambides (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 28 April 2012 03:29 (eleven years ago) link
not a fan of trader joe's to begin with but man these jelly beans i got in this gift basket are ATROCIOUS
― the late great, Saturday, 28 April 2012 21:46 (eleven years ago) link
fact that liquorice seems to outnumber everything else in this box isn't helping
― the late great, Saturday, 28 April 2012 21:49 (eleven years ago) link
Speculoos Cookie Butter
Pretty sure I could eat a whole jar in one sitting.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 23:26 (eleven years ago) link
Prove it.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 23:41 (eleven years ago) link
pics or it didn't happen
― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 23:43 (eleven years ago) link
Could, not would. Unless there was some sort of monetary reward.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 00:10 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah I ended up getting rid of my jar of it because it was too dangerous; clear I would OD.
― Dale, dale, dale (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 01:24 (eleven years ago) link
So weird: Put together ingredients and bake cookies that are then disintegrated to make them an ingredient in another thing - will the speculoos chain grow? The obvious use for a sweet paste is in cookies --- cookies within cookies!
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 01:38 (eleven years ago) link
They have a candy bar filled with it, which is awesome. Now they just have to make a cookie with chunks of the candy bar baked into it.
― Dale, dale, dale (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 01:39 (eleven years ago) link
Finished products used as ingredients have always seemed weird to me. Even stuffing/dressing is odd.
OTOH, I'm kind of a master of combining independently complete foods, so it shouldn't seem that strange to me.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 01:43 (eleven years ago) link
― Dale, dale, dale (Abbbottt), Wednesday, May 9, 2012 1:39 AM (9 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I'm having an existential crisis.
― Polly biscuit face (carl agatha), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 01:50 (eleven years ago) link
Let me just say that the frozen turkey meatballs are the best I've had outside of my Abruzzo-born great grandmother's kitchen. Like, for any meatball period, not just turkey.
― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 18 May 2012 02:22 (eleven years ago) link
I had those tonight based on all the recommendations in thuds thread. Yum! A little salty, as tj products tend to be.
― tehresa, Friday, 18 May 2012 03:09 (eleven years ago) link
Thuds thread? And yeah I can kinda see them being a tad on the salty side, but not overwhelmingly so.
― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 18 May 2012 03:11 (eleven years ago) link
Lol autotext... This thread!
― tehresa, Friday, 18 May 2012 03:55 (eleven years ago) link
sea salt brownies are VERY SALTY
― J0rdan S., Friday, 18 May 2012 04:23 (eleven years ago) link
like, too much salt -- i mean, i'm eating them. but damn.
trader joes MYSTERIES: the sesame bagels are 20 cents cheaper than the plain bagels
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 18 May 2012 17:44 (eleven years ago) link
maybe the plain bagels are sesame bagels that have been de-seeded by migrant farmers.
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 18 May 2012 18:09 (eleven years ago) link
too much salt is just enough salt
― 40oz of tears (Jordan), Friday, 18 May 2012 18:10 (eleven years ago) link
Yeh, I agree with Jordan (and Jeff, I'm sure). The meatballs are not salty in my opinion.
I thought I was weird for loving those meatballs! I'm glad to get confirmation that they actually are very good.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Friday, 18 May 2012 22:20 (eleven years ago) link
love those meatballs as well. u r not alone
― tobo73, Saturday, 19 May 2012 02:05 (eleven years ago) link
I think basically anything I don't make from scratch seems too salty to me.
― tehresa, Saturday, 19 May 2012 16:00 (eleven years ago) link
"Southwest Style Salad"
^ this is good
― J0rdan S., Tuesday, 22 May 2012 18:51 (eleven years ago) link
choc covered PB-filled pretzels are simply not that good :(
― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 01:48 (eleven years ago) link
i was disappointed in those chocolate salt & sugar almonds :/
― sarahell, Wednesday, 23 May 2012 01:56 (eleven years ago) link
If they were the same salted almonds Donna Rouge had in his pantry this one time (I think they had a yellow label?) then you are sooooorely mistaken.
― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 01:59 (eleven years ago) link
ROSEMARY PECANS AND MOTHERFUCKING CRANBERRIES
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:51 (eleven years ago) link
THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY
LEMON TARTLEMON TARTLEMON TART
― sarahell, Wednesday, 23 May 2012 07:05 (eleven years ago) link
would eat.
tried the chicken mole (from the freezer section). it was good, but a little goes a long way. the sauce is very thick and complex.
― get wolves (get bent), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 20:40 (eleven years ago) link
I'll chime in again for the Chicken Gorgonzola (frozen section). Large enough for three servings.
― nickn, Wednesday, 23 May 2012 20:55 (eleven years ago) link
Those thai lime & chili cashews reappeared after having been sold out. I bought two packages.
― mh, Wednesday, 23 May 2012 21:15 (eleven years ago) link
seafood rangoon appetizer, whatever happened to you?
― sarahell, Wednesday, 23 May 2012 21:29 (eleven years ago) link
has anyone has the spoorloos filled choc bar? Too much sweet not enough yum imo
― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 23:17 (eleven years ago) link
it wasn't as bad as being buried alive in a coffin by a weird, doughy nemesis though?
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 24 May 2012 00:17 (eleven years ago) link
xp - i have. it was ok. definitely could've been more yum imo
― sarahell, Thursday, 24 May 2012 02:11 (eleven years ago) link
their lentil wrap is just okay but i would drink a gallon of the accompanying spicy tahini sauce.
― mario bataille (get bent), Sunday, 3 June 2012 21:04 (eleven years ago) link
and i've said it before, but the pumpernickel pretzel sticks are awesome -- they're crying out for a nice sharp fondue or at least a "pub cheese."
― modest mouskouri (get bent), Monday, 4 June 2012 03:17 (eleven years ago) link
the trader joe's pub cheese is gross. it's just cheez whiz.
― J0rdan S., Monday, 4 June 2012 03:19 (eleven years ago) link
most pub cheese is gross. but it has a perverse appeal for me.
― modest mouskouri (get bent), Monday, 4 June 2012 03:21 (eleven years ago) link
wtf is pub cheese? i've seen it, and it just looks like cheez whiz in a tub
― sarahell, Monday, 4 June 2012 04:19 (eleven years ago) link
that's what it is
― J0rdan S., Monday, 4 June 2012 04:29 (eleven years ago) link
yes, but why do they call it "pub cheese" - is it for aspirational "yuppies" that like british things and see themselves as above eating cheez whiz in a tub?
― sarahell, Monday, 4 June 2012 08:14 (eleven years ago) link
I like it. But I'm also a cheese whiz fan.
― Jeff, Monday, 4 June 2012 10:26 (eleven years ago) link
"pub cheese" (and port wine cheese, and low-end cheese spreads)
― modest mouskouri (get bent), Monday, 4 June 2012 10:40 (eleven years ago) link
I tried to like port wine cheese and I just cannot.
The four-cheese jumbo raviolis they have w the fresh pasta are prob like top 10 TJ's products btw
― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 4 June 2012 13:12 (eleven years ago) link
Their cheese tortellini (from the dry pasta aisle, not the refrigerated kind) is not great. Some of the ones that are more tightly folded don't absorb enough water and the cheese inside stays dry and grainy.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Monday, 4 June 2012 17:11 (eleven years ago) link
I don't know if I could ever trust shelf-stable dry tortellini
― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 4 June 2012 17:56 (eleven years ago) link
Also those chocolate croissants were flaky in the wrong kind of way, and also pretty bland.
― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 4 June 2012 17:57 (eleven years ago) link
Jesse OTM. That shelf-stable tortellini is just not good. I don't know if all shelf-stable tortellini is like that or if it's specific to TJs. I do really like the spinach and cheese tortellini in the refrigerated section.
― carl agatha, Monday, 4 June 2012 18:37 (eleven years ago) link
Really? All I tasted was pasta and no filling :(
― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 4 June 2012 18:50 (eleven years ago) link
I've had shelf-stable tortellini from other grocery stores that were just fine. Not amazing, but very decent for convenient tortellini when you need them.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Monday, 4 June 2012 20:09 (eleven years ago) link
"need"
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Monday, 4 June 2012 20:25 (eleven years ago) link
Haha also, I'm not sure how inconvenient cheese tortellini that you keep in the freezer is (I buy the stuff from the refrigerator section and freeze it).
― carl agatha, Monday, 4 June 2012 20:56 (eleven years ago) link
It didn't occur to me to do that.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Monday, 4 June 2012 20:58 (eleven years ago) link
Given your proclivity for freezing things, that kind of shocks me! But I'm glad you found out now, when you're young and have many years of freezing tortellini ahead of you.
― carl agatha, Monday, 4 June 2012 21:05 (eleven years ago) link
Right now I have a zip lock bag of milk in my freezer. Why because I don't keep milk around very much anymore and sometimes I need some for cooking.
― Pita Malört (Je55e), Monday, 4 June 2012 21:21 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah that sounds about right.
― carl agatha, Monday, 4 June 2012 21:36 (eleven years ago) link
It didn't occur to me to do that
― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 02:07 (eleven years ago) link
That is so good though bcz I always drink non-dairy milk and hate cooking things that call for regular milk bcz I buy a quart, use half a cup, and the rest just goes bad
― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 02:08 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah that's pretty frigging brilliant. I have little bags of half a can of coconut milk in the freezer, but it never occurred to me to do with animal leche.
― Word of Wisdom Robots (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 02:35 (eleven years ago) link
Big fan of the portabella mushroom and the spinach and cheese and artichoke and cheese ravioli. Need to try the four cheese.
― this guy's a gangsta? his real name's mittens. (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 02:39 (eleven years ago) link
Their pulled pork is pretty good too, but Costco has one like twice the size for not much more money.
― this guy's a gangsta? his real name's mittens. (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 02:40 (eleven years ago) link
I freeze milk every time I buy it for a recipe and don't use it all, but usually I don't get a chance to use it again before it becomes horribly freezer burned.
― tehresa, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 11:41 (eleven years ago) link
That's why I put mine in a bag and removed all the air.
― Je55e, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 13:56 (eleven years ago) link
Do you guys use some sort of specialty milk that isn't sold at convenience stores?
― game of crones (La Lechera), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 14:06 (eleven years ago) link
Does convenience store milk not expire?
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 14:08 (eleven years ago) link
be advised, trader joes fruit floes are the exact same thing as whole foods 365 frozen fruit bars and are about half the cost, also the lime ones are amazing
― real men have been preparing manly dishes for centuries (elmo argonaut), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 14:29 (eleven years ago) link
Lime ones were too intense for me. Chili mango is still my fav, followed by carribian then coconut.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 14:55 (eleven years ago) link
LL - Cooking for me is dependent on convenience. If I am making muffins from a box mix and I have to go to the store across the street to buy milk for them, I'm going to just buy a muffin at the store.
― Je55e, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 15:55 (eleven years ago) link
I looked for chili mango the other night but they didn't have them :( they were sampling triple ginger lemon ice cream and it is amaazzzzing but the sample bite is about all the ice cream I can handle so I will never buy it.
― tehresa, Wednesday, 6 June 2012 02:09 (eleven years ago) link
As of yesterday, our TJ's was out of all the "fruit floes" except for coconut.
Tropical Carrot Juice Blend is wonderful.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 00:12 (eleven years ago) link
Floe emergency.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 00:39 (eleven years ago) link
Big fan of the portabella mushroom and the spinach and cheese and artichoke and cheese ravioli.
I used to be you until I tried the arugula and parmesan ravioli and now I will buy no other variety
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 02:39 (eleven years ago) link
the butternut squash triangoli are just too damn sweet though
otm and otm, except I still do buy other varieties
― why would she write "argh"? (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 02:41 (eleven years ago) link
Butternut squash risotto is way too sweet, too. Somebody in the TJ's test kitchen needs to rethink butternut squash.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:06 (eleven years ago) link
Add salt
― Jeff, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:13 (eleven years ago) link
Because of this thread I went to TJs yesterday specifically on the lookout for the chile mango floes but they did not have them. :( I came home with the Lime ones though and they were amazing.
― wolf kabob (ENBB), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:17 (eleven years ago) link
i think the chile mangos are discontinued (hence the crazy eddie's rock bottom pricing)also discontinued: "perk you up?" nut mix with espresso beans. unhappy face emoticon.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:21 (eleven years ago) link
We buy so many Popsicles. All the floes augmented with raspberry cream and mango cream bars. And peach pops. This floe shortage concerns me greatly. They are a major part of my diet.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:22 (eleven years ago) link
oh no!
― wolf kabob (ENBB), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:22 (eleven years ago) link
I want to go back and get more now. iirc they had Tropical and Coconut which both sound like flavors I'd enjoy.
― wolf kabob (ENBB), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:23 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah the coconut ones looked good. I didn't buy them, but no dairy, which would be nice to have around for a dairy-intolerant friend, unlike the coconut paletas I always have on hand. Are they good?
― Word of Wisdom Robots (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:39 (eleven years ago) link
ROSEMARY. PECANS. AND. CRANBERRIES.
that is all
― they loooovin the crut (The Reverend), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 08:26 (eleven years ago) link
Veggie Pakoras are real good.
― Peaceniks, Homos, and Potheads Who Wear Ties (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 12 June 2012 09:02 (eleven years ago) link
I love the coconut popsicles. My only (very minor) quibble would be that they are maybe a little too sweet.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 12:25 (eleven years ago) link
Somehow the True Thai Vegetable Panang Curry in the microwavable cup manages to provide more than half of your daily recommended sodium intake while still tasting like it needs salt (and aside from raw radishes and cucumbers, I don't put salt on things).
― carl agatha, Thursday, 14 June 2012 17:28 (eleven years ago) link
The Belgian Chocolate pudding is problematically good.
― ENERGY FOOD (en i see kay), Monday, 18 June 2012 19:14 (eleven years ago) link
the TJ almonds are kind of sad.
― rayuela, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:19 (eleven years ago) link
having a "tropical" fruit floe right now. yum!
― thumbs.db (get bent), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 22:39 (eleven years ago) link
forgot to peep those the other day when I ran in for turkey meatballs and triple berry o's :(
― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 22:52 (eleven years ago) link
loving the monkey business trek mix. wish i had a "trek" to eat it on!
― thumbs.db (get bent), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 17:39 (eleven years ago) link
the bistro salad with kale, edamame, etc. is fantastic.
― polyphonic, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 17:40 (eleven years ago) link
lime floe is good but caribbean floe is best
― take the claude bolling (get bent), Monday, 25 June 2012 03:43 (eleven years ago) link
love sweet potatoes, love gnocchi, the sweet potato gnocchi was pretty nasty
― Charles de Gaul (Whitey on the Moon), Wednesday, 4 July 2012 08:16 (eleven years ago) link
Ditto, ditto, and ditto. I warned against it upthread.
― nickn, Wednesday, 4 July 2012 08:18 (eleven years ago) link
the "hummus salad dressing" is really just tahini sauce and/but is v. good. i bought it as a dip for their falafel, which are otherwise a little dry.
― SHOCKING THE ACER ARENA (get bent), Tuesday, 24 July 2012 02:27 (eleven years ago) link
how are their tortilla chips?
― the mandy moorhols (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 17 August 2012 17:33 (eleven years ago) link
Not a TJ's branded product, but deal alert -- they're selling variety packs of Butternuts Beers (Porkslap Pale Ale etc.) for like $15 a 12-pack. Surprisingly good in spite of corny packaging and names.
― bert yansh (Hurting 2), Friday, 17 August 2012 17:41 (eleven years ago) link
btw I assume that's just NY area TJ's, since they're a local brewer.
Fuck PA and NJ liquor laws so fucking hard tbh
― the mandy moorhols (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 17 August 2012 17:42 (eleven years ago) link
yeah they have so stupid ass laws on the books in that regard
― carne asada, Friday, 17 August 2012 17:48 (eleven years ago) link
The tortilla chips are good! They have salted and unsalted, so look sharp.
― kate78, Friday, 17 August 2012 18:25 (eleven years ago) link
CARRIBEAN FLOES OMG!!!! It is going to take every oz of strenth not to finish the rest of the box before sundown
― the mandy moorhols (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 17 August 2012 21:13 (eleven years ago) link
They softened up on my ride home and it was like strawberry-mango sorbet on a stick I can't even
― the mandy moorhols (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 17 August 2012 21:14 (eleven years ago) link
And the coconut!! Some floes are fresh but these floes the freshest!
― the mandy moorhols (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 17 August 2012 21:15 (eleven years ago) link
I probably eat 5 to 8 floes a week.
― Jeff, Friday, 17 August 2012 21:17 (eleven years ago) link
And damn I miss the chili mango floes.
― Jeff, Friday, 17 August 2012 21:18 (eleven years ago) link
Why did they go away?
― the mandy moorhols (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 17 August 2012 21:27 (eleven years ago) link
I guess a lot of their stuff comes and goes seasonally. Maybe it will return.
― Jeff, Friday, 17 August 2012 21:30 (eleven years ago) link
I loved the coconut floes until about a week ago when they were suddenly way too sweet for me. I wish I had come to that realization at the end of a box instead of at the beginning of one.
― ms. cookie (carl agatha), Friday, 17 August 2012 22:25 (eleven years ago) link
TRIPLE GINGER SNAP LEMON ICE CREAM
― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Friday, 17 August 2012 22:26 (eleven years ago) link
cannot stop eating the fake twizzlers.
― ezra kleine nachtmusik (get bent), Tuesday, 21 August 2012 00:18 (eleven years ago) link
Oh yeah those are weirdly addictive. I love real Twizzlers so maybe I'm just predisposed to enjoy chewy plasticy strawberry candy.
― ms. cookie (carl agatha), Tuesday, 21 August 2012 01:38 (eleven years ago) link
I had a severe problem w that licorice (the black kind not the red kind) and it was hard to give up!! I ate like a lb a week!!
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 21 August 2012 02:00 (eleven years ago) link
fucking obsessed with the everything bagel chips
― young money color me badd (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 01:11 (eleven years ago) link
also been fucking heavy with the frozen burritos & the kung pao chicken is pretty good in a jiff
― young money color me badd (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 01:12 (eleven years ago) link
how's the coffees here? I want something complex and good for iced americanos
― clijster flockhart (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 15:03 (eleven years ago) link
the coffee is all meh
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 15:06 (eleven years ago) link
the ones I've liked the best: colombian, fair trade bolivian, honduras
but they all have a slight nast to them
just made their gluten free brownies - the verdict - good!
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 15:26 (eleven years ago) link
I really like the Organic Sumatran coffee, but I am not a coffee snob.
― check the name, no caps, boom, i'm (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 15:57 (eleven years ago) link
I appreciate your egalitarianism in caffeinated beverages
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:02 (eleven years ago) link
The Bay-something one (known around our house as "the one in the blue can with the boat on it) was the least offensive IMO, but I have not tried others recently and have just switched to Whole Foods pleasant moring buzz (for regular drip) and Peet's Major Dickinsomething for espresso drinks.
― quincie, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:17 (eleven years ago) link
"Whole Foods pleasant morning buzz" = ground way too coarse for the likes of me (coffee vampyre)- and too lazy to grind the berries myself
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:20 (eleven years ago) link
I can't believe everyone hates TJ's coffee so much. It makes me wonder if my tastes are those of an unwashed barbarian horde because so far it has been one of the more enjoyable coffees I've had in the last year or two. And I even bought some Kenyan AA whatever fancy stuff from the shop in Grand Central thinking that I should try the "good" stuff, but thoroughly disliked it.
― check the name, no caps, boom, i'm (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:27 (eleven years ago) link
what shop in Grand Central, Joe?
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:28 (eleven years ago) link
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, September 4, 2012 12:20 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
IDGI -- can't you just get the beans ground to your liking at WF?
No, the coffee bean stand in the market.
― check the name, no caps, boom, i'm (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:29 (eleven years ago) link
oh w/e, a lot of "fancy" coffee is crap, so I wouldn't doubt your taste buds. If you want to taste the difference, get something like counter culture, intelligentsia or stumptown, preferably roasted within the last couple of weeks.
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 18:13 (eleven years ago) link
Whole Foods coffee is very good imo though
and Joe is good. I don't like it as much as the three I mentioned, but it's good.
There's actually a place right by Grand Central called Rize that sells Stumptown iirc, although it seemed to be more expensive there than it was in Brooklyn.
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 18:15 (eleven years ago) link
i don't have a problem with trader joe's coffee, i like the tarrazzo coffee in particular
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 18:15 (eleven years ago) link
metropolis coffee is the only kind i've had that tastes notably better than the stuff i get from TJs
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:15 (eleven years ago) link
I had Peet's in an airport once and I was blown away by it, but I don't require that like every Sunday morning when I'm hungover and just hanging around home.
― check the name, no caps, boom, i'm (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:18 (eleven years ago) link
yes you do
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:18 (eleven years ago) link
you DESERVE it
in other news
* is the flower pepper just gone from my TJs or is it ;_; gone forever?* highly recommend the fresh rice noodles in the refrigerator aisle for super quick and easy stir fries/soups and whatnot
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:25 (eleven years ago) link
I've never tried the flower pepper but if they're discontinuing stuff I will buy all the smoked salt. Lechera, that one I owe 100% to you.
― check the name, no caps, boom, i'm (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:27 (eleven years ago) link
That shit is so good. I love the flower pepper with all of my being. Flowers and pepper, together at last.
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:32 (eleven years ago) link
look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2),:
TH MATTER IS MOOT - now that I found Cafe Bustelo at your local Hanafords - dark, rich and fine ground - perfect
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:42 (eleven years ago) link
cafe bustelo always tastes kinda moldy to me
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:44 (eleven years ago) link
* highly recommend the fresh rice noodles in the refrigerator aisle for super quick and easy stir fries/soups and whatnot
Those aren't those yam starch no calorie noodles, are they?
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:48 (eleven years ago) link
I drank TJ's coffee for a year because of budgeting, it's okay but none of it wowed me
― USADA Bin Dopen (dayo), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:50 (eleven years ago) link
there's this starbucks knockoff brand called 'seattle's best' that I liked, I got the level 1 roast (light roast)
― USADA Bin Dopen (dayo), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:51 (eleven years ago) link
http://brokensecrets.com/2011/05/18/seattles-best-coffee-is-owned-by-starbucks/
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:51 (eleven years ago) link
NO they are not slimy yam noodles -- they're just regular yummy rice noodles that are already cooked and in little packages, so all you have to do is dump them in a pan after you've quickly sauteed some veggies, add a few glops of the sauce of your choice and poof. Done.
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:52 (eleven years ago) link
starbucks coffee might be ok if they didn't burn it
/starbuckscomplaintrobot
― your native bacon (mh), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:57 (eleven years ago) link
well the seattles best level 1 coffee is a light roast
― USADA Bin Dopen (dayo), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:58 (eleven years ago) link
btw carl sorry i said yummy
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:58 (eleven years ago) link
i meant it though
I think starbucks version of a light roast is to give the entire bean a nice, reasonable roast and then char one side
― your native bacon (mh), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:01 (eleven years ago) link
hahaha, LL, you can clearly get away with things others cannot because I didn't even notice you said yummy. Or maybe I was relieved that you weren't talking about those dreadful yam noodles.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:09 (eleven years ago) link
oh yeah, those are gross and slimythese noodles are really good -- strongly recommend for easy weekday dinners that make enough leftovers to eat for lunch the next day.
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:30 (eleven years ago) link
I remember when I worked at Starbucks and an old man deferred to the coffee as "Cacka COffee!" he was sure ornery
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:35 (eleven years ago) link
This shocks me. TJs coffee is OK in a pinch, but we have a wealth of awesome options. Intelligentsia, Metropolis, my fave Bridgeport ...
btw, TJ's frozen pho is gross.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:38 (eleven years ago) link
Ok ok ok Intelligentsia is good too. Never had Bridgeport!
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:39 (eleven years ago) link
Frozen pho is sad.
― your native bacon (mh), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 19:57 (41 minutes ago) Permalink
you would think so, but you'd be wrong
/itallsucks
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:39 (eleven years ago) link
i've had some TJ's coffee at the in-laws' and its pretty dire imo! but maybe it was the particular blend i had. there's lot of good coffee in l.a. to be had, so i just buy up bags from various places around town. right now i'm having some coffee home-roasted by a friend, he gets his beans from around the world and roasts them in his garage.
metropolis coffee is pretty amazing, maybe my favorite.
― omar little, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:48 (eleven years ago) link
i don't think people buy TJs coffee because they think it's the best coffee or equal to intelligentsia/metropolis/etc, they buy it because it's drinkable coffee at half the price of intelligentsia/metropolis/etc (and doesn't require a trip to a separate store)
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:49 (eleven years ago) link
^^^ that's why we sometimes buy it, even though we prefer Intelligentsia.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:50 (eleven years ago) link
exactlyi also value expedience in coffee since i already shop at like 4 difft stores on a weekly basis
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:51 (eleven years ago) link
I don't know any of the other brands mentioned here but I have never bought coffee at a separate store before except that one time I went to the Grand Cent Market for it. But yeah, at no point in my normal routine am I anywhere near a coffee specialty store.
― check the name, no caps, boom, i'm (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:53 (eleven years ago) link
yeah same. costco has no good coffee, and I no longer have time to make separate trips every week to a good place. Although now there's a place by work with counter culture for $13/lb which is not terrible (TJ's cans are I think 12 oz so you have to add 33% to the price to compare)
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:54 (eleven years ago) link
I think someone I know is involved with Kitten Coffee--should I buy from them?
― check the name, no caps, boom, i'm (Laurel), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:54 (eleven years ago) link
SOmetimes I long for STarbucks Sulawesi - but the cost is astronomical and I am very frugal these days
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:55 (eleven years ago) link
TJ's breakfast blend was like $6 for 12 oz?
― USADA Bin Dopen (dayo), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:58 (eleven years ago) link
CAfe Bustelo rings up at 4$ a 12oz. Sulawesi was like 13$ a 16oz last time I checked
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 20:59 (eleven years ago) link
oplus great package design http://cafebustelo.com/media/upload/product/CafeBusteloCan_png_384x384_crop_upscale_q100.jpg
tostado y molida para el gusto hispano
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:01 (eleven years ago) link
oops molido
SIEMPRE FRESCO!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:02 (eleven years ago) link
I buy locally roasted coffee from my grocer *nose in the air*
:)
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:03 (eleven years ago) link
I like those Starbucks via's in a pinch.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:10 (eleven years ago) link
I've never tried them but work has such godawful pigswill I am thinking of having some at my desk for emergencies
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:12 (eleven years ago) link
They are pretty good, but if you are using a standard sized USA coffee mug, I recommend half a packet unless you like tachycardia and teeth grinding.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:16 (eleven years ago) link
lol
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:20 (eleven years ago) link
and the quickened digestion, if you know what I mean
― your native bacon (mh), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 21:33 (eleven years ago) link
Die a Ree Ahyh?
― Sweet Yin Yang ☯ (Latham Green), Wednesday, 5 September 2012 13:57 (eleven years ago) link
Has anyone else found the TJ's meat to be weird? I've gotten their *high-end* steak a few times and more recently their pork loin and pork roast, and it all has the same unnatural consistency, where the meat almost tastes like it was injected with something to make it moist, and the fat feels like it's glued on.
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Sunday, 16 September 2012 23:40 (eleven years ago) link
chicken is fine, never got any other meat there. actually seems to be the only place you can get inexpensive chicken breast that is not so enormous you can't cook it properly.
i got 3 kinds of jerky (buffalo, beef, and turkey) this week and i have already eaten them all. i always think their coffee sucks whenever i make the mistake of buying it.
― horribl ecreature (harbl), Monday, 17 September 2012 01:42 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah the chicken is totally fine and decent. It's just the steak and pork I've had problems with.
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Monday, 17 September 2012 02:26 (eleven years ago) link
pineapple juice is bomb as fuck.
― gwenguthrie gwen ross (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 17 September 2012 02:27 (eleven years ago) link
I like the buffalo jerky but there are like 3 pieces per bag and it's, what, $5.99 or something? Yikes. Has anyone seen the flower pepper at their local TJs? I'm afraid that it's gone ;_;
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Monday, 17 September 2012 02:39 (eleven years ago) link
Was kind of weirded out to see there are TJ's boiled eggs in a bag. Or any boiled eggs in a bag for that matter.
― obliquity of the ecliptic (rrrobyn), Monday, 17 September 2012 02:41 (eleven years ago) link
It's kind of disturbing to see them in bunch out of the normal context like that. It reminds me of David Sedaris saying that in France, he bought peanut butter in a tin can, which made it unappealing for him. I've worked at restaurants where they came in 5 gallon buckets, packed in water, which was very strange and off-putting, but not reasonably so.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 17 September 2012 02:50 (eleven years ago) link
man, that might rival precooked bacon in the laziness department
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 17 September 2012 02:55 (eleven years ago) link
I'm too lazy to go find lex's post about failing at boiling eggs, but it exposes the privilege behind your judgment.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 17 September 2012 03:05 (eleven years ago) link
his well-known kitchen acumen
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 17 September 2012 03:08 (eleven years ago) link
I'm just saying, would you deny him an egg?
Seriously though, I know consumers of pre-peeled eggs and the like are easy targets, but I'm not ashamed to say that I've bought pre-cooked bacon, frozen pre-cooked rice, etc. Sometimes I want to use my time doing things besides peeling eggs, and there ain't no shame in that game.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 17 September 2012 03:22 (eleven years ago) link
Sorry, not trying to be confrontational w/ you, mh. I'm being a little defensive b/c there probably is a little shame in my game!
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 17 September 2012 03:23 (eleven years ago) link
I buy pre-cooked food for camping! (That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.)
― nickn, Monday, 17 September 2012 03:58 (eleven years ago) link
Oh, I buy pre-cooked things all the time but usually at a grocery store with a deli where they presumably boil their eggs on-site and so on.
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 17 September 2012 04:04 (eleven years ago) link
The tj beef does have an odd tasteMy wife can't stand it so I usually stick with chicken and sausagePork and lamb tasted ok
― buzza, Monday, 17 September 2012 04:05 (eleven years ago) link
I've never noticed anything odd about TJ's beef.
― nickn, Monday, 17 September 2012 04:23 (eleven years ago) link
Steaks ime don't know about hamburger meat/roasts
― buzza, Monday, 17 September 2012 04:26 (eleven years ago) link
I've bought those pre-cooked (heat and eat) rice bags before, which is silly because you're probably paying like 4x as much per oz, but they're kind of convenient for work or for nights where you say "oh shit, forgot to start the rice"
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Monday, 17 September 2012 04:27 (eleven years ago) link
I do homemade pre-cooked, frozen rice. It's nice having rice at the ready any time, with no cookware to clean up. The only time I eat rice that I just made is when I'm fixing a big batch to freeze. Now that I'm thinking about it, virtually all of the cooking I do these days is making my own convenience foods. Or doctoring up store-bought convenience foods.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 17 September 2012 06:20 (eleven years ago) link
you're our very own sandra lee!
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Monday, 17 September 2012 12:48 (eleven years ago) link
actual laughs
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 17 September 2012 13:53 (eleven years ago) link
tell us about yr tablescapes
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 17 September 2012 15:45 (eleven years ago) link
The cats sit on it and leave their asshole stamps, nothing fancy.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Tuesday, 18 September 2012 04:43 (eleven years ago) link
Lime fruit floes are p great, but not as good as carribean. Guy at store told me they discontinued chili mango for good :-/
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 15:08 (eleven years ago) link
No flower pepper OR smoked salt at the uptown TJ's I went to on Monday. Bought the pink salt instead but my hopes are not so high.
― purveyor of generations (in orbit), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 15:16 (eleven years ago) link
OH GOD
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 17:07 (eleven years ago) link
they have these little shortbread cookies with the stella d'oro style chocolate button in the center. yowza they're good.
― sriracha bishop (get bent), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:01 (eleven years ago) link
listen y'alli am desperate for flower pepperif any of you see it at your TJs, i will buy it from you (and compensate you for shipping) OR send you something in return (if you desire)
lately i've been wondering what flower pepper would taste like on vanilla ice cream but i have like 2 tablespoons left and don't want to waste it
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:29 (eleven years ago) link
I will keep an eye out
― barthes simpson, Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:30 (eleven years ago) link
This tomato basil marinara is not that great!
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:38 (eleven years ago) link
I will keep an eye out:D thank you!!
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:40 (eleven years ago) link
"This tomato basil marinara is not that great!"
which do you guys think is the best out of the $1.99 class of TJ sauces?
― Philip Nunez, Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:46 (eleven years ago) link
That's a good question. I remember not loving the roasted garlic either. They just taste like cheap jarred sauce
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:50 (eleven years ago) link
i've never really liked any of the sauces i've had from there except the spicy one w/ some name i can't remember... it starts with an "a". it's kinda chunky, very good.
― instafapper (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:57 (eleven years ago) link
arriabata
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:58 (eleven years ago) link
yes
― instafapper (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:58 (eleven years ago) link
i was thinking ariancata but i knew that wasn't it
― instafapper (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 23:59 (eleven years ago) link
I liked the garlic sauce but I am also a disgusting savage who likes sweet tomato sauces
― barthes simpson, Thursday, 27 September 2012 00:00 (eleven years ago) link
The one by me now sells these "heirloom tomato" boxes that might be a local thing, b/c it says the tomatoes are from pennsylvania. Anyway, they're really good - you get a wide variety of large and small tomatoes of various varieties and the quality is comparable to what you get at my farmers market. But the weird thing is that they're kind of stuffed into this box, and the box has openings, so it's really easy to just take tomatoes from other box and add them to your box if there's room (it's one price per box). At first I felt like this was wrong somehow, but then I thought "Wait, how do I know someone didn't already take tomatoes out of MY box? Maybe I'm getting gypped!"
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Thursday, 27 September 2012 00:01 (eleven years ago) link
Oh btw in re sauces the best one is the Robusto, but I don't know if they still have it. Protip for buying tomato sauces: pick the one with the lowest sugar content.
― barthes simpson, Thursday, 27 September 2012 00:04 (eleven years ago) link
Was going to correct you about "gypped" but felt like I could be walking into a racist Roma (tomato) situation
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Thursday, 27 September 2012 00:06 (eleven years ago) link
I usually go with the highest fat content; will also try low sugar!
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 27 September 2012 01:47 (eleven years ago) link
Their new 'coconut chips' are perfectthe ultimate sweet toothin' it snack for meotoh it's $2 for a little bag I'll inhale in 10 minsmaybe a quarterly treat
― The Most Typical and Popular Girl Rider (Crabbits), Thursday, 27 September 2012 04:14 (eleven years ago) link
thumbs down on the Wild Arugula salad bags, they go bad waay before the date
thumbs up on Banana Bread mix, light and banana-y not too sweet
― (REAL NAME) (m coleman), Thursday, 27 September 2012 10:01 (eleven years ago) link
I'm intrigued re: flower pepper now
btw TJ's is recalling all its Valencia peanut/almond butters: http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=86
I bought like 5 PBs during the peanut shortage last year so I am preparing myself for some serious sideeye when I return them all
― musically, Thursday, 27 September 2012 16:26 (eleven years ago) link
Argh, that's my peanut butter!
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Thursday, 27 September 2012 16:29 (eleven years ago) link
I have an open one in the fridge right now and another two in the cabinet. Guess I'm not sick yet, at least.
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Thursday, 27 September 2012 16:30 (eleven years ago) link
A friend claims to have been sick all year, mysteriously, and is willing to pin it on the peanut butter. I wouldn't take my chances, personally.
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 27 September 2012 16:34 (eleven years ago) link
oh for sure I'm taking them back for a refund. Fuck, the other day we were just saying how maybe the baby would like peanut butter. Luckily we had the crunchy kind in the house so we weren't going to give her any.
― look at this quarterstaff (Hurting 2), Thursday, 27 September 2012 16:36 (eleven years ago) link
Imma look for the pepper and salt varieties at other locations, too, because where I was on Monday was out of like half of the inventory. They actually had signs up across the entire produce refrig case saying, "Please forgive us, we're restocking," and it was completely empty.
― purveyor of generations (in orbit), Thursday, 27 September 2012 16:47 (eleven years ago) link
that peanut butter mnfctr just sent out a huge ADDENDUM to the recall list... it's scary (and not just TJs)
― lil queequeg (peter grasswich), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:05 (eleven years ago) link
http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2012/10/peanut_butter_recall_expands_t.php
― lil queequeg (peter grasswich), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:11 (eleven years ago) link
Sunland Onion Parsley Peanut Butter
What the hell...
― carl agatha, Monday, 8 October 2012 21:15 (eleven years ago) link
shelf stable small container of whipping cream -- YES got one of these today, it's gonna be baked goods time this week!!
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:16 (eleven years ago) link
I've definitely polished off at least 5 jars of TJ's peanut butter within the last year : (
― barthes simpson, Monday, 8 October 2012 21:19 (eleven years ago) link
Isn't it a salmonella outbreak? If so, you haven't been ill so dr. mh rates you a-ok
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:29 (eleven years ago) link
who knows what low-level havoc the disease hath wrought
― barthes simpson, Monday, 8 October 2012 21:31 (eleven years ago) link
wow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Rajneeshee_bioterror_attack
― barthes simpson, Monday, 8 October 2012 21:33 (eleven years ago) link
iirc salmonella does high-level havoc, then typically is gone within a few days
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:35 (eleven years ago) link
woahxpost
― congratulations (n/a), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:38 (eleven years ago) link
I asked my checkout guy today about the fallout from the peanut thing, and he said that there have been a steady stream of returns, but not much outright hysteria. I was a little disappointed, but maybe he just didn't want to dish about customers. I guess that's the right thing to do.
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:40 (eleven years ago) link
if he showed any signs of not being completely happy they would have to fire him on the spot
― iatee, Monday, 8 October 2012 21:41 (eleven years ago) link
pretty sure it was salmonella I got sick with one time, would not recommend
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:42 (eleven years ago) link
hey guy i saw that you furrowed your brow briefly, mind if we have a chat in the stockroom
― omar little, Monday, 8 October 2012 21:42 (eleven years ago) link
of possible interest if you want to avoid salmonella poisoning: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11880766
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:44 (eleven years ago) link
x-post re: Rajneeshee bio attack
...Sheela was deported, and went on to run two nursing homes in Switzerland
Say what now?
Also, the getting out of jail after 29 months wouldn't happen now.
― nickn, Monday, 8 October 2012 22:21 (eleven years ago) link
Everyone should just eat the chunky skippy I get. Sweet and delicious
― Jeff, Monday, 8 October 2012 22:52 (eleven years ago) link
otm
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 8 October 2012 22:52 (eleven years ago) link
is the trader joe's version called mondo chunk-o or something?
― Philip Nunez, Monday, 8 October 2012 22:55 (eleven years ago) link
sweetened with mondo (sugar) cane
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 01:08 (eleven years ago) link
I'm too lazy right now - and maybe dumb - to figure out that abstract about the protective effects of alcohol against salmonella. Esp. b/c it says Conclusion: We discuss the possible protective effect of alcoholic beverages in some food-borne infectious outbreaks. Does seem to work, or no?
At least it explains why once at the seafood restaurant I worked at a guy ordered a shot of tequila after downing a rotten oyster at lunch. I thought he was just really shaken.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 03:51 (eleven years ago) link
Not going to reload it now, but basically with a good-sized dose of alcohol, food poisoning chance was cut by about 20%
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 03:53 (eleven years ago) link
Not enough for beneficial drinking over other life choices. Don't get ideas, Je55e. :)
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 03:54 (eleven years ago) link
:/ Guess I'll put all that chicken back in the fridge and return this Stoli.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 06:25 (eleven years ago) link
these "inner peas" are basically cheetos made with peas and are as delicious as cheetos, but also feel gross like cheetos after eating too many, but i wish they were called "peatos" instead of "inner peas" c'mon "inner peas" you guys? cornnny.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 9 October 2012 18:47 (eleven years ago) link
peatos
irl lols
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 18:49 (eleven years ago) link
Pito - slang
Literal Meaning: whistleMeaning: dick; cock
Example: Eh, por ahí va tu amigo del pito chiquito. (Hey, there goes your friend with the little dick.)
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 22:10 (eleven years ago) link
i just came here to say the everything bagel chips are delicious; i don't have anything ribald to say about them tho. :-(
― sriracha bishop (get bent), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 22:14 (eleven years ago) link
Pee toes
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 9 October 2012 22:15 (eleven years ago) link
^^^
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 22:19 (eleven years ago) link
Michael Franks' under-appreciated follow up single.
― nickn, Tuesday, 9 October 2012 22:34 (eleven years ago) link
Reduced Guilt Kettle Potato Chips are amazing. They need to make a salt and vinegar version!
― Spencer Chow, Tuesday, 9 October 2012 23:22 (eleven years ago) link
Veg chori-zed-o still awesome
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 9 October 2012 23:23 (eleven years ago) link
Lechera, I looked at a well-stocked location for BOTH smoked salt and flower pepper and...I do not have good news.
― purveyor of generations (in orbit), Sunday, 14 October 2012 22:11 (eleven years ago) link
I emailed the company website and begged.
― purveyor of generations (in orbit), Sunday, 14 October 2012 22:15 (eleven years ago) link
my stock of the lemur tea is almost depleted :/
― sarahell, Sunday, 14 October 2012 22:30 (eleven years ago) link
DUDE, THEY ALREADY REPLIED AND SAID OUR FAVE ITEMS WERE DISCONTINUED DUE TO SLOW SALES but that my request was being forwarded to the appropriate buyer because she said, "...with enough demand -- you never know."
So basically tell everyone in your life to email the company from the web contact thingy immediately if not sooner.
― purveyor of generations (in orbit), Monday, 15 October 2012 00:12 (eleven years ago) link
I did stockpile a bunch of the smoked salt at one point in fear of this!!
― The Most Typical and Popular Girl Rider (Crabbits), Monday, 15 October 2012 01:36 (eleven years ago) link
I have heard it through the grapevine that they have pumpkin macarons this year. Can anyone confirm or deny this and report on their deliciousness?
― (✿◠‿◠) (ENBB), Monday, 15 October 2012 01:38 (eleven years ago) link
I saw them there about 2 weeks ago.
― svend, Monday, 15 October 2012 01:40 (eleven years ago) link
i have seen them but not bought them.
― sriracha bishop (get bent), Monday, 15 October 2012 01:40 (eleven years ago) link
You can buy smoked salt at regular grocery stores, IME.
I shoplifted some in 1995.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 15 October 2012 03:01 (eleven years ago) link
At which time I also shoplifted the first goat cheese I ever ate.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 15 October 2012 03:02 (eleven years ago) link
Lechera, I looked at a well-stocked location for BOTH smoked salt and flower pepper and...I do not have good news.;_; 4 u flower pepperi think we can find smoked salt elsewhere but the flower pepper seemed singular
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Monday, 15 October 2012 03:10 (eleven years ago) link
this is terrible news!
LL, could you possibly buy those ingredients separately in bulk, and put them in a grinder of your own?
I mean, I know legwork etc but it seems p simple to put together if you have the resources
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 15 October 2012 03:31 (eleven years ago) link
I know but I didn't really want to make a big project of my pepper, yknow? I just wanted to buy/eat it.
― these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Monday, 15 October 2012 03:41 (eleven years ago) link
i feel you :/
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 15 October 2012 04:18 (eleven years ago) link
My all-time favorite pre-processed food from TJ's was tuna in thai curry sauce, either red or green, packaged in a foil pouch. It was great for camping trips! Sadly, it seems to come and go, and is currently not available at all locally.
― Aimless, Monday, 15 October 2012 04:23 (eleven years ago) link
I haven't seen it at mine in a couple months. I don't recall seeing a space for it, even. But that happened before and it came back. Probably should taste just as good to put pre-made curry on canned tuna, but the magic just isn't there.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 15 October 2012 04:30 (eleven years ago) link
I liked that stuff too, although after a while I realized it was actually too sweet and I was added extra salt to compensate when it could have just had less sugar. I think it may have been discontinued because of...tuna overfishing? For some reason that comes to mind.
― purveyor of generations (in orbit), Monday, 15 October 2012 05:02 (eleven years ago) link
back on the subject of TJ's food that is actually in stock - pumpkin cream cheese is back
the chicken pot pie bites are pretty damn deliciousthe beef chili is surprisingly healthy - like significantly lower in fat than the veggie, chicken or turkey chili
― sarahell, Monday, 15 October 2012 05:25 (eleven years ago) link
That green curry tuna was so popular though!! Will have to peep the chk pot pie bites and pump cc; those both sound like heaven.
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 15 October 2012 05:38 (eleven years ago) link
Most of TJ's bagels are sub-par but something about the sesame ones is really great; v much into it w/ cream cheese most mornings.
Also that 1.5lb (!!) box of maple + brown sug mini-wheats for, what, like $2.99?!? How is that even real.
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 15 October 2012 05:39 (eleven years ago) link
Have just recently started shopping at TJ's, since moving to Manhattan and learning to my surprise that, at least for packaged junk food products and staples they are cheaper than anywhere else I can shop. Baffling! The produce irritates the hell out of me and the meat all seems real expensive but they've been super great for things like bread, TV dinners (been leaning on the cheapo palak paneer), milk, OJ, cereal...etc. And the beer! The cheap, cheap beer! Favorite right now is the Oatmeal Stout. mmmmmm.
Anyway, this is just me saying "hi" to this thread, I suspect I will be a regular lurker/contributor in the future...
― Doctor Casino, Monday, 15 October 2012 06:08 (eleven years ago) link
all of that is otm: super-cheap and also tasty, shitty produce, expensive meat.
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 15 October 2012 06:22 (eleven years ago) link
it really takes some sort of psychotic genius to pre-wrap a head of lettuce or a green pepper in two distinct layers of plastic, and yet still have it go back immediately. (Doesn't help that you actually can't see or feel the produce through all that wrapping so good luck picking out a good one, not that there are any.) Humongous dud on that.
Only "product" I've been disappointed in so far is the Irish Breakfast tea, which is ... meh on all levels. Irish Breakfast was my favorite Twinings blend so maybe I'm just judging it against that.
― Doctor Casino, Monday, 15 October 2012 06:39 (eleven years ago) link
yeah I remember getting the fearless flyer when I first moved here, and being all wow I can't wait to go to this wonderland of great food...and then seeing all the hermetically sealed produce and being like, WTF O_o
they are king of snacks, definitely
peanut-butter-filled-pretzels i love u
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 15 October 2012 06:48 (eleven years ago) link
does your TJ's have no non-packaged produce? Mine has a mix of packaged and un-packaged
― sarahell, Monday, 15 October 2012 06:55 (eleven years ago) link
So does mine. I admit to buying a fair amount of produce at TJ's because of convenience and lack of accessible, better options (I in no way live in a food desert but my other options are the much maligned neighborhood market four blocks east of TJ's or the Jewel supermarket 1.5 miles in the opposite direction and neither of them are going to win any produce awards) but I am often very annoyed by it. I don't love the excessive packaging (unless it also operates as a storage bag) but what really gets to me is the tendency for it to spoil so quickly.
― carl agatha, Monday, 15 October 2012 12:38 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, TJ's is pretty bad on the produce front although I think they've gotten slightly better. They have been offering more non-packaged produce, I've noticed. Mostly we buy staples and packaged products there and get our produce and meat at Costco, which just means you have to be like "Ok, this week the ONLY fruit we are eating is apples and pears, because we have to buy a case of each." And you have to be willing to buy a bunch of steaks at once and freeze some.
― michael bolton's reckless daughter (Hurting 2), Monday, 15 October 2012 14:15 (eleven years ago) link
hurting otm, it's not as bad as it used to be, packaging wise. but yeah, the quality of the produce is still not great.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 15 October 2012 15:28 (eleven years ago) link
I never look at TJ's produce section with one exception; right around this time of year, for a week, maybe two, our TJs gets brussels sprouts on the stalk and sells them cheap: $3 for a stalk with almost 2 lbs of sprouts. It is the only TJ produce ever worth considering.
― Aimless, Monday, 15 October 2012 17:00 (eleven years ago) link
hahah i saw those and almost bought them but said "nahhh, it's TJ, they'll probably go bad by the time i get them home"...oops.
― Doctor Casino, Monday, 15 October 2012 17:09 (eleven years ago) link
The more processed and handled something is, the faster it will spoil. It gets cut, bruised, processing opens up lots of ways for air & bacteria to get in...unhandled food is way better for long-term usefulness, preferably still wrapped in its leaves or husk or whatever if it grew in one. On the stalk is perfect! All those little individual sprouts are not cut open to the air, only the main stalk is, so that's where decay will start, which keeps it pretty far away from the edible bits.
― purveyor of generations (in orbit), Monday, 15 October 2012 17:13 (eleven years ago) link
I think I've actually noticed a big jump in the quality of produce. Maybe not intrinsically dubious things like year-round tomatoes, but the peaches and pears have been great, as have been the greens, and they seem to have switched to organic garlic. Cherry tomatoes have been good, apples have been good ... no probs.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 15 October 2012 18:48 (eleven years ago) link
the gluten free pizza is disgusting.
― With extreme tenderness - flexible - always guided by the words (get bent), Friday, 19 October 2012 02:24 (eleven years ago) link
Was "gluten free" not warning enough for you?
Liking the Fig Butter. Not liking how things like sweetened condensed milk and baking powder (!) are considered "seasonal."
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 19 October 2012 02:26 (eleven years ago) link
i've had good gluten free products (by choice/out of curiosity; i can handle gluten ok).
― With extreme tenderness - flexible - always guided by the words (get bent), Friday, 19 October 2012 02:30 (eleven years ago) link
why no more plain non-fat frozen yogurt? That stuff was delicious w/fresh fruit
― sarahell, Friday, 19 October 2012 02:33 (eleven years ago) link
This just in: green curry tuna has been CANCELLED
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 19 October 2012 02:35 (eleven years ago) link
it's so sad; they haven't had it at my local in ages.
― With extreme tenderness - flexible - always guided by the words (get bent), Friday, 19 October 2012 02:36 (eleven years ago) link
Apparently there are 3 reasons why a product is discontinued:
1) not v popular; doesn't sell2) too popular; sells too much and the supplier can't keep up w/ demand and there are constantly gaps on the shelves. They really do not like this3) supplier pulls out for whatever reason
― bell biv devo (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 19 October 2012 02:38 (eleven years ago) link
this was a #2
nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded.
― With extreme tenderness - flexible - always guided by the words (get bent), Friday, 19 October 2012 02:39 (eleven years ago) link
i really like their tuna wraps. i hope they keep those around, and i don't even like "wraps" very much as a rule. they got rid of my favorite sandwich -- the turkey and swiss on pretzel bread.
― With extreme tenderness - flexible - always guided by the words (get bent), Friday, 19 October 2012 02:43 (eleven years ago) link
They got rid of my favorite sandwich, the reuben wrap RIP (btw do not buy the vietnamese wrap no matter how much you love bahn mi, it was foul)
I did buy the pumpkin macarons and they were guuuud. They aren't cheap and it's very easy to eat them all in one sitting but they are a treat.
Their pumpkin bread mix is stellar as well, everyone I've made it for adores it, I'm going to buy a bunch so I can make it throughout 2013. And it's idiot-proof, just add egg, oil and water.
Their pumpkin spice coffee is gross tho. Maybe it tastes better with sugar, when I have their samples I just add cream and it was awful. In general tho I'm nhf coffees that add funky flavorings (chai coffee, chocolate coffee...just stop)
On a non-pumpkin note their pita chips with cinnamon and sugar taste like delicious little crispy churros. I also bought their chicken tikka samosas...tasty enough but if no one told you there's no way you'd know that it was tikka-flavored.
― musically, Monday, 22 October 2012 17:10 (eleven years ago) link
produce is still inconsistent. E.g. I bought pears there a month ago and the things did not ripen. I mean I left them in the fruit bowl for like 5 days -- these were freakishly hard pears. But then the ones I bought recently ripened in a day and were delicious.
fwiw I got a refund for my salmonella-and-flax-seed peanut butters.
― michael bolton's reckless daughter (Hurting 2), Monday, 22 October 2012 17:16 (eleven years ago) link
the "too popular" thing is p interesting. like it's more important to their customer experience to have people know what to expect, I guess?
― michael bolton's reckless daughter (Hurting 2), Monday, 22 October 2012 17:17 (eleven years ago) link
has anyone made the chocolate peppermint loaf cake mix yet?
― sarahell, Monday, 22 October 2012 18:15 (eleven years ago) link
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UrGaglO_Kw8/UEdb8fEy36I/AAAAAAAAAik/FazUSCcc5bQ/s320/TraderJoesOrganicStoneGroundChocolate1.JPG
The salt and pepper Mexican chocolate is bananas but really good.
― carl agatha, Sunday, 4 November 2012 23:38 (eleven years ago) link
Sounds good.
The panko crusted fish sticks are fabulous. I'm on a fish sticks kick though, so even Gortons are fabulous to me, but I'm pretty sure the TJ panko ones are extra-fab.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 5 November 2012 00:36 (eleven years ago) link
I've had the panko crusted tilapia filets. Are the fish sticks different?
― carl agatha, Monday, 5 November 2012 00:52 (eleven years ago) link
Stick form.
― Jeff, Monday, 5 November 2012 00:53 (eleven years ago) link
Actually now that I think of it, they were the panko crusted tilapia filets, not sticks at all. It's been kind of a tempest of fish products around here, so I got confused.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Monday, 5 November 2012 01:10 (eleven years ago) link
I've been liking getting the "Pound Plus" chocolates -- if not my favorite chocolate they have, by FAR the best value and pretty damn good
― Knut Horowitz, Able-Bodied Investment Banker and Ladies Man (Hurting 2), Monday, 5 November 2012 01:43 (eleven years ago) link
pistachio white choco cookies--recommended.
― JuliaA, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 20:43 (eleven years ago) link
The Unibroue er, broued, Holiday beer is back! (basically half-price Maudite/Trois Pistoles)
― Spencer Chow, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 21:37 (eleven years ago) link
the one with the fancy Grolsch-like top?
― 乒乓, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 21:38 (eleven years ago) link
I think it's a cork w/ wire holder like for champagne. Bought one a few days ago but haven't tried it yet. Isn't it slightly different each year? As in vary the recipe different, not random quality control different.
― nickn, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 22:06 (eleven years ago) link
can I get a few rec's of frozen meals?
I love their reduced guilt mac & cheese, and from earlier updates I'm of the understanding that Vegetable Pakoras and Palak Paneer are good too. any other rec's. Kinda need to revamp my work-lunch game for days when I don't have leftovers.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 18:51 (eleven years ago) link
the other pastas are good, esp. the fusilli one with spinach and the one with brie and asparagus (though that one's pretty heavy).
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 18:53 (eleven years ago) link
i really like their burritos :-/
tikka masala is good too
― lil dirk (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:00 (eleven years ago) link
no shame in burritos. chin up, jord
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:01 (eleven years ago) link
i like the kung pao chicken as well but that requires a stove
― lil dirk (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:02 (eleven years ago) link
yeah no stove sadly - toaster oven or nukerowave
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:04 (eleven years ago) link
the green chile and cheese tamales are delicious
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:04 (eleven years ago) link
"reduced guilt" http://www.toffeetalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/shaking%20fist.png
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:20 (eleven years ago) link
i like the fett alfredo - you could add some steamed veggies/roasted chicken to it
― just1n3, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:21 (eleven years ago) link
mmm yum guys! I've got a list going
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:25 (eleven years ago) link
― NYSE:JAH (get bent), Wednesday, March 11, 2009 3:56 AM (3 years ago) Bookmark
this is really good pastrami
― turds (Hungry4Ass), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:31 (eleven years ago) link
the pastas that come in the cardboard trays have been consistently underwhleming for me; they're not BAD, they'll do, they're decent for the price but they're not zomg amazing. Brie + asparagus sounds incredible though. I haven't fucked w/ the reduced guilt mac but the regular mac is craaaaaazy good
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:35 (eleven years ago) link
reduced guilt mac tastes just like regular mac, is v cheesy and delicious.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:40 (eleven years ago) link
like I don't feel like I'm being denied anything by having reduced guilt - honestly I just bought it because it was cheap
they charge more for guilt?!
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:44 (eleven years ago) link
The reduced guilt mac and cheese is just like, half the mac and cheese than what you get in the regular box. If all I'm eating for a meal is mac and cheese, I prefer the larger serving.
I like the various frozen lasagnas, although I burned out on them a little, and I second the burritos recommendation, especially the verde chicken burrito. The enchiladas are pretty good, too, although I really miss the chicken enchiladas verdes.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:54 (eleven years ago) link
reduced guilt is $1 less
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:55 (eleven years ago) link
i have been enjoying the kimchee. it's spicy but not too much for lunch, no fermenty smell.
in fact i am eating it with my fingers right now b/c i can't find a fork or chopsticks and eating with pencils is sadder than eating with my hands.
― pschnauzer (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 20:16 (eleven years ago) link
btw i'm eating it with something (tofu & chard), not as my main dish for lunch obvs
― pschnauzer (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 20:17 (eleven years ago) link
if reduced guilt is simply reduced portion, is the price per oz still the same? it might be cheaper to pay for the guilt then split it into two portions. guilt arbitrage!
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 20:45 (eleven years ago) link
My wife and I used to make the Mandarin orange chicken relatively frequently. Once, however, we both got food poisoning from it. We were literally either in the bathroom or curled up on the floor in the fetal position for close to 12 hours. We let Trader Joe's know, and the next day we actually get a call from the owner of the company that makes the chicken, apologizing and offering to reimburse us for any missed work hours. We gave him the same response we've ever given someone in a similar situation: no, that's cool, just don't make anyone sick.
We avoided the chicken for a good 6 or 7 years after that, and then tried it again a few months ago. It was totally gross.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 21:06 (eleven years ago) link
Also, mentioned on the Taylor Swift thread (obviously), but I thought the frozen falafel was awful, even after I heated it. (old-school joke)
apologizing and offering to reimburse us for any missed work hours. <---- whoa
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 21:08 (eleven years ago) link
Maybe that was intentional. We were so taken aback that we didn't know what to do.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 21:37 (eleven years ago) link
who was the chicken culprit, if you remember? did they reveal their private label source?
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 21:40 (eleven years ago) link
The frozen Bibimbap bowls are super-delicious, and pretty filling too.
― doctor, doctor, give me the news (askance johnson), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 21:46 (eleven years ago) link
Really! I will try them based on your recommendation.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 22:10 (eleven years ago) link
I didn't like the Bibimbap. Or the pho. Haven't tried the bao yet. I'm afraid. But I like to keep the various DUMPLINGS! and shu mai around to snack on.
I'm really bummed that they no longer carry the vegan blintzes. They were good.
Private label chicken guy I forget, but I'm pretty sure it was in San Francisco and he was Asian.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 22:22 (eleven years ago) link
I dunno why but I can't eat bao. I always think I will like them but the texture of the steamed dough just skeeves me out
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 22:30 (eleven years ago) link
Get thee to Chiu Quon.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 22:32 (eleven years ago) link
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, November 13, 2012 5:30 PM (7 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i'm w/ u
― lil dirk (J0rdan S.), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 22:38 (eleven years ago) link
steamed dough makes sense if you like soft mashed things like tteok or mochi or root vegetables but don't like oily things like fried dough; the texture is probably too wet if the first starch you had as a baby was bread; it doesn't have any air and that could be gross if you are used to airy starches.
― youn, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 23:31 (eleven years ago) link
yeah I still get weirded out by the texture of roasted sweet potato, that slightly slimy dense thing is just not quite for me.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 November 2012 23:37 (eleven years ago) link
i love the frozen chicken Gorgonzola, but it's a 2-serving (or even three) package.
― nickn, Tuesday, 13 November 2012 23:45 (eleven years ago) link
I like the bao at TJs.
― carl agatha, Wednesday, 14 November 2012 00:13 (eleven years ago) link
savages
― 乒乓, Wednesday, 14 November 2012 00:23 (eleven years ago) link
It's hard for me to justify buying Asian foodstuffs at TJ's when I'm a 5-10 minute bike ride from about 5 huge Asian supermarkets
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 14 November 2012 00:47 (eleven years ago) link
the mochi ice cream at TJ is about a dollar cheaper than most asian supermarkets.
― Philip Nunez, Wednesday, 14 November 2012 00:48 (eleven years ago) link
never had it but wei chaun DUMPLINGS! are the same price as/cheaper than TJ's and also better
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 14 November 2012 00:53 (eleven years ago) link
Texture of bao is pretty bad. I eat them, but I keep each bite off my molars until I've chewed past the springiness.
I peel mochi and enjoy the ice cream.
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Wednesday, 14 November 2012 02:21 (eleven years ago) link
― nickn, Tuesday, November 13, 2012 3:45 PM
Agreed - it's too much, but I like it as a lunch option. Also, relatively low carb.
― Jaq, Wednesday, 14 November 2012 02:32 (eleven years ago) link
I hauled a few different frozens after work - chicken verde burritos, japanese fried rice, palak paneer and tikka masala...weee I'm so excited to eat not-boring lunch now
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 November 2012 02:39 (eleven years ago) link
Their tamales are pretty solid.
My kids love their Ritz crackers so much that they don't even know Ritz crackers exits. They just call them all Golden Rounds.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 14 November 2012 03:21 (eleven years ago) link
TJs asian foodstuffs are pretty underwhelming all-in-all. what is not underwhelming is the great deal on smoked salmon (though it has gone up a little in the past month). Also goat creamy cheese is a healthy lo-cal thing to put on toast.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 14 November 2012 05:34 (eleven years ago) link
chicken verde burrito otm - had it for lunch today. even with the crappy microwave doing a pisspoor job of cooking it evenly, it was p tasty. or maybe it was just that I was so hungry I could have happily eaten my hand.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 November 2012 21:16 (eleven years ago) link
Trader Dahmer's Frozen Human Hand is also a pretty good bargain
― 乒乓, Wednesday, 14 November 2012 21:18 (eleven years ago) link
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 November 2012 21:22 (eleven years ago) link
the fig butter tastes just like the insides of fig newtons. will def be baking with this.
― fiscal cliff burton (get bent), Friday, 16 November 2012 21:54 (eleven years ago) link
love Trader Joes mexican Nipple Rub
― Brian Eno's Mother (Latham Green), Friday, 16 November 2012 21:55 (eleven years ago) link
I love that stuff!! A little fig butter and cheese of yr choice on puff pastry topped w some prosciutto upon exit from oven, mwah!
― passion it person (La Lechera), Friday, 16 November 2012 21:56 (eleven years ago) link
Oops xp
chicken verde burrito otm - had it for lunch today. even with the crappy microwave doing a pisspoor job of cooking it evenly, it was p tasty. or maybe it was just that I was so hungry I could have happily eaten my hand.― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, November 14, 2012 4:16 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, November 14, 2012 4:16 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― ciderpress, Friday, 16 November 2012 21:58 (eleven years ago) link
Attention! Lemur tea is back!
― sarahell, Friday, 16 November 2012 22:06 (eleven years ago) link
i like the pumpkin spice granola a lot btw
― ciderpress, Friday, 16 November 2012 22:08 (eleven years ago) link
Awesome sandwich: split a small baguette, butter one side, spread fig butter on the other, put prosciutto di parma in the middle. Arugula optional.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 16 November 2012 22:16 (eleven years ago) link
new product: pecan pie ice cream tastes exactly how it sounds.
― Philip Nunez, Saturday, 17 November 2012 00:24 (eleven years ago) link
omg that sounds supreme
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 17 November 2012 04:52 (eleven years ago) link
LOL @ LL's xp
― (*・_・)ノ⌒ ☆ (Je55e), Saturday, 17 November 2012 06:33 (eleven years ago) link
"A little fig butter and cheese of yr choice on puff pastry topped w some prosciutto upon exit from oven, mwah!"
be carefull with yer nips dude
― Brian Eno's Mother (Latham Green), Tuesday, 20 November 2012 20:03 (eleven years ago) link
I wish they had more snacks in the "just a handful" format (they have two of their trail mixes and plain almonds) -- as a dude who can't not eat as much as you put in front of me, this is very helpful.
― drunk 'n' white's elements of style (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 20 November 2012 20:10 (eleven years ago) link
mmm japanese stirfry is frighteningly good. like, I could eat the whole bag in one go kinda good.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 21 November 2012 20:41 (eleven years ago) link
i really like the japanese fried rice.
― les rallizes miserables (get bent), Wednesday, 21 November 2012 20:41 (eleven years ago) link
oh that's what I meant
eating it right now in fact
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 21 November 2012 20:42 (eleven years ago) link
I can attest that the Colombian Supremo coffee is sweet, like caramel. It may be the lightest, least oily coffee sold by Trader Joe's.
I am waiting for the tea that is sold in winter with lemurs on the package.
― youn, Monday, 26 November 2012 23:19 (eleven years ago) link
I misread that as 'tea that is sold in winter by lemurs' and was all !!!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 26 November 2012 23:21 (eleven years ago) link
The background color is light blue and is perfectly right for a cold numb milky winter palliative beverage.
― youn, Monday, 26 November 2012 23:26 (eleven years ago) link
http://th04.deviantart.net/fs71/300W/f/2011/019/5/d/tea_with_lemurs_by_thekyrianne-d37k48a.png
It's a living!
― nickn, Monday, 26 November 2012 23:48 (eleven years ago) link
the TJ's colombian supremo was the best coffee I found there, but it's nowhere near as good as the considerably cheaper kirkland colombian supremo at costco
― drunk 'n' white's elements of style (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 27 November 2012 00:39 (eleven years ago) link
got some lemur tea this weekend
― JoeStork, Tuesday, 27 November 2012 00:56 (eleven years ago) link
― sarahell, Friday, November 16, 2012 2:06 PM (1 week ago)
― sarahell, Tuesday, 27 November 2012 01:18 (eleven years ago) link
think i'm in love with the morningstar farms tomato & basil pizza burger (they have them in the freezer section). i just crisped up a few in the cast-iron and they were really flavorful and had a good texture.
― les rallizes miserables (get bent), Tuesday, 27 November 2012 02:50 (eleven years ago) link
I am abt to go to Trader Joe's! I am so excited!! What should I get??
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 19:37 (eleven years ago) link
newbie says chicken verde burrito
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 19:40 (eleven years ago) link
funny, that is one of two things on my list (the other being lemur tea)
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 19:47 (eleven years ago) link
and chocolate raspberry sticks or chocolate covered peppermint jo-jo's
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 19:49 (eleven years ago) link
Coconut creamRepackaged gardein fake chicken tendersCanned beansfrozen mac n cheese
― just1n3, Wednesday, 28 November 2012 20:29 (eleven years ago) link
sesame honey almonds
― boss & toss (lou), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 20:46 (eleven years ago) link
Pita crackersBoursin cheese for $3.75 per wheelEdamame hummus
― grossly incorrect register (in orbit), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 20:53 (eleven years ago) link
The almonds in a dusty cocoa shell with sea salt embedded in it
― grossly incorrect register (in orbit), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 20:54 (eleven years ago) link
Lime & Chili cashews
― mh, Wednesday, 28 November 2012 21:03 (eleven years ago) link
ooh, I bet I would love the edamame hummus.
― WilliamC, Wednesday, 28 November 2012 21:48 (eleven years ago) link
Is that the same thing as the almonds w dark choc, sea salt, and turbinado sugar? With the yellow label?
I got:Lemur teaChicken verde burritosLemon pepper pappardelleCheddar gruyere melange (for mac)some staple-y things.
I will report back.
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 21:58 (eleven years ago) link
Oh I also got the blueberry muesli and the maple pecan granola cereal and mixed them together
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 21:59 (eleven years ago) link
YEESSSSSSSSSS that is it.
― grossly incorrect register (in orbit), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 22:00 (eleven years ago) link
those are so dangerous.
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 22:39 (eleven years ago) link
Omg they're the best and they're hardly sweet at all.
― grossly incorrect register (in orbit), Wednesday, 28 November 2012 22:42 (eleven years ago) link
Blueberry muesli for sure. With yogurt and their dried raspberries which are super cheap for some reason. Not reinventing the wheel here, ppl.
― tobo73, Thursday, 29 November 2012 01:50 (eleven years ago) link
their dried raspberries are cheap? how soon can I get myself to a TJ right now?
― 乒乓, Thursday, 29 November 2012 01:52 (eleven years ago) link
Cheap compared to WF at least, but maybe that's not saying much
― tobo73, Thursday, 29 November 2012 05:11 (eleven years ago) link
Someone please suggest cookie recipes that I could throw dried raspberries in.
― endless budgie (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 29 November 2012 05:22 (eleven years ago) link
thinking about how much my life will change after tj's opens on friday (first one in this city, nay, even this state). i might go to the grand opening on friday night.
― Tome Cruise (Matt P), Thursday, 29 November 2012 05:28 (eleven years ago) link
― endless budgie (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, November 29, 2012 5:22 AM (11 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Subbed for raisins in oatmeal cookies Added to chocolate chip cookies with the chocolate chipsSome kind of white chocolate chip and raspberry cookie recipe
― carl agatha, Thursday, 29 November 2012 17:19 (eleven years ago) link
Cheddar gruyere melange (for mac)
this is the best trader joe's cheese product
― sarahell, Thursday, 29 November 2012 19:52 (eleven years ago) link
Yo, chicken verde burrito was like "oh hey this is p tasty" and then I realized that it costs me, like, less than $2 and I was all "OH FUCK THIS IS BOMB AS HELL"
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 29 November 2012 20:02 (eleven years ago) link
all the burritos look like diarrhea inside but taste kind of incredible
― J0rdan S., Thursday, 29 November 2012 20:04 (eleven years ago) link
all frozen buritos everywhere look like diarrhea inside
― goya cézanne (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 29 November 2012 20:12 (eleven years ago) link
― endless budgie (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday
oatmeal seems a obvious answer (hint: a little wheat germ tossed into oatmeal cookie dough makes cookies that are even chewier).if looking for specific recipes Alice Medrich is THE COOKIE GODDESShttp://www.evilchefmom.com/2011/01/chewy-oatmeal-cookies.htmli probably need this: http://www.amazon.com/Crispy-Crunchy-Your-Mouth-Cookies-Medrich/dp/1579653979?ie=UTF8&tag=thepsbak-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969
― making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Thursday, 29 November 2012 20:17 (eleven years ago) link
Oh shit SLC's getting a Trader Joe's? After years of me telling the tales they'll finally know they were not lies.
― ENERGY FOOD (en i see kay), Sunday, 2 December 2012 04:11 (eleven years ago) link
Lemon pepper pappardelle was pretty goodPacific flounder w/ crab meat stuffing was WHOA awesome
― jawn valjawn (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 5 December 2012 16:19 (eleven years ago) link
Thanks for cookie tips guys! I think I'm going to do the oatmeal thing first. And then branch out in a program of endless experimentation. Once I remember to get the raspberries.
― endless budgie (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 6 December 2012 03:14 (eleven years ago) link
I had to throw out the rest of the lemur tea. For some reason, it wasn't the same this year, maybe because I have been drinking tea from Grace Tea, or maybe because the tea has changed. The first bag was really sweet and tasted strongly of cinnamon; the rest were stale and were not helped by milk. Apples are still an excellent value and fresh at the Trader Joe's in Irvine, CA. I forgot to check for Nantes carrots.
― youn, Monday, 7 January 2013 01:50 (eleven years ago) link
http://www.traderjoes.com/onthecounter/
― congratulations (n/a), Monday, 7 January 2013 19:55 (eleven years ago) link
Sweet potato gnocchi w/ butter and sage was terrible; I couldn't even finish it. So bland and so greasy!
TJ's has like 20 different kinds of cheddar cheese. Which is the sharpest? Which is your favorite?
― Yo! MTV La Tengo (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 16 January 2013 04:26 (eleven years ago) link
I've been on a cold streak with TJ's and I'm buying less and less there. Costco is outdoing them on nearly everything. I still like the pound-plus chocolate bars and the little nut packages ("just a handful of" -- they even have one with chocolate now).
― space phwoar (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 16 January 2013 04:34 (eleven years ago) link
I got a tub of their Greens Powder to add to my smoothies. I'm not convinced of the usefulness of greens powder anyway and the TJ's version was ~1/4 the cost of anything at Whole Foods.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Wednesday, 16 January 2013 05:44 (eleven years ago) link
try the cheddar/gruyere "melange"
― sarahell, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 06:19 (eleven years ago) link
I have, it's good, but I just want a straight cheddar.
― Yo! MTV La Tengo (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 16 January 2013 06:44 (eleven years ago) link
Anything that's been aged. The longer they've aged it, the sharper and more delicious it will be.
― carl agatha, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 14:30 (eleven years ago) link
I like the Black Diamond white cheddar. It's one of the sliced ones.
― nickn, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 20:50 (eleven years ago) link
http://www.pressherald.com/news/parking-jam-booted-cars-leaving-a-lot-to-be-desired_2013-01-16.html
― Brian Eno's Mother (Latham Green), Wednesday, 16 January 2013 20:51 (eleven years ago) link
the parking situation at the one I go to is ridiculous.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 21:41 (eleven years ago) link
Is that the one Oakland on er some road that has "Lake" in it? It is the worst and caused me to do something of which I am quite ashamed: I was driving my brother's car, which has a handicapped sticker (he is paraplegic). He wasn't with me, but *I parked in a handicapped space* out of utter frustration with that parking lot. I confessed to my brother later and he's like yeah, you're an asshole for doing that even though it is the worst parking lot in the US of A.
― quincie, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 21:48 (eleven years ago) link
Yes Quincie! That is the one!
― sarahell, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 21:59 (eleven years ago) link
the one in Sac on folsom blvd is the worst -- L shaped parking lot with only 1 entrance/exit, there's ALWAYS a line of 5 cars in the street waiting to go in. Go somewhere else! there's no parking for you there!
I only go to the one out by my office because it's in a huge mall with tons of parking for other surrounding shops. Possibly the only one of its kind. ie the Unicorn of Trader Joes
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 16 January 2013 22:02 (eleven years ago) link
naw, the one in Emeryville is like that.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 22:05 (eleven years ago) link
as is the one South of Market in SF - though it is a SF-filtered "huge mall"
― sarahell, Wednesday, 16 January 2013 22:06 (eleven years ago) link
the two in MD I go to have lots of parking
― 1.5GB of audio-destroying fluff (los blue jeans), Thursday, 17 January 2013 00:28 (eleven years ago) link
I just bike to mine so I have no idea what the car parking sitch is like but there are like four or five full-sized bike racks and there is always room to lock up.
― Yo! MTV La Tengo (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 17 January 2013 15:59 (eleven years ago) link
Mandarin chicken was, I mean, pretty good enough except for that when you try to add veggies it totally fucks w/ the sauce proportions and everything's kinda dry/not saucy enough.
― whoop i. goldberg (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 1 February 2013 17:09 (eleven years ago) link
am down with their red tart cherry juice -- mr veg drinks it as a preventative gout remedy.local co-op wants $9 for the exact same thing D: Thank you TJs
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 1 February 2013 17:27 (eleven years ago) link
savory thin mini rice crackers multiseed with soy sauce:heeeeelllllllllllp I need an intervention I'm going to eat this whole bag
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 4 February 2013 23:24 (eleven years ago) link
what yall think about these in-shell almonds? they're cheaper than plain roasted almonds, but you're also paying for shells.
― Philip Nunez, Monday, 4 February 2013 23:38 (eleven years ago) link
i looove those rice crackersself-control is usually achieved by eating from little tiny bowls, but i usually go back for more at least once (usually just once.)
the ginger-lemon-echinacea juice is great in smoothies with blueberries, banana, spinach, kefir and way cheaper than the same juice sold by knutsberry farms or whatever it's called
― this customer is a jerk (La Lechera), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 01:32 (eleven years ago) link
the ginger-lemon-echinacea juice
my bf buys this on every trip to tj's. he calls it "demon brew."
― johnny hit and run paul lynde (get bent), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 01:33 (eleven years ago) link
maybe i'll call it that too! it's so good!!
― this customer is a jerk (La Lechera), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 01:34 (eleven years ago) link
vanilla cinnamon black tea yesgrass-fed beef, imported from nz, not good. ground too fine so it's like dense then it's mashed by the packaging, also bland and has the odd ball of cartilage in it
― veryupsetmom (harbl), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 01:35 (eleven years ago) link
omg LL that juice sounds delish, I will try it!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 02:29 (eleven years ago) link
Van cinn blk tea was only just alright until yday I had the realization to put sugar in it instead of honey (and also a bit of half and half) and it was PERFECTION
― whoop i. goldberg (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 17:24 (eleven years ago) link
wow so new 'dark chocolate lover's' 85% tj brand chocolate is goooood. fruity tasting. rich. and cheap!― tehresa, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 1:23 AM (3 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― tehresa, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 1:23 AM (3 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
This shit tastes like fruit punch!! It is SO TROPICAL.
― whoop i. goldberg (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 8 February 2013 05:47 (eleven years ago) link
Roasted Coconut Chips
― mh, Friday, 8 February 2013 14:40 (eleven years ago) link
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 8 February 2013 18:25 (eleven years ago) link
I continue to be obsessed with the vegetable masala burgers
they should just extrude it into big fat logs that I can stuff into my big fat face
― 乒乓, Tuesday, 19 February 2013 16:39 (eleven years ago) link
The TJ's near me (Cap Hill in Seattle) had their frozen multigrain vegetable blend at their sample station...they cooked it in beef broth, coconut cream and curry power and it was DELICIOUS, I'm going to make it this weekend.
btw I bought their Salted Tortilla Chips (in the yellow and blue bag) when I had a gluten-free friend visit...they are the best tortilla chips I have ever had. Not too salty (I hate tortilla chips that make the inside of my mouth feel raw) and they're thick!
Also I feel the need to mention their rosemary raisin crisps since it hasn't gotten much press in this thread...people go nuts when I serve it. Eat it with brie and you'll feel like henry vii in a good way.
― musically, Thursday, 21 February 2013 18:35 (eleven years ago) link
Hey, that's my TJs, too!
I've been eating up all the Aloo Chaat Kati Pouches and the Gone Bananas (frozen banana slices dipped in chocolate)
― kate78, Thursday, 21 February 2013 18:47 (eleven years ago) link
I snagged some of those pouches but I haven't tried them yet.
― ICANN Tina Turner (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 22 February 2013 01:24 (eleven years ago) link
I thought they were kind of a bummer, like slightly classier Hot Pockets that are, at least, meat free.
― new hope for orang-utan (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 22 February 2013 06:41 (eleven years ago) link
rosemary raisin crisps
these are AMAZING
― johnny hit and run paul lynde (get bent), Friday, 22 February 2013 06:44 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, the pouches are a classier hotpocket, but they make a quick and tasty lunch. I like to dip 'em in mint chutney.
― kate78, Friday, 22 February 2013 18:57 (eleven years ago) link
I'm slowly and begrudgingly coming to the realization that the fresh pizza dough (which I seem to by constantly) just isn't all that good.
― ferreira rocher (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 4 March 2013 20:21 (eleven years ago) link
I've never bought it, but my sister was claiming that the dough at Whole Foods is better
then again, my sister
― ☠ ☃ ☠ (mh), Monday, 4 March 2013 20:24 (eleven years ago) link
ya i mean it's fine for a "quick meal" or "pizza night with the kids" or whatever; it's not bad or gross but it's pretty bland and flavorless and if you are actively seeking out a yummy crust, this really isn't going to do it. I know I should start making my own but the mess and the cleanup and the time is such a pain in the ass.
― ferreira rocher (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 4 March 2013 20:31 (eleven years ago) link
garlic + herb one is p tasty though
― ferreira rocher (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 4 March 2013 20:32 (eleven years ago) link
peanut butter filled cupcakes oh hi hum
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 4 March 2013 20:34 (eleven years ago) link
I'll second the roasted coconut chips mentioned upthread. And I'm not really ba coconut fan.
― nickn, Monday, 4 March 2013 20:46 (eleven years ago) link
my cat loves coconut and will eat the coconut chips
― ☠ ☃ ☠ (mh), Monday, 4 March 2013 21:44 (eleven years ago) link
Love the coconut chips, but the new coconut strips have a gross texture like a Christmas jelly candy. How could they do this to a coconut?
― I wish every slot machine had EAT THE RICH printed on it (Crabbits), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 02:28 (eleven years ago) link
I have been buying their black bean & corn veggie enchilada things, which have this yummy Tex-mex sauce that tastes just like a Mormon mom made it. For some reason everyone at work is continually impressed with the appearance, smell, and caloric content of these microwave enchiladas. I feel like eating these enchiladas has garnered me more praise than any of my actual efforts at work. Well, I will take that praise.
― I wish every slot machine had EAT THE RICH printed on it (Crabbits), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 02:30 (eleven years ago) link
A kid even picked the package up and joked he was going to steal it, until he saw it said "organic" and jokingly dropped it like it was a two-headed rat.
― I wish every slot machine had EAT THE RICH printed on it (Crabbits), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 02:33 (eleven years ago) link
The tone was: joking
I bought the roasted seaweed sheets today on a whim.
Uh oh.
― lets just remember to blame the patriarchy for (in orbit), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 03:16 (eleven years ago) link
"...Tex-mex sauce that tastes just like a Mormon mom made it."
Damning with faint praise?
― nickn, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 03:44 (eleven years ago) link
is that uh oh like "they are so good I can't stop eating them" or "put the sidewalls on the crapper" or what?
― los blue jeans, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 03:47 (eleven years ago) link
Oh, so good. So good at yet so much packaging for some tissue-thin sheets of pressed seaweed, also they practically dissolve in your mouth so you feel like they're nothing and could eat a whole box.
― lets just remember to blame the patriarchy for (in orbit), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 03:49 (eleven years ago) link
sometimes trader joe's sourcing of stuff makes it absurdly cheap against other stores but i bet the seaweed is maybe 1/2 to 1/4 the price at an asian market if you can get to one.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 03:52 (eleven years ago) link
Frankly the packaging is just as bad there, it's little tiny sheets in plastic bubble-sealed packets, inside an outer wrapper. But yes, I can probably get to some somehow in New York City.
― lets just remember to blame the patriarchy for (in orbit), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 03:54 (eleven years ago) link
get the ones that are legal-sized sheets for maximum value/minimal packaging.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 03:58 (eleven years ago) link
Also good if you're an undersea lawyer.
― new hope for orang-utan (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 04:58 (eleven years ago) link
The seaweed sheets are very low calorie, iirc, like 100 for the whole package. If ya gotta eat a whole package of something, it should be that.
― nickn, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 05:34 (eleven years ago) link
I tried those ones and there were one of the most vile things I've ever put in my mouth.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 12:02 (eleven years ago) link
Dried kimchi snack. Interesting but not something I want to continually put into my mouth.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 19 March 2013 11:27 (eleven years ago) link
Really like the black and white rice rolls.
― killfiled by life (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 19 March 2013 12:07 (eleven years ago) link
Jeez, this microwavable vegetable green curry bowl thing is stupid-bland and also is p much julienned carrots and some other julienned thing with maybe two pieces of v soggy cauliflower and nothing else. This is so awful!
― funky divacups (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 20 March 2013 00:14 (ten years ago) link
Somehow the True Thai Vegetable Panang Curry in the microwavable cup manages to provide more than half of your daily recommended sodium intake while still tasting like it needs salt (and aside from raw radishes and cucumbers, I don't put salt on things).― carl agatha, Thursday, June 14, 2012 12:28 PM (9 months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― carl agatha, Thursday, June 14, 2012 12:28 PM (9 months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
ditto, more like FALSE Thai
― funky divacups (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 20 March 2013 00:17 (ten years ago) link
Ha!
― carl agatha, Wednesday, 20 March 2013 01:38 (ten years ago) link
the veggie flax seed tortilla chips are p gross, I discovered. Not a fan of the Salsa Especial either.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 20 March 2013 01:41 (ten years ago) link
Their salsa section is so intimidating but I've found that the best one is the double roasted; it is the only salsa I will buy from anywhere at this point (except maybe Green Mountain Gringo). It's so yum!
― funky divacups (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 20 March 2013 03:37 (ten years ago) link
I'll have to try it out!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 20 March 2013 03:40 (ten years ago) link
The tinned thai stuff is pretty tasteless, and are the taquitos.
― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Wednesday, 20 March 2013 04:50 (ten years ago) link
I will eat all the medium salsa especial.
― kate78, Wednesday, 20 March 2013 06:18 (ten years ago) link
Jar salsa is always disappointing, TJ's or not.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 20 March 2013 11:00 (ten years ago) link
you know what's awful is the frozen pad thai bowl, it's like 50% limp sprouts
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 22 March 2013 21:36 (ten years ago) link
every six months i forget that i hate it and i buy one to have for lunch and i'm disappointed every time
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 22 March 2013 21:37 (ten years ago) link
I haven't had a TJs bowl I didn't find disappointing. The frozen bowl concept has birthed so many horrors.
― killfiled by life (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 23 March 2013 05:38 (ten years ago) link
garlic fries would be SO GOOD if the sauce was tweaked a little bit (the fries themselves are v quality) but as they are now they're too bitter or salty or *something* I can't quite identify. I was stoked too bcz I have had some really, really great garlic fries in my time!
― funky divacups (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 24 March 2013 02:51 (ten years ago) link
Almond butter == life worth living.
― Leeena Dunham (Leee), Sunday, 24 March 2013 18:40 (ten years ago) link
The Cookie Butter chocolate bars are really really good. Too bad about the brand name: SPECULOOS. Never have your brand name just letters away from the word "speculum"
― ma ck ro ma ck ro (mackro mackro), Monday, 25 March 2013 03:49 (ten years ago) link
OK, not a brand name. My bad. An actual name! How unfortunate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculoos
― ma ck ro ma ck ro (mackro mackro), Monday, 25 March 2013 03:50 (ten years ago) link
speculoos cookies are a childhood favorite. so great
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 25 March 2013 03:57 (ten years ago) link
First coffee success at TJ's: Colombian Peaberry. Legit good.
― i've a cozy little flat in what is known as old man hat (Hurting 2), Sunday, 31 March 2013 18:25 (ten years ago) link
Their Columbian Supremo was not to my liking.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 31 March 2013 18:29 (ten years ago) link
that one was the best of the bad imo, but I really didn't like it much. This one is much better -- tastes passably close to coffee from a nu-style west coast roaster
― i've a cozy little flat in what is known as old man hat (Hurting 2), Sunday, 31 March 2013 18:33 (ten years ago) link
I might try it out!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 31 March 2013 18:39 (ten years ago) link
ugh I hated the peaberry.
― congratulations (n/a), Sunday, 31 March 2013 19:00 (ten years ago) link
really the colombian peaberry though? I tried other peaberries and didn't like, but I really thought this one was good.
― i've a cozy little flat in what is known as old man hat (Hurting 2), Sunday, 31 March 2013 20:47 (ten years ago) link
very impressed by the frozen vegetable pad thai
― 乒乓, Monday, 1 April 2013 23:02 (ten years ago) link
milk chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels, holy shit
RIP me
i will miss you all
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:34 (ten years ago) link
rly?? they seemed not v flavorful when I had them *and* I was rly stoned and w/ munchies
― Room 227 (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:34 (ten years ago) link
like they're sweet and crunchy but they aren't v yummy imo
i am enjoying them right now and I am not hi
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:35 (ten years ago) link
i ate a whole bag of those last weekend/this week :(
― veryupsetmom (harbl), Thursday, 4 April 2013 22:16 (ten years ago) link
I managed 2/3 of a bag in an afternoon so
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 5 April 2013 01:12 (ten years ago) link
I never know what tortilla chips to buy :(
― Room 227 (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 5 April 2013 20:21 (ten years ago) link
the round ones with salt
― kate78, Saturday, 6 April 2013 00:42 (ten years ago) link
the hemp tortilla chips were tasty when they had them. RIP oddly unpopular item.
― Philip Nunez, Saturday, 6 April 2013 00:45 (ten years ago) link
the regular corn salted ones are p good. i am wary of fucking with any of their other 'weird' ones after the veggie flax seed experiment.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 6 April 2013 01:28 (ten years ago) link
even the regular ones! There's yellow corn and white corn and blue corn, salted and unsalted and organic and not-organic, round, triangle, "longboard", etc etc.
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 6 April 2013 03:15 (ten years ago) link
i like white corn
blue corn still weirds me out
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 6 April 2013 03:36 (ten years ago) link
triangles for me
Frontera extra thick.
― Jeff, Saturday, 6 April 2013 13:14 (ten years ago) link
i have to tread carefully whenever i bring cheese into the house. i bought a wedge of the awesome double gloucester last night and it's already half gone.
― is cereal a soup (get bent), Saturday, 6 April 2013 23:26 (ten years ago) link
oh, I LOVE that cheese (and any other Brit cheese I've ever tried.
got a bottle of tj's habanero hot sauce not expecting as much heat as the label claimed. it's really really spicy with great flavor. I only wish it didn't have its final (unnecessary to me) ingredient xanthan gum which gives it just slightly more viscosity than I want. but it's still damn lovely
― making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 7 April 2013 17:28 (ten years ago) link
whole grain pretzel sticks <-- i have no idea why you would buy these but if you ever consider it.... don't
― J0rdan S., Monday, 8 April 2013 03:45 (ten years ago) link
sometimes they stray too far into the "is this bird food or people food" area
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 8 April 2013 03:46 (ten years ago) link
or the "am i eating sheet rock territory?"
― J0rdan S., Monday, 8 April 2013 03:47 (ten years ago) link
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxm2v6Afb01r9jub9o1_400.jpg
― carl agatha, Monday, 8 April 2013 12:34 (ten years ago) link
seriously that feeling that i am not crunching food, but crunching my own teeth is the sensation i dread most when eating pretzels and those pretzels bring it
― and that sounds like a gong-concert (La Lechera), Monday, 8 April 2013 13:17 (ten years ago) link
Has anyone mentioned the cinnamon roll bread? It is batshit crazy; it is basically a giant unfrosted Cinnabon in the shape of a loaf of bread. And just as oozy, which is kind of a problem when you freeze it and try to toast it. But it is p damn good!
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 12 April 2013 01:53 (ten years ago) link
Though it's way too sweet to put anything on and there are all sorts of gaps and holes in it where the swirl is so you can't rly spread anything on it; I think I'm just gonna get the OG cinn raisin bread next time.
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 12 April 2013 01:54 (ten years ago) link
I hate hard pretzels, I don't understand why ANYONE is into those shits. Not even for the saltiness! Nada! Nunca! Get that mouth gravel out of here.
― lets just remember to blame the patriarchy for (in orbit), Friday, 12 April 2013 02:18 (ten years ago) link
soft pretzels only imo
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 12 April 2013 02:21 (ten years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/rftHCDz.jpg
― 乒乓, Friday, 12 April 2013 02:23 (ten years ago) link
ew fuuuuck no.
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 12 April 2013 02:40 (ten years ago) link
must eat the whole bag
― I, rrational (mh), Friday, 12 April 2013 15:42 (ten years ago) link
best thing: spread some tj's chana masala on a piece of tj's garlic naan, top with a fried egg, fold, and eat.
― is cereal a soup (get bent), Thursday, 25 April 2013 03:02 (ten years ago) link
oh my god
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 25 April 2013 03:07 (ten years ago) link
I am very much into putting fried eggs on top of everything these daysAlso I am planning a trip to TJ's tomorrow; this will be in the worksIs it the frozen chana or the box/packet chana?
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 25 April 2013 03:08 (ten years ago) link
want
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 25 April 2013 03:08 (ten years ago) link
frozen.
― is cereal a soup (get bent), Thursday, 25 April 2013 03:09 (ten years ago) link
frozen is much better than foil pack anyhow.
― hoda nkotb (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 25 April 2013 03:41 (ten years ago) link
Chicken Andouille sausages
Provedential Golden Belgian Ale brewed by Unibroue but way cheaper than anything with Unibroue branded bottling:
Both thumbs up!
And cosign the SPECULOOS choc bar being fantastic despite the disgusting name
― Lambo Sedan (Whitey on the Moon), Friday, 26 April 2013 06:18 (ten years ago) link
omg cosign on frozen vegetable pad thai! tasty
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 29 April 2013 20:06 (ten years ago) link
I just got fired from my job where I could buy locally roasted coffee in bulk for $11.99/lb w/ a 20% discount ;_; So now I need to know where to buy decent coffee on the cheap, and I am turning to TJ's
Can we do another round-up of favorite coffees? I like full-bodied darker roasts but I don't like smoky, burnt, or super-acidic stuff, or really light breakfasty blend type jawns.
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 29 April 2013 20:47 (ten years ago) link
They sell way too much coffee though. it's overwhelming.
I tried their Colombian SupremoIt was good for the price...I found it a little bit weak, but honestly pretty good for what it was.
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 29 April 2013 20:54 (ten years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/mR8Vk4U.gif
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 29 April 2013 20:56 (ten years ago) link
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, April 29, 2013 4:47 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I think fair trade bolivian was the one I liked that most fit this description -- it's a "medium roast" iirc, but their darker roasts will probably range into smoky, burnt or acidic.
― huun huurt 2 (Hurting 2), Monday, 29 April 2013 21:17 (ten years ago) link
ya i am fine w/ a medium roast as long as it is complex and full of flavor
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 29 April 2013 21:29 (ten years ago) link
I've been buying Costco coffee instead lfor a while. Better for the price, although the last batch of Colombian let me down somehow -- don't know if I got tired of the taste or it just wasn't fresh or what.
― huun huurt 2 (Hurting 2), Monday, 29 April 2013 21:30 (ten years ago) link
I like the Bali one, though I'm now drinking a coffee from Whole Foods and I'd say it's noticeably better (and also noticeably more expensive - $14/lb vs $8/14 oz).
― nickn, Monday, 29 April 2013 21:31 (ten years ago) link
I like Maragogype but I add soy milk to my coffee and don't notice acid/bitter/burnt notes so much.
― You can fondle the cube but it will not respond. (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 30 April 2013 03:27 (ten years ago) link
yeah whole foods coffee is really good
― huun huurt 2 (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 30 April 2013 03:35 (ten years ago) link
I got the Colombia Peaberry
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 30 April 2013 18:06 (ten years ago) link
look forward to yr report
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 30 April 2013 18:09 (ten years ago) link
Never been impressed by any peaberry, though the cans usually say the smaller bean concentrates the flavor I've never felt that to be true.
― nickn, Tuesday, 30 April 2013 20:22 (ten years ago) link
I made an iced coffee w/ my aeropress; it's v bright and has a good flavor. Not bad!
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 30 April 2013 20:27 (ten years ago) link
also the can has a lot of purple on it and I like that.
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 30 April 2013 20:29 (ten years ago) link
thai vegetable gyozas (frozen) are literal garbage
― 乒乓, Monday, 6 May 2013 15:46 (ten years ago) link
made an iced coffee w/ my aeropress; it's v bright and has a good flavor. Not bad!
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, April 30, 2013 4:27 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I'd never let you down with a coffee rec
― huun huurt 2 (Hurting 2), Monday, 6 May 2013 15:47 (ten years ago) link
not impressed w/ the Cowboy Caviar (overly sweet)
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 24 May 2013 15:13 (ten years ago) link
Gonna try a different coffee, too (I am learning that I prefer less bright/acidic stuff)
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 24 May 2013 15:17 (ten years ago) link
I will try either the Italian blend (dark) or the Bay Blend (ULTRA dark) which acc to stuff I've read are both full-bodied and rich w/o being too burny. Will report back!!
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 24 May 2013 16:21 (ten years ago) link
i bought some of their frozen Aloo Chat pocket thingys? omggggggg so yummy
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 24 May 2013 16:39 (ten years ago) link
Oh yeah those are great!! I eat them at work.
― siouxsan sarandon (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 24 May 2013 16:46 (ten years ago) link
the the spicy thai fried rice is indeed spicy!
― leno dunham (get bent), Sunday, 26 May 2013 02:34 (ten years ago) link
What's the protocol for taking something back when you didn't like it? This feels so shitty to do but the employees are CONSTANTLY hyping this up as a thing for me to do and I bought something and I really do not like it and want something else instead. I mean I guess I just go to customer service and be like "Hey I didn't like this very much, can I get something else?" and stuff but yeah, I am going to feel like such a jerk!
― walk in the room they throwin Sade left to right (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 30 May 2013 17:49 (ten years ago) link
I would never do that.
― Jeff, Thursday, 30 May 2013 17:49 (ten years ago) link
I KNOW, STOP IT, STOP GUILTING ME
Like I said, I've never done it before, but I was super stoked abt this product (Everything Bread Twists) and it was more than I wanted to spend on bread and I really didn't need it, but I convinced myself it'd be worth the splurge (of like a whole $3 lol) and then it was more or less inedible and I was really crestfallen and I just want something that I'll love ;_;
― walk in the room they throwin Sade left to right (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 30 May 2013 17:54 (ten years ago) link
it's their policy to accept it so go for it
― iatee, Thursday, 30 May 2013 17:56 (ten years ago) link
I mean I totally understand how (on paper at least) it's super profitable to push things on ppl with this golden cushion of IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT WE WILL JUST TAKE IT BACK NO QUESTIONS!!!, so people are more likely to try new things, and then probably wind up not hating them most of the time, and a lot of the people that DO hate them probably won't bother to bring them back, and the few that actually do bring them back might go try something else new that they will wind up loving and buying again, etc.
― walk in the room they throwin Sade left to right (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:02 (ten years ago) link
Yeah I have no problem with that. Also if more folks did that then they would know which products are bunk and be able to stuff the shelves with more quality.
― why pee on the beat (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:03 (ten years ago) link
if you feel compelled you should do it!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:03 (ten years ago) link
It was probably some fucker who brought back chili mango fruit floes and said they were not good. NOW I CAN NEVER GET THEM AGAIN.
― Jeff, Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:04 (ten years ago) link
They figure out which products are bunk by people never buying them again.
I'm curious as to what was so bad about the bread, I haven't noticed those at my TJ's but it seems like bread would have to be really bad to fall into the "inedible" category for me.
― nickn, Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:08 (ten years ago) link
I've taken stuff back because it was rotten -- mostly meat, pork more than 1x -- and they're always super cool about exchanging it. no one likes rotten meat afaik.
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:10 (ten years ago) link
Oh, and I hated the dried Kiwis they had (too sweet, and I guess the Kiwi flavor doesn't survive the drying process very well). I didn't take them back, just chalked it up to experience.
― nickn, Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:10 (ten years ago) link
Yeah, it looked really good in the package but it tasted like a doughy undercooked/untoasted everything bagel and my brain was just like "omg no"
― walk in the room they throwin Sade left to right (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:18 (ten years ago) link
I loooove everything bagels but they must be crisp and toasty
― walk in the room they throwin Sade left to right (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:19 (ten years ago) link
and I tried toasting these and they were still gross.
Beat me to the punch with the last comment.
I'd like to recommed the dried Mandarins. Some added sugar but still tart, with a fresh flavor.
― nickn, Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:25 (ten years ago) link
I returned pine nuts when they gave me pine mouth.
― congratulations (n/a), Thursday, 30 May 2013 18:27 (ten years ago) link
I've always dreaded that. How long did it last?
― Frances HELL NAW (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 31 May 2013 05:34 (ten years ago) link
i think a few days to a week? it was pretty annoying
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 31 May 2013 14:28 (ten years ago) link
christ
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 31 May 2013 16:03 (ten years ago) link
I don't get pine mouth but don't care much for pine nuts. Just thinking about that makes me want to barf.
― carl agatha, Friday, 31 May 2013 16:18 (ten years ago) link
i love pine nuts but pine mouth makes me reconsider my choices and praise jebus I haven't encountered it
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 31 May 2013 16:25 (ten years ago) link
it's annoying but not barf-worthy. i still eat pine nuts (bc they are delicious). it was a constant taste in my mouth like i had just eaten one of those zinc cold lozenges, metallic and bitter.
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 31 May 2013 16:27 (ten years ago) link
I'm happy that doesn't happen to me.
But I get spinach teeth, which is really annoying -- a chalky, gritty feeling on my teeth that brushing won't take away. I read it's some kind of acid in the spinach. Too bad b/c spinach is delicious.
― Je55e, Friday, 31 May 2013 21:16 (ten years ago) link
i have to put in a good word for the refreshing and palate-cleansing frozen lemon squares.
― leno dunham (get bent), Friday, 31 May 2013 21:23 (ten years ago) link
(xp) You can neutralize some of the oxalic acid in spinach with a little baking soda - keeps it greener too when you cook it. Not a good idea for raw spinach though.
― Jaq, Friday, 31 May 2013 21:25 (ten years ago) link
Tentative alert but I think they might be clearing out the in-shell almonds to discontinue them
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 31 May 2013 21:49 (ten years ago) link
been eating a lot of trader joe's citrus gumdrops this week tbh.they are vegan, i guess, so there is that to recommend them. i almost wish some of them were more tart.. but they are still there and i eat them.
― i guess i'd just rather listen to canned heat? (ian), Wednesday, 12 June 2013 00:04 (ten years ago) link
i am kind of annoyed that their smoky spicy peach salsa is not very much of either and tastes more like jam
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 12 June 2013 01:37 (ten years ago) link
Joe Joe's and Peanut Butter Tracks ice creams are AMAAAAAAAAZING btw
― shohreh aja/danteloo (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 16 June 2013 03:50 (ten years ago) link
"Vegetable Patch" juice is not as good as V8. Bleh.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 18 June 2013 23:06 (ten years ago) link
i like their siracha better than regular siracha
― http://threeframes.net (gr8080), Wednesday, 19 June 2013 00:43 (ten years ago) link
okay so the Carribean Fruit Floes are maybe the yummiest popsicles I've ever had. It's one of those products where you know you should try the other flavors but feel stupid buying them because you *know* that they cannot possibly be better or even nearly as good as the Carribean.
― shohreh aja/danteloo (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:26 (ten years ago) link
Still miss the chili mango floes every single day of my life.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:38 (ten years ago) link
they sell this at tj's. it's not bad.
http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/session-black.cfm
― Herbert Ruggles Tarlek Jr. (get bent), Friday, 5 July 2013 00:27 (ten years ago) link
Short, Dark, and Drinkable
the way i like my men
― Herbert Ruggles Tarlek Jr. (get bent), Friday, 5 July 2013 00:28 (ten years ago) link
http://traderjoesrecipes.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/trader-joes-corn-chile-tomato-less-salsa-1.jpg
― something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Friday, 5 July 2013 04:13 (ten years ago) link
minor complaint:the coconut oil jar is too small to get my (rather small) hand inside after about 2/3 of the jar is gone. it's fine if you're using it for cooking (extracting with a spoon/kitchen implement) but if you're using it as a skin moisturizerit's kind of a difft story. i'll keep buying it because i can scoop it into this other thing (talenti gelato container) but really i would rather not have to do that.
again, a minor complaint. it's $5.99 when a similar amt at a difft store is twice the cost. still, it's annoying.
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Friday, 5 July 2013 04:19 (ten years ago) link
I could not live with someone who moisturized with coconut oil - I'd be out all the time on macaroon and coconut cream pie runs.
― u r all xanax'd bonobos (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 5 July 2013 05:36 (ten years ago) link
haha
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 5 July 2013 05:49 (ten years ago) link
That doesn't seem to be the case here. I think it only smells coconutty for a little bit. It's a great moisturizer!
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Friday, 5 July 2013 13:13 (ten years ago) link
(talenti gelato container)
These things oughta have their own thread. So super useful.
― kate78, Friday, 5 July 2013 18:40 (ten years ago) link
Not only that but the logo is so small that you can tape something decorative over it and it +/- looks like it's intentional. So far I've used them for bath salts (for the bath, not drugs) and coconut oil. But I can see storing all kinds of stuff in there. AND you get to eat a bunch of gelato.
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Friday, 5 July 2013 18:47 (ten years ago) link
i thought hot salsa would be a safe bet but it tastes like sour assholes. thanks for nothing TJs
― i wanna be a gabbneb baby (Hungry4Ass), Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:14 (ten years ago) link
avoid their smoky spicy peach salsa -- unless in your world salsa = jam
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:19 (ten years ago) link
i pointed out to the checkout dude that simpler times beer looks like a grownup version of their pineapple juice (i was buying both at the same time, which looked kinda funny to me) and he claimed to have never noticed this
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:23 (ten years ago) link
did they raise the prices of simpler times beer? I remember it being super cheap now it only seems mostly cheap
― iatee, Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:24 (ten years ago) link
not hereit's 3.99, as usual
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:26 (ten years ago) link
their prices are the same across the country, according to a prominent sign in one of their nyc locations
I remember it being cheaper than 4 bux maybe I was dreaming
― iatee, Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:28 (ten years ago) link
yes here we go I was not dreaming: http://archive.slickdeals.net/f/1867591-Best-Cheap-Beer-Simpler-Times-at-Trader-Joe-s-2-99-6-pack
― iatee, Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:29 (ten years ago) link
They also raised the price on the Name Tag beer to $3.49 (from $2.99) which gives Whole Foods bragging rights as they still have a $2.99 six-pack. (Cats living with dogs, yada, yada!)
― nickn, Tuesday, 16 July 2013 22:05 (ten years ago) link
I dream of the day when I can buy alcohol in a grocery store ;_;
― Tamar Bibimbraxton (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 17 July 2013 14:37 (ten years ago) link
Btw, the turkey burgers, xtra xtra sharp NY cheddar, and the British muffins combine to make the #1 burger experience, esp w some scallions thrown in.
― Tamar Bibimbraxton (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 17 July 2013 14:39 (ten years ago) link
chicken pot pie - pretty good, but i found a hair in it.
― i wanna be a gabbneb baby (Hungry4Ass), Thursday, 18 July 2013 15:52 (ten years ago) link
that let's you know it's organic
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 18 July 2013 15:56 (ten years ago) link
puts hair on your chest AND tongue
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 18 July 2013 18:27 (ten years ago) link
I think their Salsa Verde is really good!!!
― i guess i'd just rather listen to canned heat? (ian), Thursday, 25 July 2013 18:42 (ten years ago) link
it's my go-to salsa, always fine with me. i usually dress it up with some chile powders for extra flavor, but two little bags of those last a really long time. i think i use guajillo and ancho?
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Thursday, 25 July 2013 18:50 (ten years ago) link
they have been out of the chicken verde enchiladas both of the last times ive been there and it makes me want to kill
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Wednesday, 31 July 2013 21:26 (ten years ago) link
also aloo chaat pockets or w/e i love you with all my heart
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Wednesday, 31 July 2013 21:34 (ten years ago) link
i found out yesterday cream top milk is rebranded straus milk...
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 1 August 2013 01:07 (ten years ago) link
CHAAT POCKETS
― Tamar Bibimbraxton (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 1 August 2013 01:53 (ten years ago) link
4 LYFE
― the pen is mightier than the penisword (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 1 August 2013 04:05 (ten years ago) link
I am going to document TJ's lunch options (suggestions recommended!)
Reduced Guilt Baked Ziti: too much sauce, not enough cheese, tasted vaguely of crayons (more strange than disgusting), edible but not delicious.The single-serve Mexican pizza thing: nothing groundbreaking but still pretty tasty, though if I bought it again I definitely wouldn't microwave it
― dale cthulhu (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 7 August 2013 17:40 (ten years ago) link
I was hoping the Reduced Guilt line was more healthy-but-tasty instead of bland diet food but it seems to be more the latter than the former
I also bought the bags of frozen pasta you cook for dinner bcz they are p cheap per serving and it's like two lunches worth for $3. I shall report back!
― dale cthulhu (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 7 August 2013 17:44 (ten years ago) link
i like the green chili tamales and the mexican quiche but they are both pretty unhealthy
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 7 August 2013 17:50 (ten years ago) link
WHERE ARE MY FUCKING CHICKEN VERDE ENCHILADAS U SONS OF BITCHES
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Wednesday, 7 August 2013 17:51 (ten years ago) link
The quiche is v good but I feel like I'm not getting as much food as I'd want a $2.29 frozen something to provide
― dale cthulhu (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 7 August 2013 18:25 (ten years ago) link
I'm heading on a trip that may not have coffee, so ... I bought a bottle of the new TJs cold-brewed coffee concentrate. Just add water and/or milk! I'll let you know how it goes, but I've heard good things.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 7 August 2013 18:35 (ten years ago) link
where are you going that doesn't have coffee
― szarkasm (schlump), Wednesday, 7 August 2013 18:57 (ten years ago) link
also, i am proximal to a TJs for the first time in a long time right now & am sad that they don't have the blue corn tortillas i thought they might. n/m.
― szarkasm (schlump), Wednesday, 7 August 2013 18:58 (ten years ago) link
xp A vacation house for the weekend. They have a maker, but I'd rather bring the jug of cold-brew than a bag of grounds.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 7 August 2013 19:45 (ten years ago) link
the spinach & kale bites are pretty delicious. if i mash them up they could be a good base for a pesto.
http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=886
― freelance helgenberger (get bent), Thursday, 8 August 2013 20:29 (ten years ago) link
holla for coconut milk ice cream
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Friday, 9 August 2013 15:00 (ten years ago) link
it's really hard to find broccolini at places that aren't trader joes ime
― J0rdan S., Friday, 9 August 2013 15:08 (ten years ago) link
Ooh is the coconut milk ice cream good and does it not taste overwhelmingly like coconut?? Would try.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Friday, 9 August 2013 15:14 (ten years ago) link
the chocolate tastes just like chocolate ice cream imo (more so than soy, almond, rice based ones)
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Friday, 9 August 2013 15:16 (ten years ago) link
It's really hard to read "broccolini" without hearing Martha Wash singing "tall! dark! broccolini!"
― dale cthulhu (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 9 August 2013 23:06 (ten years ago) link
ROUGH AND TOUGH AND STRONG AND GREEN-Y
Oh smoked almonds, how did I ever live without you.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Tuesday, 13 August 2013 20:47 (ten years ago) link
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, August 7, 2013 2:35 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Oh man, it would be awesome if this turned out to be good. I have my doubts because TJ's coffee generally is not good, and I wouldn't really want to cold brew their mediocre beans. But it could be that they have a licensing agreement with some decent company that makes the extract and is not their normal coffee roaster.
― HOOS next aka won't get steened again (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 13 August 2013 20:56 (ten years ago) link
kati pouches wd be excellent w/ some raita and a non-spicy chutney.
― freelance helgenberger (get bent), Tuesday, 13 August 2013 21:47 (ten years ago) link
i am down with their cheese puffs
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 August 2013 21:53 (ten years ago) link
I am really enjoying the cold-brewed coffee concentrate. As I've said before, I'm a coffee savage who adds milk and sweetener, but it has a really strong taste without funky burnt/acrid notes.
― get in yr plastic FEMA coffin & stop asking questions (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 10:16 (ten years ago) link
I had a frustrating visit to TJ yesterday. It was packed and the shortest line was in the 12 items or less lane. Turns out it was short b/c of the two women + toddler in line with a heaping full cart. Other customers in our line rolled their eyes and muttered and scowled in IA solidarity.
When their turn came, the cashier - a guy w/ wearing his thin grey beard in a foot-long braid - this cashier cooed at the toddler and chatted with the women while doing no cashiering with his hands. After a while he scanned a couple of items, then paused to baby talk w/ the kid, scanned a couple more, then started hunting around for a sticker, which he teased the kid with and finally stuck to his shirt. The woman in front of me huffed loudly and the cashier gave her a beaming grin. No self-awareness. The women w/ the kid heard it too, and looked away.
More scan-scan-babble-chat and finally I was ready to go off, but instead I walked past other people in line, set my 3 items on his scanner, and left without his noticing. I looked back inside from the window and the stuff was still sitting on his scanner and he was laughing and leaning forward to talk to the kid.
Besides the fact that he was neglecting his fucking main job function, what pissed me off was that when he saw the women with their outsized order and sense of entitlement and politely, he should have used some of his charm to tell them they were in the express lane and he wouldn't want to keep other folks with small orders waiting.
tl;dr synposis: hippy cashier prioritized entertaining a toddler absurdly far above cashiering
― potatoes-in-law (Je55e), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 19:41 (ten years ago) link
i had that happen but with a young hipster cashier and a beautiful foreign woman he was flirting with.
― freelance helgenberger (get bent), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 19:42 (ten years ago) link
I like to think that the cashier inadvertently included your three items with the woman's order.
― Lawyer... SUAVE... (carl agatha), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:02 (ten years ago) link
TJ cashiers can be infuriating. I like speed and precision in my cashiering.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:03 (ten years ago) link
I just got back from TJs and the cashier was a supreme doofus. Lots of dumb jokes and loud laughs. It was very strained and painful.
― Lawyer... SUAVE... (carl agatha), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:08 (ten years ago) link
my experiences vary wildly from nice efficient no-chatting cashiers to just-woke-up/still-wearing-pyjamas/annoying conversations/1 scan every 2 minutes types who make me want to burn the whole place down
mostly it's the latter
yes I understand that 'small town friendly' experience is a draw but YOU ARE IN A CITY AND I HAVE SHIT TO DO, I'M NOT HERE BECAUSE I LIKE YOU I'M HERE BECAUSE YOU ARE SELLING THINGS THAT I WISH TO BUY
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:17 (ten years ago) link
Aw. I love my friendly chats with goofy TJ's cashiers. There is a balance to be struck between friendliness and efficiency, to be sure.
― HOOS next aka won't get steened again (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:17 (ten years ago) link
A lot of TJ's cashier's seem to work there forever, so I find that if you can learn which ones are cool, you can often just pick the right line and escape doofusness.
― ashcans (askance johnson), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:20 (ten years ago) link
my eyes turn to death lasers when the conversation continues and the working slows to a halt
ever since I worked in fast food my golden rule is: if you can't work and talk then you need to not be talking
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:21 (ten years ago) link
xp - aj otm
i have 2-3 employees i will choose to interact with because they are civilized and if none of them are there i go for the person who looks the least familiar to me
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:22 (ten years ago) link
there are two who i actively avoid -- 1 because she always asks for my ID "for the alcohol" and i can feel her judging me and 1 for assuming that i was flirting with him (which i was not) and embarrassing me in the process
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:23 (ten years ago) link
A grocery store cashier in the Chicagoland area who judges people for buying booze is going to be exhausted from all the judging after just one shift.
― Lawyer... SUAVE... (carl agatha), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:38 (ten years ago) link
I know! I just don't need some righteous asshole asking for my ID in that manner when it is totally unnecessary.
― free your spirit pig (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:41 (ten years ago) link
Whatever, in high school I worked at grocery stores in a tiny Appalachian town and at one of them the cashier's training materials said to move with "a sense of urgency," b/c rednecks are a busy people with shit to do, and we didn't fart around flapping our gums, whistling Dixie, "messin' and gaummin'" or otherwise wasting customers' time. And those who did were dealt with.
I'm pretty irked that he didn't kick those women out of his line. And to the imaginary person I'm arguing with in my mind who is saying, "Good customer service means making exceptions to rules to keep the customer happy," I say that it's terrible customer service to indulge two self-serving fucks while inconveniencing 5 or 6 other paying customers.
― potatoes-in-law (Je55e), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 21:36 (ten years ago) link
totally
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 21:43 (ten years ago) link
I thought about calling or writing a firm but polite email but I don't want to get a guy written up (though he really does need to learn that he's not helping) and I know one of the workers at the store, but not well enough that I want him seeing me complaining.
― potatoes-in-law (Je55e), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 21:52 (ten years ago) link
i'm having the cold brew over ice with a starbucks double shot can poured in and it's a good combo.
― Real cyberpunks think Radio Shack sucks (get bent), Monday, 26 August 2013 18:22 (ten years ago) link
Trader Joe's is opening several stores in Austin, TX soon. I think they've stayed away so long because it is Whole Foods' home turf, but I'm looking forward to some healthy competition. I'm curious to see how much TJ's becomes part of our regular shopping routine vs. a place to get occasional snacks.
― Moodles, Monday, 26 August 2013 18:32 (ten years ago) link
i do most of my food shopping at tj's.
― Real cyberpunks think Radio Shack sucks (get bent), Monday, 26 August 2013 18:34 (ten years ago) link
so there are these dark chocolate coconut mango bites that are like mounds bars w/ a light mango flavor
they are like how you wished really yummy smelling shampoo would taste if you ate it, like some fairy fruity wonder that is so good and magical that you cannot imagine how it is even real
so taste, very snackwow
― #REV! (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 02:58 (ten years ago) link
ate the pesto tortellini bowl for lunch and it was just too saucy, and not v filling. Avoid.
― #REV! (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 17:07 (ten years ago) link
Second. It is another one of those TJ's frozen entrees that manages to actually need salt despite its sodium content. Also mushy. Blech.
― Lawyer... SUAVE... (carl agatha), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 17:10 (ten years ago) link
Yeah! it WAS mushy wasn't it? It's too sweet which is why it feels like it needs more salt.
― #REV! (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:07 (ten years ago) link
ok the pot pie is kind of annoying to cook bcs it takes forever and doesn't really brown all that great but it may be our work microwave that sucks...but the filling is p delicious!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:21 (ten years ago) link
vegan quinoa mushroom sushi is as inert and you might expect.
― polyphonic, Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:40 (ten years ago) link
why did they deep-six the chicken verde burritos
WHY WHY WHY
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:41 (ten years ago) link
it irritates me how almost every single one of their prepackaged salads has chicken in it
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:42 (ten years ago) link
get thee to a kale edamame bistro salad- will ride with these for life, so good
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:42 (ten years ago) link
yeah that's the one i get, but i wish i could try some of the others too
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:47 (ten years ago) link
Oh snap, they are gone for good? Dammit. First it was the verde enchiladas and now the burritos. WTF, Trader Joe's, WTF.
― Lawyer... SUAVE... (carl agatha), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:48 (ten years ago) link
they were awful.
also, why would you microwave a pot pie?
― not some dude poking a Line 6 pedal with his dick (sarahell), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:49 (ten years ago) link
because I don't bake at work?
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:52 (ten years ago) link
all microwaved pot pies are just mushy and don't brown, it is not specific to Trader Joe's product
― not some dude poking a Line 6 pedal with his dick (sarahell), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:53 (ten years ago) link
no way marie callender pot pies come out v crispy
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:58 (ten years ago) link
they are mushy unless you bake them.
― not some dude poking a Line 6 pedal with his dick (sarahell), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:59 (ten years ago) link
LADIES, LADIES, PLEASE
― #REV! (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 27 August 2013 19:16 (ten years ago) link
Lots of frozen stuff comes packaged in a special sort of foil tray that helps pastry etc crisp up in the microwave
― just1n3, Tuesday, 27 August 2013 23:10 (ten years ago) link
Beurre Meuniere Popcorn - no. This tastes like a weird toilet bowl cleaner. In fact, with the exception of the better-than-Smartfood white cheddar, I have found all of their popcrons p disappointing
Lobster Ravioli - oh hell yes. It's a tad sweet so make sure you salt the water but all you need for sauce is lemon juice + butter and ohhhhhh damn. It's a little on the pricey side ($4 = 9 oz = 9 big ravioli) but my GOD
― #REV! (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 August 2013 00:26 (ten years ago) link
YES. And pretty low quality chicken at that.
― here comes the hus-b-ster, i'm the octopus expert (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 28 August 2013 10:14 (ten years ago) link
Another thumbs up to the cold-pressed coffee. It worked out really well for us, to the extent that we're taking it camping this weekend. Just add water/milk and heat. No bitterness, but not too weak.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 28 August 2013 13:43 (ten years ago) link
I was going to try some except that it was like $8 for the bottle and I would just as soon make my own
― #REV! (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 August 2013 13:50 (ten years ago) link
But good to know if I ever need it for like camping or something
Napa Valley Kim Chee was literally the worst thing I have ever put in my mouth
― 乒乓, Wednesday, 4 September 2013 15:45 (ten years ago) link
man their blueberry instant oatmeal blows; but then instant oatmeal always blows, why do I always forget this everpresent life truth
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 21:54 (ten years ago) link
why did they deep-six the chicken verde burritosWHY WHY WHY― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, August 27, 2013 6:41 PM (1 week ago)
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, August 27, 2013 6:41 PM (1 week ago)
is this a real and confirmed thing because i swear to god i will fucking burn my local trader joes to the ground
― waterface down (jjjusten), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 21:57 (ten years ago) link
I've been back 3 times and no dice
BURN IT DOWN
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 22:00 (ten years ago) link
Their blueberry muesli tastes like an old lady's underwear drawer likely smells.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 4 September 2013 22:08 (ten years ago) link
that's almost exactly how the blueberry oatmeal tastes
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 22:21 (ten years ago) link
all of their other salads seemed ridiculously unhealthy. would def get this one again.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 23:02 (ten years ago) link
it's the only one I eat!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 4 September 2013 23:03 (ten years ago) link
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, September 4, 2013 10:08 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
"likely"
― carl agatha, Thursday, 5 September 2013 00:38 (ten years ago) link
Like clean modest undergarments!
― no fomo (La Lechera), Thursday, 5 September 2013 01:06 (ten years ago) link
pro tip: roasted butternut squash, red quinoa and wheatberry salad
― 乒乓, Thursday, 5 September 2013 16:06 (ten years ago) link
i like their tuna salad wraps, even if i sometimes pick out the cherry tomatoes. i wish i could stock up on them, but, you know, fish.
― red sobule (get bent), Thursday, 5 September 2013 20:21 (ten years ago) link
CHICKEN VERDE BURRITOS HAVE RETURNED
at least to my tj's
maybe they temporarily ran out
celebrate!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 12 September 2013 19:48 (ten years ago) link
I had the frozen Chicken Tikka Masala today which was like okay enough I guess but it was only four small pieces of chicken drowning in a pool of sauce!
― Baby, where'd you get Chobani from? (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 12 September 2013 19:59 (ten years ago) link
yeah it's v soupy
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 12 September 2013 20:00 (ten years ago) link
2mrw will be Butter Chicken
― Baby, where'd you get Chobani from? (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 12 September 2013 20:01 (ten years ago) link
The Chicken Verde Burritos returned to my TJs two weeks ago.
But then last week they were out again.
The saga continues.
― ashcans (askance johnson), Thursday, 12 September 2013 20:23 (ten years ago) link
their kettle corn isn't terrible -- maybe too salty? something's slightly off but man I can eat a handful of it, regardless
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 12 September 2013 22:08 (ten years ago) link
their frozen naan is better than some I've been served at a restaurant. broiler on low setting works best/quickest.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Thursday, 12 September 2013 23:39 (ten years ago) link
haha i was just coming here to celebrate the triumphant return of chicken verde burritos to my tjs
REJOICE
i bought 6 packs because now i am paranoid
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Thursday, 12 September 2013 23:52 (ten years ago) link
http://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/tg/image/1365/22/1365224306152.gif
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 12 September 2013 23:56 (ten years ago) link
Highly recommend a piece of naan with it (for sopping up sauce), unless you hate carbs.
― seeking solace in cider and swans (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 13 September 2013 09:21 (ten years ago) link
No way bro carbs is my boyfriend
― Baby, where'd you get Chobani from? (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 13 September 2013 11:16 (ten years ago) link
There is a Fall Harvest Blend tea with a fox on the box, which I am guessing is the fall answer to Lemur Tea. It's good! Herbal, no caffeine. I got weird and put a little milk in it (no stevia, though, I'm not a total psychopath) and it works nicely.
Also our TJs was selling a three pack of purse-sized tubs of hand cream for $7.99. They look like L'occitane dupes, so I bought them. They aren't as rich as L'occitane's shea butter hand cream, which is the one I would always buy if I were wealthy, but they are great for the price. Recommended.
― carl agatha, Monday, 14 October 2013 15:31 (ten years ago) link
stevia is NASTY
― disgruntled punter (Je55e), Monday, 14 October 2013 18:14 (ten years ago) link
I misread and reread "stevia" like three times before that stopped making me sad
― Stevie D(eux), Monday, 14 October 2013 18:37 (ten years ago) link
:(
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 14 October 2013 20:42 (ten years ago) link
stevie is rad
steviA is nasty
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 14 October 2013 20:43 (ten years ago) link
Coconut cashews are back on the shelves after a long disappearance!
― Untt (La Lechera), Monday, 14 October 2013 21:05 (ten years ago) link
got a two foot long stalk of brussel sprouts for $2.99
that's about as much as they are in the plastic bag and it's totally worth it just for the crazy looks i got from everyone while holding it walking around the store and then with it sticking out of my bag on the bus ride home:
http://i.imgur.com/Uex6fv6.jpg
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Wednesday, 23 October 2013 23:27 (ten years ago) link
the spinach & kale bites are delicious
― Less-offensive uses of puto/puta (sarahell), Wednesday, 23 October 2013 23:28 (ten years ago) link
TJ's is the only place I've ever seen sprouts on the stalk! I didn't even know they grew that way before I started shopping there. So bizarre and enjoyable.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 10:15 (ten years ago) link
I've seen sprouts-on-the-stalk at Fairway too. Can you do anything w/the stalk? Like make uh stock?
― screen scraper (m coleman), Thursday, 24 October 2013 10:32 (ten years ago) link
Sword fight.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 10:43 (ten years ago) link
xxp they probably don't, they probably just adhere them to the stalk to look quirky
― Stevie D(eux), Thursday, 24 October 2013 11:00 (ten years ago) link
the stalk is pretty dense and fibrous but I'd imagine it wouldn't hurt to throw it in a stock with other veggies
i'll probably just throw it in the compost
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Thursday, 24 October 2013 11:41 (ten years ago) link
i've been waiting forever for the sprouts stalks to come back
― 乒乓, Thursday, 24 October 2013 11:51 (ten years ago) link
the first TJ's in South Florida caused a mob scene in the parking lot last Saturday, with local businesses towing cars when TJ customers used business spaces.
― the objections to Drake from non-REAL HIPHOP people (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 24 October 2013 11:58 (ten years ago) link
I'm so excited guys to go there today and buy lots of things. (I've been in a cooking rut and using up ingredients lately so pre-made food is p special.)
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:26 (ten years ago) link
ALL THE SPROUTS!1112! Although how I'll get them home by bike is a separate problem.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:27 (ten years ago) link
i'm sad because i bought a bag of sprouts from TJ's last week, for probably the same price, and their selling point was that they were 'microwaveable in the bag'
― 乒乓, Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:28 (ten years ago) link
xpost bungee-tie it to your crossbar
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:33 (ten years ago) link
I think it was 乒乓 in this thread who called the brussels sprouts stalk the most noise of all vegetables, which for some reason has stuck with me.
I end up buying a lot of TJ's sprouts in a bag because I like sprouts and they are right there, but I always wash, trim and roast them so their steam-in-bag aspect is wasted on me. Plus the thought of eating a steamed brussels sprout is so gross to me.
― carl agatha, Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:37 (ten years ago) link
haha so i did The Trader Joe's Product Discussion Thread (S/D)
― 乒乓, Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:40 (ten years ago) link
i like to sauteed them with olive oil, fresh garlic & dill
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:46 (ten years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/z5ajsv1.jpg
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:50 (ten years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/06NN4MP.jpg
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:51 (ten years ago) link
Dill? Hmm. Perhaps.
I go the OO and balsamic route, in the oven until the outer leaves crisp. Or in a skillet with garlic, although it's hard to keep the garlic from burning in the amt of time the sprouts take to get a crust on them.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 14:51 (ten years ago) link
My special occasion sprouts are sauteed in browned butter and are soooooo good. They are a sometimes food, though.
― carl agatha, Thursday, 24 October 2013 15:10 (ten years ago) link
went to the TJs here and no dice. ugh. come to think of it the last time i saw them at a TJ was at a TJ in the midwest. maybe we just don't get those out here on the east coast
― 乒乓, Thursday, 24 October 2013 18:32 (ten years ago) link
NNNOOOOOOO. I had to buy the bagged ones.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:01 (ten years ago) link
We've had them! I've gotten them! Not this year though.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:02 (ten years ago) link
maybe the brussels sprout truck is late!!
― 乒乓, Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:06 (ten years ago) link
Get the helicopter, we'll spot it from the air!
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:10 (ten years ago) link
BRUSSELCOPTER
― carl agatha, Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:11 (ten years ago) link
maybe you guys should go to a farmers market
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:25 (ten years ago) link
A what now?
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:31 (ten years ago) link
I just shoveled two beef tamales with tomatillo sauce into my face-hole and that is pure comfort food.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 19:57 (ten years ago) link
Also bought
their beef jerkycheap Boursintriple-creme briesmoked & salted almonds (life-changing)
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 20:09 (ten years ago) link
pumkin everything
― akm, Thursday, 24 October 2013 21:17 (ten years ago) link
Yo I peeped yr tamale tip and those things are good!! Where is this tomatillo sauce??
― Stevie D(eux), Thursday, 24 October 2013 23:02 (ten years ago) link
sauce = salsa?
― sweat pea (La Lechera), Thursday, 24 October 2013 23:12 (ten years ago) link
Sorry yeah, the green salsa! LL introduced me to it.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Thursday, 24 October 2013 23:27 (ten years ago) link
Ugh god more like Shredded 3 Cheese BLAND! It is so rude
― Stevie D(eux), Sunday, 27 October 2013 19:54 (ten years ago) link
it is abt as tasteless as a blackface halloween costume
it's almost intriguing how you can put so much of it on or in something and not taste it one single bit, idk how they do it, like I eat a glob of it the size of a quarter and it's just melted cheese texture and mouthfeel with no discernible taste
― Stevie D(eux), Sunday, 27 October 2013 19:56 (ten years ago) link
bought some TJ's gruyere that is the same way. TJ's cheeses can be pretty hit and miss.
― 6 Tuesdays on every Tuesday. This is called dumpy pants. (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 27 October 2013 22:08 (ten years ago) link
Coconut caramel dark chocolate. Really liking it though it could taste a little more of coconut.
― shortbread, offal and heroin (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 28 October 2013 02:13 (ten years ago) link
update: brussels sprouts stalks acquired, though they seem kind of old and not firm
― 乒乓, Monday, 28 October 2013 19:58 (ten years ago) link
Secret sympatico ingredient to roast with brussels sprouts are red grapes.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 28 October 2013 22:05 (ten years ago) link
what is the closest thing trader joe's has to cheez-its? I got the cheddar rockets but they are goldfish
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 10 November 2013 05:51 (ten years ago) link
i would also like to know this because cheez-its are the fucking best
― Wendy Carlos Williams (jjjusten), Sunday, 10 November 2013 05:57 (ten years ago) link
pretty sure we had a thread about this (cheez-its vs not cheez-its) which reminds me that some of you are flavor hating animals
― Wendy Carlos Williams (jjjusten), Sunday, 10 November 2013 05:58 (ten years ago) link
Why not just buy cheez-its? Do they have veal powder in them or something?
― shortbread, offal and heroin (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 10 November 2013 06:23 (ten years ago) link
3d wines, nut prodc=uts.... watels...... aint had much cept crap packaged sh @ m parnts
― color definition point of "beyond "color, eg a transient that, Sunday, 10 November 2013 06:28 (ten years ago) link
I don't think TJs has a cheez-it analog, unfortunately. Their crackers are pretty weak in general. They need to step up their cracker game.
― Immediate Follower (NA), Sunday, 10 November 2013 13:23 (ten years ago) link
the quinoa black bean tortilla chips are on point
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Sunday, 10 November 2013 13:32 (ten years ago) link
I am not feeling the lemur tea but am stocking up on the red fox tea before they stop stocking it. I really like the pita crackers for eating with ceviche.
― Yerac, Sunday, 10 November 2013 14:35 (ten years ago) link
Love the lemur tea bc it's so good with milk.
The only good Cheezits are La Lechera's homemade Cheezits and your lives will be improved if you ever have the chance to eat them.
― carl agatha, Sunday, 10 November 2013 14:53 (ten years ago) link
recipe???
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 10 November 2013 14:55 (ten years ago) link
the harvest spice herbal tea is not good :( cloying & way too much going on. tastes like a fall-themed yankee candle
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 10 November 2013 18:24 (ten years ago) link
Gr8080 otm re:quinoa black bean chips, they're super good
― Wendy Carlos Williams (jjjusten), Sunday, 10 November 2013 20:17 (ten years ago) link
I like the Gorgonzola crackers. Don't need any dip.
― nickn, Sunday, 10 November 2013 22:58 (ten years ago) link
http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-fda-recall-athertone-20131111,0,3153847.story#axzz2kMlMcPQd
Stay safe
― 乒乓, Monday, 11 November 2013 19:23 (ten years ago) link
Tbh it's probably about how little masculinity there is in my life, when I see qualities that are physically unarguably different from me they're very attractive.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Monday, 11 November 2013 19:28 (ten years ago) link
Wrong thread, in case anyone was wondering.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Monday, 11 November 2013 19:31 (ten years ago) link
I was trying hard to make that about gorgonzola crackers, I have to admit.
― carl agatha, Monday, 11 November 2013 19:39 (ten years ago) link
Cheese is also very attractive? That's true.
― Tottenham Heelspur (in orbit), Monday, 11 November 2013 19:39 (ten years ago) link
Ways that in orbit is physically unarguably different from gorgonzola crackers:
1. io is larger with more surface area for dips and spreads2. io does not smell like gorganzola (IME)
― carl agatha, Monday, 11 November 2013 19:41 (ten years ago) link
But she's similar in that she doesn't need any dips.
― nickn, Monday, 11 November 2013 19:42 (ten years ago) link
ew gorgonzola
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 11 November 2013 19:45 (ten years ago) link
more like NOMOREgonzola
i just saw my cheese crackers evoked -- they're the parmesan cream crackers here (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/dining/04mini-web.html?_r=0) and they are so easy and SO DELICIOUSroll them out and bake on parchmentalso you're going to want to double the recipe, trust me
― sweat pea (La Lechera), Monday, 11 November 2013 20:03 (ten years ago) link
also lol @ io's oops post :)
― sweat pea (La Lechera), Monday, 11 November 2013 20:04 (ten years ago) link
wait where's the recipe? do I have to watch the video to get it??
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 11 November 2013 20:55 (ten years ago) link
i just bought a ton of cheddar that I know not what to do with so uh yeah I am going to do this
ParmesanCheddar Cream Crackers
Published: February 2, 2009Time: About 20 minutes
1 cup all-purpose flour, more as needed1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup finely grated fresh Parmesan cheddar cheese4 tablespoons unsalted butter1/4 cup cream or half-and-half, more as neededCoarse salt, pepper, sesame or poppy seeds, minced garlic or whatever you like for sprinkling (optional).1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly dust with flour. Put flour, salt, cheese and butter in bowl of a food processor. Pulse until flour and butter are combined. Add about 1/4 cup cream or half-and-half and let machine run for a bit; continue to add liquid a teaspoon at a time, until mixture holds together but is not sticky.
2. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface until 1/2-inch thick or even thinner, adding flour as needed. Transfer sheet of dough to prepared baking sheet (drape it over rolling pin to make it easier). Score lightly with a sharp knife, pizza cutter or a pastry wheel if you want to break crackers into squares or rectangles later on. Sprinkle with salt or other topping if you like.
3. Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack; serve warm or at room temperature or store in a tin for a few days.
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 11 November 2013 20:58 (ten years ago) link
yeah they're gonna be goooodi recommend cayenne or spicy paprika if you want red hot cheese crackers!or a shake shake of hot sauce so only some of them are hot
― sweat pea (La Lechera), Monday, 11 November 2013 21:12 (ten years ago) link
I can verify that those crackers are AMAZING.
― Immediate Follower (NA), Monday, 11 November 2013 21:19 (ten years ago) link
So amazing.
― carl agatha, Monday, 11 November 2013 21:54 (ten years ago) link
I am skeptical that they will be as good if anybody else but LL makes them, but I'm just being unreasonably partisan.
― carl agatha, Monday, 11 November 2013 21:55 (ten years ago) link
More like unreasonably parmesan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
― Immediate Follower (NA), Monday, 11 November 2013 21:56 (ten years ago) link
OH MY!
― carl agatha, Monday, 11 November 2013 21:57 (ten years ago) link
Lol
― sweat pea (La Lechera), Monday, 11 November 2013 22:09 (ten years ago) link
I just snorted at the bar reading that
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 12 November 2013 00:33 (ten years ago) link
Mango Passion Granola = oh gurl nooooooo
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 12:14 (ten years ago) link
It is p much cheap tween-targeted bath/beauty product granola
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 12:16 (ten years ago) link
lololol
gross
i have been making granola from stuff i bought at tjs. but their granola tastes like "scented hand cream" - you're right
― sweat pea (La Lechera), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 14:57 (ten years ago) link
ugh gross just thinking about that gives me a stomach ache
maybe it's a facial scrub that they mispackaged as granola by mistake?
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 17:17 (ten years ago) link
All their cereals are really sweet.
― Immediate Follower (NA), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 17:18 (ten years ago) link
ya this is SO sweet and SO fruity but in the worst way, like in a way granola ought not be. Berry granola is fine and vanilla almond granola is fine but mango passion granola, this granola is NOT FINE
― Homo schaduwkabinet (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 19:49 (ten years ago) link
i fux with the multigrain o's.
― the haxan 5 (get bent), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 19:57 (ten years ago) link
tj's knock off frosted mini wheats are >> the original
― le goon (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 20:01 (ten years ago) link
I like the mango passion granola, but in a guilty pleasure kind of way.
― nickn, Wednesday, 13 November 2013 20:10 (ten years ago) link
tj plain old shredded wheat is...not the best. those shits are chewy as hell
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 13 November 2013 23:00 (ten years ago) link
I've not chewed shit. So I can't compare shredded wheats on that criteria
― mario chalmers of ilx (Sufjan Grafton), Thursday, 14 November 2013 05:53 (ten years ago) link
i'm liking both the hummus and the pita chips in the hummus snack pack.
― the haxan 5 (get bent), Saturday, 16 November 2013 01:18 (ten years ago) link
garlic hummus is where it's at
― ᶓ͠סּᴥ͠סּᶔ ᶓͼ᷆ₓͼ᷇ᶔ (gr8080), Sunday, 17 November 2013 02:59 (ten years ago) link
Why didn't know know how good the candy cane oreos were before this year? omg.
― Airwrecka Bliptrap Blapmantis (ENBB), Sunday, 17 November 2013 03:58 (ten years ago) link
s: chocolate hazelnut cookies
― brimstead, Sunday, 17 November 2013 04:03 (ten years ago) link
I love the chocolate hazelnut cookies. They remind me of *something* I used to eat growing up in Minnesota in the early 1980s but I can't for the life of me figure out what.
I bought some of the vanilla/cinnamon/lemur black tea - I really enjoy it, plus it is fun to tell my daughter that lemurs are, of course, the most festive mammal of all.
― Sara R-C, Sunday, 17 November 2013 05:25 (ten years ago) link
In case you want a turkey tomorrow and are unbelievably behind...I sampled their fully cooked roasted turkey and it was amazing, I didn't know it was possible for turkey to get that tender. It's not cheap though (almost $4/lb).
― musically, Wednesday, 27 November 2013 16:18 (ten years ago) link
Bought some black garlic at TJs and am trying to figure out what to do with it.
― SWM seeks intrinsically and gravely disordered action (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 1 December 2013 08:27 (ten years ago) link
no more pumpkin waffles :(
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Sunday, 1 December 2013 08:49 (ten years ago) link
the yellowfin tuna packed in oil is delicious and i haven't died of radiation poisoning yet.
― lime pickle (get bent), Monday, 2 December 2013 22:59 (ten years ago) link
Their crazy OTT seasonal dark chocolate bark (with, like, everything) basically tasted like nothing.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 2 December 2013 23:00 (ten years ago) link
good/easy meal: the shelf stable punjab eggplant and the microwavable brown rice.
― lime pickle (get bent), Wednesday, 4 December 2013 22:39 (ten years ago) link
i bought a carton of the miso ginger broth and I think it may be my new vegetarian broth of choice.
― polyphonic, Wednesday, 4 December 2013 23:12 (ten years ago) link
My 11 year old loves the organic probiotic yogurt smoothies. I have become very fond of the chianti salami
― Sara R-C, Wednesday, 4 December 2013 23:28 (ten years ago) link
― KMFAO (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 5 December 2013 00:22 (ten years ago) link
i've been steaming my vegetables in it.
― lime pickle (get bent), Thursday, 5 December 2013 00:37 (ten years ago) link
frozen Pad See Ew: finished product has noodles the texture of congealed mucus.
Avoid.
― A New Bey Has Come (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 15 December 2013 00:51 (ten years ago) link
yeah, they're not so good at thai food.
― comics on fire (get bent), Sunday, 15 December 2013 00:51 (ten years ago) link
Pad See Ew
― A New Bey Has Come (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 15 December 2013 00:53 (ten years ago) link
All of their tortillas fall apart when I try to use them for tacos, and the flour tortillas have an odd naan-like taste.
― Immediate Follower (NA), Sunday, 15 December 2013 01:21 (ten years ago) link
I like their handmade tortillas, but they can be ridiculously thick around the edges and have that naan taste, too.
― alan watts, he made me hot (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 15 December 2013 01:23 (ten years ago) link
the chile-onion flour tortillas are pretty good!
also digging:
-dried green beans (they have these stocked next to the potato chips, popcorn, etc.)-no-sugar-added dark chocolate with almonds-the greens+ energy bars-the prepared boneless/skiness roasted chicken strips, because shut up, that's why
― Quincy, M.F. (get bent), Tuesday, 28 January 2014 08:33 (ten years ago) link
i'm still mourning the loss of my beloved green curry tuna, but tj's sai tung green curry & red gaba rice is pretty good, at least as good as what you'd get at the vegan thai joints around here.
― the pursuit of ha'pennies (get bent), Monday, 7 April 2014 04:34 (nine years ago) link
I could murder a box of green curry tuna but before they dropped it I was starting to notice the sweetness and not as much...something. Dunno. So hungry right now.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Monday, 7 April 2014 13:17 (nine years ago) link
I have decided the Lamb Vindaloo frozen dinner is my guilty pleasure
― have a nice blood/orange bitters cocktail (mh), Monday, 7 April 2014 13:35 (nine years ago) link
After a six month absence, Soyrizo is BACK.
― Spencer Chow, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 03:50 (nine years ago) link
Oh lord spicy chicken sausages
― Corpsepaint Counterpaint (jjjusten), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 04:07 (nine years ago) link
soyrizo mmmm
― the pursuit of ha'pennies (get bent), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 04:43 (nine years ago) link
omg soyrizo
― have a nice blood/orange bitters cocktail (mh), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 04:45 (nine years ago) link
soyrizo makes for the best breakfast burritos
― the pursuit of ha'pennies (get bent), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 04:59 (nine years ago) link
these months without soyrizo were tough
― Belgian Flanders Albums Chart (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 06:40 (nine years ago) link
I wish they'd just put the soyrizo in a plastic bag, though. I get red stuff everywhere.
― Belgian Flanders Albums Chart (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 06:41 (nine years ago) link
the new soyrizo is not vegan:
http://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2014/04/trader-joes-soy-chorizo-20.html
― the pursuit of ha'pennies (get bent), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 06:52 (nine years ago) link
That sucks. And like the guy who wrote that, I too still miss the roasted flaxseed peanut butter.
― Assholes on Boats: A Billy Zane Retrospective (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 06:57 (nine years ago) link
didn't someone want pink salt? there's some pink salt at trader joe's now. must be pink salt season.
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 15 May 2014 02:41 (nine years ago) link
i tried the soyrizo... I had v low expectations but dayum that stuff is good!
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 15 May 2014 02:54 (nine years ago) link
I've been making pizzas with soyrizo on them and that shit is great.
― Slumdog Baseballionaire (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 15 May 2014 03:13 (nine years ago) link
that sounds wonderful
― the glimmer man (Sufjan Grafton), Thursday, 15 May 2014 03:21 (nine years ago) link
What kind of sauce and cheese? I find that TJ's block cheeses are pretty great (big ups to the X-tra X-tra Sharp New York Cheddar), all of the shredded ones I've tried have been horribly bland (Mexican, mozzarella, etc) with the exception of the sharp cheddar.
The chicken fried rice is pretty great, but the chimichurri rice is EXCELLENT, esp when you mix a protein in. I had some leftover shredded pork and it was so supreme.
― funny and lolexander (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 15 May 2014 03:25 (nine years ago) link
peanut butter chips are next level, totally upped my daily trail mix game
― just1n3, Thursday, 15 May 2014 05:32 (nine years ago) link
What kind of sauce and cheese?
I've been kind of lazy with it, tried enchilada sauce (bland) and kind of intuitively whipped up tomato and adobo sauce (better), I plan to make cilantro pesto next... For cheese I've actually been going with Mexican "Quesadilla cheese" from the super market - I just use a little bit in slices (like a margherita pizza) and throw on some mushrooms, soyrizo and sliced red jalapenos.
― Slumdog Baseballionaire (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 15 May 2014 07:01 (nine years ago) link
I am an advocate of the Bimbimbap
― Matt Armstrong, Wednesday, 21 May 2014 01:17 (nine years ago) link
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 21 May 2014 01:21 (nine years ago) link
Bibimblahhh
― aaliyah papi (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 21 May 2014 01:25 (nine years ago) link
Frozen mango chunks are an amazing snack FYI, esp in the summer, just grab a bunch out of the freezer and eat
― musically, Tuesday, 27 May 2014 03:51 (nine years ago) link
I bought this trail mix that I thought was mainly a mix of honey-roasted and regular peanuts. I start eating it and there are huge chunks of peanut brittle in here? It's like 20 percent peanut brittle. It's delicious but not exactly a healthy treat.
― Immediate Follower (NA), Wednesday, 6 August 2014 15:08 (nine years ago) link
Of all the TJ's snacks and treats my boss has sent me over the years, my favorite is the dark chocolate pistachio toffee.
― Harper Valley PTSD (WilliamC), Wednesday, 6 August 2014 15:22 (nine years ago) link
joe's o's are kind of gro'ss. pale and flavorless.
― a series of sleeps (Hunt3r), Wednesday, 6 August 2014 15:49 (nine years ago) link
I like the new-ish Happy Trekking trail mix - almonds, cashews, pistachios, chocolate, cranberries, and cherries - but I probably shouldn't be eating chocolate regularly. My goto mix is the Sweet and Salty (something like that) one that has nuts, cranberries, and little chocolate/butterscotch/white chocolate chips.
― nickn, Thursday, 7 August 2014 00:01 (nine years ago) link
the dark chocolate pistachio toffee.
SO MANY TIMES YES. The toffee destroys my teeth, though. I will also eat an entire bucket of the dark chocolate peanut butter cups but it's too hot right now--I'll get back to them in the fall.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Thursday, 7 August 2014 01:26 (nine years ago) link
the herbal tea with the fox on it -- yesssss, very good"spicy chicken sausage" with some sort of korean seasoning - revolting, easily the worst sausage i have eaten (rather, tried to eat) in years
― cross over the mushroom circle (La Lechera), Monday, 15 September 2014 19:54 (nine years ago) link
How is the canned chili? iirc they have several varieties; I hear turkey is good but I WANT OPINIONS
― Gay Fire Beautiful Dong (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 17:51 (nine years ago) link
Also I am going tonight and I ALWAYS freeze up and never know what to get so if someone could hold my hand and tell me some nice fings to buy, or to make a recipe with, I wuld be truely forever greatful
― Gay Fire Beautiful Dong (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 17:57 (nine years ago) link
Canned chili is okay. I mean, it's definitely canned chili, but it's decent enough that you don't feel like you're eating dog food.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:01 (nine years ago) link
was gonna rep pizza dough but ;_;
I'm slowly and begrudgingly coming to the realization that the fresh pizza dough (which I seem to by constantly) just isn't all that good.― ferreira rocher (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, March 4, 2013 12:21 PM (1 year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― ferreira rocher (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, March 4, 2013 12:21 PM (1 year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:04 (nine years ago) link
Mr Veg has a long-standing addiction to their Meditteranean Hummus, which is pretty much the king of non-homemade hummus in our houses
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:06 (nine years ago) link
the falafel chips with the Meditteranean Hummus
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:07 (nine years ago) link
so good
the black bean quinoa chips with the garlic hummus imo
― ╲╱\/╲/\╱╲╱\/\ (gr8080), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:08 (nine years ago) link
their pita chips are p good but it's hard to screw up pita chips so maybe that's not a good rec
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:09 (nine years ago) link
oh shit
their plaintain chips are SO good
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:10 (nine years ago) link
talkin bout chips y'all
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:10 (nine years ago) link
the black bean quinoa chips with the garlic hummus imo― ╲╱\/╲/\╱╲╱\/\ (gr8080), Tuesday, September 16, 2014 11:08 AM (10 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― ╲╱\/╲/\╱╲╱\/\ (gr8080), Tuesday, September 16, 2014 11:08 AM (10 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I always feel guilty when I buy the smaller hummus tubs because I feel like they lack the value of the larger tub hummus flavors. but this sounds good, and I may have made up that bit about larger tub value.
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:21 (nine years ago) link
the tomato and basil hummus is bascially marinara, however
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:22 (nine years ago) link
The edamame dip is godlike. The bags of frozen boneless chicken breasts for $7 are a good deal and I use them a lot (there are also bags of thighs if you prefer).
I don't normally use TJ's own brand of diced tomatoes bc they have too many stems in them--I usu pay more for the Sclafani or San Marzano ones at a regular store (when I can find them).
The smoked trout is p good? And the price on a package of garlicky, salty Boursin cheese is about HALF what grocery stores charge, so I always get Boursin at TJ's.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:40 (nine years ago) link
be warned the garlic hummus will leave your breath reeking of garlic more than almost any other garlic food i can recall
― ╲╱\/╲/\╱╲╱\/\ (gr8080), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:41 (nine years ago) link
Also their beef jerky is my favorite outside of getting locally made stuff from some small northern town.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:43 (nine years ago) link
yeah the jerky is goodperfect for road trippini like the edamame rice crackers too -- they're super salty
― cross over the mushroom circle (La Lechera), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 18:58 (nine years ago) link
the pizza dough is *fine*; it's inexpensive and versatile which keeps me coming back but it just has ZERO flavor, and I am somewhat of a pizza diva so I need nice things.
― Gay Fire Beautiful Dong (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 19:02 (nine years ago) link
Fuck I remember having a strong opinion abt the alfredo sauce but don't remember if it was good or bad
― Gay Fire Beautiful Dong (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 20:11 (nine years ago) link
Iirc the Alfredo sauce is decent
― just1n3, Tuesday, 16 September 2014 21:24 (nine years ago) link
jerky is good but my is it expensive!and I have really great local hummus that I likebut these chip potions sound great
― Gay Fire Beautiful Dong (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 21:40 (nine years ago) link
but these chip options sound great
oh shit, chip potions
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 21:51 (nine years ago) link
chi poptions
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:04 (nine years ago) link
I still rep for the spinach and kale bites. I tried making them from scratch and ended up making about the same amount and spending about the same on ingredients and they tasted about the same, so laziness won out, and I still buy the TJ's frozen ones.
I like using the TJ's chili as a base and adding extras.
Their smoked salmon is a good value, and I also like the lemon tart and the parmesan rolls
I can't get with any of their tortilla chips.
― sarahell, Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:05 (nine years ago) link
I bought the 'stone ground yellow corn tortilla chips' this week instead of the 'organic yellow corn rounds', and I am very pleased with this substitution.
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:07 (nine years ago) link
I think they enjoy how mediocre they are, i.e. a good dip chip imo
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:11 (nine years ago) link
you guys are making me want to go to tj's after work today. think i need some of that chili.
― mattresslessness, Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:11 (nine years ago) link
xp Perhaps, but I am not a fan of salted or chipotle-spiced cardboard even if dipped in the most delicious salsa or hummus
― sarahell, Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:13 (nine years ago) link
"spicy chicken sausage" with some sort of korean seasoning - revolting, easily the worst sausage i have eaten (rather, tried to eat) in years
i thought it was fine, but it made my bf violently ill. :-(
― replacements gustafsson (get bent), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:15 (nine years ago) link
chipinions
― mattresslessness, Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:16 (nine years ago) link
I need to get some cinnamon toscano cheese after work today.
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:19 (nine years ago) link
think i need some libby's turd chip cookies :(
― mattresslessness, Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:20 (nine years ago) link
and milk
I am so overwhelmed w/ their tortilla chip options, really.
I never know what to get
― Gay Fire Beautiful Dong (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:23 (nine years ago) link
dude srsly try these
http://i.imgur.com/xmlC0aS.png
― ╲╱\/╲/\╱╲╱\/\ (gr8080), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 22:54 (nine years ago) link
Okay guys I have some SUPER solid TJs updates.
I made the cornbread (w/o a doubt the most delicious cornbread of my life, box or otherwise) as well as this recipe for kale & crispy pork belly and LET ME TELL YOU this is a thing to behold
www.traderjoes.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=269
just use LS Better than Boullion bcz it's tastier and cheaper but I mean this whole meal musta cost me like $6 or $8 and it's 3 meals really
― Gay Fire Beautiful Dong (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 17 September 2014 02:39 (nine years ago) link
woah. definitely doing this.
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 17 September 2014 02:46 (nine years ago) link
have you ever eaten cornbread from a Kenny Rogers' Roasters?
― Bitterer than Bitter (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 17 September 2014 02:47 (nine years ago) link
oh shit stevie that sounds awesome
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 17 September 2014 03:13 (nine years ago) link
big fan of the frozen turkey bolognese sauce, but a caveat for the fennel haters that it does taste somewhat fennel-ish.
― syro gyra (get bent), Tuesday, 23 September 2014 00:49 (nine years ago) link
anyway it's a good thing to eat standalone as a meal if you're watching your carbs.
― syro gyra (get bent), Tuesday, 23 September 2014 00:50 (nine years ago) link
is it Trader Joe's corporate policy for all their stores to rearrange their shelves/products every 6 months or so, or is that just the one I shop at? They've been doing it for years, you can't tell me they haven't found the optimum shelf arrangement yet.
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 30 September 2014 19:39 (nine years ago) link
My guess is that TJ's has an inventory that invites impulse buys of items you didn't intend to get when you came in the door. If they force you to hunt for your usual items, you'll be exposed to more temptation to toss something new into your basket. My local TJ's doesn't rearrange nearly that often, though.
― Aimless, Tuesday, 30 September 2014 19:45 (nine years ago) link
yeah that's what I thought too it's just weird, literally no other grocery store I go to does this. And I literally by the same exact two-dozen things every time I go there so it's just irritating that every few months I have to re-learn where everything is.
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 30 September 2014 19:48 (nine years ago) link
by = buy
every time you walk out of TJ's without a toblerone, you have won
― GhostTunes on my Pono (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 30 September 2014 19:59 (nine years ago) link
or have you?
the almond/coconut/whitechocolate/dark chocolate balls are amazing
― just1n3, Tuesday, 21 October 2014 06:28 (nine years ago) link
MEDIOCRITY ALERT: the Smashing Smores (small tub of chocolate-covered graham and marshmallow squares) are just fine but not all that flaborful or decadent and certainly not worth almost $5 when you can get the dark chocolate sea salt turbinado almonds instead.
― Belami Young (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 5 November 2014 04:38 (nine years ago) link
yeah I like that fox tea
I also really liked the dried mandarin oranges. good chewy texture and concentrated citrus.
― los blue jeans, Tuesday, 11 November 2014 06:29 (nine years ago) link
I made the mistake of buying gluten-free candy cane joe-joe's. They are almost inedible.
― Modern French Music from Failure to Boulez (askance johnson), Tuesday, 11 November 2014 14:14 (nine years ago) link
Their GF brownie mix is good though! I add some powdered Bourbon vanilla, and then as a topping I melt a few Tb of peanut butter w some butter in the microwave and then pour it over the top and bake per instructions.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 11 November 2014 14:22 (nine years ago) link
Kept reading that as a few lb of peanut butter and was concerned
― los blue jeans, Tuesday, 11 November 2014 16:58 (nine years ago) link
the pumpkin loaf mix is very nice -- notes of cinnamon and brown sugar, not too nutmeggy
― Westing (By Musket Anne Sexton) (get bent), Tuesday, 11 November 2014 20:20 (nine years ago) link
i think the entire store has turned into a pumpkin loaf
― cross over the mushroom circle (La Lechera), Tuesday, 11 November 2014 20:38 (nine years ago) link
Whoever eats pumpkin loaf and drinks 2 Buck Chuck remains in Joe and Joe in him.
― los blue jeans, Tuesday, 11 November 2014 22:14 (nine years ago) link
this shocking TJ fearless flyer text analysis was making the twitter rounds:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BzmxzgJCYAAMn_W.jpg
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 11 November 2014 22:45 (nine years ago) link
hahahahahah
― sarahell, Tuesday, 11 November 2014 23:29 (nine years ago) link
you don't need flyer discourse analysis to see that it's wall to wall pumpkin in there!
― cross over the mushroom circle (La Lechera), Tuesday, 11 November 2014 23:40 (nine years ago) link
Ours has a giant sandwich board outside
63PUMPKINPRODUCTS
― Walter MIDI (Crabbits), Wednesday, 12 November 2014 14:00 (nine years ago) link
lmao
― ✓ out this insane nakh yall (gr8080), Wednesday, 12 November 2014 18:08 (nine years ago) link
(Get the TJ's pumpkin seed oil, which is a fairly new product, anyway, because it is good and because it is nothing to do with New Age American Pumpkimania (which is all about gingerbread spices anyway).)
― Three Word Username, Wednesday, 12 November 2014 19:24 (nine years ago) link
io, why don't you come and bake for me one night a week?
j/k, but you need to have more parties (no pressure)
― things lose meaning over time (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 12 November 2014 19:48 (nine years ago) link
Tried the Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cremes and the Speculoos Cookie Butter Cups (like peanut butter cups but with cookie butter in them) and now I'm certain I'm going to gain shit tons of weight this month.
― Sara R-C, Thursday, 13 November 2014 07:01 (nine years ago) link
anything Speculoos, Speculoos all the time
― kate78, Thursday, 13 November 2014 17:21 (nine years ago) link
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 14 November 2014 03:47 (nine years ago) link
i'm actually surprised by how much i like the lamb kofta meatballs, and i say this as a fan of tj's frozen indian dishes. the masala sauce isn't perfect, but change it to one that is and you could easily see this on a restaurant menu for $10.
― Highland-Camrose Bungalow Village (get bent), Thursday, 4 December 2014 03:35 (nine years ago) link
ooh good to know
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 4 December 2014 03:39 (nine years ago) link
yeah, the sauce could be a little more unctuous and less... clove-y? less sweet? but the meatballs are delicious!
― Highland-Camrose Bungalow Village (get bent), Thursday, 4 December 2014 03:40 (nine years ago) link
Had apple and Chardonnay chicken sausages and polenta Provençal with spinach and peas for dinner. The sausage was decent but not super exciting but I really liked the polenta with peas as a side.
― Free Me's Electric Trumpet (Moodles), Thursday, 4 December 2014 04:30 (nine years ago) link
that polenta is the best.
― Highland-Camrose Bungalow Village (get bent), Thursday, 4 December 2014 06:56 (nine years ago) link
so idk what's up but the candy cane joe-joe's are pretty gross this year...the cookie part gets kinda slimy and there is too much cream (i need a proper cookie:cream ratio) and the cream is toothpastey. i didn't accidentally buy the gluten-free version or anything either. i ended up sampling some mi-del candy cane cremes at whole foods and bought them instead. more expensive but it's seasonal so i can justify it.
― musically, Wednesday, 10 December 2014 18:16 (nine years ago) link
I've had a totally didn't experience with the joejoes. But they are still evil.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 10 December 2014 18:19 (nine years ago) link
Different experience.
It occurred to me after I bought a bunch of boxes at Whole Foods today that Oreo probably makes these too, and they do. That's probably the cheapest option and if anyone knows how to make a sandwich cookie it's them.
Another thing I bought from TJs...the giant danish almond kringle in the pre-made bakery/sweets area. it was amazing.
The mango chips were good too, super crunchy and tart
― musically, Wednesday, 10 December 2014 23:04 (nine years ago) link
the giant danish almond kringle is the best thing ever.
― Bill Nighy the Science Gighy (get bent), Thursday, 11 December 2014 00:15 (nine years ago) link
my 3-year-old won't eat the candy cane jo-joes
that is basically as harsh a condemnation as you can get
― The Complainte of Ray Tabano, Thursday, 11 December 2014 00:26 (nine years ago) link
3 year olds shouldn't be eating candy cane joe-joe's
unless the adults are all totally sick of them
― Pooja Bhatt's erotic thriller Jism 2 (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 11 December 2014 03:25 (nine years ago) link
funny thing: probably more than a dozen different salsas and not a single one of them is excellent.
― fgti jaq, it's chinavision! (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 December 2014 03:06 (nine years ago) link
True. I like the spicy refrigerated one next to the hummus though.
― $80 is absurd and very ridiculous! (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 December 2014 03:10 (nine years ago) link
The medium refrigerated one is good! The salsa especial!
― kate78, Tuesday, 16 December 2014 07:02 (nine years ago) link
yeah, that's the one I meant! I guess it's not so spicy, huh. I sometimes mix it up in my head with the even thinner Santa Barbara Salsa Taquera I get from Ralph's every once in awhile. I've no love for chunky salsa.
― $80 is absurd and very ridiculous! (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 December 2014 07:35 (nine years ago) link
I just want something as good as Green Mountain or Desert Pepper, why is that so hard???
― fgti jaq, it's chinavision! (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 December 2014 17:15 (nine years ago) link
I enjoyed their triple ginger beer and their Porchetta Pork Roast is very good, easy to make, but a bit expensive. On the not-so-great side, we tried cooking up their frozen salmon and it came out very fishy and dry.
― Free Me's Electric Trumpet (Moodles), Tuesday, 16 December 2014 18:57 (nine years ago) link
The new sriracha and garlic barbeque sauce is pretty bitchin, had a sample of it on meatballs yesterday and grabbed a bottle before i even finished.
― musically, Thursday, 8 January 2015 18:21 (nine years ago) link
That sounds good!
Not good: triple chocolate mini bundt cakes. Taste like a cocoa-flavored fart.
― pelvic slang (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 8 January 2015 18:50 (nine years ago) link
We've become big consumers of the Brioche Toasts, perfect for cheese and crackers!
― Free Me's Electric Trumpet (Moodles), Thursday, 8 January 2015 18:55 (nine years ago) link
single-serve porcini mushroom lasagna in the white box: super bland and way too much sauce and has a homogeneous mucous-like texturebeef tenderloin bites: YUM CITY U.S.A.
― y kant max read (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 8 January 2015 19:11 (nine years ago) link
the giant peruvian inca corn rules. tastes like a cross between corn nuts and fritos.
― mitt fleekwood (get bent), Friday, 9 January 2015 00:44 (nine years ago) link
serving size: 1/3 cup. sooo easy to gorge on these tho.
http://www.traderjoesreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/giantperuvianincacorn.jpg
― mitt fleekwood (get bent), Friday, 9 January 2015 00:47 (nine years ago) link
oh yeah, and the honey sesame almonds are classic and addictive. sesame is my favorite seed, so underrated in american culture.
― mitt fleekwood (get bent), Friday, 9 January 2015 01:00 (nine years ago) link
Yeah, my wife keeps getting those Inca Corns. Kinda somewhere between beer nuts and Fritos, but in a good way, probably slightly better for you too.
― Free Me's Electric Trumpet (Moodles), Friday, 9 January 2015 01:12 (nine years ago) link
o man those things
― the captain beefheart of personal hygiene (soda), Friday, 9 January 2015 01:14 (nine years ago) link
I can't stop eating those ether but I don't really love them!
― y kant max read (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 9 January 2015 03:32 (nine years ago) link
sriracha and garlic
but sriracha has garlic in it
― earthface, windface and fireface (Aimless), Friday, 9 January 2015 04:31 (nine years ago) link
they should call it "sriracha and more garlic"
― mitt fleekwood (get bent), Friday, 9 January 2015 08:03 (nine years ago) link
I can't stop eating those ether
i can't stop eating ether either!
the sauce has minced garlic bits in it. i'm a garlic fiend so i love it.
― musically, Friday, 9 January 2015 19:05 (nine years ago) link
The gingerbread pancake mix is pretty good - I like that it just needs water
― breakfast josiah (los blue jeans), Saturday, 10 January 2015 07:19 (nine years ago) link
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5bXohsNv4E/TwOcBz1QiII/AAAAAAAAAcQ/Wuvl3dJr5RQ/s1600/Pastry+Bites+with+Feta+Cheese.JPG
this is soooo good
― k3vin k., Monday, 26 January 2015 20:51 (nine years ago) link
i need to not buy those because i could very easily eat six of them at once.
― no fucks given or implied (get bent), Monday, 26 January 2015 20:55 (nine years ago) link
i just ate the entire box
― k3vin k., Monday, 26 January 2015 20:56 (nine years ago) link
!
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 05:21 (nine years ago) link
yeah i would do the same
Unquestionably.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 05:22 (nine years ago) link
I've never even considered not eating an entire box of those, damn
― musically, Tuesday, 27 January 2015 05:25 (nine years ago) link
It's probably more like...put the first 6 in the oven, heat, eat. A couple of hours later, think, man those were really good...and I still have 6 more....
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 05:26 (nine years ago) link
put them all on a huge skewer & pick them off one by one in my pyjamas
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 05:32 (nine years ago) link
Trader Joe's biscotti - the big ones in a bag, almond and chocolate - are the worst baked goods I've tasted in at least a decade. Like compressed sawdust slices with the occasional flavorless almond, a stripe of brown paint on the bottom to represent chocolate.
― pelvic slang (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 08:27 (nine years ago) link
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, January 27, 2015 5:26 AM (7 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
io has clearly been spying on me.
― about a dozen duck supporters (carl agatha), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 13:10 (nine years ago) link
I'm eating a maple walnut blondie right now...mmm
And apparently the raspberry macaron cake has been discontinued :( you can still buy bite sized pieces as part of the sweet bites box so I hope it comes back randomly like it has done before. Different stores seem to tell me that it's either discontinued or seasonal, hoping it's the latter.
― musically, Wednesday, 28 January 2015 04:25 (nine years ago) link
biscotti are pretty easy to make for yourself. the ingredients are simple and the process is pretty straightforward. the hardest thing about them is you need to bake them twice.
― Aimless, Wednesday, 28 January 2015 04:33 (nine years ago) link
Whole Foods' biscotti (sold in their bakery, not the prepackaged stuff) is some of the best biscotti I've had.
― musically, Wednesday, 28 January 2015 17:36 (nine years ago) link
okay so you know how TJ's produce flat out sucks, right? Right??? WELL, have I got news for you!! They have these fancy oranges called Sky Valley Heirloom Navel Oranges at the very unfancy price of $3.99 for a 4lb bag just like all their other oranges. They are the sweetest juciest most amazing oranges I have ever had in my life, oh my god, idk if I've ever even just bought oranges for eating before as an adult but these are INSANE
also the Inner Bean snacks are just weird
― Jennifer 8.-( (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 3 February 2015 04:43 (nine years ago) link
http://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2015/02/trader-joes-fireworks-chocolate-bar.html
can't wait to try this one
― Jeff, Tuesday, 3 February 2015 16:33 (nine years ago) link
the green curry shrimp gyoza are awesome. i made my own sweet chili sauce for dipping and they were even better after that.
― no fucks given or implied (get bent), Wednesday, 4 February 2015 01:29 (nine years ago) link
and there's a new flavor of frozen naan now, with paneer. it's in my freezer -- haven't tried it yet.
― no fucks given or implied (get bent), Wednesday, 4 February 2015 01:30 (nine years ago) link
Naan masala or something? Had it, pretty good but a little onion-y.
Oh man, I've had a non-TJs bar like this and it was amazing, hope this one's as good.
― pelvic slang (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 4 February 2015 06:54 (nine years ago) link
not crazy bout that masala naan (the garlic one is the best of the three) but the vegetable samosas are delish. does tj's sell tamarind paste?
― no fucks given or implied (get bent), Monday, 9 February 2015 02:01 (nine years ago) link
i bought the fireworks chocolate bar and ate two pieces like i normally eat chocolate, by chewing it, and it was tasty but didn't seem that special. then i was told that you have to let it melt on your tongue and it distinguished itself as different from other chocolate bars. recommended for sensory-overload enthusiasts!
― groundless round (La Lechera), Tuesday, 17 February 2015 15:05 (nine years ago) link
i think maybe I'm the only person who finds pop rocks profoundly unpleasant
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 17 February 2015 15:12 (nine years ago) link
oh i'm sure you're not the only person!
― groundless round (La Lechera), Tuesday, 17 February 2015 15:18 (nine years ago) link
We tried that chocolate bar and I couldn't eat more than a square or two in one sitting. It was so weird.
― about a dozen duck supporters (carl agatha), Tuesday, 17 February 2015 15:28 (nine years ago) link
I loved it. Could eat 37 of them.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 17 February 2015 15:52 (nine years ago) link
I like em, but I usually just have two squares. The Chuao Fireworks bar, on the other hand, I could eat in one sitting.
― rabatment of the rectangle (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 17 February 2015 22:32 (nine years ago) link
I've been loyal to the garlic hummus for years but decided to switch it up last night and get the "Mediterranean Hummus" ("creamy and smooth").
it is so abhorrently salty that i'm going to return it tonight (a TJ's first for me)
and i love salty stuff!
― gr8080, Wednesday, 18 February 2015 14:54 (nine years ago) link
aw man i love the meditteranean!
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 21 February 2015 03:55 (nine years ago) link
i've never noticed the saltiness tbh
I like that hummus but the Alton Brown recipe that is the first google result for 'hummus recipe' is so easy and good that I stopped buying it.
― you can buy your hair if it won't grow (Sufjan Grafton), Saturday, 21 February 2015 05:58 (nine years ago) link
it could have been a bad batch
also i am ashamed to report that my resolve crumbled and i did not return it to the store but instead ate it in tiny bites until the container was empty
― gr8080, Monday, 23 February 2015 18:47 (nine years ago) link
Coconut Creamer: dafuq IS this?? There's no fat in this so it's thick but not really ~creamy~ the way I expect creamer to make my coffee. Also you need to use a SHIT TON of it for it to actually lighten and thicken your coffee. Also it is super grainy once you get to the bottom of the coffee cup.
― gybe horses (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 2 April 2015 13:25 (eight years ago) link
http://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2015/04/trader-joes-dark-chocolate-covered.html Joke, but they should make them because it has all the things that are good in the world.
― Jeff, Thursday, 2 April 2015 14:09 (eight years ago) link
They changed their toilet paper for the worse. Noticeably less soft.
― kate78, Thursday, 2 April 2015 16:59 (eight years ago) link
fan of the jarred beets in vinaigrette -- better than the ones in the veggie section! easier to store and only $1.69 vs like $2.99 iirc
― groundless round (La Lechera), Thursday, 2 April 2015 17:08 (eight years ago) link
the organic cottage cheese is ok but not what i've come to expect from organic cottage cheese
― gr8080, Thursday, 2 April 2015 18:06 (eight years ago) link
cookie butter sandwich cookies are ok but too buttery/shortbread-y imo
not as gamechangingly delicious as i had hoped
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 2 April 2015 23:20 (eight years ago) link
giant cornuts are back. thought they were discontinued. trader joes assured me they were not. i head that story before. but this time they speak truth.
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 3 April 2015 17:47 (eight years ago) link
was not too thrilled by the South African potato chips -- taste like standard bbq flavor plus gritty residue that gets under the fingernails and smells weird
― Mistah FAAB (sarahell), Friday, 3 April 2015 18:14 (eight years ago) link
Oh agreed, they were disappointing.
― from batman to balloon dog (carl agatha), Friday, 3 April 2015 18:36 (eight years ago) link
have you guys ever taken advantage of trader joes' standing offer to rip open a package and let you sample anything in the store?
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 3 April 2015 19:20 (eight years ago) link
Wonder if they would do it with beer.
― Jeff, Friday, 3 April 2015 19:28 (eight years ago) link
I would feel too guilty if I decided I didn't want what they opened for me. I do enjoy it when other people ask though, more samples for me.
BTW the danish kringle is back...in pecan form! Pecans >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> almonds so it's an excellent choice.
― musically, Tuesday, 7 April 2015 16:39 (eight years ago) link
I sampled that kringle. It was unbelivable. Also, too large and too much money.
― gybe horses (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 7 April 2015 16:49 (eight years ago) link
i dont understand what it is...?
is it cake? it's so flat
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 7 April 2015 20:28 (eight years ago) link
What? It's coffeecake.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 7 April 2015 20:30 (eight years ago) link
It's made of dough with butter layers rolled into it, idk kind of between a pie crust and a croissant? And there's some kind of filling.
― Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 7 April 2015 20:33 (eight years ago) link
mmm
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 7 April 2015 20:46 (eight years ago) link
^^ otm
― gybe horses (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 7 April 2015 21:22 (eight years ago) link
yeah it's basically soft croissant dough with filling and icing, it's so good yall
― musically, Tuesday, 7 April 2015 22:36 (eight years ago) link
i may need this in my life
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 8 April 2015 00:48 (eight years ago) link
the almond kringle is literally one of the best things on earth. pecans are good too but i hope tj's isn't bowing to bourgie pressure by getting rid of the almonds (people who don't normally give a shit about the environment are sanctimoniously tearing heads off left and right when it comes to almonds' effect on the water supply).
― Textured Vegetable Personalities (get bent), Wednesday, 8 April 2015 08:19 (eight years ago) link
"dinner hack" i tried tonight to great success: combining the frozen mahi-mahi w/ the frozen channa masala. i made a spice rub for the fish w/ some salt, pepper, grated ginger, garlic, and dried orange peel, and yr basic curry ingredients, then broiled the fish in a low-temp oven until it was cooked through but still flaky and tender. i had the chick peas heating on a burner with some extra butter and ginger while the mahi-mahi was going, and at the end i just turned off all heat sources and mixed in the shredded fish. really good, comforting and aromatic and not too heavy and thick enough on its own that you don't need naan or rice.
― T-Boz Scaggs (get bent), Tuesday, 26 May 2015 01:12 (eight years ago) link
tj's has decent prices for the non-salmon non-tuna frozen fish. i've been taking advantage of that a lot more lately. i understand their sustainability practices have improved, or at least i will let myself believe that until someone taps me on the shoulder and tells me i'm a monster.
― T-Boz Scaggs (get bent), Tuesday, 26 May 2015 01:15 (eight years ago) link
(psst—monster!)
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 26 May 2015 14:39 (eight years ago) link
Anyone remember the heady days of boil-in-bag thai-curry tuna?
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 26 May 2015 14:40 (eight years ago) link
my blood-mercury level is probably 2.5 thanks to that deliciousness
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 26 May 2015 14:42 (eight years ago) link
I miss that stuff.
― from batman to balloon dog (carl agatha), Tuesday, 26 May 2015 16:09 (eight years ago) link
I wonder if there's a version (or even the same product) in the non-TJ world.
― nickn, Tuesday, 26 May 2015 16:55 (eight years ago) link
that stuff was godhead
― -entry-level umami (mild bleu cheese vibes) (get bent), Wednesday, 27 May 2015 19:17 (eight years ago) link
I still look for it every time I go to TJs, because there is a small sliver of hope left alive somewhere my heart.
― Modern French Music from Failure to Boulez (askance johnson), Wednesday, 27 May 2015 19:24 (eight years ago) link
There's gotta be a relatively simple way to put it together...does TJ's sell those green and red curries by the jar?
― Hadrian VIII, Wednesday, 27 May 2015 20:37 (eight years ago) link
i just learned that their roasted seaweed snacks are hella gross
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 28 May 2015 19:42 (eight years ago) link
i tried adding their thai green curry to some tuna and it was disgusting.
― -entry-level umami (mild bleu cheese vibes) (get bent), Friday, 29 May 2015 06:52 (eight years ago) link
The curry sauce is good over tilapia or other fish filets, though.
― from batman to balloon dog (carl agatha), Friday, 29 May 2015 12:25 (eight years ago) link
Y'all are crazy those curry tuna packets were barftastic.
― Jeff, Friday, 29 May 2015 12:58 (eight years ago) link
no way bro they were the best
― WE WANT FET WAP (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 29 May 2015 13:10 (eight years ago) link
Greek Yogurt Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins=goood.
― JuliaA, Tuesday, 16 June 2015 19:16 (eight years ago) link
Trader Joe's Sambal Matah Indonesian Salsa: very good
― polyphonic, Tuesday, 16 June 2015 19:20 (eight years ago) link
Avocado salsa: very good
nb: Jeff hated it. I ate the entire tub.
― from batman to balloon dog (carl agatha), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 19:29 (eight years ago) link
i never go to TJs, but if i did i need stuff where you don't have to turn on the oven (microwave OK)
― the increasing costive borborygmi (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 19:48 (eight years ago) link
Tasted like watered down guacamole.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 16 June 2015 20:07 (eight years ago) link
morbs: the canned tuna is really good, the frozen indian food is really good, the cheeses in the dairy case are okay. you can do well.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 20:16 (eight years ago) link
The Indian food in the packets is good, too.
― kate78, Tuesday, 16 June 2015 20:18 (eight years ago) link
thanks.
i actually did turn the oven on twice recently... for samosas.
― the increasing costive borborygmi (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 20:20 (eight years ago) link
the frozen pasta single meals are not bad either. froz mac & cheese p good too
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 20:23 (eight years ago) link
quiches and tamales
― mad maxwell's wasteland death suite (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 22:46 (eight years ago) link
TJ's frozen falafel is very bad and tastes like horrible chicken nuggets
― mad maxwell's wasteland death suite (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 22:47 (eight years ago) link
all the salsas i have had from TJ have ranged from awful to mediocre
― let he who has not approved of the ronaldinho bottle opener cast the (sarahell), Wednesday, 17 June 2015 00:29 (eight years ago) link
the double roasted one is probably the best of the lot, but yeah.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Wednesday, 17 June 2015 01:47 (eight years ago) link
I like the salsa autentica bc its like your standard Mexican restaurant free table salsa but the spice level can vary pretty widely from jar to jar.
― Immediate Follower (NA), Wednesday, 17 June 2015 01:55 (eight years ago) link
the sriracha bbq sauce would be amazing if it had about a third less sugar, but that's my complaint about most commercial bbq sauces. it wouldn't be too hard to make my own, though. it's tomato paste, sriracha, vinegar, sugar, and garlic, basically.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Wednesday, 17 June 2015 02:50 (eight years ago) link
opened a package of those steamed lentils today and they freakin' rule. made KILLER tacos, but they're already lightly seasoned so perfect for salads too or whatever
― Tom Waits for no one (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 17 June 2015 05:46 (eight years ago) link
turns out Partially Popped Popcorn is quite good. Not at all difficult to munch on.
― too young for seapunk (Moodles), Wednesday, 17 June 2015 13:44 (eight years ago) link
hi what shd i buy tomorrow
― Y Kant Max Read (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 27 July 2015 05:19 (eight years ago) link
so far I got:
Ice creamPot pieLunchesQuiche fixins (what kind of quiche shd i make tho)Pizza fixinsCream cheeseDessert mixFocaccia
― Y Kant Max Read (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 27 July 2015 05:20 (eight years ago) link
super grandma of me but i dig their fig bars
― difficult-difficult lemon-difficult (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 27 July 2015 05:29 (eight years ago) link
Quiche is good for using up leftover vegetables but of you don't have any of those, bacon, spinach, mushroom, and Swiss cheese is always good IMO.
― from batman to balloon dog (carl agatha), Monday, 27 July 2015 11:53 (eight years ago) link
omfg
crispy cookies filled w/ belgian chocolate are m/l fancy high-end milanos and they taste stunning
― Y Kant Max Read (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 12 August 2015 02:05 (eight years ago) link
Most of what I buy from Trader Joe's are either bottles of wine or minimally processed items that I can use as ingredients in meals, such as cheese, nuts, or olive oil. But of their convenience foods I can recommend:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Qleo1KVNL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg
Several other similar varieties of Indian food in pouches are also good (nb: Punjab eggplant), but this one seems the best of the lot.
― Aimless, Wednesday, 12 August 2015 02:21 (eight years ago) link
We eat those pouches at least once a week. Sometimes twice.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 (eight years ago) link
i ate them too often for a while and got sick of them. so i don't like them anymore, which sucks, they're madly convenient and i used to love them.
― JuliaA, Wednesday, 12 August 2015 21:36 (eight years ago) link
They are fantastic for camping. No refrigeration needed and much better tasting than anything that comes out of a can.
― Aimless, Wednesday, 12 August 2015 23:21 (eight years ago) link
I like the Punjab Cholley variety, actually has some heat.
― nickn, Wednesday, 12 August 2015 23:31 (eight years ago) link
Liked their new pickle-flavored popcorn, though I actually wish the pickle-flavor was a bit more intense.
― Modern French Music from Failure to Boulez (askance johnson), Monday, 31 August 2015 15:28 (eight years ago) link
They brought some discontinued products back...veggie burritos and black bean and corn enchiladas. Veggie burritos are good although they have a surprising amount of fat...also they have really elaborate instructions for microwave burritos imo (you have to run them underwater, and puncture them which is really hard to do w a frozen burrito at least for me).
Black bean and corn enchiladas are pretty basic and healthy but are tasty w some hot sauce.
― musically, Tuesday, 1 September 2015 16:02 (eight years ago) link
The 'heat and serve' roasted rack of lamb was on sale so I'm giving it a shot tonight. I don't think I've ever had re-heated lamb but I'm not expecting brilliance.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Tuesday, 1 September 2015 20:46 (eight years ago) link
i will pray for u
it sounds...not good
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 1 September 2015 23:11 (eight years ago) link
Green plumcots.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 1 September 2015 23:51 (eight years ago) link
The rack of lamb was... okay. Very garlicky, which was a bonus. Maybe lamb is just so damn mild I need it to be spicy to really enjoy.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Wednesday, 2 September 2015 00:25 (eight years ago) link
xp YOU'RE green plumcots
― Y Kant Max Read (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 2 September 2015 13:56 (eight years ago) link
I wish. I would devour myself.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 2 September 2015 14:58 (eight years ago) link
Is this Green Dragon sauce a new thing? Tomatillo/jalapeño in a squeeze bottle, loving it.
― Hadrian VIII, Saturday, 5 September 2015 12:14 (eight years ago) link
it's not bad! it has a tartness that's not just vinegary. tomatillo, there you have it
― μpright mammal (mh), Saturday, 5 September 2015 14:26 (eight years ago) link
FUUUUCK I went to TJs yesterday and forgot to buy the Milano cookies noooooooooooooo
― Y Kant Max Read (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 5 September 2015 14:29 (eight years ago) link
Where IS that Green Dragon sauce? I couldn't find it yesterday and they were busy, didn't want to bother an employee.
― We Boo... The Cross (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 5 September 2015 18:17 (eight years ago) link
Is it refrigerated, I mean, because I didn't see it in the hot sauce section.
it was on an aisle end cap when I was there, as a new product
― μpright mammal (mh), Saturday, 5 September 2015 20:14 (eight years ago) link
wasn't refrigerated here, just in w/ other assorted hot sauces in addition to end cap
― Hadrian VIII, Sunday, 6 September 2015 13:14 (eight years ago) link
give a big miss to their "mango ginger chutney," putting that in quotation marks because it tastes EXACTLY like sweet chili sauce, don't let the orange color fool you. which is fine, i like sweet chili sauce, but they are definitely not interchangable.
i sampled the sriracha ranch dressing recently, it's wayy too spicy to use as a dressing imo unless you are a spicy field but it would probably make a good dip.
― musically, Monday, 21 September 2015 16:36 (eight years ago) link
Intriguing. I already mix sriracha and ranch dressing together to dip tater tots into (I AM A DISGUSTING SAVAGE AMA). This could save me minutes per year of mixing things!
― carl agatha, Monday, 21 September 2015 16:46 (eight years ago) link
Obligatory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRntutn8udw
― carl agatha, Monday, 21 September 2015 16:48 (eight years ago) link
i've also been on a trader joe's salad kick so i can heartily recommend the arugula chicken salad, the mexicali salad, the chicken and roasted beets salad and the butternut squash/quinoa/wheatberry salad. all really tasty.
right now i'm eating the kale and cauliflower curry salad...it's weird. the kale in it wasn't cut from the stems (and these are thick stems, about 1cm in diameter) which i thought was a universal requirement for pre-made kale salads?
― musically, Monday, 21 September 2015 21:53 (eight years ago) link
I had an interview at Trader Joe's world HQ two weeks ago and it was kinda nuts. Every single person in that office aside from the CEO has a cubicle.. And yes, they wear hawaiian shirts.
― panettone for the painfully alone (mayor jingleberries), Monday, 21 September 2015 21:57 (eight years ago) link
would it kill them to make more prepared dishes with fake meat in them? Every goddamn thing is chicken chicken chicken.
― a silly gif of awkward larping (Sparkle Motion), Monday, 21 September 2015 22:22 (eight years ago) link
and not good chicken, either, always tastes kind of gross. I just pick it out. Sorry, chickens.
Also yeah the kale and cauliflower salad is like eating a chopped up umbrella with some cauliflower and sultanas.
― jimmy falloff (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 22 September 2015 00:34 (eight years ago) link
lol @ chopped up umbrella
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 22 September 2015 01:41 (eight years ago) link
"I had an interview at Trader Joe's world HQ two weeks ago..."
Is this still in So Cal? (Monrovia?)
― nickn, Tuesday, 22 September 2015 04:18 (eight years ago) link
btw I'm completely reversing my recommendation of the mexicali salad...I just bought one and it's definitely changed since I last had one a year or so ago, yuck.
― musically, Saturday, 26 September 2015 00:52 (eight years ago) link
Finally found the Green Dragon sauce to be told that they're going to stop having it. So I hope I like it. But not too much.
― jimmy falloff (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 26 September 2015 04:20 (eight years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/tsxccnS.jpg ??
― Philip Nunez, Sunday, 27 September 2015 00:27 (eight years ago) link
HOLY SMOKES the black bean and cheese taquitos are AMAAAAZING
― Ina-Garten-Da-Vida (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 12 October 2015 19:46 (eight years ago) link
Did they get rid of the vegetarian chili? Motherfuckers.
― si monvmentvm reqvires, pvmpkin spice (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 12 October 2015 19:47 (eight years ago) link
yes that is a baffling move
― Hadrian VIII, Tuesday, 13 October 2015 17:12 (eight years ago) link
I tried the gingerbread latte instant mix and give it two thumbs down. Very odd tasting.
I really want to find an instant latte mix without trans fats that's tasty, this isn't it unfortunately.
― musically, Monday, 16 November 2015 20:38 (eight years ago) link
dinner last night, all quite good:
steamed chicken soup DUMPLINGS!Korean-inspired pork shoulderAsian vegetables with Beijing style soy sauceOrganic jasmine rice
― too young for seapunk (Moodles), Monday, 16 November 2015 20:56 (eight years ago) link
The 2015 Vintage beer from Unibroue has arrived and it's excellent as usual - the biggest bargain in beer.
― Spencer Chow, Monday, 16 November 2015 21:33 (eight years ago) link
Unibrow? is that beer that makes you look like John Stamos?
― skateboards are the new combover (Dr Morbius), Monday, 16 November 2015 21:35 (eight years ago) link
ooh time to buy the beers
― μpright mammal (mh), Monday, 16 November 2015 22:13 (eight years ago) link
it actually turns you into a Québécois person
Last year (I think) the price jumped a dollar, but still a great deal.
― nickn, Monday, 16 November 2015 22:58 (eight years ago) link
Lemur tea is back.
― carl agatha, Tuesday, 17 November 2015 12:53 (eight years ago) link
I'd never had a good frozen mac & cheese so I never tried TJs until I was hungover and shopping for dinner today. Holy shit.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 02:33 (eight years ago) link
you don't like stouffer's? but yeah agreed that tj's mac n cheese is pretty great
― balls, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 02:36 (eight years ago) link
i just ate it for lunch last week, still amazing
― Ina-Garten-Da-Vida (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 03:41 (eight years ago) link
sooo good
also shoutout to those little pb&j chocolate bars
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 03:44 (eight years ago) link
I think it was only $2.99? When you factor in milk and butter and time, I think that's even cheaper than Kraft M&C.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 03:47 (eight years ago) link
any time i hit up tj's (which isn't super often cuz it's not that near by) i end up buying some of that mac n cheese and some of that $3 chicken fried rice, in theory just to have on hand in the freezer when i don't feel like taking the time to cook but that mac n cheese is always gone in like 48 hours
― balls, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 03:57 (eight years ago) link
I didn't dig the chicken fried rice the one time I bought it, but a friend suggested replacing their "1 tbsp of oil" with way more ghee or something.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 03:58 (eight years ago) link
it helps that the chinese food options in this town are fucking pitiful and overpriced
― balls, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 04:00 (eight years ago) link
http://luckypeach.com/the-trader-joes-snacks-power-rankings-part-ii/
― just sayin, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 05:34 (eight years ago) link
"One minor problem: the slick, oily residue on the outside of these things. It’s meant to resemble butter coating, but it doesn’t, and it’s not really necessary. It makes the snack a little lardaceous and overwhelming after a while."
And then he ranks it number 1.
― Hadrian VIII, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 14:47 (eight years ago) link
Anyway the blister peanuts clobber all these snacks
― Hadrian VIII, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 14:49 (eight years ago) link
wtf, the everything crackers and the mini cheese sandwiches are AWESOME!!!
― Ina-Garten-Da-Vida (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 15:42 (eight years ago) link
Love those little cheese sandwich crackers. We get them ostensibly for Ivy and I end up eating more of them than she does.
― carl agatha, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 17:15 (eight years ago) link
and they're organic, that means healthy
― Ina-Garten-Da-Vida (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 17:28 (eight years ago) link
those south african chips are not very good. the ghost pepper ones are fine.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 18 November 2015 21:56 (eight years ago) link
the south african chips seem good at first but the appeal wears thin v quickly
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 18 November 2015 23:35 (eight years ago) link
Yeah, like a quarter of the way through the bag. They have a kind of odd texture, too, a little liked baked Lay's or something.
― Capitalism Is A Death Cult And Science Is A Whore (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 19 November 2015 00:10 (eight years ago) link
http://www.traderjoes.com/images/fearless-flyer/uploads/article-2186/super-burrito.jpg
thumbs up!
― polyphonic, Thursday, 19 November 2015 00:43 (eight years ago) link
I'm interested. What percentage of the filling is kale? Is it frozen?
― Capitalism Is A Death Cult And Science Is A Whore (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 19 November 2015 05:29 (eight years ago) link
I got it from the refrigerated section. It's like 50/50 quinoa and kale, with chunks of sweet potato. Good flavor. The tortilla is spicy.
― polyphonic, Thursday, 19 November 2015 05:53 (eight years ago) link
pour one out for the now-discontinued biltong jerky, damn i loved that
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Thursday, 19 November 2015 12:57 (eight years ago) link
I did not like the South African potato chips but boy am I a big fan of the turkey and stuffing potato chips.
― carl agatha, Thursday, 19 November 2015 16:37 (eight years ago) link
moi aussi!!!
― Ina-Garten-Da-Vida (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 19 November 2015 17:35 (eight years ago) link
xp those turkey chips are the closest this country has come to my beloved nz's chicken-flavoured chips
― just1n3, Thursday, 19 November 2015 21:15 (eight years ago) link
I tried one of those super burritos & they're pretty good! I wasnt sure at first but def would eat again
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 19 November 2015 22:26 (eight years ago) link
Lamb vindaloo is surprisingly good
― Amira, Queen of Creativity (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 20 November 2015 03:08 (eight years ago) link
which of these is the most trader joesiest thing:
chocolate raspberry tamales
butternut squash gyoza
OR
gingerbread dog treats
― musically, Monday, 14 December 2015 19:23 (eight years ago) link
have you all tried the partially popped popcorn? best new snack 2015
― maura, Monday, 14 December 2015 19:31 (eight years ago) link
omg something lol happened yesterday with a TJs product
i was at a potluck and saw a little bowl full of the gummy tummy penguins. a guy i know took one and bit it in half and the smell was so pungent we could all smell it like 3-4 ft away. he was like "what IS this, it tastes like bitter orange peel" and he said something about a bitter orange from Italy, I forget what they're called. then when i told him that they were gummies from TJs he said "maybe you're right" and I was like dood I know I'm right, I have eaten entire bags of these candies gimme some cred and another woman joined our convo and was like yeah she's right those are gummy penguins from TJs
― La Lechuza (La Lechera), Monday, 14 December 2015 19:32 (eight years ago) link
Ha I am rarely inspired to buy based on delicious free sample, but I did pick up TWO packages of chocolate raspberry tamales the other day
― Hadrian VIII, Monday, 14 December 2015 19:38 (eight years ago) link
Why did I try the Inca Corn? Because now I am addicted to the Inca Corn.
― prickly festive towers (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 14 December 2015 20:14 (eight years ago) link
i would not recommend the butternut squash gyoza, it's exactly the sum of its parts
― intheblanks, Monday, 14 December 2015 23:53 (eight years ago) link
took a flyer on the packaged grass-fed sirloin. well, that was a waste of $11 and I should have known steak in a box was going to taste way more like cold cuts than it did like an actual yummy cold piece of leftover steak
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Tuesday, 15 December 2015 01:17 (eight years ago) link
Not the lashings of ginger beer you want!
http://laist.com/2015/12/16/trader_joes_ginger_beer_explosions.php
― nickn, Thursday, 17 December 2015 03:17 (eight years ago) link
nooooo
Not sure who they contracted that to, but I wanted to go buy a case
― μpright mammal (mh), Thursday, 17 December 2015 03:18 (eight years ago) link
I drank all the ones I bought
― μpright mammal (mh), Thursday, 17 December 2015 03:19 (eight years ago) link
yeah i loved it, an affordable substitute for blenheim's
― balls, Saturday, 19 December 2015 20:02 (eight years ago) link
Update on the gummis -- I bought some and there were a few (maybe 2 in the whole bag) that had a very different and distinctly bitter flavor. I think there may have been a mixup at the gummy penguin factory
― La Lechuza (La Lechera), Saturday, 19 December 2015 20:17 (eight years ago) link
I just bought these too thinking they were just rich gummies but no they are fn Gushers
― cory artangel (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 19 December 2015 22:46 (eight years ago) link
That Super Burrito is..... not that great :-/ it just tastes like I'm eating big spoonfuls of kale and quinoa, it's not like some wonderful flavor combination greater than the sum of it's parts, which is imo sort of how a burrito is supposed to operate.
― cory artangel (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 23 December 2015 15:43 (eight years ago) link
fuck these turds. this shit tastes like week-old leftover off-brand box mac. Not good.
http://designassets.traderjoes.com/Uploads/wn-organic-mac-n-cheezy-rays3.png
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 18 January 2016 15:49 (eight years ago) link
I didn't care for them either.
― Jeff, Monday, 18 January 2016 15:51 (eight years ago) link
i am addicted to mini cheese sandwich crackers
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 18 January 2016 16:27 (eight years ago) link
After an absence of many month, my favorite minestrone soup was back on the shelf! I actually jumped in the air and gave a little clap.
― kate78, Monday, 18 January 2016 17:22 (eight years ago) link
xp me too!!!! they are so great
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 18 January 2016 19:43 (eight years ago) link
They are as wonderful as those gloppy cheezy rays are horrifying.
― carl agatha, Monday, 18 January 2016 19:53 (eight years ago) link
the mac & cheese bites are wonderful.
― sarahell, Monday, 18 January 2016 19:56 (eight years ago) link
Pizza Veggie Burgers were fantastic. We eat a lot of the Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers, but I think Pizza Burgers is going to make it into the rotation.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 10 February 2016 14:18 (eight years ago) link
I like the Thai veggie burgers. But I have this problem where I'm good for about five of any variety of veggie burger, so I wind up with a bunch of three-quarters full burger boxes.
― we salute you, our half-inflated dark lord (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 11 February 2016 07:26 (eight years ago) link
got the gluten-free cupcakes because they were prominently placed, and I didn't see any glutenous cupcakes nearby. Pretty tasty cupcake.
― sarahell, Thursday, 11 February 2016 18:26 (eight years ago) link
chicken balti curry pies are goooood
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 11 February 2016 18:31 (eight years ago) link
omg the chicken baltis and the steak & ales I kept in my work freezer at all times (though i think I started to tire of them)
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 11 February 2016 18:50 (eight years ago) link
yeah i dunno if i could eat a lot of them, but god, awesome step up from a boring-ass pot pie
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 11 February 2016 19:13 (eight years ago) link
I would try these steak&ale pies
― μpright mammal (mh), Thursday, 11 February 2016 19:20 (eight years ago) link
they're v hearty and flavorful and riche
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 11 February 2016 19:32 (eight years ago) link
v dope
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 11 February 2016 19:42 (eight years ago) link
Do NOT look at the nutritional information on the back of the Balti pies. In fact just throw the box the fuck out and enjoy them.
― we salute you, our half-inflated dark lord (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 11 February 2016 19:48 (eight years ago) link
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 11 February 2016 22:13 (eight years ago) link
That's why I never get them, because I did look at it. Same with the quiches.
― Jeff, Thursday, 11 February 2016 22:49 (eight years ago) link
but one on a cold day when u cant be arsed to cook --- mmmmm
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 11 February 2016 22:59 (eight years ago) link
Absolutely!
― we salute you, our half-inflated dark lord (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 12 February 2016 00:11 (eight years ago) link
big silver 22oz cans of Sapporo
― Sith Dog (El Tomboto), Friday, 12 February 2016 00:19 (eight years ago) link
one of the best Japanese approximations of Budweiser for sure
― μpright mammal (mh), Friday, 12 February 2016 02:34 (eight years ago) link
yeah the chicken balti pies are awesome but are super calorie/fat dense :(
i bought the hatch chili mac & cheese...very very mild. just get the regular mac & cheese and doctor it up, probably a better value for the $$.
― musically, Tuesday, 16 February 2016 16:33 (eight years ago) link
soy and flax seed chips are pretty good, especially if you warm them up a bit
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 17:37 (eight years ago) link
wtf who warms up chips
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 17:53 (eight years ago) link
Fresh tortilla chips are warm.
― nickn, Tuesday, 16 February 2016 18:11 (eight years ago) link
Yeah I usually warm up my tortilla chips. Because I can't deep fry my own.
― we salute you, our half-inflated dark lord (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:13 (eight years ago) link
i have never even considered doing such a thing unless i'm melting cheese on them, and i'm told this is frowned upon by snobs (not that i care what snobs think about my nachos)
― La Lechuza (La Lechera), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:19 (eight years ago) link
True snobs wouldn't even eat nachos, that's purely a slobs thing.
― we salute you, our half-inflated dark lord (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:20 (eight years ago) link
there are bad nachos, but all nacho choices are, in the end, very personal. if you enjoy them, then they're good.
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:21 (eight years ago) link
actually, i warm them up because we're a bit sensitive to the oils and salt they use
warming them up helps. there are a bunch of usa/california products that we're sensitive to in my family; massively produced fruits, processed foods, etc.
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:24 (eight years ago) link
uh, not produced...but harvested, i guess?
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:25 (eight years ago) link
I can't resist 6.99/lb almonds even though they aren't as crispy/crunchy/fresh as other brands
― rip van wanko, Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:35 (eight years ago) link
thai lime & chili cashews every time
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 20:40 (eight years ago) link
why do i buy trader joe's salsa? every time I do it, it is always so disappointing that I eat a tenth of it and then say, "why suffer through bad salsa?" and get good salsa at whole foods.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 17 February 2016 18:23 (eight years ago) link
that said, the Indonesian salsa is actually quite good
― sarahell, Wednesday, 17 February 2016 18:25 (eight years ago) link
their corn uhh salsa or whatever they call it is pretty good
the tomato-based salsa are all pretty meh as far as I've found
― μpright mammal (mh), Wednesday, 17 February 2016 18:31 (eight years ago) link
The tomatillo is OK if you want mild.
― nickn, Wednesday, 17 February 2016 19:23 (eight years ago) link
i like taking the red or green jarred salsa and blending it with loads of cilantro and many habaneros. they're both great bases, imo, but kinda weak by themselves
― Edgard Varese is god (of music anyways) (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 17 February 2016 19:29 (eight years ago) link
ooh ooh i'm going today for the first time in a long time!!!! gonna stock up on SO MUCH GREAT STUFF
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 17 February 2016 20:49 (eight years ago) link
outdoor miner otmi like the tomatillo salsa with the additives of my choice but plain it's blah
― La Lechuza (La Lechera), Wednesday, 17 February 2016 23:06 (eight years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/vqLWeAL.jpg
― 龜, Saturday, 20 February 2016 11:25 (eight years ago) link
ew
― Hadrian VIII, Saturday, 20 February 2016 19:28 (eight years ago) link
Playing to the furry crowd, TJ?
― Check Yr Scrobbles (Moodles), Saturday, 20 February 2016 20:01 (eight years ago) link
the food is good but the ppl *facepalm*
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 20 February 2016 21:14 (eight years ago) link
The 'country potatoes with haricot vert and mushrooms' is pretty awesome for a quick side dish, though a bit light on the mushrooms.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Saturday, 5 March 2016 00:02 (eight years ago) link
tjs is decent, but i don't like that they relabel all their products with their name on it. sometimes i want to see what company/manufacturer a product actually belongs to
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Saturday, 5 March 2016 00:07 (eight years ago) link
Isn't that at the manufacturer's insistence? Don't want to have people stop buying the more expensive "name" version for the TJ version.
― nickn, Saturday, 5 March 2016 01:48 (eight years ago) link
it's their main point of negotiation, working with suppliers to negotiate mass buys for off-brand goods
― μpright mammal (mh), Saturday, 5 March 2016 17:22 (eight years ago) link
― nickn, Saturday, March 5, 2016 1:48 AM (18 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i don't think so. the bottle of vinegar i bought at world market looked exactly the same as the one at tj's, the only difference being the logo
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Saturday, 5 March 2016 19:57 (eight years ago) link
yeah, except world market probably pays a little more per bottle and you pay a little less at TJ's, that's their value proposition
― μpright mammal (mh), Sunday, 6 March 2016 00:48 (eight years ago) link
The two frozen stir-fry-type dinners I've bought have been not just bad but vomit-inducing, much worse than anything of the sort /i've ever bought from the big grocery stores
― stanley krubrick (rip van wanko), Sunday, 6 March 2016 00:59 (eight years ago) link
name names!
― μpright mammal (mh), Sunday, 6 March 2016 01:01 (eight years ago) link
the last one had chicken, mushrooms, and i think snow peas. i think the one before that was kung pao? anyway, staying away from that section . . .
― stanley krubrick (rip van wanko), Sunday, 6 March 2016 01:09 (eight years ago) link
i don' know how you mess up something so simple, let's just say each main ingredient seemed to combine odd textures and odd flavors
― stanley krubrick (rip van wanko), Sunday, 6 March 2016 01:10 (eight years ago) link
I've read good things about TJ's California Estate extra-virgin olive oil. Is it truly good? Incl. flavor and good for you?
― dow, Sunday, 6 March 2016 01:13 (eight years ago) link
The frozen Kung pao chicken is great!!
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 6 March 2016 03:01 (eight years ago) link
ok I didn't try the Kung Pao, I had the Chicken Chow Mein which was bad and the Shiitake Mushroom Chicken which was baaaaaad
― stanley krubrick (rip van wanko), Sunday, 6 March 2016 03:26 (eight years ago) link
I like the shiitake one, usually spice it up, though
― μpright mammal (mh), Sunday, 6 March 2016 04:12 (eight years ago) link
not product but the stores here have changed their pos system & it's so slow, there's a ridic long lag between each screen & it drives me crazy.
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:39 (eight years ago) link
I'm a believer in that olive oil, dow. Very good for that price.
― nickn, Monday, 7 March 2016 05:12 (eight years ago) link
And I have a bag of that shiitake mushroom chicken in my freezer, think I bought it on a rec here. Haven't tried it yet.
― nickn, Monday, 7 March 2016 05:13 (eight years ago) link
not product but the stores here have changed their pos system
Here, too. Their new credit card machines take for-fucking-ever.
― bearded flack trickster god (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 7 March 2016 08:24 (eight years ago) link
my go-to TJ's oo has been the kalamata
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 7 March 2016 14:06 (eight years ago) link
omg using a card takes forever at my store too
― stanley krubrick (rip van wanko), Monday, 7 March 2016 15:15 (eight years ago) link
I use Apple Pay.
― Jeff, Monday, 7 March 2016 16:53 (eight years ago) link
TJ's Sour Patch Kids equivalent: very very good, brilliant natural flavors, even the colors are coolGummy Bears: quite bad
― stanley krubrick (rip van wanko), Monday, 7 March 2016 17:23 (eight years ago) link
― μpright mammal (mh), Sunday, 6 March 2016 00:48 (Yesterday) Permalink
i'm going to do some field sampling. i don't remember the price difference
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Monday, 7 March 2016 19:42 (eight years ago) link
World Market has had problems keeping their stock fresh, I've found. You kinda never know how long something's been sitting on the shelves.
― nickn, Monday, 7 March 2016 19:58 (eight years ago) link
i don't shop there usually. i sometimes need non-US products, and they are the ones that carry them
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Monday, 7 March 2016 20:11 (eight years ago) link
there are deals to be had at world market but it's definitely no substitute for a good ethic grocery store
― μpright mammal (mh), Monday, 7 March 2016 20:19 (eight years ago) link
It's my connection for my favorite cheap white wine - Rene Barbier Mediterranean White - and their beer deals can be good. I buy some packaged Indian foods and pastas there occasionally.
― nickn, Monday, 7 March 2016 21:19 (eight years ago) link
lol @ ethnic. i'm buying british products
i'm not about to drive an hour in los angeles traffic to a british shop
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Monday, 7 March 2016 21:23 (eight years ago) link
blood sausages
― μpright mammal (mh), Monday, 7 March 2016 21:32 (eight years ago) link
Swedish Fish (Scandinavian Swimmers): Bizarre, slightly off-putting
― bearded flack trickster god (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 7 March 2016 22:51 (eight years ago) link
ew yeah i bought those once and even as a gummi addict i was not really into them. they were really sticky. i stated my thoughts on the gummi polar bears with the goo inside them upthread.
― La Lechuza (La Lechera), Monday, 7 March 2016 23:02 (eight years ago) link
I tried the orange chicken and loved it, so easy to make too.
I haven't bought the kung pao chicken but I sampled it yesterday and it was terrific, not too spicy either.
― musically, Friday, 11 March 2016 19:38 (eight years ago) link
the frozen orange chicken is a classic, it used to be their top selling product of all time. not sure if that's still the case
my roommate got a TJ's chocolate babka that looks pretty good, its been sitting on the kitchen table for a couple days and i've been tempted to steal it
― ciderpress, Friday, 11 March 2016 19:57 (eight years ago) link
yes they are both v v great re: frozen chickens, esp when you whip up some rice to go with them, so easy and yum
― police patrol felt the smell of smoke and found that goat burns (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 11 March 2016 21:32 (eight years ago) link
really like the provençal mustard
― los blue jeans, Friday, 18 March 2016 00:46 (eight years ago) link
Anyone try the cooked pork belly?
I bought a box but gave it to my old neighbor, when she made it it was gray and flavorless... but that describes much of her cooking tbh.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Friday, 18 March 2016 01:40 (eight years ago) link
Yeah I've had that, it was good
― just1n3, Friday, 18 March 2016 07:25 (eight years ago) link
yeah I've had that a few times and it's always been great. This recipe for crispy pork belly + kale is awesome http://www.traderjoes.com/recipes/recipe/269
― sexy dander (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 18 March 2016 12:42 (eight years ago) link
kettle cooked chicken soup is excellent
― map, Wednesday, 30 March 2016 00:53 (seven years ago) link
wait what?
http://news.yahoo.com/trader-joe-close-stores-2017-104416372.html
― Οὖτις, Thursday, 31 March 2016 20:55 (seven years ago) link
april fools?
― reggae mike love (polyphonic), Thursday, 31 March 2016 20:56 (seven years ago) link
oh right
― Οὖτις, Thursday, 31 March 2016 20:57 (seven years ago) link
not seeing it anywhere else so I am suspicious - altho that was posted 10 hours ago and it isn't April 1st yet
yeah but i don't see it anywhere else
― reggae mike love (polyphonic), Thursday, 31 March 2016 20:58 (seven years ago) link
read below the wine photo
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Thursday, 31 March 2016 20:59 (seven years ago) link
ah passed over that as I am not in the habit of reading apparent captions to photos of wine
― Οὖτις, Thursday, 31 March 2016 21:00 (seven years ago) link
it's april 1 in other time zones
― just1n3, Thursday, 31 March 2016 21:04 (seven years ago) link
Kale slaw in a bag, w/ three smaller packets inside: cranberries, sunflower seeds, and dressing. Really good.
― Hadrian VIII, Friday, 1 April 2016 11:18 (seven years ago) link
We get that all the time.
― Jeff, Friday, 1 April 2016 11:27 (seven years ago) link
It goes kinda fast, but damn.
― Hadrian VIII, Friday, 1 April 2016 11:31 (seven years ago) link
They've got paella now! (Product of France, iirc.) Pretty good and a nice, easy lunch, especially for $5.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 11 April 2016 17:39 (seven years ago) link
I overheard that trader joe's just suspended/took off the shelves a TON of different things due to quality issues, has anyone been recently? I'm going today, I need chips/guac/pico so those better not be missing...
― musically, Saturday, 30 April 2016 16:30 (seven years ago) link
They're always shifting stock around, changing sourcing, etc.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 30 April 2016 16:52 (seven years ago) link
I still weep about the large stoppered bottles of ginger beer that got recalled. Their newsletter claims they have it back in normal-sized bottles
― μpright mammal (mh), Saturday, 30 April 2016 16:55 (seven years ago) link
Of course but they usually don't pull things off the shelves and trash them during that process...
― musically, Saturday, 30 April 2016 16:58 (seven years ago) link
They have their own house brand of ginger beer now...I prefer reed's though since it's a little sweeter, but theirs is good too.
― musically, Saturday, 30 April 2016 16:59 (seven years ago) link
I was pretty hopeful for the TJs ginger beer but Reed's is def better. Bundaberg's even better but I have to go to another store for that shit.
― Arch Godliness of Purplefull Magic (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 30 April 2016 19:35 (seven years ago) link
costco has bundaberg's but i have been resisting it the last couple trips
i drink it all way too quickly and it just tastes too good with alcohol
― μpright mammal (mh), Saturday, 30 April 2016 19:36 (seven years ago) link
― μpright mammal (mh), Saturday, April 30, 2016 12:36 PM (1 minute ago)
so otm
― sarahell, Saturday, 30 April 2016 19:39 (seven years ago) link
I don't drink much at all. But yeah when I have a bottle of dark rum and some Bundaberg's...
― Arch Godliness of Purplefull Magic (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 30 April 2016 23:08 (seven years ago) link
Island salsa is solid.
― Jeff, Saturday, 30 April 2016 23:29 (seven years ago) link
bundaberg is so dope
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 1 May 2016 02:50 (seven years ago) link
good bottle shape
― μpright mammal (mh), Sunday, 1 May 2016 17:38 (seven years ago) link
Chicken and Vegetable Wonton Soup (frozen) is really good. Broth might need a little doctoring to your taste but the veggies are crisp and fresh and the wontons are just fine. (This comes after a string of frozen disappointments)
― always be charging (rip van wanko), Thursday, 12 May 2016 21:14 (seven years ago) link
the lamb vindaloo is p good
― rockpalast '82 (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 12 May 2016 21:15 (seven years ago) link
I had the frozen Paella that was recommended above and didn't think it was anything special. The boxed package from Vigo (which seems to be widely available) is better, though it is a bit more work to prepare.
― nickn, Thursday, 12 May 2016 22:19 (seven years ago) link
not v exciting, but they have new instant oatmeal packets that are just-add-boiling water w flax, chia etc
good portion size, really like em
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 12 May 2016 23:11 (seven years ago) link
i am on record stanning for the lamb vindaloo
― μpright mammal (mh), Friday, 13 May 2016 01:17 (seven years ago) link
note that a fair amount of the frozen veggies at TJ's were part of the recall. although we continued to eat a bag of organic mixed vegetables without dying
― akm, Friday, 13 May 2016 02:15 (seven years ago) link
(the listeria recall, that is)
― akm, Friday, 13 May 2016 02:16 (seven years ago) link
Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits (which are cookies) are exactly the kind of mildly flavored, slightly textured, subtly disappointing compressed sawdust wafers I need in the late morning when I'm waiting for lunch. Nice work, TJs.
― You say tomato, Isao Tomita (RIP) (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 13 May 2016 07:28 (seven years ago) link
― μpright mammal (mh), Thursday, May 12, 2016 8:17 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
keep in mind i live in minneapolis, hardly a hotbed of great indian food but i legit have had worse at sitdown restaurants
― rockpalast '82 (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 13 May 2016 14:06 (seven years ago) link
don't know why they bother carrying those fresh rice noodles. they're THE WORST! boiled 'em for less than a minute for a pho and shocked them with cold water - they were just a gummy hardly edible mess
― Edgard Varese is god (of music anyways) (outdoor_miner), Friday, 13 May 2016 15:06 (seven years ago) link
Good to know it happened to you too. I blamed myself!
― naus, Friday, 13 May 2016 15:28 (seven years ago) link
no they are super gross
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Friday, 13 May 2016 17:55 (seven years ago) link
the cooked lentils are such a godsend. in related news i'm incredibly lazy.
― Copyright (c) 2016 by Tough Jews, Inc. (map), Friday, 13 May 2016 18:25 (seven years ago) link
Their falafel wrap sandwich thing was like eating patties of mildly dampened sawdust wrapped in an old shirt stuffed with stuff they found under a cutting board. It was so gross it's poisoned my tongue against my sweet potato tortilla chips. YOU ARE WARNED.
― Alan (legendary creature) (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 4 June 2016 22:31 (seven years ago) link
Microwave cod Provencale w/ rice and ratatouille was basically gruel topped with dry, flavorless whitefish.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Saturday, 4 June 2016 23:39 (seven years ago) link
yuk
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 5 June 2016 00:11 (seven years ago) link
The occasional successes i've had with their food always make me forget how terrible and bland their stuff can be.
― Alan (legendary creature) (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 5 June 2016 00:34 (seven years ago) link
My TJ seems to have stopped carrying Fruit Frenzy II fruit bars. Motherfuckers.
― Jeff, Sunday, 5 June 2016 00:55 (seven years ago) link
Maybe they're working on Fruit Frenzy III
― Alan (legendary creature) (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 5 June 2016 01:11 (seven years ago) link
Just happened to look at this thread and FYI to drinkers of Bundaberg ginger beer and alcohol: highly recommend their Pineapple & Coconut with white rum, as you guys are heading into summer
― glandular lansbury (sic), Sunday, 5 June 2016 13:02 (seven years ago) link
so...mango
― musically, Sunday, 5 June 2016 15:14 (seven years ago) link
Yeah I somehow ended up getting five different mango-flavored or -infused products last night.
― orifex, Monday, 6 June 2016 17:08 (seven years ago) link
mango caramel popcorn is amazing.mango babka is amazing in the opposite direction.
― Philip Nunez, Monday, 6 June 2016 17:15 (seven years ago) link
Just happened to look at this thread and FYI to drinkers of Bundaberg ginger beer and alcohol: highly recommend their Pineapple & Coconut with white rum, as you guys are heading into summer― glandular lansbury (sic), Sunday, June 5, 2016 10:32 AM (2 days ago)
― glandular lansbury (sic), Sunday, June 5, 2016 10:32 AM (2 days ago)
Bundaberg ginger beer seems to be everywhere right now, even stocked at bars, but the pineapple/coconut remains elusive.
― kate78, Tuesday, 7 June 2016 17:53 (seven years ago) link
why is there mango everything right now?
― sarahell, Tuesday, 7 June 2016 17:55 (seven years ago) link
according to mango.org mango seasons peaks in june
supply/demand i guess
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Tuesday, 7 June 2016 17:59 (seven years ago) link
just had the salsa especial and it tasted like some sort of marinara/salsa hybrid that i never knew i craved
i am so hooked
― sexy dander (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 9 July 2016 18:18 (seven years ago) link
That's exactly why I didn't care for it, it tastes like spaghetti sauce. Maybe it'd be better on tacos or something.
And time for my annual lament: I wish they'd bring back the vegan mochi.
― Have you hugged your timeghoul today? (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 9 July 2016 19:11 (seven years ago) link
their 'salsa autentica' has become my go-to store bought salsa. tasty, and seems to keep longer than most
― skateboard of education (rip van wanko), Saturday, 9 July 2016 19:18 (seven years ago) link
I have the hot salsa especial on my breakfast tacos. It's great. It's not a good dipping salsa.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Saturday, 9 July 2016 19:33 (seven years ago) link
sounds about right. places that serve marinara-like salsa for dipping are bad
― mh, Saturday, 9 July 2016 19:50 (seven years ago) link
or in the rare case, events like the time a friend and I ordered nachos and they accidentally brought the cheese stick dipping sauce, which was a chunky marinara
― mh, Saturday, 9 July 2016 19:51 (seven years ago) link
the corn salsa & double roasted salsa are pretty good
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 9 July 2016 21:30 (seven years ago) link
i am down w the cowboy caviar
― Hadrian VIII, Sunday, 10 July 2016 14:42 (seven years ago) link
much love to the tamalesit actually kind of smelled like a mexican restaurant by the time those babies were done in the microwave
― calstars, Wednesday, 24 August 2016 00:31 (seven years ago) link
microwave salmon and orzo dinner - didn't expect good but I thought it might be a reasonable lunch option... nope, absolutely vile.
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Wednesday, 24 August 2016 00:36 (seven years ago) link
king salmon on a cedar plate is excellent
― brimstead, Wednesday, 24 August 2016 00:37 (seven years ago) link
the coconut salted caramel cookies are fine.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 24 August 2016 01:17 (seven years ago) link
Cookie butter ice cream is pretty delish but wears out its welcome on the palate rather quickly
― chicken lit (rip van wanko), Wednesday, 24 August 2016 01:53 (seven years ago) link
Yooooooo the tamales in the refrige section, NOT the freezer ones, are so good!!! Both red pork and green chicken--equally tamaletastic.
― If authoritarianism is Romania's ironing board, then (in orbit), Wednesday, 24 August 2016 01:55 (seven years ago) link
Roger that
― calstars, Wednesday, 24 August 2016 02:33 (seven years ago) link
oh yes seconding the refrigerator tamales. The price is higher but you get way more tamales so I think the price per tamale is roughly the same? and they're very, very excellent.
― laraaji p. henson (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 24 August 2016 13:57 (seven years ago) link
I was surprised at their habanero hot sauce. It's the only item they have right now that's legit hot. (Although back in Spring I bought their ltd. "Triple Threat" 3-pack of Ghost, Trinidad Scorpion, and Carolina Reaper chili flakes, but they were very all smoky and kind of tasted the same as a result.)
― naus, Sunday, 4 September 2016 01:53 (seven years ago) link
The green tahini (with the two-pronged crown) is pretty good on a sandwich their dry-ass falafel that I keep buying for some reason.
― SOMEONE'S got to program the propaganda simulacra (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 4 September 2016 02:25 (seven years ago) link
Tamale update - I didn't notice any significant difference between fridge / frozen. Still good though
― calstars, Sunday, 4 September 2016 11:06 (seven years ago) link
I see it was noted in 2010 that TJ's packaged sushi is not just meh, but utterly revolting
― pinkhushpuppies (rip van wanko), Wednesday, 7 September 2016 01:05 (seven years ago) link
i need a chicago popcorn mix intervention
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 7 September 2016 01:16 (seven years ago) link
Is that just the caramel cheese mix?
― Jeff, Wednesday, 7 September 2016 01:17 (seven years ago) link
yeeeesssss
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 7 September 2016 01:17 (seven years ago) link
they have something called salmon bacon that i refused to buy on principle, but i really have no principles so i'm sure i'll be back
― Bandol soleil for the St. Tropez tan (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 7 September 2016 04:10 (seven years ago) link
Did I mention that the Bollywood Popcorn is like kinda good at first and then a little too much and then nauseating? Puts it on par with most bagged, flavored popcorn, really.
― SOMEONE'S got to program the propaganda simulacra (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 9 September 2016 07:56 (seven years ago) link
so I decided to buy the frozen microwavable shrimp tacos...they were surprisingly decent. the texture was a bit strange at times but i'd definitely take it to work w me once in a while. the issue is that since the tacos are already assembled the filling cooks and soaks the bottom of the tortillas so they fall apart. if you can stick something under it and cook it on an incline that would probably fix it.
also...their hot dog buns are not pre-sliced! i didn't even realize that was possible!
― musically, Thursday, 22 September 2016 17:33 (seven years ago) link
are they amenable to being top sliced (new england style)?
― los blue jeans, Friday, 23 September 2016 03:32 (seven years ago) link
i think they are designed to be sliced side to side; there's a very distinct division/crease around it that makes you think it's already sliced, i guess you are supposed to slice it along that line?
also they are the densest hot dog buns i've ever had, they are not the light and airy ones you usually get at the grocery store, these are substantial. if someone told me they were sourdough-based i'd believe it.
(this is officially the most i've even discussed hot dog buns)
― musically, Saturday, 24 September 2016 00:27 (seven years ago) link
These pies are 99c for some reasonhttp://www.traderjoes.com/images/fearless-flyer/uploads/article-3020/56858-mini-mango-pies.jpg
That's like 17c a pie!
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 21 October 2016 22:07 (seven years ago) link
Some of their stuff is bizarrely cheap. LIke the 27c bottles of water. There is now a stick of mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto for 1.29 that would be 3.99 at whole foods
― a murder of tacos (rip van wanko), Friday, 21 October 2016 22:17 (seven years ago) link
p.sure all mango stuff is summer seasonal, so they're probably trying to unload it
― Dan I., Saturday, 22 October 2016 02:54 (seven years ago) link
Trail mixes:
Pistachios, cherries, chocolate, cashews, almonds A+combine with peanuts for peanut butter and jelly vibes + bang for buck
Peanut Butter Cups B-The cups themselves are ok but the cherries in this are not the same as the cherries above, they are actually giant salty pigs balls.
― The times they are a changing, perhaps (map), Saturday, 22 October 2016 04:57 (seven years ago) link
They must have ordered a shitload too many mango pies because they have been marked down to 99c for months. They are quite tasty though so it's money well spent if you're looking for a sweet snack.
― musically, Monday, 24 October 2016 17:46 (seven years ago) link
Yum: frozen truffle mac & cheese
Not yum: rosemary and cheese biscuits (weird texture, kinda bitter)
― musically, Friday, 18 November 2016 18:53 (seven years ago) link
unsurprisingly the instant coffee is total dreck
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 19 November 2016 01:00 (seven years ago) link
i would seriously consider eating a truffled phone book, so "hell yeah!!" to tha mac'n'cheexpost
― Bandol soleil for the St. Tropez tan (outdoor_miner), Saturday, 19 November 2016 06:51 (seven years ago) link
how can they ship these from france and still have them be cheaper than the domestic brioche rolls they also sell?http://www.traderjoesreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/sliced-french-brioche-250x300.jpg
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 1 December 2016 23:16 (seven years ago) link
You know what I really respect about Trader Joe's? Their stuff is so often sourced from where it should be from. So the frozen naan is made in India. The paella is made in Spain. The Thai food is made in Thailand. The harissa is a legit product of Tunisia. That's just cool.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 December 2016 18:17 (seven years ago) link
And some of the frozen pizzas are from Italy. I'm now starting to see Italian made pizzas in other stores too. I like them, but I can't help think how they could be even better if made locally in the right way, because shipping a frozen food item halfway around the world has got to have a quality cost.
― nickn, Tuesday, 13 December 2016 18:30 (seven years ago) link
Well, frozen food, period, has a quality cost.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 December 2016 18:31 (seven years ago) link
True, but you don't want to pay double. The convenience is worth some cost.
― nickn, Tuesday, 13 December 2016 18:34 (seven years ago) link
the cinnamon rolls in a can are vegan fwiw
― sarahell, Tuesday, 13 December 2016 19:36 (seven years ago) link
When I was in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago I fought the traffic and got some of the Dark Chocolate Roasted Pistachio Toffee (aka toffee that looks like it's been rolled in cat litter).
― aaaaaaaauuuuuuuuu (melting robot) (WilliamC), Tuesday, 13 December 2016 19:39 (seven years ago) link
the pretzel bites with peanutbutter are my new jam
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 13 December 2016 23:09 (seven years ago) link
sourcing for the "right" country is some jerk-off, what made this economical shit imo
if it is some magical olive that only grows on mount vesuvius, sure. if it's a full pizza, they lyin or there are some weird kickbacks/writeoffs in play
― mh 😏, Wednesday, 14 December 2016 04:16 (seven years ago) link
WmC has ruined pistachios and cat litter for me
― mh 😏, Wednesday, 14 December 2016 04:17 (seven years ago) link
Wasabi peas were discontinued in August 😢
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 14 December 2016 05:22 (seven years ago) link
Wasabi peas belong to the world. TJs had no monopoly on them. Knock and the door shall open. Seek and ye shall find.
― a little too mature to be cute (Aimless), Wednesday, 14 December 2016 05:23 (seven years ago) link
Chicken-Less Mandarin Orange Morsels are good if you make some vegetable fried rice
― tried Blue Apron and we died (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 14 December 2016 06:12 (seven years ago) link
dont know why they have a McDonald's boot nugget shape, though
― tried Blue Apron and we died (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 14 December 2016 06:13 (seven years ago) link
any thoughts on their _canned_ indian food? the frozen stuff is good imo, but they have daal in cans that i have never tried. i make that at home (e.g. http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014369-makhani-dal-butter-dal-mogul-style). it's idiot proof but it's a big time investment.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Thursday, 5 January 2017 17:27 (seven years ago) link
My roommate said it was appalling.
― If authoritarianism is Romania's ironing board, then (in orbit), Thursday, 5 January 2017 17:30 (seven years ago) link
Yeah I saw those cans of matar paneer yesterday and first was like "hey!" and then was like "actually probably no." my kids like the frozen chicken tikka masala.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Thursday, 5 January 2017 17:52 (seven years ago) link
i had a can of daal makhani for lunch. it looks like diarrhea (which it's supposed to) but actually tastes really good. maybe a bit salty.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Thursday, 5 January 2017 22:06 (seven years ago) link
http://www.sfgate.com/food/article/These-are-the-best-items-at-Trader-Joe-s-10867350.php
― Jeff, Thursday, 19 January 2017 20:07 (seven years ago) link
I moved to a less bougie neighborhood and now there's no tj's within a reasonable distance of me or even where I work, so I went to tj's for the first time in ages yesterday...and apparently the truffle mac n cheese was seasonal???? I'm devastated
― musically, Sunday, 26 February 2017 18:10 (seven years ago) link
Recently enjoyed:Vegan masala burgers (potato based. Tastes like smashed samosas). Morningstar farms (Kellogg's) TVF based breakfast sausagesScallion pancakes
Could use improvement:Vegetarian burritos
I also tried the peanut butter pretzels but damn they stick to my teeth too much
― calstars, Sunday, 26 February 2017 18:46 (seven years ago) link
That new yuzo hot sauce is zip zap.
― Jeff, Sunday, 26 February 2017 20:14 (seven years ago) link
saw they've recalled unsweetened applesauce bcz of glass fragments
they seem to be having a bad run with recalls
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 26 February 2017 22:26 (seven years ago) link
Texture is good.
― Jeff, Sunday, 26 February 2017 22:48 (seven years ago) link
the masala burgers have been my favorite for a long time, I think the first time I ever went to tjs they were sampling it and I always have a box in my freezer.
The quality of the veggie burritos changed for the worse a while ago...perhaps around the time of the frozen veg recall they had to switch suppliers? also they have a ton of fat, I know veg options dont automatically != healthy but if they tried to supplement it with some other fatty goodness I couldn't taste it.
― musically, Monday, 27 February 2017 00:45 (seven years ago) link
What happened to the PB&J yogurt
It is gone and I am inconsolable :(
― You guys are caterpillar (Telephone thing), Monday, 27 February 2017 21:10 (seven years ago) link
bought myself frozen foods at TJ's last night for the first time in 1.5 years. So many new products (not just frozen but everywhere!!)
Did they get rid of the fresh focaccia w/ tomato slices on it?Did they get rid of the steak & ale and chicken balti pies????
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 3 March 2017 15:06 (seven years ago) link
Sometimes selection varies from store to store
― calstars, Friday, 3 March 2017 15:31 (seven years ago) link
they also just like fill shit in and take shelf tags off when they run out of stuff so there's that too
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 3 March 2017 15:37 (seven years ago) link
my dad and his family came over to visit me from yorkshire last year, and he still talks about two buck chuck on our weekly phone calls
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Friday, 3 March 2017 16:05 (seven years ago) link
oh those balti pies were so gooood
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 March 2017 16:46 (seven years ago) link
he still talks about two buck chuck
Even red wine vinegar is more expensive than two-buck chuck. Even though it is about as ordinary as wine can get, that's a noteworthy price point.
― a little too mature to be cute (Aimless), Friday, 3 March 2017 18:16 (seven years ago) link
It's $2.49 in California now (for the past few years). I assume it's at least that elsewhere. For a while other stores had $2 wine (Fresh and Easy had Longboard, iirc, though I guess F&E is part of the same empire as TJ).
― nickn, Friday, 3 March 2017 18:24 (seven years ago) link
Charles Shaw is now three-buck chuck here in Portland, but it's still easily the cheapest vin ordinaire going.
― a little too mature to be cute (Aimless), Friday, 3 March 2017 18:29 (seven years ago) link
One of the 99 Cents Only stores here carries wine, but it's $2.99. They had a Goliath white, which I think I've seen elsewhere for closer to $8-10.
― nickn, Friday, 3 March 2017 18:39 (seven years ago) link
The steak and ale and chicken balti pies were taken off the shelves at the same time when the frozen veg recall happened - however I went to tj's last week and the steak and ale pie is back. I actually emailed them about the chicken balti pies and never heard back, I really really want them back :(
― musically, Friday, 3 March 2017 20:07 (seven years ago) link
THYRE CORNSHIPCS ARE SHIT
― Dean of the University (Latham Green), Friday, 3 March 2017 20:27 (seven years ago) link
In case anyone cares, according to TJ's the chicken balti pies are coming back in May!
― musically, Thursday, 9 March 2017 21:56 (seven years ago) link
thank you based joes
― mh 😏, Thursday, 9 March 2017 21:57 (seven years ago) link
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 9 March 2017 23:55 (seven years ago) link
never had em but they cost more than bulls balls
― F♯ A♯ (∞), Friday, 10 March 2017 00:06 (seven years ago) link
Veg, how did the pies compare to Pleasant House?
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 10 March 2017 00:27 (seven years ago) link
what is Pleasant House?
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 10 March 2017 00:56 (seven years ago) link
Pleasant House Bakery!!
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 10 March 2017 01:15 (seven years ago) link
http://www.pleasanthousepub.com/
You're here, right?
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 10 March 2017 01:16 (seven years ago) link
My bad if not, maybe was thinking of someone else.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 10 March 2017 01:42 (seven years ago) link
noo I'm all the way over in Sacramento CA, sorry :)
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 10 March 2017 02:13 (seven years ago) link
Close! If you're ever here you should go to Pleasant House.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 10 March 2017 02:20 (seven years ago) link
they discontinued the vegetarian orange chicken :-(
― gr8080, Friday, 10 March 2017 02:23 (seven years ago) link
Made the rustic apple tart tonight, and bought a chocolate spice coconut bar. Will report.
I've noted it before, but I love the paella.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 10 March 2017 02:33 (seven years ago) link
my friend co owns pleasant house
― maura, Friday, 10 March 2017 06:05 (seven years ago) link
I have been there once and the person I ate with ordered a chicken balti pie
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Friday, 10 March 2017 14:01 (seven years ago) link
That's my go-to.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 10 March 2017 15:30 (seven years ago) link
i'm at trader joe's right now hi
― maura, Friday, 10 March 2017 16:19 (seven years ago) link
maura!!!! what is in your cart??
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 10 March 2017 17:01 (seven years ago) link
^^
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 10 March 2017 17:49 (seven years ago) link
Show us your foods!
― nickn, Friday, 10 March 2017 18:47 (seven years ago) link
Currently I am liking:
TamalesGyozaPizza dough - a staple (though I slightly prefer my own, it takes too long)Chicken sausageDried pitted Montmorency cherriesDark chocolate-covered cherriesPinachio cookiesCaramel cashew cookiesRoasted/salted almonds
Winewise, they have a couple different Primitivos that I have bought and am looking forward to trying.
― may all your memes be dank (Ye Mad Puffin), Friday, 10 March 2017 18:53 (seven years ago) link
i have used their pizza dough much but it's so bland no matter what you do to it :-/
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 10 March 2017 19:07 (seven years ago) link
this was mostly a fill-up run (i like to go to tj's after therapy because it's soothing and this week i was rewarded with 'a view to a kill' on the stereo when i got there); also i gave up chocolate for lent. i bought a bottle of wine, the fresh mozz cheese sticks, a new york strip, the heat and eat brussels, "handsome cut" french fries, haricots verts, blueberries, honey roasted peanuts, cheese crisps that are all cheese, hash browns (my favorite thing!!!), strawberry preserves, tahini, and chickpeas. also two clutches of red roses, which i combine in my mason jar vase.
― maura, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:40 (seven years ago) link
i figured out how to make those hash browns so they're exactly like mcdonald's. it is the best
gosh
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 10 March 2017 21:41 (seven years ago) link
how???
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 10 March 2017 21:42 (seven years ago) link
Same here. My toaster oven has a setting for frozen has browns! it makes them 90% perfect
― calstars, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:47 (seven years ago) link
salt the oil
― maura, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:55 (seven years ago) link
Really dig the European style yogurt, esp with the small frozen blueberries mixed in.
― JoeStork, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:55 (seven years ago) link
SALT THE OIL
To each their own I guess
Uh what oil
― calstars, Friday, 10 March 2017 22:49 (seven years ago) link
vegetable oil
― gr8080, Friday, 10 March 2017 22:54 (seven years ago) link
the oil within
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 March 2017 00:13 (seven years ago) link
Oh ok now I understand
― calstars, Saturday, 11 March 2017 00:52 (seven years ago) link
OH you mean the patty hash browns!! I was thinking the shredded taters and was like "ok i salt the oil but what do i do with all of these potato shreds?????"
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 12 March 2017 14:36 (seven years ago) link
hah yeah the patties!
― maura, Sunday, 12 March 2017 14:39 (seven years ago) link
i cook them that way & then chop them up and put them in breakfast burritos
― gr8080, Sunday, 12 March 2017 14:43 (seven years ago) link
sassy! I want to do that
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 12 March 2017 14:50 (seven years ago) link
ooh
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 12 March 2017 14:51 (seven years ago) link
eating JUST mandarin orange chicken w/ rice feels excessive and decadent, what are your favorite add-ins besides broccoli??
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:57 (seven years ago) link
scallions
― mh 😏, Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:59 (seven years ago) link
w o w
http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a46152/trader-joes-mandarin-orange-chicken-rice-bowls-recipe/
https://media.giphy.com/media/26ufdipQqU2lhNA4g/giphy.gif
― Fluffy Saint-Bernard (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 19 March 2017 21:14 (seven years ago) link
What if you took that and put it in a burrito
― “Yeah. Huh, thanks.” (los blue jeans), Sunday, 19 March 2017 21:20 (seven years ago) link
chicken AND rice? get the fuck outta here
― musically, Monday, 20 March 2017 18:03 (six years ago) link
I mix either spinach or the "cruciferous crunch" bagged blend into anything I deem vegetable-deficient.
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 20 March 2017 19:59 (six years ago) link
Did Trader Joe's discontinue their all time goat mvp, crushed garlic in a jar? Last two times I've gone they've only had diced garlic which isn't nearly as good.
― musically, Friday, 14 April 2017 16:56 (six years ago) link
Answer seems to be: yes, they discontinued it.
― a little too mature to be cute (Aimless), Friday, 14 April 2017 17:20 (six years ago) link
Visit any Indian grocer. Great big jars of crushed garlic, crushed ginger, or both for much less than the fresh forms. It loses some pungency from the processing, but its easy enough to compensate.
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Friday, 14 April 2017 18:00 (six years ago) link
Christopher Ranch brand crushed garlic is the best and is sold in major US supermarkets. Dunno if TJ's is US garlic or Chinese (which is possible).
― sarahell, Friday, 14 April 2017 18:25 (six years ago) link
It was missing from ours for awhile, but eventually it returned, but in a different jar.
― Jeff, Friday, 14 April 2017 18:30 (six years ago) link
Luckily I still have some garlic left but I'll check out the supermarket brands when I run out. The new garlic tj's has is diced rather than crushed, imo it's not as flavorful.
― musically, Saturday, 15 April 2017 01:01 (six years ago) link
The coconut cold brew coffee concentrate makes a nice iced coffee with some coconut milk and coconut water. Maybe serve it in a coconut.
― Puke and Other Poems (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 08:05 (six years ago) link
The "refried" black beans (really just puréed) are bland, the soy chorizo too spicy and greasy by itself, but mix them (4 oz chorizo/can), and they make an excellent vegan taco filler.
― The Audacity of Taupe (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 15:26 (six years ago) link
the soy chorizo is... too spicy?!?
― mh, Wednesday, 5 July 2017 15:32 (six years ago) link
As a standalone taco filling, yes, and heavier than Mexican pork chorizo in chile, garlic, cumin, oregano, etc. It's probably great in soups, scrambled eggs/breakfast burritos, etc.
― The Audacity of Taupe (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 16:04 (six years ago) link
soy chorizo is great in scrambled eggs but it is not spicy
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 16:28 (six years ago) link
i always mix it with rice and vegetables, much more palatable that way. i have stuffed poblano chiles with this mixture and it's pretty good. not great, but passable. not too picante-spicy for me but i can see how it would be too overwhelming/one note
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 16:30 (six years ago) link
spicy like too much spice, or spicy like hot?
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 17:26 (six years ago) link
The former. It's basicaly TVP and soybean oil, drowning in salt, chile & garlic powder, cumin & oregano, squirted into a plastic casing.
I grow and eat habaneros recreationally. Too much capsaicin never bothered me.
― The Audacity of Taupe (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 17:33 (six years ago) link
I made chorizo breakfast burritos for a camping trip one time, and the next time since we were taking mostly vegetarians I used the Trader Joe's soy chorizo instead. No one could really tell the difference. That seemed like the perfect application for it, where texture is not even an issue.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 5 July 2017 17:36 (six years ago) link
ah, overseasoned. I get that.
― mh, Wednesday, 5 July 2017 17:59 (six years ago) link
yeah a little goes a long way. i decant it into tupperware on purchase, then put like a teaspoon per person in eggs. i would never eat it on its own.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 18:03 (six years ago) link
related: i just moved from the east coast to the west coast and i feel like i must be doing something wrong because the TJs handmade flour tortillas here are awful compared to the ones i got in new york.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 18:04 (six years ago) link
There's at least 3 recipes/suppliers from the GIS evidence:
Handmade Flour Tortillas: unbleached enriched flour, water, high oleic sunflower oil, honey, wheat gluten, salt, soy lecithin, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, citric acidHandmade Flour Tortillas: unbleached enriched flour, water, olive oil, salt, distilled vinegarTruly Handmade Flour Tortillas: high gluten enriched flour, safflower oil, honey, baking powder, sea salt
Tastewise, I can't imagine any of them compare favorably with Hispanic grocer tortillas made with lard or tallow.
― The Audacity of Taupe (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 18:58 (six years ago) link
i used to buy the smoked andouille chicken sausage on occasion and that's fairly spicy
― i n f i n i t y (∞), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 19:09 (six years ago) link
yeah, that's a decent sausage.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 5 July 2017 19:10 (six years ago) link
good toofpaste
― Dean of the University (Latham Green), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 19:22 (six years ago) link
all of the tjs tortillas i've bought have been terrible. they taste fine but fall apart if you put anything in them.
― na (NA), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 19:43 (six years ago) link
actually i'm not crazy about most of their bread products.
TJs corn tortillas are generally retrograded and brittle out of the package. Toast them in a flat pan and they become usable, and much tastier. However, the TJs still more geared to tacos than other Latin dishes. I find non TJs corn tortillas (like the La Providencia brand) much better.
The TJ's baked good I buy most trips is their Lavash bread. Good ingredients, and great for hummus + salad wraps.
― The Audacity of Taupe (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 20:51 (six years ago) link
I think the bread products vary by location -- I think some is made by local bakeries and then packed as TJ's brand?
― sarahell, Wednesday, 5 July 2017 20:52 (six years ago) link
I like their California style sprouted wheat bread.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 5 July 2017 21:00 (six years ago) link
that's what i get usually
i switch it up sometimes and get the flourless whole wheat berry one or another orange label one similar to the sprouted wheat bread one
― i n f i n i t y (∞), Wednesday, 5 July 2017 21:44 (six years ago) link
i decided to try the organic bolivian blend coffee and it's pretty disappointing. I've heard decent things about a couple of the other ones, but not decent enough that I necessarily want to give them a shot. i agree w/what was said upthread by dayo about TJ's leaning too much on the darker roasts at the expense of lighter ones. if they could get a solid light roast that's not too floral, maybe even skewing towards the more smooth, nutty, chocolately side of things i'd definitely try it.
― nomar, Wednesday, 5 July 2017 22:02 (six years ago) link
I have one like that but it's not from TJs alas.
― Conic section rebellion 44 (in orbit), Thursday, 6 July 2017 01:00 (six years ago) link
https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/sinful-delight.html
― Conic section rebellion 44 (in orbit), Thursday, 6 July 2017 01:02 (six years ago) link
i think we can all agree the soy chorizo is v v spiced and you can't use much, it almost feels more like a seasoning vehicle than an actual ingredient?
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 6 July 2017 01:19 (six years ago) link
― na (NA), Wednesday, July 5, 2017 2:43 PM (five hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
sry not to be a dick but you're heating them up in like a skillet or something first, right?
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 6 July 2017 01:21 (six years ago) link
these are still the best tortillas I've had from a grocery store but they're hard to track down but damn if you can find them....
http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/09/best-flour-tortillas-tortillaland.html
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 6 July 2017 01:22 (six years ago) link
All my local stores carry those, they're fantastic. Downside is that you'll eat half of them warming them in the skillet.
― El Tuomasbot (milo z), Thursday, 6 July 2017 01:43 (six years ago) link
frozen korma fish curry: it's good!
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 18 July 2017 03:15 (six years ago) link
test
― maura, Tuesday, 18 July 2017 04:24 (six years ago) link
I really like Trader Joe's cornichons. I'm oddly opinionated about cornichons.
Most of the rest of TJ's I can do without tbrr
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Tuesday, 18 July 2017 22:59 (six years ago) link
The Giant Peruvian Inca Corn tastes exactly like Fritos. Still satisfying and convenient for taking to parades/fireworks.
― полезные дурак (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 19 July 2017 01:37 (six years ago) link
In the salad section there's a curried cauliflower and potato salad which is basically just cold aloo gobi with chickpeas; I forgot about mine until a couple of days after it's sell-by date so I cooked it with some butter and threw it on some rice, it basically tastes like Indian restaurant leftovers. Which I mean as a high compliment.
― The Man Who Saw The Midwife (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 28 July 2017 09:59 (six years ago) link
the herbal flavored water is practically identical to other similarly flavored waters that cost at least twice as much
― sarahell, Friday, 28 July 2017 11:45 (six years ago) link
honey butter chips are weird and not good and taste like sweet sour cream & onion chips
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 28 July 2017 14:57 (six years ago) link
Is it just my local TJ or has corporate pulled back on the overfriendliness mandate? It's been so much less oppressive a shopping experience in recent months.
― Chock Full of Love and Sexy Feeling (Old Lunch), Friday, 28 July 2017 15:06 (six years ago) link
Now that you mention it, I have noticed less "SO ANY PLANS FOR TONIGHT?!?!" interactions there.
― The Man Who Saw The Midwife (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 28 July 2017 23:56 (six years ago) link
I finally tried the frozen beef tamales and they are really tasty - I had previously just tried the sweet corn/chili/cheese one and found it was a bit bland, the beef one has nice flavorful red sauce. The refrigerated ones are good too but I think these are a better deal.
― musically, Saturday, 29 July 2017 18:55 (six years ago) link
― Chock Full of Love and Sexy Feeling (Old Lunch), Friday, July 28, 2017 4:06 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― The Man Who Saw The Midwife (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, July 29, 2017 12:56 AM (eighteen hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
it has been awhile since i've heard "ohh someone's having a party!" because I bought a bottle of wine and some cheese.
― nomar, Saturday, 29 July 2017 18:57 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsNq3nQ612c
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Saturday, 29 July 2017 21:09 (six years ago) link
the cucumber watermelon cooler is an amazing drink and even amazinger mixer
― musically, Tuesday, 1 August 2017 21:17 (six years ago) link
Costco had a cucumber mint lemonade that was great. The TJs jalapeno lemonade was screaming for tequila.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 1 August 2017 21:20 (six years ago) link
i've been buying their coffee concentrate and using that instead of buying iced coffee from pret or wherever, it ends up costing about $1 per large glass of iced coffee which is obviously much cheaper. they also have a new french roast coffee concentrate but i haven't tried it yet, and coconut coffee concentrate which i will not be trying.
― na (NA), Tuesday, 1 August 2017 21:21 (six years ago) link
i tried the french roast conc. it was a bit more intense than the regular cold brew. nothing to write home abt, but solid. i like the vegetarian chilli but not as much as the kind they carried a couple years ago. gonna make veggie chilli cheese dogs tonight w/ their veg. dogs which can be kinda plastic-y, but split and cast-ironed they're actually much much better
― freedom is not having to measure life with a ruler (outdoor_miner), Tuesday, 1 August 2017 21:46 (six years ago) link
I now smell of the tea tree tingle bath soap. I've smelled worse.
― Are you Eating It...or is It Eating You? (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 1 August 2017 22:58 (six years ago) link
There are new sparkling water flavors - grapefruit, pineapple, "Island Colada," and (iirc) cranberry clementine.
― maura, Wednesday, 2 August 2017 13:54 (six years ago) link
Also I am fairly obsessed with their gluten free cranberry maple granola, which is pretty much a $2 cheaper copy of the kind made by Bakery on Main.
― maura, Wednesday, 2 August 2017 13:56 (six years ago) link
Oh and I bought a little succulent in a magnetized vase for my fridge yesterday.
I go to Trader Joe's once a week, usually, if not more. It's right by my therapist's office and it's my favorite place to decompress.
that sounds beautiful
the only TJ's here for the time being is in the strip mall-heavy suburban retail development area, so the traffic is obnoxious and I almost sprint through there
― mh, Wednesday, 2 August 2017 14:03 (six years ago) link
does TJ's not have some kind of Gatorade knockoff?
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 5 August 2017 18:48 (six years ago) link
Traderade?
― The Man Who Saw The Midwife (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 5 August 2017 20:01 (six years ago) link
I don't remember seeing anything like that, just fruit juice and coconut water.
ok full disclosure I usually buy fussy coffee (locally roasted single origin stuff) but I bought some cheap TJ's coffee for cold brew and made hot coffee with it and it is TERRIBLE
It's the Select Harvest Curated Coffee which is such a dumb name but it's a 50/50 blend of a light Colombian and medium Ethiopian and tbh I would rather drink Folgers or work keurig coffee than this, it is so bitter.
Seriously, does TJ's make ANY decent coffee? I have had so much over the years and it's all super dark, even the medium-light roasts.
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 7 August 2017 12:07 (six years ago) link
I just finished a can of that and I thought it was OK for TJ's. I only rarely buy the higher-end coffees, though.
― nickn, Monday, 7 August 2017 16:23 (six years ago) link
god if that's OK for TJ's...
― he not like the banana (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 8 August 2017 00:10 (six years ago) link
it's my favorite place to decompress
me too, I get a tiny coffee and a sample and just roam around. I used to go more often than I needed to just bc I enjoyed my time there, unfortunately my new neighborhood isn't rich and white enough for tj's but i'm hoping they'll come around.
― musically, Tuesday, 8 August 2017 21:28 (six years ago) link
so TJ's has these $1.99 pints of organic ice cream now from Humboldt Creamery. chocolate, vanilla, mint chip, and coffee. are those available outside of California?
― nomar, Tuesday, 8 August 2017 21:32 (six years ago) link
not herei have been enjoying their newish cheap line of beers (they're $4.99/6) -- simple times is ok in a pinch ($3.99/6 for pilsner or lager) but the other ones are definitely ok. good enough to buy when i would rather spend $5 than $10 on a 6-pack. i think they are boatswain brand? no idea tbh. i don't like the chocolate stout but the rest of them are good enough. there's an IPA and another one i can't remember the name of. it's more malty? whatever. they are satisfactory.
i buy their joe's choice medium roast coffee and it is good enough for me. i'm sure there is better coffee in the world but i am not willing to pay for it.
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 8 August 2017 21:37 (six years ago) link
Boatswain Heavy Lift Vehicle is fine, I wouldn't bother with their IPAs again.
― #IMPOTUS (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 8 August 2017 22:04 (six years ago) link
A drinkable American Pale Ale at $5/6 would be great.
― WilliamC, Tuesday, 8 August 2017 22:06 (six years ago) link
Their Jumping Cow and Fat Weasel ales decent for the price.
― nickn, Tuesday, 8 August 2017 22:21 (six years ago) link
Bought this "granola" today that looks like flakes with round nuts inside but tastes like granola.
― calstars, Sunday, 20 August 2017 19:00 (six years ago) link
Sorcery
― Jeff, Sunday, 20 August 2017 19:04 (six years ago) link
it's their version of bakery on main's granola. i am enamored with it
― maura, Sunday, 20 August 2017 23:20 (six years ago) link
buy their joe's choice medium roast coffee and it is good enough for me. i'm sure there is better coffee in the world but i am not willing to pay for it.
Tried this for the first time a couple months ago. Found it totally adequate and a dang nice price. Think it's a blend using part Vietnamese beans which I previously didn't even know existed
― freedom is not having to measure life with a ruler (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 20 August 2017 23:47 (six years ago) link
Thanks MauraBut wtf is bakery on main
― calstars, Monday, 21 August 2017 00:13 (six years ago) link
https://bakeryonmain.com/
― maura, Monday, 21 August 2017 01:46 (six years ago) link
are we sure they aren’t actually selling bakery on main stuff? I mean, it’s TJ’s
― mh, Monday, 21 August 2017 01:52 (six years ago) link
oh yeah by "version of" i mean "rebranding of"
― maura, Monday, 21 August 2017 01:54 (six years ago) link
the everything bagel chips were discontinued :(
― musically, Sunday, 17 September 2017 19:21 (six years ago) link
I can still gag on demand by recalling the time I tried TJ sushi
― rip van wanko, Sunday, 17 September 2017 21:54 (six years ago) link
how is it that their universally-despised sushi has outlived so many wonderful delicious discontinued products, what a world
― musically, Monday, 18 September 2017 00:09 (six years ago) link
i like the tofu spring rolls but yeah, would never do their sushi
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 18 September 2017 02:48 (six years ago) link
Anyone had the mango sticky rice rolls?
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 18 September 2017 02:50 (six years ago) link
Their organic peanut butter is not very good.
― o. nate, Monday, 18 September 2017 03:34 (six years ago) link
I have,thought they were fairly good, but be careful, the mango takes on a napalm-like quality when it heats up.
― Moodles, Monday, 18 September 2017 03:44 (six years ago) link
Their sushi truly tastes like food poisoning
― just1n3, Monday, 18 September 2017 05:46 (six years ago) link
i'd imagine the sushi is popular among those who would also buy it at a deli
― maura, Monday, 18 September 2017 14:29 (six years ago) link
Do all the TJ's locations have sushi? I haven't looked, but that seems like a weird item for their distribution chain
I'm really skeptical of the grocery store sushi but the couple stores I've seen people buying it at actually have a guy who comes in for a few hours each day to prepare it, presumably traveling between stores throughout the day
― mh, Monday, 18 September 2017 14:44 (six years ago) link
I like whole foods sushi, but it costs as much as restaurant sushi. you can pick up other stuff while there, though. so it is good last resort sushi imo.
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 18 September 2017 18:10 (six years ago) link
also they sell (albeit overpriced) sake
― mh, Monday, 18 September 2017 19:02 (six years ago) link
at WF, that is. can't remember if TJ's has sake
Just ate Whole Foods sushi, really quite good.
― Jeff, Monday, 18 September 2017 19:03 (six years ago) link
But I'm a soy sauce/wasabi slurry kind of guy, so you probably can't trust me.
hmmm. are you also a pickled ginger on top of the sushi guy?
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 18 September 2017 19:43 (six years ago) link
I'm not that much of a disgusting savage. Even I have my limits.
― Jeff, Monday, 18 September 2017 19:54 (six years ago) link
if you have leftover pickled ginger at the end of the meal, do you eat the whole stack at once?
not that I know anyone who would do such a thing
― mh, Monday, 18 September 2017 19:56 (six years ago) link
Only if it has a chunk of wasabi on it.
― Jeff, Monday, 18 September 2017 20:05 (six years ago) link
favoring victorian-style sushi ornamented with multiple sauces and "outrageous" insides (e.g. beef, jalapeno-fried things, etc.) is the greatest sushi crime, though this is a very "just watched jiro dreams of sushi" opinion to have. minor wasabi or ginger crimes are a good way to convince others that you are also gross, just less gross than the sauced up sushi eaters.
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 18 September 2017 20:32 (six years ago) link
i've come around on junk-food rolls, but i still love the simple basics the best -sashimi, nigiri etc
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 18 September 2017 20:43 (six years ago) link
Long ago discovered I liked sushi (the rice) and wasabi (even fake) more than the raw fish, which means I can enjoy a huge sushi happy hour meal with vegetable rolls for not much money.
A local sushi restaurant makes "Teardrop Rolls" with real wasabi as the only filling. They have a customer for life.
― Special Egyptian Guest Star (Sanpaku), Monday, 18 September 2017 20:49 (six years ago) link
I just love allyl isothiocyanate, the pungent component of wasabi, horseradish, and mustard.
― Special Egyptian Guest Star (Sanpaku), Monday, 18 September 2017 20:51 (six years ago) link
wasabi is fantastic. a colleague regularly brings wasabi flavored stuff from hawaii into the office. they all give you the inhaled-water-through-your-nose feeling that is somehow enjoyable.
xxp i guess there's a distinction to be made between junk-food rolls on the menu at a typical sushi place and the comic sans "signature" rolls at somewhere like this place, which is way overpriced for junk-food rolls
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 18 September 2017 20:57 (six years ago) link
none of those places are TJs nor do they sell wasabi (outside of their vile sushi portions) i am sad to report i can no longer live without a bag of their "cruciferous crunch" blend in my fridge at all timesi hate being dependent on TJs products but here i am
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 18 September 2017 20:59 (six years ago) link
That’s me and the dark chocolate pistachio brittle.
― Jeff, Monday, 18 September 2017 21:02 (six years ago) link
me and their instant oatmeal
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 18 September 2017 21:34 (six years ago) link
― Jeff, Monday, September 18, 2017 4:02 PM (fifty-eight minutes ago)
The stuff that looks a little like clumps out of the litter box? It's so good.
― WilliamC, Monday, 18 September 2017 22:02 (six years ago) link
I had WF sushi for lunch thanks to this thread. Almost bought a beer to smuggle in to the office but decided not to. I usually get Vons (Safeway) sushi so I am stepping up my game by going to WF.
― nickn, Monday, 18 September 2017 23:40 (six years ago) link
did u like it?
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 00:39 (six years ago) link
Yes! But I was thinking, for $9.39 there's a lot of other food I would like too.
― nickn, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 01:04 (six years ago) link
this is such an old boring dad thing to say but i am recently appreciating the relative plethora of low-sodium options at trader joes, particularly for snacking
― na (NA), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 14:47 (six years ago) link
I should look into that, I'm still wishing we had an "i fucking love sodium" board
not that I ate salt&pepper pistachios for dinner
― mh, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 15:04 (six years ago) link
i put salt on everything
even pizza
― Benson and the Jets (ENBB), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 16:38 (six years ago) link
Same. Salt is a pizza topping.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 18:03 (six years ago) link
green olives are the secret salt pizza topping
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 19:21 (six years ago) link
i'm not doing it for fun, i'm doing it so i don't die
― na (NA), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 19:22 (six years ago) link
ever
― na (NA), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 19:45 (six years ago) link
but if you eat a lot of salt, when you do die your body will be preserved forever
― mh, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 20:35 (six years ago) link
preserved forever, skinless, in a Body Worlds exhibit titled "look at what the salt did to his insides"
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 20:42 (six years ago) link
That's my science fiction scenario: I attend one of those shows, and one of the figures looks very familiar. Then a series of events leads me to deduce the mystery of time travel, and it ends with me fleshless staring at myself with prosthetic eyes
― mh, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 20:44 (six years ago) link
in a Trader Joe's
― mh, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 20:45 (six years ago) link
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 21:20 (six years ago) link
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 21:23 (six years ago) link
thumbs up on truffle potato chips. wish they'd get another shipment of truffled mac'n'cheese
― freedom is not having to measure life with a ruler (outdoor_miner), Monday, 25 September 2017 21:27 (six years ago) link
pumpkin joe joe's are good with tea
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 25 September 2017 22:14 (six years ago) link
why are you so inconsistent with stocking the frozen arancini?
the smoked salmon is cheaper than the smoked salmon at WF and Safeway (please do not go to the same TJ's I go to and buy all the smoked salmon ... thanks in advance)
― sarahell, Thursday, 28 September 2017 15:38 (six years ago) link
These cornbread crisps are very good but I feel like I'm going to buy twenty bags a week and dip them in honey butter please stop me
― The Fortnightly Intruder (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 29 September 2017 23:31 (six years ago) link
They were way too sweet for me. I don’t like any sweetness in my cornbread.
― Jeff, Saturday, 30 September 2017 00:49 (six years ago) link
I don’t like any sweetness in my cornbread.
u crazy
― musically, Saturday, 30 September 2017 01:32 (six years ago) link
yeah I kinda gotta side with musically
― The Fortnightly Intruder (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 30 September 2017 09:40 (six years ago) link
I'm taking this to the cornbread thread.
Hooray for cornbread!
― Jeff, Saturday, 30 September 2017 11:03 (six years ago) link
There is also this cornbread thread that I started 10 years ago. Not sure what I was thinking about then, probably lost my mind when someone put sugar in my cornbread.
DON'T TRY AND BURY MY CORNBREAD
― Jeff, Saturday, 30 September 2017 11:04 (six years ago) link
This new vegetarian chili is very beany.
It looks like the old stuff but it's kind of like eating a bowl of beans swimming in bean starch.
― The Fortnightly Intruder (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 8 October 2017 09:44 (six years ago) link
Spicy Pickled Vegetables are dope tho
Dumped a few into my spicy ramen it was great.
― The Fortnightly Intruder (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 13 October 2017 10:23 (six years ago) link
Their habanero hot sauce is good (and spicy).
― o. nate, Friday, 13 October 2017 15:26 (six years ago) link
I can never cook the parbaked ficelle correctly, it's always super crusty outside and doughy inside. I guess I should try reducing the temp and increasing cooking time, but has anyone had surefire success w/ it?
― northwest pass-agg (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 14 October 2017 20:05 (six years ago) link
I've really been enjoying their chicken cilantro wontons lately. They are very easy to cook up to the right degree of crispy vs chewy.
― Moodles, Saturday, 14 October 2017 20:37 (six years ago) link
Their vegetable gyoza are good too.
― o. nate, Sunday, 15 October 2017 02:19 (six years ago) link
super crusty outside and doughy inside is how that bread is supposed to be, isn't it?
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Sunday, 15 October 2017 14:48 (six years ago) link
is it?? i just want it to be like cooked like normal bread inside!
also wow milk choc always bores me but the milk choc lover's bar is prob the most interesting milk choc i've ever had
― northwest pass-agg (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 16 October 2017 20:40 (six years ago) link
doughy means the grey haired british man reprimands you for underproofing
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 16 October 2017 20:53 (six years ago) link
i like bread that is mostly crust, which those breads are ime
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 16 October 2017 21:17 (six years ago) link
if i wanted a big slice of the insides of bread i would eat a different sort of bread
a crusty bread that still has some springiness is ideal. it should be like a delicious, firm mattress.
― nomar, Monday, 16 October 2017 21:19 (six years ago) link
so many breads there is no correct bread
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 16 October 2017 21:31 (six years ago) link
no this doens't spring, when you squish it it squishes, like bad awful mattress
― northwest pass-agg (Stevie D(eux)), Monday, 16 October 2017 21:34 (six years ago) link
the collection of letters "m'smen" is a bread, therefore any collection of letters must also be a bread
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 16 October 2017 21:35 (six years ago) link
xp do you use a pizza stone?
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 16 October 2017 21:36 (six years ago) link
no :( I don't got one
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 13:05 (six years ago) link
pizza stones seem needlessly expensive, but a friend has had success using the cheaper ceramic tiles you find on terrible "pizza stone lifehack" websites. The tiles will eventually crack, though. I bought a glazed one for my birthday this year that was maybe $40, and it is supposed to last a long time. If you think you'll ever start making pizza dough or bread, I think it is worth it.
when I make bread at home, it comes out doughy at the bottom if I don't prove it long enough. it might help if you take the bread out of the plastic and leave it on a sheet on top of your oven as the oven is preheating.
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 16:43 (six years ago) link
I use a perforated pizza pan when I make pizza, and it works better than a stone because stones still allow moisture to collect underneath. The pans are cheap, too.
When I make bread I just let the loaf rest on the ceramic pot it bakes in, and I've never had sogginess problems.
― nickn, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 16:48 (six years ago) link
Did you use parchment on the stone?
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 16:50 (six years ago) link
I've heard good things about these perforated pizza pans from others
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 16:51 (six years ago) link
I've been really enjoying the red lentil pasta, it keeps a nice chewy texture. The black bean pasta is trash though.
Also I learned there is a nationwide tofurkey shortage, oh no! Gotta stock up on those Italian sausage tofurks, they are the best fake meats.
― change display name (Jordan), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 17:13 (six years ago) link
the gingered kombucha in 20 oz aluminum cans is basically beer and making it super easy for me to cheat on being 100% sober
― map, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 17:18 (six years ago) link
Nope.
― nickn, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 17:20 (six years ago) link
surely it's got be like less than 1% abv though?
― change display name (Jordan), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 17:31 (six years ago) link
it doesn't feel like it!
― map, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 17:31 (six years ago) link
ok it's 16 oz not 20 oz. it's gotta be less than .5% but it's the only kombucha i've had that legiit gives me a buzz.
― map, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 17:46 (six years ago) link
Dinner last night was Braised Beef Roast and Country Potatoes with Haricots Verts & Wild Mushrooms. No5h the beef and potatoes were good and I'd get them again. Portion-wise, the beef was just barely enough for two adults and one teen.
― Moodles, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 17:54 (six years ago) link
the newer, larger quiche is better than the old quiches
― you are juror number 144 and we will excuse you (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 18:03 (six years ago) link
are joe-joes rebranded newman-Os? oreos are a very vexing cookie.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 21:03 (six years ago) link
whoa the frozen bibimbap bowl is GREAT!!
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 19 October 2017 14:30 (six years ago) link
Picked up the Panama Boquete coffee yesterday. I don't usually like TJ's coffees, but have liked all the Panamas I've had from local roasters. I'm excited to try it once I get through my current beans.
― naus, Sunday, 22 October 2017 19:20 (six years ago) link
My TJs (I go about once every three months so "my" is pushing it) did not have frozen bibimbap. I did see a TJs cultured salted butter which is pretty good (for table butter, I wouldn't cook with it). Cheap flowers is the raison d'etre for TJs in my life. And cheap avocados.
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Sunday, 22 October 2017 23:00 (six years ago) link
I avoid the avocados in the mesh sack as they never ripen at the same time, which is necessary for guacamole-making occasions. I usually get the same things (frozen pizzas, vegetable gyoza, Dr. Bronner's for $11.99, etc.), but yesterday I got a few things I don't normally buy and ended up spending too much in the process. I did notice they have a Habanero Ghost Pepper Salsa, and bought that. Less heat than I would have expected, but the roasted chiles gave it a nice flavor.
― naus, Sunday, 22 October 2017 23:11 (six years ago) link
Huh my avocados in sack always ripen at the same time (or close enough)--one day hard, the next day medium ripe, two days after that dead ripe. I move 'em to the fridge between medium an dead ripe; they hold for a couple of days that way.
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Sunday, 22 October 2017 23:30 (six years ago) link
the #1 all-time TJ MVP has to be their squash...they price it each instead of per pound so it's about 80% cheaper than any other grocery store
― musically, Tuesday, 14 November 2017 16:31 (six years ago) link
Rosemary Marcona Almonds. Addictive.
Chile Lime Seasoning Blend. I eat it straight. Or put it on cantaloupe.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 15 November 2017 11:35 (six years ago) link
tajin (which is what tj's knocked off) and jicama slices is one of my favorite snacks
― musically, Friday, 17 November 2017 18:51 (six years ago) link
OK Trader Joe's, I probably shouldn't have made a quesadilla the size of a dinner plate with your Soy Cheese Blend without some experimental nibbling first, so this horrible gas pain is technically my fault.
― The Fortnightly Intruder (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 19 November 2017 11:31 (six years ago) link
Have they ditched the lemur tea?
― JoeStork, Friday, 1 December 2017 01:49 (six years ago) link
I have gotten food poisoning from TJs no less than four times. Their fake cheese was def. the latest culprit. I no longer shop there.
― rb (soda), Friday, 1 December 2017 02:57 (six years ago) link
The yellow jackfruit curry with jasmine rice is the best frozen vegan entree I've had. Heavy on the coconut milk, so not everyday fare, and pretty mild, so I add cayenne. $2.79.
― Sanpaku, Sunday, 17 December 2017 02:26 (six years ago) link
The Everything Bagel seasoning is on point.
― Yerac, Sunday, 17 December 2017 14:25 (six years ago) link
it’s definitely on my best of 2017 list
― maura, Sunday, 17 December 2017 16:14 (six years ago) link
What do you guys use it for?
― The Fortnightly Intruder (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 19 December 2017 01:09 (six years ago) link
Are you hot-rodding your everything bagels?
I can't get everything bagels where I am, so I put them on the cream cheese or spread of plain bagels. I also like it on tomatoes, avocados or to add some texture to salads. Also it's decent as a whack furikake when I make the rice for sushi or poke.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 19 December 2017 01:18 (six years ago) link
I am very sad because I ran out. This is the stuff I usually get at Trader Joe's to take when I am out of the country. Pink Himalayan SaltGreen Dragon SauceBrown Rice PastaRice CrackersEverything Bagel seasoningDark Chocolate Peanut Butter CupsCowboy Bark
― Yerac, Tuesday, 19 December 2017 01:22 (six years ago) link
Oh man, and I always stock up on a dozen boxes of the red fox tea if I can hit a TJ at the right time.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 19 December 2017 01:25 (six years ago) link
yeah i use the everything seasoning because no one else in my family likes everything bagels, so i use it to everythingize the plain bagels we get. it's also pretty good in scrambled eggs.
― na (NA), Tuesday, 19 December 2017 15:25 (six years ago) link
I'm giving my family so much TJs stuff as presents (since they don't live near one). Their caramel corn/Cracker Jacks knock-off product is outstanding, as are their gluten-free chocolate cupcakes, which are basically the only pastry I can have these days.
And I don't know what it is about their almond milk but it is just miles away THE BEST, compared to all other supermarket brands. If it's a mainstream product just repackaged with TJs boxes, I wish I could figure out what one it is, because the supermarket ones are all slightly tinted water comparatively.
― Conic section rebellion 44 (in orbit), Tuesday, 19 December 2017 15:32 (six years ago) link
everything but the bagel is really good on popcorn
― maura, Tuesday, 19 December 2017 18:14 (six years ago) link
Is everything but the bagel still available? I went to tjs a week ago and they didn't have it, was too rushed to ask someone there to look it up for me. It's amazing on avocado toast...
― musically, Wednesday, 14 February 2018 18:45 (six years ago) link
The big cookie skillet is great.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 14 February 2018 18:48 (six years ago) link
"spud crunchies" = dehydrated frozen french fries?
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 February 2018 19:07 (six years ago) link
Best place to buy affordable valentine's day roses that I've found around here
― Dan I., Wednesday, 14 February 2018 20:11 (six years ago) link
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, February 14, 2018
kinda? very common snacking in asia. these rule tbh but TJ's isn't ready to get this real
https://s3.amazonaws.com/cratejoy_vendor_images/treats/bold/images/3._Jagabee_Soy_Sauce_Potato_Crisps_by_Calbee.png
― Larry Elleison (rogermexico.), Wednesday, 14 February 2018 21:33 (six years ago) link
i didn't want to like them because they tasted like cold dead fries but somehow i gave in. three bags later, i wonder if i can make them myself in a dehydrator ;_;
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 February 2018 21:39 (six years ago) link
Strong suspicion the Trader Joes are rebranded Calbee. They are offloading the bacon & cheddar version at dollar stores.
― Philip Nunez, Wednesday, 14 February 2018 21:47 (six years ago) link
My woke girlfriend just got a tattoo of a spoon. I showed a photo of it to a friend. And then today the friend sent me a photo of a Trader Joe's bag, and the tattoo is indeed a replica of the TJ spoon.
That's all I got.
http://cynthiashaffer.typepad.com/.a/6a013487f74219970c0147e216a9ae970b-500wi
― ... (Eazy), Wednesday, 14 February 2018 21:52 (six years ago) link
heartbreakingdoes she know you call her your "woke girlfriend"?
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 February 2018 22:31 (six years ago) link
what does your non-woke girlfriend have a tattoo of?
― mh, Wednesday, 14 February 2018 22:33 (six years ago) link
seriously though i can't imagine getting a tattoo and then realizing it was on a grocery bagi hope she is taking it ok!!
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 14 February 2018 22:35 (six years ago) link
twist ending: the grocery bag design is based on her tattoo
― mh, Wednesday, 14 February 2018 22:39 (six years ago) link
My wife is obsessed with those spud crunchies
― Moodles, Wednesday, 14 February 2018 23:29 (six years ago) link
trader joe’s has rebranded rp’s fettuccine for those of you who are gluten free and miss fresh pasta. it’s very good and stored with all the other fresh pasta
― maura, Thursday, 15 February 2018 15:05 (six years ago) link
It's a little nuts that Trader Joe's never has a decent soy yogurt.
― Yerac, Thursday, 15 February 2018 15:27 (six years ago) link
tj's is a fucking lifesaver in the boonies, that's all i know. i'm into the mushroom fettuccini with grilled lemon chicken mixed in.
― The times they are a changing, perhaps (map), Thursday, 15 February 2018 17:40 (six years ago) link
TJ's is not great for dairy-free. Had a convo with a lactose intolerant TJ's employee about it when I was attempting a dairy free, several course Indian meal.
― Dat Login was the dname u doofus (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 19 February 2018 04:56 (six years ago) link
And I got her tattooGrocery bag
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Monday, 19 February 2018 05:10 (six years ago) link
I was at a friend's house today and friend brought out the TJ french fry spud snacks and Mrs. Broccoli immediately wondered if they were rebranded Calbee crisps... Good to check in on this thread and confirm some suspicions.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Monday, 19 February 2018 05:11 (six years ago) link
I ran out of everything but the bagel and won't be able to get to a TJ"s for a bit. I've had to try to make my own and I just can't get it right.
― Yerac, Monday, 19 February 2018 13:47 (six years ago) link
buy the bagels and shake em over your food
― Dat Login was the dname u doofus (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 19 February 2018 19:38 (six years ago) link
recipe:ingredients: everything😫
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 19 February 2018 19:46 (six years ago) link
they now have these organic chicken sausages which are not-bad (which is to say not great, but decent.)
at least at my local TJ's their avocados are all either hard as rocks or extremely soft and easily puncturable to the touch, like a drifter's corpse left in the sun.
― omar little, Monday, 19 February 2018 20:12 (six years ago) link
i like their frozen pizzas a lot. They used to have those very cheap and excellent $1.99 pints of organic grassfed ice-cream but they're all gone now.
― omar little, Monday, 19 February 2018 20:13 (six years ago) link
everything-but-the-bagel + scrambled eggs = victory
― Rhine Jive Click Bait (Hadrian VIII), Monday, 19 February 2018 20:40 (six years ago) link
like a drifter's corpse left in the sun.loltrue
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 19 February 2018 23:12 (six years ago) link
Occurs to me that TJ exists in my part of the U.S. because they slip under the Whole Foods price point. Now that Amazon's owns Whole Foods, I'm not sure that will last.
I just had the Sicilian pizza. Regardless of any authenticity, I think it's a lesser pie than their other Italy-sourced vegetarian pizzas. Cheese all on one quadrant, no evidence of wood smoke, and a dollar more. Best TJ pizza IMO is the roasted vegetable, which has been absent from my local TJ for the past month.
― Screaming into the void has never been easier (Sanpaku), Monday, 19 February 2018 23:19 (six years ago) link
TJ's has a pretty devoted following. I would equate it to people who go to Target. I used to look forward to my weekly trips there on Saturday morning after the gym.
― Yerac, Monday, 19 February 2018 23:33 (six years ago) link
Buying TJ's was a brilliant sidestep for ALDI US. Smaller footprint, high throughput shops selling exclusively store label/higher margin product, and pretending to be a 70s co-op with newsprint marketing. There's only one within 60 miles of me, and every register has a line 3-8 pm. I like it, but I tend to buy the exact same things (lavash flatbread, hummus, a bag of greens, a bag of potatoes, a bag of apples/citrus fruit, pesto sauce, a frozen pizza, a bottle of wine) every visit. Anything else is a snack for the drive.
― Screaming into the void has never been easier (Sanpaku), Monday, 19 February 2018 23:54 (six years ago) link
TJs seems to make its reputation on convenience food, snacks, and wine. Of those three categories I mainly buy wine there, plus a few snack foods like chips or hummus, because their price point is better than anywhere else near me.
otoh, I buy olive oil, nuts, dried fruit, dry pasta, cheese, bagels, vitamin supplements, and laundry soap there regularly. Those are comparatively cheap and decent quality, although truthfully their bagels are pretty mediocre. The sad fact is that just about every bagel within five miles of my house is even worse than mediocre, so there's that to consider.
The above short list covers about 95% of what I buy at TJs. As an officially old person I am very set in my ways, which is how I like it.
― A is for (Aimless), Tuesday, 20 February 2018 00:01 (six years ago) link
I could get everything I need at TJ's for the week for about $40 (spinach, broccoli, avocado, hummus, guac/yogurt, one random cheese, brown rice pasta, tapanede, fresh ravioli, eggs, chicken, low carb tortillas, a couple of frozen things) and then all the extras that needed to be bought less regularly spanish olive oil, olive oil spray, siracha, coffee. I had this down to a science.
The Aloo Chaat Kati pouches are pretty A+ for a snack or quick meal. I call them my Indian hot pockets.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 20 February 2018 00:40 (six years ago) link
They used to carry tasty mache, another thing that was great that disappeared.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 20 February 2018 00:42 (six years ago) link
wine and beer now that they have those cheap fancy beers
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 20 February 2018 00:46 (six years ago) link
If you have an Indian grocer nearby, you can taste the other flavors of DeepFood's "pizza pockets", sold under the Babu's Pocket Sandwich sub-brand, with the very same microwave crisping sleeves as TJs Aloo Chaat packages. The Aloo Chaat ranks above the Palak Paneer, but below the Pau Bhaji.
― Screaming into the void has never been easier (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 20 February 2018 02:37 (six years ago) link
aloo chat ❤️
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 20 February 2018 03:15 (six years ago) link
it's "Potato" "Snack". If you want ❤️, find your local Chaat stand.
― Screaming into the void has never been easier (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 20 February 2018 03:42 (six years ago) link
No local Chaat stand where I am right now (South America), but I have been doing super good making tikka, dhansak and masala recently. At some point I have to try to make naan or roti, the flour here is terrible though.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 20 February 2018 13:33 (six years ago) link
oops i posted this in the wrong thread
I guess Dried Baby Bananas are TJ's Weird Banana Product of the year and they're great. Tiny whole bananas with a kind of vague caramel-y note to them.
― my dreams in the hell-pits (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 3 March 2018 04:23 (six years ago) link
Zhoug Sauce is VG. It's a cilantro/oil/green pepper/garlic/cumin/cardamom spicy pesto.
It's on the spicy side, but I imagine mixing with equal parts diced avocado and tomato would be a stellar party dip.
As I have an inexpensive Mexican grocer nearby, I think I'll try this recipe to make zhoug at home, subbing all cilantro, and using mustard oil rather than EVOO.
― #DeleteFacebook (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 27 March 2018 00:19 (five years ago) link
As good as TJ Zhoug: blend the hell out of 2 bunches cilantro (rinse and cut the excess stems), 8 jalapeños (remove stems), 4 cloves garlic, 2 tsp ea. cumin, coriander, 1 tsp ea. green cardamon, salt, juice of 2 limes, 1/3 cup any veg oil (you won't taste yer artisan EVOO under this green power drill).
I've come close to (re)inventing zhoug sauce on several occasions while making guacamole (before adding the avocados) or adding cilantro and peppers to hummus bi tahini. The TJ product just gave me the courage to go all out Indian Ocean pesto and add the coriander seed, cardamon, and oil.
― #DeleteFacebook (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 28 March 2018 05:25 (five years ago) link
that sounds delicious, also dangerously enticing to the invading hordes
― motorpsycho nightmare winningham (Hadrian VIII), Wednesday, 28 March 2018 06:09 (five years ago) link
the sumatra coffee brownies are not *inedible* but they do taste like something that your neighbor made from Allrecipes and brought to a church potluck. Like, it's just brownies covered in some sort of stale-tasting coffee powder that makes a mess everywhere. Not worth $3 for 4.
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 29 March 2018 02:33 (five years ago) link
good to know. that does not sound enjoyable at all
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 29 March 2018 04:21 (five years ago) link
many thanks to this thread for alerting ppl to the existence of Everything But The Bagel
― just noticed tears shaped like florida. (sic), Thursday, 29 March 2018 15:45 (five years ago) link
The next time I am near a Trader Joes I am loading up on it to bring back. It's not quite the same when I try to make the blend.
― Yerac, Thursday, 29 March 2018 15:48 (five years ago) link
For a while I didn't see it at my local TJs and asked about it. The employee said that one guy came in and bought them all up. I'm guessing perhaps dude was from a Pirate Joe's-type of operation.
― sueñx latinx (naus), Friday, 30 March 2018 01:51 (five years ago) link
Bought some zhoug on the way home tonight. Ate half of it with Triskets.
― nickn, Friday, 30 March 2018 03:39 (five years ago) link
Me too! I recognize it now from falafel — they serve it at the Maoz chain
― motorpsycho nightmare winningham (Hadrian VIII), Friday, 30 March 2018 04:01 (five years ago) link
i like the norwegian crispbreadsate them every day for breakfast with avocado and now that is my favorite breakfastthey're sturdy, tasty, & nutritious
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Friday, 30 March 2018 13:31 (five years ago) link
and gluten-free if you care about such things
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Friday, 30 March 2018 13:32 (five years ago) link
I miss Trader Joes so much that I am just looking at pics on their website.
― Yerac, Friday, 30 March 2018 13:55 (five years ago) link
I'm considering making a list of every product mentioned on this thread, whether the consensus was positive or negative, and the current production status as a shopping reference
not really, but it comes to mind every time I see someone have a solid opinion
― mh, Friday, 30 March 2018 13:57 (five years ago) link
They show the sumatra coffee brownies with a scoop of ice cream on top.
― Yerac, Friday, 30 March 2018 13:58 (five years ago) link
that sounds like a damn cheat to me
― mh, Friday, 30 March 2018 13:59 (five years ago) link
I am going to look at the TJ What's New tab every time I feel any sense of ennui creep in.
― Yerac, Friday, 30 March 2018 14:14 (five years ago) link
i love the fearless flyer, it's a good read
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Friday, 30 March 2018 16:54 (five years ago) link
it is! I haven't gotten one in the mail for a while, so they must be distributing fewer of them further away from the stores (my local one is in a suburb) or I've fallen off a mailing list
― mh, Friday, 30 March 2018 17:38 (five years ago) link
I like the coffee brownies but you've gotta microwave them.
Zhoug is so good, thanks thread.
― my dreams in the hell-pits (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 31 March 2018 20:36 (five years ago) link
Since posting, the details of this item may have changed due to fluctuating market prices, federal regulations, currency rates, drought, pestilence, bandits, rush hour traffic, filibusters, clowns, zombie apocalypse, punctilious product developers
Okay hipster wing of Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Compagnie, oHG, take my wallet.
― #DeleteFacebook (Sanpaku), Saturday, 31 March 2018 21:55 (five years ago) link
Kinda stole Sanpaku's idea and made guacamole with zhoug in it (delicious) and ate it as a side with the zucchini fritters or whatever they're called that come with pickled beets and tzatziki. Solid meal.
― my dreams in the hell-pits (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 4 April 2018 07:22 (five years ago) link
I had some of the zhoug with sweet potato fries (not TJs) and that's a good combo.
― nickn, Wednesday, 4 April 2018 07:27 (five years ago) link
made taco with zhoug + fajita meat + mac&cheese + soft-boiled egg. thank you, zhoug.
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 5 April 2018 20:24 (five years ago) link
Oh zhoug, is there nothing you can't improve?
― nickn, Thursday, 5 April 2018 20:27 (five years ago) link
― DACA Flocka Flame (Hadrian VIII), Thursday, 5 April 2018 20:28 (five years ago) link
Lol I had zhoug in a sandwich today
― badg, Thursday, 5 April 2018 23:55 (five years ago) link
Those of you who don't like spicy hot should head to your nearest Indian grocer and seek out coriander chutney. Its fairly similar, and is evidently the expected sandwich condiment in Mumbai.
― Zhoug speaks to you, his chosen ones (Sanpaku), Friday, 6 April 2018 00:08 (five years ago) link
Sanpaku, when you made the zhoug yourself did you use coriander seed or coriander powder? Did you think the cardamom pods were necessary (I may only have powder)? I think I will try to make that this weekend. Did you only use cilantro leaves or some of the stem?
― Yerac, Friday, 6 April 2018 00:11 (five years ago) link
I will ask my coworker friend which grocery to go to, and expect a long nuanced explanation of the pros and cons of chutney sourcing(good chutney tip, thanks!)
― alvin noto (mh), Friday, 6 April 2018 00:11 (five years ago) link
Yerac: I used coriander powder, and freshly ground cumin and green cardamon. I noticed coriander seed is actually not part of the TJs product recipe, so I'll omit it next time (just cumin/green cardamon/salt in a ~2:1:1 ratio). I trimmed the cilantro/coriander stems just below the first leaf, discarding the stem. The stems themselves are similarly flavorful, but as they're not cooked here, I've found in the past they mostly contribute a fibrous (like pureed celery) texture that isn't in the TJs product.
Evidently Yemeni zhoug is freshly ground with mortar and pestle and contains no oil. But American restaurant zhougs are invariably made in blenders with added oil.
― Zhoug speaks to you, his chosen ones (Sanpaku), Friday, 6 April 2018 00:49 (five years ago) link
That's the way I usually use coriander in general too. Thanks.
― Yerac, Friday, 6 April 2018 00:54 (five years ago) link
Anyone fucking with the coffee syrup? Wondering if I need to buy it and what it would be good for other than pouring in cold brew and making coffee³
― my dreams in the hell-pits (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:52 (five years ago) link
I got some zhoug & made zhougamole per Sanpaku’s suggestion. Super good.And Everything But The Bagel seasoning is great on grilled chicken. Bagel Chicken yum!
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 14 April 2018 06:34 (five years ago) link
"Banh Mi Inspired Noodle Bowl" is kinda like a Thai slaw with the dressing. I like it a lot, predict I will buy it four more times but only eat it three of those times.
― my dreams in the hell-pits (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 14 April 2018 21:50 (five years ago) link
I liked it, but I didn't $4.99 like it. There weren't enough noodles.
― naus, Saturday, 14 April 2018 22:34 (five years ago) link
Shit was it $4.99? OK yeah that's definitely $2 more than it should be.
― my dreams in the hell-pits (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 14 April 2018 22:50 (five years ago) link
Shawarma chicken thighs. Has anyone tried yet? I have not had very good results from their premarinated meats but I am also not meat savvy.
― Yerac, Sunday, 15 April 2018 00:38 (five years ago) link
I'm liking the Belles Vignes Suavignon Blanc, Great value for $5.
― nickn, Friday, 11 May 2018 06:07 (five years ago) link
How is the TJs podcast?
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 11 May 2018 12:38 (five years ago) link
fridge tamales >> frozen tamales
― Tapes 'n Tapes of Osho (Sufjan Grafton), Saturday, 12 May 2018 04:17 (five years ago) link
there are TOO MANY frozen pizzas!! Is there any consensus on which ones are the best and worst?
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 19 June 2018 13:08 (five years ago) link
None are the best, most are terrible. The roasted veggie one is just OK.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 13:12 (five years ago) link
I like the flatbread ones more.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 13:49 (five years ago) link
It actually kind of strange that the frozen pizzas there are not that great.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 14:14 (five years ago) link
are any frozen pizzas actually great?
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 19 June 2018 14:16 (five years ago) link
I love certain digiornos varieties, in particular their pizzeria styles.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 14:18 (five years ago) link
I like digiornos too.And I feel like in other non US countries the frozen pizzas in the chain supermarkets (monoprix, sainsbury etc.) are pretty tasty.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 14:20 (five years ago) link
the bakery where i worked in high school used to have amazing frozen pizzas. they were more like tomato pies with sicilian crusts
― maura, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 14:53 (five years ago) link
oh wow, i just looked online and the source for those pizzas (the bakery owned by the dad of my boss) is now the brooklyn club alphaville
― maura, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 14:54 (five years ago) link
Not TJ's but this gluten-free pizza is preeeetty good, although I add sliced tomatoes, some salt, more parmesan. But the crust and sauce and cheese are DECENT which is saying something.
― There's more Italy than necessary. (in orbit), Tuesday, 19 June 2018 14:59 (five years ago) link
http://againstthegraingourmet.com/assets/images/products/box-pesto-pizza.png
the problem with the TJs pizzas is their crusts are the hardest crusts of any pizza on the planet. I have the roasted veggie one occasionally, it's reasonably healthy-seeming at least. health aside I'd rather eat any other frozen pizzas.
― omar little, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 15:02 (five years ago) link
hot take: the only good frozen pizzas are the bottom-of-the-barrel ones, they're an entirely separate entity from "actual" pizza and attempts to be what they are not end up disappointing
― aloha darkness my old friend (katherine), Tuesday, 19 June 2018 15:04 (five years ago) link
Pretty sure that after college I was 15% tombstone pizza and I admit that brand and Red Baron are still the only frozen pizzas I have weird nostalgia for.
― omar little, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 15:24 (five years ago) link
I used to get the wild mushroom and truffle or burrata, prosciutto flatbread and the tart with ham and maybe emmental? flatbread thing a lot from TJ. Right next to the frozen pizzas and so much better. Probably because like mentioned above it's not the rock hard pizza crust.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 15:27 (five years ago) link
I think tj's pesto pizza is solid, and I find most frozen pizzas inedible
― iatee, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 15:28 (five years ago) link
against the grain's stuff is ok but they use so much cheese as a binding agent that it can be a bit much (esp if you put cheese on the pizza)
i like schar's pizza crusts ok
― maura, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 15:36 (five years ago) link
oh there's a gluten free stuff thread
the gluten (wheat ) free diet
― maura, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 15:37 (five years ago) link
I love that ham and mushroom (?) flat bread too
I also like the ones they have there that are made in Italy, they have 4-5 types.
― nickn, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 16:06 (five years ago) link
i was made of pizza -- mostly cheap $1 frozen pizzas -- for several years in my early 20s. i also worked at a pizza restaurant and could pile a slice with whatever I wanted for $1 after my shift and i did that to splurge :-/how i survived is anyone's guess
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 19 June 2018 16:22 (five years ago) link
TJ's pizzas are definitely trash (at least the cheap ones).
When I was at my most overweight and unhealthy in my mid-20s, Tombstone was definitely a big factor. Can't remember the last time I've had one but the thought does give me a tiny pang of nostalgia.
― change display name (Jordan), Tuesday, 19 June 2018 16:59 (five years ago) link
oh hey wow this jackfruit curry is fab
― the masseduction of lauryn hill (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 27 June 2018 18:14 (five years ago) link
haven't really been wowed by jackfruit in things. something abt the texture bothers me. i did like the fzn pad thai though a fair bit.
― lâche pas la patate (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 27 June 2018 19:31 (five years ago) link
The local TJs did a promo where they ostensibly offered that jackfruit curry, deconstructed, at the aisle end, with canned jackfruit and canned green curry simmering sauce. It wasn't as good. In particular, one has slice all the jackfruit tendrils/kernels off the backbone/cob before its edible.
― Roomba with an attitude (Sanpaku), Friday, 29 June 2018 18:17 (five years ago) link
The new vegan green tea mochi are a huge disappointment
They had some vegan mochi like ten years ago, three different flavors, they were amazing. These taste like nothing.
― Paul Reverse and the rediaRs (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 7 July 2018 21:18 (five years ago) link
I wasn't able to find the jackfruit curry. Could it be a regional item?
― incel clown posse (naus), Sunday, 8 July 2018 21:24 (five years ago) link
It disappeared from the local TJs 3 months ago. In the one year TJs has been local, they've stopped stocking about 5 items I liked/loved, and have become a less attractive errand for this vegan (pour one out for the bollywood popcorn and veggie chili, too). If they discontinue the whole wheat lavash and zhoug, I might not bother.
― Roomba with an attitude (Sanpaku), Sunday, 8 July 2018 21:38 (five years ago) link
Still waiting for the chili mango fruit floes there come back.
― Jeff, Sunday, 8 July 2018 21:49 (five years ago) link
I just picked up a can of vegetarian chili, don't know if it's the same one. But yeah, they'll drop even a popular item if their buyers can't get it at a good price.
― incel clown posse (naus), Sunday, 8 July 2018 21:50 (five years ago) link
okay, one opened near me, and i'm pumped. i got the pulled pork today
i am pretty sure i saw a jackfruit curry thing- this was in mpls though
― global tetrahedron, Monday, 23 July 2018 22:01 (five years ago) link
Trader Joe's mystery I'm hoping to solve: Every once in a while I pop into the local store and there are several people in line paying for single bananas with their Link/Snap cards. That's it, just a single banana each. At first I thought that maybe they were getting cash back, but I don't think you can do that with a Link card. Though Occam's Razor would say it's just a bunch of people waiting in line to buy single bananas with their Link cards, I've still been trying to figure it out.
As an aside, via my diligent research I did learn (as revealed in I guess the first episode of the TJs podcast) why they even sell single bananas (for 19 cents each) in the first place:
Most grocery stores sell bananas by weight, and if you need just one or two bananas, you take off as many as you want and weigh them. In the first episode of Inside Trader Joe's, CEO Dan Bane said Trader Joe's used to sell bananas by the pound, too. But they didn't have scales in stores, so the bananas were weighed and packaged before being put on display. That meant the bananas were offered in bags of four or five, and if you just wanted one or two, you couldn't open them up and take out the ones you wanted.Then one day Bane was at a Trader Joe's in Sun City, California, which is near a retirement center. He saw an older woman buying fruit, but she bypassed the banana bags."So I asked her, 'Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking, I saw you looking at the bananas but you didn't put anything in your cart,'" Bane said. "And she says to me, 'Sonny, I may not live to that fourth banana.'"Bane said they decided the very next day that Trader Joe's had to sell individual bananas. They priced them at 19 cents apiece, and they've been priced like that for the past 13 years.That lady did us all a favor, too! No one wants to buy too many bananas. That'd be like buying too many avocados. With the way bananas ripen, if you buy too many, some of them will definitely be overripe by the time you get to them.
Then one day Bane was at a Trader Joe's in Sun City, California, which is near a retirement center. He saw an older woman buying fruit, but she bypassed the banana bags.
"So I asked her, 'Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking, I saw you looking at the bananas but you didn't put anything in your cart,'" Bane said. "And she says to me, 'Sonny, I may not live to that fourth banana.'"
Bane said they decided the very next day that Trader Joe's had to sell individual bananas. They priced them at 19 cents apiece, and they've been priced like that for the past 13 years.
That lady did us all a favor, too! No one wants to buy too many bananas. That'd be like buying too many avocados. With the way bananas ripen, if you buy too many, some of them will definitely be overripe by the time you get to them.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 4 September 2018 03:40 (five years ago) link
IDK the answer, but I’ll buy max 4 bananas at a time.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 4 September 2018 10:35 (five years ago) link
I just used one of TJ's faux asian face masks. It was fine.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 4 September 2018 11:09 (five years ago) link
a few months ago they brought back the raspberry macaron cake, not sure if it's seasonal or not but I'M SO HAPPY
― musically, Wednesday, 24 October 2018 14:33 (five years ago) link
the corn bread crisps are really good as long as you don't look at the nutritional info/serving size
― na (NA), Wednesday, 24 October 2018 15:27 (five years ago) link
The vegetable antipasto (artichoke hearts, mushrooms, eggplant, tomatoes, oven-dried and marinated in EVOO w/ rosemary) in the grocery section is a good appetizer and a pretty good deal.
― They Bunged Him in My Growler (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 24 October 2018 16:03 (five years ago) link
the gluten-free beet crackers are pretty good
― DEATH PUPPET (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 10 November 2018 23:04 (five years ago) link
...but it also sounds like a McSweeney’s parody of a trader joe’s product
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 11 November 2018 01:15 (five years ago) link
lol yes
― Dan S, Sunday, 11 November 2018 01:20 (five years ago) link
for sure
― DEATH PUPPET (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 11 November 2018 09:06 (five years ago) link
For an honest opinion of the "gluten free" fad, ask someone with celiac disease. Restaurant servers assume they're food hipsters.
― They Bunged Him in My Growler (Sanpaku), Sunday, 11 November 2018 12:51 (five years ago) link
i like those beet crackers. We ate a box with hummus.
― Yerac, Sunday, 11 November 2018 13:47 (five years ago) link
They now have raclette. and some newish semi-soft french cheeses.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:02 (five years ago) link
Timely revive. Doing some cheese shopping later. What did you end up with?
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:04 (five years ago) link
RACLETTE!
― Yerac, Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:04 (five years ago) link
I am only here for a couple of days so was just doing my shopping for stuff to take back (everything but the bagel topping, rice crackers, other seasonings) so I only got the raclette to eat now. Although I was with L last night and we met up at Murrays. We got some taleggio, a St Marcellin like cheese made in Vermont and another american cheese called Good Thunder? That said it was supposed to be like reblochon and pont l'eveque but it was not. It was still good though.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:08 (five years ago) link
At Trader Joe's though I feel like there was also a new St Marcellin like cheese that didn't have an AOC but was french.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:11 (five years ago) link
it's JinGLE JANGLE time
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:13 (five years ago) link
Oh, I got some egg nog greek yogurt too.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:16 (five years ago) link
Although I was with L last night and we met up at Murrays.
lol by "L" do you mean "f."?
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:17 (five years ago) link
(Thanks, I'll see what we get over here and compare notes.)
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:18 (five years ago) link
L auren.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 5 December 2018 17:22 (five years ago) link
<3
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 5 December 2018 18:01 (five years ago) link
the frozen bag of gnocchi w tomoato sauce and mozz is so fucking bad
― vision joanna newsom (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:18 (five years ago) link
lol steve that seems like exactly the kind of thing you would KNOW would be bad!
sometimes i think i miss tj's but i honestly can't think of anything they had that was that great
― macropuente (map), Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:22 (five years ago) link
i did, you're right, i knew it wouldn't be great but i was hoping it'd at least be passable
the gnocchi had zero flavor and was the texture of like.... a cross btwn play doh and bubble tea tapioca??? it was so bizarre
― vision joanna newsom (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:32 (five years ago) link
can't think of anything they had that was that great
They have good prices for low- and mid-range wines. They are a good source for nuts and dried fruits. There's some other stuff they're good at. but ime, "great" is either very expensive, or else it's what you can make for yourself at home from good ingredients. that goes for every store, not just tj's.
― A is for (Aimless), Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:33 (five years ago) link
ew xp
― macropuente (map), Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:41 (five years ago) link
i do miss their nuts -- good and cheap.
― macropuente (map), Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:43 (five years ago) link
Case in point: tried the black bean and red lentil dried pasta. Both terrible. But I recognize its the concept of legume based pasta that's at fault.
― Sanpaku, Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:43 (five years ago) link
I dig the Brussels sprouts on the stalk available of late. Maybe 20% less expensive than the bagged fresh sprouts, but no more time consuming, as those require trimming. Slice halfwise, toss in EVOO salt & pepper in your baking pan, arrange cut down w/o crowding, roast at 425 F for 20 mins. You can toss on some garlic cloves in skin if you want fancy.
― Sanpaku, Sunday, 9 December 2018 22:49 (five years ago) link
I kind of like that frozen gnocchi in a bag. But I also fried the shit out of it and put a ton of hot pepper into it.
When I come back to the US one entire suitcase is almost full of trader joes stuff to bring back. I probably posted somewhere upthread on what I bring back but it's just 40% cheaper than anything I could find similar to here. It's comfort. When I was living in NY someone from chile came to visit and she totally bought like 8 pink himalayan salt, 4 green dragon sauce, rice crackers and tons of yogi tea to take back.
― Yerac, Monday, 10 December 2018 00:47 (five years ago) link
xpost i saw some purple brussel sprouts in a bag that I wanted to try but figured I didn't have time to make them.
― Yerac, Monday, 10 December 2018 00:51 (five years ago) link
Also do you toss them in seasoning before baking? I go back and forth between whether it's better to do it before or after. I was making it a weekly habit to roast ~1-2 kilo of brussels for the week to snack on or use as salad toppings, mix in with rice or quinoa, other stuff as a quick meal. I do a lot of balsamic/ garlic but have also recently been doing lemon zest, garlic and nutritional yeast
― Yerac, Monday, 10 December 2018 00:54 (five years ago) link
Roasted brussels sprouts don't really need much seasoning besides salt & pepper, I think. I put that on before roasting, with the olive oil. I like the TJ's Traditional French Brie. It's got a nice, slightly funky flavor. It's good with their Multigrain Crackers (the ones with a hint of onion powder).
― o. nate, Monday, 10 December 2018 01:52 (five years ago) link
wait so should i try the frozen gnocchi again and fry the shit out of it? bcz i just followed the instructions which basically just reheated them but did not cook them at all
― vision joanna newsom (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 15:45 (five years ago) link
I like my pastas to be really al dente or baked (crisp edges), and on the dryer side, that is the reason I fry the gnocchi to get a crisp on them. Gnocchi is so hit or miss when you buy it because of the texture.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 15:56 (five years ago) link
But I have bought the tomato and sweet potato gnocchi from TJs a bunch of times and liked them both ( I always add more seasoning though). Oddly enough I really really like the cheap monoprix brand of gnocchi a lot because it is super firm..
― Yerac, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 15:58 (five years ago) link
they currently have a "cauliflower gnocchi", in keeping with the cauliflower everything that's out there at present (pancakes, pizza dough, rice)
― omar little, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 21:02 (five years ago) link
hello everyone...the crispy crunchy salted toffee cookies are amazing (and gluten free if you're into that kind of thing). apparently they've had a chocolate chip version of this cookie for a while that I've been sleeping on too. i generally dislike pastries made with rice flour but these cookies make it work, A++ will buy again
― musically, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 19:28 (five years ago) link
Mentioning alternatives to wheat, I will never ever buy lentil or chickpea flour based pasta again. These TJ products turned out inedibly mealy no matter how carefully cooked.
― innocence adjacent (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 30 January 2019 20:32 (five years ago) link
Also, I'm a stopped clock. Looks like I vented on this in December.
― innocence adjacent (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 30 January 2019 20:33 (five years ago) link
you wouldn't be a stopped clock if you ate more lentils!
― brownie, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 20:52 (five years ago) link
this fucking place
1) stopped carrying hansen's black cherry soda2) then stopped carrying hansen's soda completey
― akm, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 20:54 (five years ago) link
zhoug sauce is great!!! i am only posting this here because i don't think anyone here shops at the same TJs store I do, so if y'all stock up on zhoug sauce there will still be plenty left for me. also, i was disappointed the last time i went (Sunday) and they didn't have the almond milk egg nog.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 20:56 (five years ago) link
The brown rice pasta is very good for brown rice pasta. The black bean pasta was super weird. It tasted like mexican food.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 21:00 (five years ago) link
The Almond Butter Cocoa bars are AMAZING. I wish I were eating one right now.
― Stateleee, Plump Buck Mulleeegan (Leee), Monday, 4 February 2019 21:15 (five years ago) link
They have semi-(sun???)dried tomatoes in evoo now for $2.99. So great. I had these once with burrata and a balsamic reduction and still remember.
― Yerac, Monday, 11 February 2019 01:24 (five years ago) link
Anyone tried the refrigerated pickles they have near the salads and salsas?
― blood, loud screaming and nudity (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 8 March 2019 12:24 (five years ago) link
Yes, they are pretty crispy but not as flavorful as I was hoping
My jam lately has been those parmesan crisps they usually keep on that shelf over the frozen section for whatever reason. Crush those up in a bowl of stew = manna from heaven
― Paul Ponzi, Friday, 8 March 2019 13:06 (five years ago) link
The ghost pepper fresh salsa is very addictive.
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 13:15 (five years ago) link
Seconded.Also been on a harissa kick this week once I realized it can be a sauce for noodles
― The immortal Hydra Viridisimma (outdoor_miner), Friday, 8 March 2019 15:03 (five years ago) link
They have a new mushroom umami seasoning blend that I got. I haven't used it on anything yet but I tasted a little and it tastes a lot like the packets in instant ramen. I brought back seven Everything But the Bagels back to chile in different suitcases because I was soooooo worried customs would take them because of the sesame/poppy seeds.
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 15:09 (five years ago) link
Impressive they managed that with no yeast extract or MSG, though as with all salt "seasonings" I really would prefer trying the individual ingredients rather than pay for expensive salt. Now seeking inexpensive porcini powder, everthing is is in the cupboard.
kosher salt, dried onions, ground mustard seed, porcini mushroom powder, white button mushroom powder, crushed red pepper, black pepper, dried thyme
― contains pieces the size of a child's esophagus (Sanpaku), Friday, 8 March 2019 16:53 (five years ago) link
else is in the cupboard. Late onset dyslexia seems to make me ignore the words at the end of each line...
― contains pieces the size of a child's esophagus (Sanpaku), Friday, 8 March 2019 16:55 (five years ago) link
I really should start making my own blends of things especially for indian foods that I make a lot. It would save a little time from me having to open a thousand jars of things with my grubby hands.
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 17:11 (five years ago) link
I do really like TJs chili lime powder thing too.
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 17:12 (five years ago) link
Indian themselves commonly pick a garam masala they happen to like, and then tweak it with more common spices (cumin, coriander, mustard, cayenne/dried pepper). I don't see much point in collecting all the components of garam masala (mace, cloves, cardamom) for most Western dilettantes.
― contains pieces the size of a child's esophagus (Sanpaku), Friday, 8 March 2019 21:54 (five years ago) link
I end up using the same basic things for my indian mixtures: tumeric, cumin, chili, mango powder, fenugreek, coriander, garam masala. I should just make a blend and then tweek it after.
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 22:51 (five years ago) link
asafoetida gets thrown in if I don't know what else to add.
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 22:52 (five years ago) link
Really its main place is in Gujarati cuisine, due to the Jain influence (garlic and onions is pratibandhita/forbidden).
― contains pieces the size of a child's esophagus (Sanpaku), Friday, 8 March 2019 22:58 (five years ago) link
Oh, good to know. I stayed with some Jains when I was in India. We went to a lot of Jain temples too (which were beautiful).
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 23:03 (five years ago) link
I find it a little weird that TJs doesn't have any dry indian spices ( I think I've seen some curry pastes).
― Yerac, Friday, 8 March 2019 23:05 (five years ago) link
I saw a shakshuka package in the frozen section so I thought I'd buy it, after seeing so much talk about it (shakshuka in general) on ILX. You have to add 2 eggs after it's mostly cooked. I haven't made it yet, but from the the looks of it it'll be at least OK.
― nickn, Saturday, 27 April 2019 02:52 (four years ago) link
Also bought some jerk spice plantain chips, these are good, definite heat but not crazily so.
― nickn, Saturday, 27 April 2019 03:02 (four years ago) link
Saw the latter, considered it, saw the former, bought it but haven't made it. TJs used to carry dukka spice mix, but it seems that was a one-off.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 27 April 2019 03:27 (four years ago) link
I just got my trader joes haul for this quarter or so. New things I found: Ghost Chili Pepper powder and almond butter dark chocolate cups.
― Yerac, Saturday, 15 June 2019 22:53 (four years ago) link
I don't know if it's just on the west coast but the peonies that my trader joe's gets in may and june are completely out-of-this world amazing. they don't look all that impressive on the flower shelf but they turn into huge beautiful fragrant flowers
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 June 2019 23:02 (four years ago) link
I have found that we go through ~1 everything but the bagel blend per month.
― Yerac, Saturday, 15 June 2019 23:03 (four years ago) link
ohhh xpost i saw that they have peonies online. I went to the worst TJs in manhattan though so I am sure they were all out (didn't see them).
I've asked the managers at stores in two different cities where they get them from but they won't tell me
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 June 2019 23:07 (four years ago) link
I am sad I have never had a peony in my home.
― Yerac, Saturday, 15 June 2019 23:10 (four years ago) link
don't eat your veggies....
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/green-giant-recall-trader-joes-recall-fresh-vegetables-recalled-over-listeria/
― Lee626, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 17:10 (four years ago) link
A kind mention for the "super-firm" tofu: unique and a good value, with about twice the density as "firm" blocks.
I've been freezing it overnight for texture, thawing (still in the package) in warm water in the sink, pressing the excess water out (it only will lose about 15% of volume in my tofu press, other tofu loses 50% or more), slicing into ~7 mm cutlets, then marinating/coating, and frying.
Some marinades have worked especially well: 1 pt Jamaican jerk sauce, 1 pt oil, 1 pt water is excellent. Nutritional yeast/shoyu/oil is flexible, working in salads or sandwiches. BBQ sauce+oil is serviceable. Rosemary/majoram/pepper gyro seasoning is okay, but that spice mix remains a work in progress. Sadly, Zhoug sauce, which seemed promising, made for a terrible marinade: cilantro loses any charm when browned.
― hedonic treadmill class action (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 16:48 (four years ago) link
their boxed golden milk is not terrible. not as good as what i was making by hand but much less trouble for everyday consumption. i like it warmed up before bed with 2 cookies like a toddler :-/
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 16:51 (four years ago) link
the (new-to-me) frozen paratha is excellent.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 17:56 (four years ago) link
i just looked at the what's new page and am very interested in their pimento cheese and spicy taco sauce. I don't generally like chip things but the chili & lime rolled tortilla chips are really addictive.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 4 September 2019 18:07 (four years ago) link
The buffalo hummus is my jam (literally) right jow
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 18:08 (four years ago) link
*now
oh yeah their fake takis are so good
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 18:09 (four years ago) link
Buffalo hummus! the thought is making my mouth water.
― Yerac, Wednesday, 4 September 2019 18:19 (four years ago) link
I have it spread on the spicy quinoa burgers and it is excellent
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 19:10 (four years ago) link
destroy: jarred pumpkin bisque
first off, it has 390 calories and 27g of fat per CUP. i saw that when i bought it but I decided it was something fun (and hopefully filling) i could take to work and have for lunch in a pinch. but it's SO sweet (this is coming from a sugar addict)...I feel like I'm eating some funky pumpkin pie filling. there's honey, tahini and apple cider vinegar in it and it's just all ott. i usually don't bother returning things but I'm gonna stick this one in my trunk until my next TJ's trip.
― musically, Tuesday, 1 October 2019 18:49 (four years ago) link
I like the Thai eggplant dinner thing in the frozen dinner section (no rice or noodles included). I heat and put over rice, tasty and filling.
― nickn, Tuesday, 1 October 2019 19:05 (four years ago) link
The person who designed the Tunisian extra virgin olive oil container should be arrested, it’s impossible to pour without it splashing all over the top.
― omar little, Sunday, 3 November 2019 16:12 (four years ago) link
welcome to tinned olive oil. punch a tiny hole on the other side if it bothers you so much?
― one charm and one antiup quark (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 3 November 2019 16:45 (four years ago) link
yeah tinned oils are kind of annoying but if some spills I usually just use it to clean some stainless steel in the kitchen.
Or get/make a smaller oil dispenser for day to day use.
― Yerac, Sunday, 3 November 2019 16:50 (four years ago) link
outdoor miner you’ve changed my life I forgot that one weird trick
― omar little, Monday, 4 November 2019 02:17 (four years ago) link
I love most of Trader Joe's bath and kitchen and beauty products, especially the winter seasonal stuff. I got and love these super soft Japanese charcoal washcloths, and I like picking up the ginger/grapefruit scrub and ginger lotion for my wife. But today there was all sorts of awesome new swag, including olive wood cutting boards and bowls, a gift set of different body scrubs, another set of essential oils and wool ball diffusers, mini candles, and these great wool-ball trivets. Quality gifts for friends and family and teachers!
I noticed they also, very on trend, now have their own brands of beef broth and oat milk, fwiw. Oh, and they had an advent calendar for cats I considered.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 21 November 2019 03:54 (four years ago) link
olive wood cutting boards
I'll look for these at my local TJ's.
― A is for (Aimless), Thursday, 21 November 2019 03:56 (four years ago) link
jalapeno sauce
― $1,000,000 or 1 bag of honeycrisp apples (Sufjan Grafton), Thursday, 21 November 2019 03:59 (four years ago) link
I impulse bought the advent calendar for dogs lolIt was 99 cents! Couldn’t resist. If anyone sees a jar of the maple butter I will buy it from you. That stuff was AMAZING and disappeared rather quickly.
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Thursday, 21 November 2019 17:23 (four years ago) link
I got the ginger lemon hard kombucha (6.5% abv!) and it smells kind of like bratwurst. That has not stopped me from working my way through the six pack.
― El Tomboto, Monday, 30 December 2019 03:10 (four years ago) link
thai lime chili almonds w/ kefir lime leaves are interesting
― forensic plumber (harbl), Saturday, 25 January 2020 17:20 (four years ago) link
i love those things. I also use the leftover debris in the bag on top of salmon when I bake it.
― Yerac, Saturday, 25 January 2020 19:45 (four years ago) link
do you live in somewhere with a breezy, unencumbered open plan trader joe's
I've seen one of these once. In Laguna Hills, CA. It was magnificent.
I'm a fan of:Pretzel bagels and rollsFrozen, dark chocolate covered strawberries and bananasPlumcots and apriums, which sadly recall the Mayostard/Mustardayonnaise sketch from Mr. Show.
Most Trader Joe's products are a lot like the better Sufjan Stevens records: Addicting at first but get I sick of them really quickly. And there have been some all-out disappointments.
― Deflatormouse, Saturday, 25 January 2020 20:34 (four years ago) link
Excellent username there Deflatormouse. Welcome to the I Love Everything annex.
― A is for (Aimless), Saturday, 25 January 2020 21:25 (four years ago) link
i shopped at the first trader joes (pasadena ca) for a while last year. i've been in bigger bodegas. it was intense, but it was obviously less intense than the court st brooklyn store.
there's a newish one at the mid city/santa monica border. extremely chilled out vibes.
https://lh3.ggpht.com/p/AF1QipPaCwMKmCh-mvZu5Qwbx0Ru3Vbu0gZwdmEzfkUJ
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Saturday, 25 January 2020 22:56 (four years ago) link
― Yerac, Saturday, January 25, 2020 2:45 PM (four hours ago)
i was going to comment on the huge amount of dust in the bag. this is genius!
― forensic plumber (harbl), Sunday, 26 January 2020 00:08 (four years ago) link
Excellent username there Deflatormouse. Welcome to the I Love Everything annex.― A is for (Aimless), Saturday, January 25, 2020 4:25 PM (two hours ago)
Aw, shucks. Thank you so much.
― Deflatormouse, Sunday, 26 January 2020 00:10 (four years ago) link
I love love love the pork gyoza (gyozas?)
― Life is a banquet and my invitation was lost in the mail (j.lu), Sunday, 26 January 2020 03:51 (four years ago) link
xpost, yeah the thai chili lime almond dust is amazing on fish ( I think I did some fresh ginger, agave and butter underneath. I wonder what else it would be good on. They really should bottle it. They have something similar bottled but it's not really the same. It needs the bigger chunks.
― Yerac, Sunday, 26 January 2020 04:00 (four years ago) link
night+market give simething similar with pad thai, and yeah, that's a great idea. use everything!
― zuck zuck lucify (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 26 January 2020 04:15 (four years ago) link
chili lime almond dust
Sounds like Tajin. Available at any hispanic grocer, and at any Walmart locally...
― Darth Bambi (Sanpaku), Sunday, 26 January 2020 04:44 (four years ago) link
I couldn't find my beloved trusty superfood pilaf made of kale and sweet potato and quinoa the other week, and after one of my helpful local tj's sales associates had to consult The Computer System to verify it'd been discontinued ;_; they talked me into trying the frozen riced cauliflower seasoned with green onion and sesame oil as a side for salmon and I've been super into it but I am definitely always willing to try pouring dust from a chip bag onto my fish, so I'ma try that too
the Mayostard/Mustardayonnaise sketch
I like to think about this any opportunity I can, so thank you.
another tj's product I'm about lately is the mini sheet cake, specifically the chantilly cream vanilla bean one. it's the perfect size for overeating cake, which is the way I personally like to eat cake.
― del griffith, Sunday, 26 January 2020 04:55 (four years ago) link
Tajin is a lot like the chili lime powder TJ's has. But tajin has bigger and drier? granules? I used to know a guy that would pour it into his hand to eat while drinking booze. The almond thing has these detritus of dry keffir lime leaves that really make it.
i don't know this mayostard Mr. Show sketch! It might be too close to home. I mix mustard and sriracha into too many other condiments. I only like ketchup if it has sriracha in it.
I never have good luck with the TJ's proper desserts. I should look up the sheet cake. I usually will only get ice cream or ice cream mochi sometimes but the mochi is often very dry/old.
― Yerac, Sunday, 26 January 2020 05:22 (four years ago) link
i am looking at the new product page and they finally have furikake.
― Yerac, Sunday, 26 January 2020 05:23 (four years ago) link
TJs has their own tajin too, it's just called chile lime seasoning
― na (NA), Monday, 27 January 2020 16:06 (four years ago) link
oh sorry yerac already addressed that
The two things I always keep stocked in the freezer since a TJ's opened up a block away from me:
Broccoli & Cheddar QuicheChicken Fried Rice (I find it needs like an extra half chicken breast added to it per serving)
― I Heard You Ain't HOOS's (Eric H.), Tuesday, 28 January 2020 03:53 (four years ago) link
hot & sweet jalapeños = yes
― forensic plumber (harbl), Wednesday, 29 January 2020 00:53 (four years ago) link
Did a big chopping trip to TJs yesterday. They now have various items flavored with the Everything But the Bagel seasoning including an almond and cashew mix and lox. Also trying out the Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn, which is tangy and spicy.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Sunday, 10 May 2020 19:12 (three years ago) link
*shopping trip
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Sunday, 10 May 2020 19:13 (three years ago) link
I had an egg-and-cheese on TJ's Everything ciabatta this morning and it was worthy
― Yanni Xenakis (Hadrian VIII), Sunday, 10 May 2020 19:50 (three years ago) link
I like the idea of a chopping trip to the grocery store, just whip out your knife & cutting board in the produce section and start going ham.
TJ's is the only place in our town to get brown basmati rice these days; the Asian and Indian shops haven't a grain.
― cat, Sunday, 10 May 2020 21:25 (three years ago) link
So the Everything but the Bagel Nut Duo is ok, really needs more of the seasoning to pep it up a bit, but the Olive & Herbs Mixed Nuts is really good. Lots of nice olive flavor.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 13 May 2020 20:51 (three years ago) link
Do not buy the V8 knockoff. Vile
― calstars, Wednesday, 13 May 2020 22:39 (three years ago) link
I keep thinking about stopping my TJ patronage because of their labor practices not protecting their workers and their IMO dumb decision to not support online ordering, but when I get non-dairy milk from other places, it often tastes gross as hell. TJ's soy milk really is no-fuss goodness.
― Osedax Church (Leee), Wednesday, 13 May 2020 22:56 (three years ago) link
In normal times I shop at TJs once a week along with a couple other stores, but I'd only buy some wine and maybe six or eight other pantry items. Today I shopped there for the first time since early March and came away with $240 of stuff, mostly pantry stuff, 10 bottles of wine, some freezer items, and a bit of produce thrown in for good measure.
― A is for (Aimless), Wednesday, 13 May 2020 23:04 (three years ago) link
I went in today at lunch at what is traditionally the busiest TJs in the city I live in and it was a ghost town. Maybe 20 other shoppers? No line to get in, no line to check out.
Both times I'd driven by post-SIP, there had been lines of 50+ people winding down about a block and a half so this was a welcome surprise.
Also, iirc TJs is one of the most employee-friendly chains to work for so if you have beef with them, perhaps stick to your local co-op or family-owned+operated grocery store.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 13 May 2020 23:41 (three years ago) link
Not sure what things TJs did that were unsafe, but the one I go to seemed to have an extremely rigorous process in place for limiting the number of people in the store and keeping them well away from their employees. Much more so than any other store I've been to.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 13 May 2020 23:53 (three years ago) link
same -- people are waiting in line around the parking lot to get into TJs whereas you can waltz right in anywhere elsewe do have to wear masks in any public place in my area though so that's not up for negotiation
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Thursday, 14 May 2020 00:16 (three years ago) link
my boyfriend called their baby bananas "dehydrated and reconstituted cat turds" the other day and i lost it. you're welcome
― i am a horse girl (map), Thursday, 14 May 2020 03:05 (three years ago) link
How do their bags of peeled hard boiled eggs have use-by dates 2 weeks out?? There’s no info on the packaging and this has been on my mind for longer than I’d like to admit.
TJs is significantly cheaper than our other supermarket options but it also has the best array of snacks so I end up spending more (cookies and candy are way better than elsewhere).
― just1n3, Thursday, 14 May 2020 08:48 (three years ago) link
i get their current policy on online ordering/shipping. Especially with all the 3rd party sellers. who knows, it may change in the future.
Do you think the use by date is too far out? I usually thought hardboiled eggs have a week date you should eat them by. but I think there is also some weird thing about whether they are in the shell or not.
― Yerac, Thursday, 14 May 2020 14:04 (three years ago) link
i am out of my TJs stash here except for a pink h salt, ghost pepper grinder and 5 more E.B.T. Bagel sprinkle. Oh, I might still have tea too.
― Yerac, Thursday, 14 May 2020 14:07 (three years ago) link
I’m pretty sure unpeeled keep longer but still only for 7 days max. These TJs ones def do last the 2 weeks though. That’s what’s weird. The packaging just says “eggs”, no preservatives or anything. Why is this bugging me so much.
― just1n3, Thursday, 14 May 2020 16:58 (three years ago) link
minds are built to find orderly patterns and those eggs don't fit the expected pattern
― A is for (Aimless), Thursday, 14 May 2020 17:00 (three years ago) link
it's true, we don't even know if anything preceded them or if they came first
― Yanni Xenakis (Hadrian VIII), Thursday, 14 May 2020 17:13 (three years ago) link
I think this article is the one I saw that gave me pause about TJ: https://www.eater.com/2020/4/10/21216678/trader-joes-employees-fight-for-protections-union-amid-coronavirus-pandemic
― Osedax Church (Leee), Thursday, 14 May 2020 17:37 (three years ago) link
What are the other online-ordering places that you are considering defecting to?
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Thursday, 14 May 2020 17:41 (three years ago) link
Nothing that's available so far! It's one reason why cutting ties has been so hard for me.
― Osedax Church (Leee), Thursday, 14 May 2020 18:16 (three years ago) link
We have a good friend who likes Trader Joe's so much she works at Trader Joe's *by choice.* That is, she doesn't need the money, she just likes the environment, benefits, management style and how it gets her out of the house, lets her socialize a little, etc. She was happy as a clam when I saw her this morning, where, fwiw, there was no line (despite limiting the number of people inside), they were wiping down carts by the front of the store (and retrieving them to be cleaned later at a different spot), everyone was wearing a mask and gloves, everyone was perky as usual (might be a self-selecting pool of those folks working at TJs), more or less everything I wanted was in stock (I didn't need them but they even had TP and hand sanitizer), and so on. Inside the store they were calm and organized, helped people check out safely (with marked spots to wait in line but also marked spots to wait while they bag your stuff; no self bagging right now) and so on. I've got no complaints.
On the other hand, I've lately heard all sorts of horror stories about conventional supermarkets, with inconsistent (or no) policies, chaotic enforcement and other questionable practices. I have a friend who had to be escorted to her car out of fear a fellow shopper was going to kick her ass. (He was drunk/stoned, not wearing a mask and invading her space at checkout; in response to her concerns he threatened her). I've also heard stories of a lot of chaos being *caused* by Instacart shoppers and the like, who are racing around like scavenger hunters with long lists in search of items they don't know where to find.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 14 May 2020 18:53 (three years ago) link
Dolmas stuffed with quinoa taste good but the texture is like gruel.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Sunday, 17 May 2020 21:38 (three years ago) link
one time I drove from buttfucknowhere Iowa to the Chicago burbs in one go and those dolmas saved my life (I was v. hungover)
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Sunday, 17 May 2020 22:41 (three years ago) link
i think the quinoa ones are new.
i posted that after eating two, but after that i ate the rest of the tin so i guess they are good.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Sunday, 17 May 2020 22:59 (three years ago) link
Omg I need to try those.
― So buttons. (Leee), Monday, 18 May 2020 05:52 (three years ago) link
Trader joes version of impossible burgers: pretty good!
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 21:27 (three years ago) link
Where are the quinoa dolmas? In the refrigerated section?
― So buttons. (Leee), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 21:43 (three years ago) link
Near the canned beans/fish section.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 22:21 (three years ago) link
i feel like tj's employees are superhuman there is no way i could do that shit for even an hour
― i am a horse girl (map), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 22:53 (three years ago) link
god i would get so tired of having to say "omg those are SO DELICIOUS" about one thing for every customer and generally stay sociable and positive in a sea of entitled white people
― i am a horse girl (map), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 22:55 (three years ago) link
i am genuinely in awe of and mystified by the fact that they seem to have solved the paradox of capitalism alienating people from their best selves
― i am a horse girl (map), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 22:57 (three years ago) link
there is some legit great stuff for less at tj's but i have gotten tired of a lot of their snack-y stuff tbh
― i am a horse girl (map), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 23:00 (three years ago) link
their nuts are cheap but not very good quality ime
flowers are cheap, my favorite thing about TJs really, but I am feeling bad about supporting cut flower industry so charm has worn off
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 23:04 (three years ago) link
i hesitate to post this but https://thenewinquiry.com/joe-cool/
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 23:26 (three years ago) link
i feel like tj's employees are superhuman there is no way i could do that shit for even an hourI had a moment at TJs yesterday of pure total sadness - I’m one of those people who enjoys chatting and I missed talking w the ppl at TJs so deeply :( I missed the olde tymes but did not lose my shit so that’s good.
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 19 May 2020 23:26 (three years ago) link
Xps I’ve considered my job options if my current workplace goes under, and I’d take a job at TJs over retail or hospo work for sure (I’ve worked all 3 types of job for multiple years in the past).
The chocolate chip almond cookies are ridiculously addictive btw.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 3 June 2020 09:34 (three years ago) link
I've got to say, I don't know if it is company policy or just our local store or some combination of the two, but without question Trader Joe's has its shit together better than any other store I've been to in the past few months. Not only are the employees across the board friendly, helpful and cheerful, but today they were wearing black in solidarity with the protests *and* (between cleaning the carts and regulating the in/out of customers) were handing out bottles of water to anyone waiting outside in the sun that needed it. It's almost last on the list that they also have just about everything I need; today they even had several varieties of hand sanitizer.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 5 June 2020 16:12 (three years ago) link
They're discontinuing the soy milk! :(
― Pleeenk Floyd (Leee), Monday, 21 September 2020 23:14 (three years ago) link
oh that sucks. They couldn't keep a decent soy yogurt supplier though so maybe it's the same + people wanting more almond or oat milk?
― Yerac, Monday, 21 September 2020 23:17 (three years ago) link
Maple butter is back!!!!! I’m going to buy a bunch because 1) it’s delicious and seasonal 2) my mom loooooooves maple and will lose her mind when I mail her some.
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 21 September 2020 23:27 (three years ago) link
We just struck out on like 4 products we had to return, which is a record for us, even if we knew better. Watermelon Jerky (which ... I know), Apple Cider Foaming Handsoap, Pumpkin Spice Rooibus and ... Cinnamon Bun Spread? Anyway, all duds, all disgusting. But it's cinnamon broom season, which makes me happy.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 21 September 2020 23:31 (three years ago) link
I really wish TJ's would come out with a nice, cheap, 'natural' mouthwash. It pains me to spend $5 or $6 on a bottle of blue colored alcohol, especially if I'm not supposed to drink it.
― Andy the Grasshopper, Monday, 21 September 2020 23:34 (three years ago) link
Bought a "spicy miso ramen" instant/cup noodle thinking how bad could it be? It was terrible.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Monday, 21 September 2020 23:42 (three years ago) link
i am using their furikake. it's pretty basic but fine.
― Yerac, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 00:20 (three years ago) link
My son likes the watermelon jerky but he’s not yet 3 years old so there you go.New product I like: jalapeño sauce. Most of the heat of a real hot sauce but you use it in mustard/ketchup like quantities. Works very well with the new Mexican quiche thing they have.The Brazilian dough balls are not as good as the real thing but they’re pretty good. Freezer section.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 22 September 2020 01:27 (three years ago) link
Oh and everything but the elote corn seasoning is great!
my wife swears by the chili onion crunch condiment.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 02:17 (three years ago) link
Fuck!! Tha soymilk has been a staple for me for like 15 years. I don't see any others in stores that are unsweetened, and with only 2 ingredients. I'm mushed. almond milk is watery to me. Dammit
― scampos sacra fames (outdoor_miner), Tuesday, 22 September 2020 03:15 (three years ago) link
I'm pretty sure that the Trader Joe's Special Reserve Irish Whiskey is just Jameson... it even hints so on the label. At $15.99 it's a steal.
― Andy the Grasshopper, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 03:35 (three years ago) link
There is a cottage industry of people trying to suss out the spirits sourcing. I bought a bottle of "platinum reserve" wine the other day, and the sales person coyly told me that the $14 bottle was actually a $35 bottle under a different name/brand.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 12:47 (three years ago) link
Their private label bourbon (90 proof, $15 for a 5th) is made by Buffalo Trace/Sazerac. But don't assume this is the same as their top or even mid-shelf bourbon, it just comes from the same facilities.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Tuesday, 22 September 2020 16:24 (three years ago) link
my local store unfortunately does not carry spirits, only beer and wine
I have to settle for Costco house brand liquors. That TJ’s bourbon intrigues me!
― mh, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 16:51 (three years ago) link
fwiw Benchmark bourbon comes from those distilleries but is only 80 proof. Could be a slightly-better one-off for TJ’s
― mh, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 16:52 (three years ago) link
Tha soymilk has been a staple for me for like 15 years. I don't see any others in stores that are unsweetened, and with only 2 ingredients. I'm mushed. almond milk is watery to me.
The one glimmer of hope is that there is one kind of soy milk that they didn't discontinue, but I didn't quite catch which one it is and I think they said that they don't currently have a source for it.
― Pleeenk Floyd (Leee), Tuesday, 22 September 2020 17:17 (three years ago) link
The Islay single malt whisky (Finlaggan $18.99) is a real deal... There are only 4 distilleries on that island, so it has to be one of them... possibly Lagavulin aged in Caol Ila barrels or something like that.
― Andy the Grasshopper, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 17:20 (three years ago) link
My understanding is the TJ scotch is high quality, but I can attest the bourbon is nothing special. Haven't tried Costco bourbon yet, but at least it has an age statement. 7 years, the sweet spot.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 18:03 (three years ago) link
recommend:
chile and corn quiche with taco shell crust (freezer)+their jalapeno sauce (fridge)
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Friday, 2 October 2020 18:48 (three years ago) link
OMG this.
― Kaliningrad Oberst (Leee), Sunday, 4 October 2020 03:12 (three years ago) link
I gotta say... my favorite beef jerkey is Trader Joe’s brand
― brimstead, Sunday, 4 October 2020 03:14 (three years ago) link
anyone tried the instant iced coffee? it's weird! i think it's good but it might be bad.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Friday, 30 October 2020 17:41 (three years ago) link
Can’t believe I missed the window to stock up on maple butter. I swear it was only available for like 3 weeks???
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Saturday, 31 October 2020 00:52 (three years ago) link
I've always liked the canned dolmas at Trader Joe's. They have recently stocked quinoa-stuffed dolmas in the same section, I think they are even better
― Dan S, Saturday, 31 October 2020 00:57 (three years ago) link
xp haven't heard of maple butter, but it sounds good.
Some things are seasonal. I bought Autumn cheese there last year at this time, liked it but went back to find it gone. I found it again this year though.
My favorite ever purchases from Trader Joe's have been the peonies, which are only available in May
― Dan S, Saturday, 31 October 2020 01:10 (three years ago) link
the most recent new thing there that I found there was "heirloom chicken", a ridiculous name but it is a whole chicken that is small, and it makes the best roast chicken
― Dan S, Saturday, 31 October 2020 01:21 (three years ago) link
Sounds like a heritage or game hen.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Saturday, 31 October 2020 01:57 (three years ago) link
it's good for the Zuni roast chicken recipe
― Dan S, Saturday, 31 October 2020 02:30 (three years ago) link
most of the chickens raised for the mass market are just too large for roasting or selling rotisserie chickens!that’s part of why costco was having trouble sourcing enough for their cooked rotisserie chickens and ended up buying their own chicken farm
― mh, Sunday, 1 November 2020 14:41 (three years ago) link
I miss the gluten-free bread & bagels & chocolate cupcakes A LOT lot. It's not that they're super great compared to actual bread, it's that they're adequate and nothing else out there is (that doesn't also contain stabilizers and soy additives that I don't eat).
― Ima Gardener (in orbit), Sunday, 1 November 2020 14:47 (three years ago) link
their gluten-free cupcakes were really good -- and I can eat gluten, so the GF cupcakes were actually better than some of the "regular" cupcakes I have had.
― sarahell, Sunday, 1 November 2020 18:26 (three years ago) link
The green dragon hot sauce is the shit. I put it on everything.
― officer sonny bonds, lytton pd (mayor jingleberries), Sunday, 1 November 2020 21:39 (three years ago) link
green dragon is amazing, mix it with some mayo and it makes a killer flavored mayo/dipping sauce
― musically, Thursday, 19 November 2020 00:39 (three years ago) link
I was disappointed with green dragon sauce at first because it seemed a little too sweet, but decided I like it
― Dan S, Thursday, 19 November 2020 00:52 (three years ago) link
their new fromage pavé is really good
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 December 2020 03:50 (three years ago) link
Did they get rid of the faux-Stoned Wheat Thins? Haven't seen them at my local for months.
Wish they'd bring back the lemur tea.
― JoeStork, Saturday, 5 December 2020 03:57 (three years ago) link
Yup, the faux-Stoned Wheat crackers have disappeared here, too. That's a death knell at least 80% of the time.
― Respectfully Yours, (Aimless), Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:07 (three years ago) link
there are many Trader Joe's products that are suddenly discontinued, but there are equally as many new products there that I discover there when I go back
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:13 (three years ago) link
Are the lebkuchen back this season? If so, I may have to brave the store. I love those things.
― Lily Dale, Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:25 (three years ago) link
sounds interesting. haven’t focused on their sweets but in the recent past I have discovered dolmas stuffed with quinoa, beef pho, different canned and jarred olives, artichoke hearts, plu gras butter, eggplant hummus, double cream gouda, fromage pavé, soup DUMPLINGS!, flour and corn tortillas, and heirloom chicken
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:37 (three years ago) link
not sure how DUMPLINGS! came out capitalized there tbh, I certainly didn't do it
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:40 (three years ago) link
ha ha. I didn't capitalize it, but I approve of the idea of DUMPLINGS!
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:46 (three years ago) link
whenever the word DUMPLINGS! appears ilx will automatically capitalize it and add an exclamation mark. this is a long standing tradition.
― Respectfully Yours, (Aimless), Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:47 (three years ago) link
My parents have friends in Germany who used to send us lebkuchen every Christmas, and the Trader Joe ones are every bit as good as the German ones. Like, I genuinely can't tell the difference.
― Lily Dale, Saturday, 5 December 2020 04:57 (three years ago) link
I will have to look for them
― Dan S, Saturday, 5 December 2020 05:04 (three years ago) link
trader joes raisin bran was off the shelves for six months. when it came back the box and contents were different and it is now made in germany. it tastes exactly how you would imagine central european breakfast cereal tastes. i mean i like it. but it's definitely a style.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Saturday, 5 December 2020 06:14 (three years ago) link
If so, I may have to brave the store. I love those things.
(the TJs near you is the only supermarket/grocery store I've seen enforcing limited numbers indoors, & with people fairly consistently spacing in the queues outside)
― huge rant (sic), Saturday, 5 December 2020 06:50 (three years ago) link
Yes, they're very good about it, and I do feel safer there than at other stores in the area. Most of the things I buy from TJs last a long time, though, so I still don't go that often.
― Lily Dale, Saturday, 5 December 2020 08:47 (three years ago) link
trader joes raisin bran was off the shelves for six months.
I haven't seen it in maybe a year!
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Saturday, 5 December 2020 14:25 (three years ago) link
It’s back on the west coast but the box is very different.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Saturday, 5 December 2020 16:20 (three years ago) link
I missed the peony season in May and early June this year at Trader Joe's because I didn't go shopping at all
― Dan S, Sunday, 6 December 2020 00:10 (three years ago) link
the employees are pretty well-informed about what is on the outs and what is going to stop being stocked due to supply chain issuesI was buying some chicken taquitos (rip, lost them in my refrigerator dying) early this year and the checkout cashier told me it was probably my last chance for the near future because their supplier basically stopped all ordersif you want to know, someone in the store might know!
― mh, Sunday, 6 December 2020 03:08 (three years ago) link
Iowa brewery beer now in California TJ stock
― Stephen Tobo Lowskywhine (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 6 December 2020 04:53 (three years ago) link
Toppling Goliath and they've the best water
― Stephen Tobo Lowskywhine (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 6 December 2020 04:54 (three years ago) link
Toppling Goliath also in Cal Total Wine stores. I have had the Pompeii.
― nickn, Sunday, 6 December 2020 06:10 (three years ago) link
Toppling Goliath has been in California for a while, I mean they are even in Tokyo. I had a reasonably fresh Pseudo Sue can last autumn... for ~$10 though.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Sunday, 6 December 2020 08:25 (three years ago) link
Love the dark chocolate sunflower seed butter cups. I always buy a bunch and throw em in the freezer.
― BringTheAuBonPain, Sunday, 6 December 2020 13:26 (three years ago) link
Aren't they basically just peanut butter cups with a peanut butter substitute?
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 6 December 2020 14:49 (three years ago) link
NOOOOOOO
― Piven After Midnight (The Yellow Kid), Sunday, 6 December 2020 18:00 (three years ago) link
Yeah, but sunflower seed butter is tasty. And they're only like 80 cents.
― BringTheAuBonPain, Monday, 7 December 2020 13:46 (three years ago) link
T0ppling Goliath has a few decent beers but they’re overrated, overpriced (although maybe not at TJ’s?) and the people who run it are apparently jerks. Some of the reasons people believe so are less relevant to me as a non-beer nerd, like the fact they’d do special limited releases and gouge on prices, and the local lore is that after they sold one limited edition batch and screwed up the pricing, they called people who had bought the beer to ask if they could please send an additional payment because they were undercharged (!)
I went to a taproom beer tasting thing locally (free beer!) and the presentation was ok but they’ve got this funny chip on their shoulder about a few things. There was also some funny controversy a lot of companies run into when trying to capitalize on demand where they used a contract brewer to make up the slack as they rapidly expanded (defensible, imo) and then when a batch wasn’t as expected they did a lot of waffling about whether they used a contract brewer, for how many batches, and where those batches were sold
― mh, Monday, 7 December 2020 20:29 (three years ago) link
lol and the Pseudo Sue thing where they ended up partnering with the Field Museum after the fact when threatened with copyright infringement which was more of a business “whoops” on their part
― mh, Monday, 7 December 2020 20:31 (three years ago) link
The Pompeii IPA was $12.99 for 4 pint cans at Total Wine (the more expensive ones came in at $18.99, which I wasn't willing to spring for). I doubt if TJ would be less, though my google search shows $10.99 at Binny's. Is Binny's a big supermarket sized liquor store?
― nickn, Monday, 7 December 2020 21:11 (three years ago) link
In the Chicago area, yeah
― mh, Monday, 7 December 2020 21:12 (three years ago) link
You know what I miss? Trader Joe's used to sell a cinnamon/sugar grinder that my kids and, well, everyone loved. But alas, awol since 2017.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 7 December 2020 23:37 (three years ago) link
I wish they also sold the pepper in non-grinder jars of the same size, so I wouldn't have to buy a new grinder every time I buy pepper (salt too, I guess). Seems wasteful.
― nickn, Monday, 7 December 2020 23:42 (three years ago) link
I was picturing a sandwich roll with cinnamon and sugar on top
― imago watcher (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 7 December 2020 23:49 (three years ago) link
they had an amazing product called flower pepper that was literally dried edible flowers and peppercorns -- AMAZING and long gone
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 8 December 2020 00:19 (three years ago) link
Wonder if you could replicate that with flor de jamaica (dried hibiscus flowers used for agua de jamaica tea) and peppercorns in a mill.
― oblique allergies (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 8 December 2020 00:26 (three years ago) link
Nah hibiscus is way too much imo — this was like marigold petals, maybe dandelion and other more delicate flowers
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Tuesday, 8 December 2020 01:52 (three years ago) link
chile garlic cashews are the bomb
― cosmic vision | bleak epiphany | erotic email (map), Tuesday, 8 December 2020 02:06 (three years ago) link
i generally get tired of their flavored nuts pretty fast but those things are always a treat.
also 2.99 kombuchas and aqua kefirs when everyone else is going above $3 = a relief
― cosmic vision | bleak epiphany | erotic email (map), Tuesday, 8 December 2020 02:08 (three years ago) link
Have you tried spawning kombuchas from leftover kombuchas? Half my batch came out OK and the other half turned to vinegar.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 8 December 2020 02:18 (three years ago) link
y'all the cauliflower gnocchi is so. fucking. bad. it was like... gluey????
― Warmed Regards, (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 19 December 2020 00:35 (three years ago) link
jfc
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Saturday, 19 December 2020 00:47 (three years ago) link
Gnocchi is terrible to start with imo, but yes that stuff is possibly the worst thing they sell.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Saturday, 19 December 2020 00:53 (three years ago) link
I tried the sweet potato gnocchi and also didn't like it, for a similar reason.
― nickn, Saturday, 19 December 2020 01:35 (three years ago) link
I had that a v long time ago and it was disgustingly sweet, v bad
― Warmed Regards, (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 19 December 2020 01:42 (three years ago) link
has anyone bought edamame recently? saw it was recalled due to listeria
― superdeep borehole (harbl), Saturday, 19 December 2020 02:49 (three years ago) link
Checked it out, since we have some TJ's edmame we are just about to eat tonight. It was the frozen, in-shell, rather than shelled, and lightly salted version. Also, the product was only sold at Trader Joe's stores in Arizona, Southern California, Southern Nevada and in certain parts of Utah.
― Respectfully Yours, (Aimless), Saturday, 19 December 2020 02:58 (three years ago) link
― forensic plumber (harbl), Tuesday, January 28, 2020 7:53 PM (eleven months ago)
just came here to post this. otm.
― superdeep borehole (harbl), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 00:50 (three years ago) link
oh yes these are good, I keep a backup jar
― early-Woolf semantic prosody (Hadrian VIII), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 00:55 (three years ago) link
wait harbl did you just otm yourself
― early-Woolf semantic prosody (Hadrian VIII), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 00:56 (three years ago) link
not that there’s anything wrong w that
― early-Woolf semantic prosody (Hadrian VIII), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 00:57 (three years ago) link
― early-Woolf semantic prosody (Hadrian VIII), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 00:58 (three years ago) link
― superdeep borehole (harbl), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 00:59 (three years ago) link
harbl is always otm! <3
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 01:02 (three years ago) link
i'm otm about groceries and food products 99.99% of the time
― superdeep borehole (harbl), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 01:09 (three years ago) link
My wife is reducing her sodium intake so she bought something called 21 Seasoning Salute (that tehresa raved about upthread). I'd never heard of it, it's kind of like a zesty onion powder. Now all of us put in on everything and we need more.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 01:13 (three years ago) link
not sure I like the idea of hot and sweet jalapeños
― Dan S, Wednesday, 6 January 2021 01:18 (three years ago) link
I will try them. I ended up liking their green dragon sauce, sort of, but most of Trader Joe’s salsas and hot sauces are too sweet
― Dan S, Wednesday, 6 January 2021 02:10 (three years ago) link
Anyone tried the refrigerated pickles they have near the salads and salsas?― blood, loud screaming and nudity (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, March 8, 2019 6:24 AM (one year ago) bookmarkflaglink
― blood, loud screaming and nudity (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, March 8, 2019 6:24 AM (one year ago) bookmarkflaglink
These might be the crunchiest supermarket pickles I have ever eaten, A+++
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 04:12 (three years ago) link
Oh nice
― Shaidar Logoff (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 08:23 (three years ago) link
it's these bad boys https://sonomabrinery.com/kosherdill-sketch-1
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 17:12 (three years ago) link
ooh those are good pickles -- I'm used to getting them at regular grocery stores (Safeway, Whole Foods) -- is that true nationwide?
― sarahell, Wednesday, 6 January 2021 20:44 (three years ago) link
It turns out they get less crunchy FAST once you break the seal, like one day, so I'm gonna go ahead and recommend eating an entire bucket at a sitting
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Thursday, 7 January 2021 17:13 (three years ago) link
will do
― tobo73, Thursday, 7 January 2021 17:21 (three years ago) link
First-time caller here endorsing the super burrito (debated a few years ago here). Also dug the Everything But The Bagel almond/cashew mix until I saw the corn syrup in the ingredients list.
Also have been shopping early-mid evenings to avoid the lines.
― ... (Eazy), Tuesday, 12 January 2021 16:31 (three years ago) link
I think TJ is discontinuing the stevia packets -- when I went this weekend, they didn't even have a space on the shelf for it anymore.
― Sammy Agar-Agar (Leee), Wednesday, 20 January 2021 01:48 (three years ago) link
don't they swiftly remove shelf tags and fill w nearby product like even when something is just out of stock at the moment?
― Warmed Regards, (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 20 January 2021 22:20 (three years ago) link
i like the traitor joe t shirts from infowars!
― xzanfar, Thursday, 21 January 2021 00:56 (three years ago) link
Stevie, I have no idea but hope that's the case!
― Sammy Agar-Agar (Leee), Thursday, 21 January 2021 01:33 (three years ago) link
I've seen that happen (champagne vinegar better not be gone!).
― nickn, Thursday, 21 January 2021 03:20 (three years ago) link
Yeah, when something is out of stock they just remove the tag and shift stuff over. Doesn't mean it's gone for good, though sometimes it does!
I was sent to TJs specifically to buy Sumo oranges yesterday. I guess they are a thing?
Lately my wife swears by the Toffee Chips.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 21 January 2021 14:09 (three years ago) link
Checked again this week, and still no stevia packets -- looks like I have to order on Amazon for my non-sugar sweet fix. :\
― Sammy Agar-Agar (Leee), Tuesday, 26 January 2021 00:05 (three years ago) link
In other news: https://www.amazon.com/Trader-Chocolate-Sandwich-Cookies-Filling/dp/B01MQZ2OJS
I cannot stop eating these.
― Sammy Agar-Agar (Leee), Tuesday, 26 January 2021 00:07 (three years ago) link
Ha, we just discovered those cookies a couple weeks ago and are obsessed. We picked up the chocolate hazelnut sandwich cookies last night but they were disappointing - too sugary and not much real flavor.
The new frozen French onion Mac n cheese is gross btw.
― just1n3, Tuesday, 26 January 2021 12:24 (three years ago) link
oh shiiiiiiiiii those are good!!
― sarahell, Wednesday, 27 January 2021 00:44 (three years ago) link
New “Aussie Style Biscuits” = TimTams
― just1n3, Wednesday, 24 February 2021 14:18 (three years ago) link
Just heard about those, how do they compare?!
A rare miss for me was their frozen pho. It's usually a red flag when something is "inspired" by its place of origin, and in the case of TJs specifically when the food in question does not actually come from its place of origin. The soup was from Canada, but TJs is usually pretty good about sourcing from, well, the source. The cultured butter is from France, the paella is from Spain, the satay noodles from Thailand, etc. Anyway, the pho was gross. Oh, also gross were the hatch chili chicken wraps. Skip.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 24 February 2021 14:25 (three years ago) link
Pretty similar to the real thing? I haven’t had legit timtams in a while though. I think the ones you can get here are actually made by Pepperidge farms or something.
― just1n3, Wednesday, 24 February 2021 23:27 (three years ago) link
xp Don't know if you're referring to the beef pho, but I liked it after cooking some medium-width flat rice noodles in salt water until just chewy to add to it separately, also adding some chopped up serrano chiles and extra beef stock.
― Dan S, Thursday, 25 February 2021 02:34 (three years ago) link
like the chicken stock and chicken pho I make from scratch better though
― Dan S, Thursday, 25 February 2021 02:43 (three years ago) link
Yeah, it was the beef pho. It tasted bad and bland to me, though I'm sure it could be doctored.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 25 February 2021 03:33 (three years ago) link
can't stop eating the organic stone ground blue corn tortilla chips with sprouted amaranth, quinoa & chia seeds.
― John Cooper of Christian rock band Skillet (map), Monday, 19 April 2021 22:52 (two years ago) link
stop and get some sleep!
― sharpening the contraindications (Aimless), Tuesday, 20 April 2021 04:10 (two years ago) link
the cacio e pepe ravioli is great but the wrapper is a lot thinner and more delicate than all their other ravs, so be cautious bcz it cooks quickly. I cooked a bag of this + an entire bag of tuscan kale sauteed and wilted down w some olive oil, garlic, and red pep and it was the perfect veg-heavy low-effort meal.
the cajun alfredo is fucking HORRIBLE, jarred alfredo is often bad in a way where it's clearly inferior to homemade but still usu tastes good in its own weird way, so I figured this would be at the very least edible, but it is not. I'm shocked this made it thru testing.
the new fruity gummy candies are excellent, though I'm quite miffed because my bag had one (1) grapefruit gummy and at least 30 watermelon gummies >:( though they do have a disclaimer on the pkg that's basically like "warning: you get what you get", and the watermelon tastes more like actual fresh watermelon than any watermelon-flavored thing I've ever had
― Warmed Regards, (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 12 May 2021 16:53 (two years ago) link
Been waiting for the Portuguese egg tarts. But the Tim Tam knockoffs were back.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 12 May 2021 17:08 (two years ago) link
the May peonies at Trader Joe's have been spectacular this year. I've bought three separate bunches, they have all been different but were equally amazing. I really don't want the season to come to an end
― Dan S, Friday, 28 May 2021 03:34 (two years ago) link
The spicy Thai eggplant (frozen section) appears to have been discontinued, and I'm bummed.
― nickn, Friday, 28 May 2021 04:08 (two years ago) link
Hmm, let's see:
Ube tea cookies: mostly taste like sugar, C.Southern Peach Crisp: Tastes exactly like peach cobbler with cream, A"Aussie-style Chocolate Crème Sandwich Cookies" (aka Tim Tams): Pretty good knock off! A-Dill pickle potato chips: didn't try them because others ate them too fast, which is a default B+
Bought but TBD: dill pickle mustard, tangerine cream bar, frozen carrot cake
MIA: Those Japanese wash cloths, I liked those.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 28 May 2021 12:53 (two years ago) link
Focaccia Primavera: cardboard. DDairy-Free Mozzarella Style Shreds: thought I could skip a trip/expense to get the Daiya. A mistake. CVegan Jackfruit Crabless cakes: not as convincing as in the Yellow Jackfruit Curry. B-Bamba peanut crusted corn puffs: I struggle to not buy a $1 bag for the drive home. B-Aloo Chaat Kati Pouches: masala hot pockets, a value at $2.50. BChicken-Less Mandarin Orange Morsels: needs some quick veggie veggies for a meal, but decent. BThai Vegetable Gyoza: filling's a cut above the veggie gyozas at the Korean grocer, and good sauteed in sesame oil before steaming. B+Greek Spanakopita: the pie tin one is much better than the triangle wraps. A-Soy Chorizo: really flexible ingredient for soups and cassaroles, and a value. A2018 Punto Final Malbec: dry but balanced, at $9 B; but at $4 clearance, I got 6.
― worst boy (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 2 June 2021 06:57 (two years ago) link
Greek Spanakopita: the pie tin one is much better than the triangle wraps. A-
If this is the one that I’m thinking of, then whole heartedly agree. So good!
― Sweet F♯ A♯ ∞ (Leee), Thursday, 3 June 2021 03:56 (two years ago) link
I forget what they’re called but the mixed-bag chips are great - it’s a mixture of bbq, ketchup, salt and vinegar, and dill (I think)
― just1n3, Saturday, 5 June 2021 06:54 (two years ago) link
patio chips?
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 5 June 2021 13:21 (two years ago) link
Tried the frozen almond croissants last weekend - nice, not as flaky as the same from a favorite bakery but an easy option.
― Jaq, Saturday, 5 June 2021 14:27 (two years ago) link
the frozen fiorucci pasta in the pink cream sauce is amazing
― Warmed Regards, (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 18 June 2021 00:44 (two years ago) link
I bought the butter they claim is from New Zealand but I think it’s bullshit because it’s the exact same color as American butter - but NZ butter is actually a deep yellow
Also tj’s ramen is somehow terrible? I have eaten many brands of chicken and beef ramen in my life and they all taste exactly the same. Despite coming with a giant bag of seasoning this was the blandest ramen I’ve ever eaten
― just1n3, Friday, 18 June 2021 07:31 (two years ago) link
I suspect TJsecretly banned MSG hence the weak ramen
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 18 June 2021 17:54 (two years ago) link
true haiku, nice
― Andy the Grasshopper, Friday, 18 June 2021 18:08 (two years ago) link
at first i thought the mesquite almonds were too salty but now they're the only nuts i get (i love nuts har har), highly addictive and no diminishing returns as in the other flavored nuts.
― Linda and Jodie Rocco (map), Friday, 18 June 2021 21:38 (two years ago) link
I've only seen the knockoff Tim Tams a couple of times but once everyone started raving about them, I haven't seen them on the shelves at all. Last time I asked them, they said there were supply problems, so maybe this is like a West Coast problem?
― BABA BUOY (Leee), Friday, 18 June 2021 21:50 (two years ago) link
It's that time of year when the coconut cold brew hits the spot!
― ... (Eazy), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 12:28 (two years ago) link
a couple new items I'm trying out:
Key Lime Popcorn - very unusual flavor, and I'm not a key lime fan, but I found these strangely addictiveDill pickle mustard - taste like... mustard with dill pickle in it
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 17:21 (two years ago) link
I recently bought a jar of awesome Spicy Kosher Dill Pickles (made in Bulgaria) that were seriously spicy.. but I haven't seen them since.
― Andy the Grasshopper, Tuesday, 13 July 2021 17:53 (two years ago) link
Same I loved those! Never to be seen again!
― kurt schwitterz, Tuesday, 13 July 2021 19:23 (two years ago) link
My TJ *finally* got the knock-off Tim Tams in stock, they were great!
― Gemini Cricket (Leee), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 19:27 (two years ago) link
I saved the jar of pickle juice and spices and soaked boring pickles in there to spice 'em up
― Andy the Grasshopper, Tuesday, 13 July 2021 19:37 (two years ago) link
The frozen fried rice & bulgogi w/kimchi is a good meal base (add extra veggies, an egg)
― just1n3, Wednesday, 14 July 2021 01:00 (two years ago) link
haven't seen that, will try it. recently had the roasted garlic and pesto deep fried crust pizza, it is very good
― Dan S, Wednesday, 14 July 2021 01:27 (two years ago) link
my kids continue to devour mini mint mouthfuls at an unsustainable pace
― it was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow card for chiellini (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 03:19 (two years ago) link
Xps I bought the key lime popcorn based on your recommendation - it’s not something I would’ve normally picked up - and it’s surprisingly delicious. It’s like gourmet candy corn*.
*I don’t know what you call it in the US, since here candy corn is an actual candy, but in NZ candy corn is that multi colored sweet popcorn like you get at fairs
― just1n3, Thursday, 15 July 2021 21:43 (two years ago) link
possibly kettle corn?
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Thursday, 15 July 2021 23:20 (two years ago) link
I've had caramel corn, but key lime popcorn?
candy corn is a candy
― Dan S, Thursday, 15 July 2021 23:30 (two years ago) link
Covert junk food itt
― calstars, Thursday, 15 July 2021 23:35 (two years ago) link
TJ's has a lot of good junk food
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Friday, 16 July 2021 00:00 (two years ago) link
covert my ass, that's why I go there
― Clara Lemlich stan account (silby), Friday, 16 July 2021 00:29 (two years ago) link
― calstars, Friday, July 16, 2021 12:35 AM (fifty-three minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
incredible observation
― Linda and Jodie Rocco (map), Friday, 16 July 2021 00:29 (two years ago) link
Silby otm. TJs is exclusively where I go for junk (except chips. Their chip selection is shitty)
I googled kettle corn and that sounds close enough
― just1n3, Friday, 16 July 2021 02:11 (two years ago) link
i ride hard for
Organic Stone Ground Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Sprouted Amaranth, Quinoa & Chia Seeds
+
Salsa Autentica (refrigerated)
― Linda and Jodie Rocco (map), Friday, 16 July 2021 02:17 (two years ago) link
it sounds healthy but it's actually junk food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! zomg can't believe no one has noticed this
― Linda and Jodie Rocco (map), Friday, 16 July 2021 02:18 (two years ago) link
i am drinking their evenus port desert wine right now. it's pretty good.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Friday, 16 July 2021 02:23 (two years ago) link
multiple xpThink Cracker Jacks with no nuts and dye in the syrupy coating.
― nickn, Friday, 16 July 2021 04:25 (two years ago) link
The Carolina bbq chips are really really good. They’re sort of a cross between vinegar and paprika flavored chips
Frozen chicken chow menu sucks
Frozen chicken fried rice isn’t as good as the bulgogi fried rice but it’s a decent meal base if you dress it up
― just1n3, Wednesday, 18 August 2021 12:39 (two years ago) link
Its possible to get pretty good chips and salsa at TJs. I like the organic yellow-corn rounds. Not quite as good as organic Tostitos, but better than most other organic tortilla chips I've tried. They nearly nail the perfect thickness. Organic tortilla chips tend to be either so thick and hard that you worry about cracking a tooth, or else thin and flavorless, but these have good flavor and are crispy without requiring jaws of steel. The Salsa Autentica is not quite as good as Pace Picante but a very acceptable substitute.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 18 August 2021 13:21 (two years ago) link
We live in a place where we can get local, fresh tortillas and tortilla chips almost anywhere we shop, so the TJs tortilla chips don't do much for us. We do like their salsas, though, and, oddly enough, their actual tortillas, particularly the homemade flour, wheat-and-corn, and habenero lime.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 18 August 2021 13:43 (two years ago) link
I didn't mind them, but for some reason my family didn't like the handmade flour tortillas from TJs. I'm curious about the wheat and corn ones, if I can overcome the family skepticism maybe will try them sometime.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 18 August 2021 13:55 (two years ago) link
The wheat and corn ones are thicker than regular tortillas, so in that regard they do a great job staying together no matter what you wrap in them. Plus I presume they're healthier than standard corn or flour tortillas, but that's pretty relative.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 18 August 2021 14:06 (two years ago) link
the refrigerated salsas are decent at TJ’s with the ghost pepper one being my favenearly all of their chips suck, though
― mh, Wednesday, 18 August 2021 17:09 (two years ago) link
Tortilla chips. Their potato chips rule.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 18 August 2021 17:23 (two years ago) link
the flaxseed tortilla chips are good imho
― scampos sacra fames (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 18 August 2021 21:11 (two years ago) link
Really enjoying the everything and the elote yogurt dip
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Sunday, 12 September 2021 19:00 (two years ago) link
Parody product, surely?
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Sunday, 12 September 2021 20:24 (two years ago) link
Frozen Focaccia entree was a significant disappointment -- both too salty and underseasoned.
― Carte Blanchett (Leee), Sunday, 12 September 2021 20:57 (two years ago) link
It may be, but still tastes good with chips
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Sunday, 12 September 2021 20:57 (two years ago) link
kettle cooked chicken soup + lemon squeeze + ricotta lemon zest ravioli = good quick weekday dinner.
― Linda and Jodie Rocco (map), Friday, 8 October 2021 21:01 (two years ago) link
a gem of a meal where my incredible laziness, my desire to eat something at least a little tasty, and my sw0le diet are all reasonably addressed
― Linda and Jodie Rocco (map), Friday, 8 October 2021 21:06 (two years ago) link
The Peri-Peri sauce that's pretty new is quite good, especially as a marinade for chicken. I mix two or three tablespoons of it with two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of greek yogurt, mix it well, then let the chicken soak in that for a few hours. really tasty grilled or baked!
― I'm a sovereign jazz citizen (the table is the table), Friday, 8 October 2021 21:08 (two years ago) link
I'm enjoying the frozen rainbow trout filets, defrosted and baked in tinfoil with a sprinkle of salt and some lemon slices
― Dan S, Friday, 8 October 2021 22:45 (two years ago) link
all of those sound good.
think i'm on my 6th or 7th hazelnut milk chocolate bar in 2 months
― Linda and Jodie Rocco (map), Thursday, 21 October 2021 01:45 (two years ago) link
Trader Joe's Atlantic Salmon filets in the frozen food section are also really good. Today I made a risotto with preserved lemons and salmon that I liked a lot.
I made extra risotto so I could refrigerate it overnight to try making arancini (which should be and maybe is a NYTs spelling bee word) tomorrow. The recipe sounds difficult, so I only expect half a success. I've already made some meat sauce and bought mozzarella for the stuffing
― Dan S, Thursday, 21 October 2021 02:22 (two years ago) link
Horseradish chips are back - the taste even better mixed with honey roasted peanuts
― just1n3, Wednesday, 3 November 2021 15:10 (two years ago) link
Bruschetta spread: fine as a last minute type of thing (if buoyed by mozz and pesto etc) but nothing great
― just1n3, Wednesday, 1 December 2021 17:11 (two years ago) link
The jollof rice mix is punishingly bad — I don’t normally buy rice mixes but I figured I’d try it for a weeknight dinner bc I’ve been working nights. Inedible with only 1/4 tsp salt, only marginally better after more salt, hot sauce, gandules, corn, peas. Do not buy it.
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 1 December 2021 19:21 (two years ago) link
Trader Joe's Large Brown Pasture Raised eggs now look exactly like Vital Farms', and they are $1-2 cheaper per dozen.
― Ssäm Sauce | Martha Stewart (Sufjan Grafton), Saturday, 8 January 2022 17:30 (two years ago) link
Most eggs look pretty similar though, don't they? A recent discovery is the Chili Onion Crunch. Compares to the Momofuku Chili Crunch. Great on eggs, stir fry, or anything that could use a bit of spicing up.
― o. nate, Saturday, 8 January 2022 23:31 (two years ago) link
One of the vital farms selling points has been the darker yolks. They were supposedly from a better pasture diet, indicating more nutritional value in the egg -- vitamins, etc. TJ's pasture raised eggs have had paler yolks in the past. Good tip on the chili onion crunch. I will look for it on the next trip.
― Ssäm Sauce | Martha Stewart (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 9 January 2022 02:28 (two years ago) link
I saw a lot of packages of eggs today at Trader Joe's, but didn't see those in particular
― Dan S, Sunday, 9 January 2022 02:34 (two years ago) link
They have a bluish carton. The graphic design definitely steals from the vital farms stuff, which also feels like a recent change. I am generally overwhelmed by the variety of eggs at TJs.
― Ssäm Sauce | Martha Stewart (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 9 January 2022 03:30 (two years ago) link
Banana bread biscotti recommended
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 16 March 2022 16:24 (two years ago) link
It doesn't just taste like stale banana bread?
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 16 March 2022 16:32 (two years ago) link
yes!
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 16 March 2022 16:43 (two years ago) link
My local TJ's has abruptly dropped all forms of sherry - fino, amontillado, and cream (oloroso). I may be the only person in town that ever buys it but I'm not gonna drink goddamn four dollar marsala, bring back the sherry
― Andy the Grasshopper, Thursday, 17 March 2022 21:36 (two years ago) link
my local TJ’s only has beer and wine😔
― mh, Thursday, 17 March 2022 22:38 (two years ago) link
I have been going back weekly for the last couple of months to Trader Joe's for their Meyer lemons (a cross between lemon and mandarin orange). They come 3-to-4 per bag. They have been incredibly good! They grow really well locally (if SF had an official fruit tree it would be Meyer lemon), but I don't know where these are from.
They also make the best preserved lemons because they have a soft rind and spicy flavor
― Dan S, Thursday, 17 March 2022 22:43 (two years ago) link
my favorite hot sauce has been discontinued :(
https://hotsaucefever.com/images/sauces/438/trader_joes_jalapeno_pepper_sauce.jpg
― kurt schwitterz, Thursday, 17 March 2022 23:09 (two years ago) link
Do they still have kabocha squash and Japanese sweet potatoes in the northeast U.S.? Do they still require masks and have lines for entry? Do they still ration items? If you live in SF or the Bay Area in CA, do they have Acme Bread for you?
― youn, Friday, 18 March 2022 10:43 (two years ago) link
Do they have large quantities of asparagus that are not prepackaged but sold as normal produce?
― youn, Friday, 18 March 2022 11:02 (two years ago) link
Dunno.
Not here. Mask optional is recent, no entry lines for months/years.
Do you mean like toilet paper and stuff? No.
N/A
Maybe seasonally?
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 18 March 2022 11:15 (two years ago) link
THanks, Josh! The mask requirement is fine as long as they don't have lines. (This might be the weekend I finally go back to Trader Joe's to recharge my car battery for one thing. Hopefully it has not died yet; fingers crossed. Recycled toilet paper may be the product that I've bought most consistently over the years. They had great fat green asparagus one year. It wasn't in water but still had not turned purple and white on the ends. I think Trader Joe's locations with good bagels sourced locally might be a good location indicator for living. I haven't tried the ones here; they are huge and the savory seasoned ones tend to overwhelm the presence of all the others, which I hate.)
― youn, Friday, 18 March 2022 11:38 (two years ago) link
I live in SF and they haven't had lines since I think the vaccines were widely available. I'm going later today so I'll keep an eye out for asparagus and Acme Bread.
― Justice League: Picard (Leee), Friday, 18 March 2022 15:46 (two years ago) link
They had fresh asparagus at the local one this morning.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 18 March 2022 17:34 (two years ago) link
smelly pee
― Andy the Grasshopper, Friday, 18 March 2022 17:37 (two years ago) link
to be clear, it's TJ's house-branded smelly pee, featuring 19th century public domain rotogravure illustrations with twee-joeky thought bubbles added
― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Friday, 18 March 2022 18:19 (two years ago) link
Coffee Bean Mini -Hold the Cone- Ice Cream Cones are the best
― Michael Flatley's (Sufjan Grafton), Saturday, 19 March 2022 05:44 (two years ago) link
I am not sure I understand why people are so concerned about smelly pee. Doesn't the smell disappear when you flush the toilet? It is not as bad as the effect of some other things people tend to eat without comment.
I appreciate the marketing and packaging. It is not too clever or cruel. It is just the right side of banter, deliberate oxymorons and all. (The Acme Bread, if available, is probably packaged as a Trader Joe's product.)
masks, no lines, Japanese sweet potatoes, no kabocha squash, no rationing, no asparagus (but I expect soon)
random purchase: pomegranate white tea (yet to try; contains hibiscus!)
― youn, Saturday, 19 March 2022 13:00 (two years ago) link
Asparagus pee is a feature, not a bug.
― Jeff, Saturday, 19 March 2022 15:48 (two years ago) link
Asparagus yes, Acme Bread I dunno after youn's post, masks optional.
Jeff OTM.
― Justice League: Picard (Leee), Saturday, 19 March 2022 19:04 (two years ago) link
I had a vague memory of reading about Acme Bread at Trader Joe's and found the information again on their site. If you happen to try it and like it, please post.
http://acmebread.com/bread/whole_wheat (description for Cranberry Whole Wheat Raisin Walnut)
― youn, Saturday, 19 March 2022 20:39 (two years ago) link
I haven’t seen that cranberry walnut bread in ages - it’s so good
― just1n3, Sunday, 20 March 2022 05:19 (one year ago) link
They had a bakery near Ashby for a while, if I'm getting my names right-- I used to dumpster that bread all the time. Notoriously good Bay Area dumpster, and if anyone from inside saw you, they would go inside and get you a loaf of something and give it to you.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Friday, 1 April 2022 00:39 (one year ago) link
wife's favorite decaf tea has been discontinued :(
― ian, Sunday, 3 April 2022 00:55 (one year ago) link
my store ran out of the frozen Atlantic salmon so I bought the Alaskan sockeye salmon, it is pretty great
― Dan S, Sunday, 3 April 2022 01:01 (one year ago) link
somehow gt's aqua kefirs and kombuchas are still $2.99 at tj's. #littleblessings
― the cat needs to start paying for its own cbd (map), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 20:37 (one year ago) link
I went today for the first time in maybe a year??? Probably not a whole year. But it’s been so long and I used to go so regularly.The vegetable and soba noodle stir fry kit is banginnnnnn
― Stevie D(eux), Thursday, 28 April 2022 01:19 (one year ago) link
They have a new tomato and parm focaccia that is also amazing They’re down to 3 different varieties of olive oil instead of like 10 lolThere is a new giant “family size” rectangle cheese pizza that looks promising I did not see a spot for the beloved Japanese fried rice and I really hope they did not discontinue :(
― Stevie D(eux), Thursday, 28 April 2022 01:25 (one year ago) link
I guess all TJ's are different and are dependent on local and regional supplies
Meyer lemons are gone now at my store, but I'm anticipating amazing peonies in a few weeks
― Dan S, Thursday, 28 April 2022 01:32 (one year ago) link
Apparently they found huge amounts of lead in the palak paneer but so they were gone for a year but they’re back this week. I don’t care I’ll keep eating that garbage.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Thursday, 28 April 2022 01:36 (one year ago) link
was excited when Stevie posted about focaccia, but i don't think we have that here. just went to tj's for the first time in 8 months after going like 2x/week for the previous 15 years! thing i got that am most excited about (that i'd forgotten bc 8 months) is GOAT GOUDA. YUM.also picked up a purple artichoke which is currently steaming
― Half Japanese Breakfast (outdoor_miner), Thursday, 28 April 2022 18:11 (one year ago) link
ube pretzels are bomb i housed 2 bags
― kurt schwitterz, Thursday, 28 April 2022 19:12 (one year ago) link
Have been eating tons of the chakri mix
― JoeStork, Thursday, 28 April 2022 19:44 (one year ago) link
this is the Good Focaccia: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/focaccia-bread-with-roasted-tomato-and-parmesan-064435
― Stevie D(eux), Friday, 29 April 2022 16:04 (one year ago) link
We have stopped going almost entirely. So much of their stuff is utter trash, and the few things they do well aren’t worth spending time for.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Saturday, 30 April 2022 17:28 (one year ago) link
TJ's makes its reputation and its main profits as a seller of slightly exotic convenience foods and snacks, but I value it almost entirely for its selection of nuts, seeds and dried fruit, wine and cheese. It's also where we buy our laundry soap and TP. Since most of what we buy there has a long shelf life, since the pandemic started I've cut back to shopping there about once every two months.
― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Saturday, 30 April 2022 18:16 (one year ago) link
Same thing, but because they don't have booze (Pennsylvania liquor laws eyeroll) and the nut prices are better at Aldi, I really only need Trader Joe's for shampoo and one or two other sort of BS items.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Saturday, 30 April 2022 18:51 (one year ago) link
Even though they stopped carrying soy milk, I still go there every other week for non-dairy milk because their almond milk is the only one that I've tried that doesn't taste gross.
Also their sliced whole wheat bread is under $3 which is ridiculously cheap.
― Carnegie Felon (Leee), Saturday, 30 April 2022 18:55 (one year ago) link
TJ food is probably 90% of my diet.
― Jeff, Saturday, 30 April 2022 18:55 (one year ago) link
I value it almost entirely for its selection of nuts, seeds and dried fruit, wine and cheese
Co-sign on the nuts and cheese. Those 2 alone are worth a trip. Also good for other staples at reasonable prices.
― o. nate, Saturday, 30 April 2022 21:54 (one year ago) link
the nuts are good. their definition of "sharp" cheddar is like the cheese you would give a little baby or a weak child in europe, but that's a usa thing not a tjs thing.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Monday, 2 May 2022 00:20 (one year ago) link
try the frozen Ploughman's Lunch?
― Michael Flatley's (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 2 May 2022 07:24 (one year ago) link
I never buy cheddar there. But I like the brie, manchego, Stilton, Cambozola, gouda, etc.
― o. nate, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 03:08 (one year ago) link
the English Coastal cheddar is pretty nice i think. no chakri mix today, very disappointed! still mad they got rid of the faux-stoned wheat thins.
― JoeStork, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 03:10 (one year ago) link
We buy the unexpected cheddar sometimes. We get the parm reg, manchego, cotija, mozz, and goat cheeses frequently.
― Michael Flatley's (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 3 May 2022 04:05 (one year ago) link
I like the white Stilton with apricots
― brimstead, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 04:21 (one year ago) link
I like the Autumn cheese when they have it, also the double-cream Gouda, the Cheddar/Gruyere "melange" mix, and St. André
― Dan S, Sunday, 8 May 2022 23:25 (one year ago) link
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Sunday, May 1, 2022 7:20 PM (one week ago) bookmarkflaglink
― budo jeru, Sunday, 8 May 2022 23:35 (one year ago) link
lately i've been a fan of the various smoked lox and prosciutto products. it's nice to be able to spend like $4 on a small portion that i can use up in under a week. really elevates a sandwich or bagel.
― budo jeru, Sunday, 8 May 2022 23:39 (one year ago) link
I wonder about store-to-store variations, particularly regarding flowers. I'm not sure how many stores are about to be deluged with peonies, but if your store sells them in the next month or two you should buy them, they are beautiful
― Dan S, Monday, 9 May 2022 00:55 (one year ago) link
Is there any good, like delicious level good, olive oil at TJ?
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Friday, 13 May 2022 04:16 (one year ago) link
I always buy the "Trader Joe's Premium 100% Greek Kalamata Extra Virgin Olive Oil", but it hasn't always been in stock lately.
― Michael Flatley's (Sufjan Grafton), Friday, 13 May 2022 06:09 (one year ago) link
I buy the .5 liter California grown one in the tall, cylindrical bottle.
― nickn, Friday, 13 May 2022 06:17 (one year ago) link
I always get the Spanish olive oil and it is delicious and flavorful. It is in a different bottle but same good flavor imo
― Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Friday, 13 May 2022 14:52 (one year ago) link
Love the California one best, but it was absent from my local for most of 2021.
― bendy, Friday, 13 May 2022 18:24 (one year ago) link
+1 on the spanish oil, that's the one I always buy
― Andy the Grasshopper, Friday, 13 May 2022 18:40 (one year ago) link
like the California one too, and it is now back in stock at my local store
― Dan S, Friday, 13 May 2022 23:56 (one year ago) link
I didn't buy them, but the crispy jalapeño pieces looked intriguing
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Friday, 13 May 2022 23:58 (one year ago) link
^^^^spouse is in love with the crispy jalapenos. He puts them on everything. And eats them straight.
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Saturday, 14 May 2022 00:19 (one year ago) link
Getting tired of TJs eliminating useful staples.
Locally, the whole wheat lavash disappeared 2 years ago. Now I have to make another trip for salad wraps. In the past 2-3 months, the vegan meatballs.
The vegan meatballs were great, one of the best items in the store. The vegan meat lover's pizza they introduced is repellant, too salty by 120%.
― Moist Maoist (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 18 May 2022 05:47 (one year ago) link
RIP vegan meatballs!
A lot of stuff is missing because of supply chain issues
Scotch Bonnet cheddar is great i just housed a whole block
― kurt schwitterz, Wednesday, 18 May 2022 07:47 (one year ago) link
From what I can surmise, TJ's business model is unusually vulnerable to the current disruptions in the global supply chain. It seems like they seek out smaller-scale providers in numerous countries, give them the opportunity for rapid growth by signing a big contract, and beat them down mercilessly on the unit price as the cost for that opportunity. With all the pandemic disruptions, those smaller providers that were operating near the margins are getting crushed between the big dogs who can absorb higher commodity and transport costs, and their low-margin contract with TJ's.
― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Wednesday, 18 May 2022 17:15 (one year ago) link
the vegan meatballs were fine and convenient, but it's so easy to ball up and saute impossiballs
xxp
― Half Japanese Breakfast (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 18 May 2022 18:24 (one year ago) link
a few days ago I bought a couple of bunches of peonies (they have just come in over the last week). I chose two different red varieties, since they are the most scarce. I was worried that they all wouldn't open up, but my god, they just grew and grew in front of my eyes, they are so beautiful
― Dan S, Tuesday, 24 May 2022 00:47 (one year ago) link
huge flowers
― Dan S, Tuesday, 24 May 2022 00:49 (one year ago) link
Also got peonies this weekend. Absolute bangers.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 24 May 2022 01:12 (one year ago) link
I look for flowers that have buds that are not too tight and that have big thick stems. When I get them I cut the ends to the right length for my vase and cut off any leaves that would be submerged in the water
The leaves of peonies are particularly beautiful, so that's a big feature
― Dan S, Tuesday, 24 May 2022 01:20 (one year ago) link
they have a slightly floral but also animalic scent
― Dan S, Tuesday, 24 May 2022 01:24 (one year ago) link
The ube mochi pancake/waffle mix is back!! Strongly recommend if you enjoy mochi and pancakes.
― Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Tuesday, 24 May 2022 02:28 (one year ago) link
Apparently they finally stopped carrying the Italian Sausage Tofurky packs (which were significantly cheaper than anywhere else in town), which was like the primary source of protein in our diet, lol.
― change display name (Jordan), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 21:22 (one year ago) link
We put those in everything, RIP.
still enjoying the peonies. over the last month they have had many different hybrids, all beautiful
― Dan S, Friday, 3 June 2022 23:51 (one year ago) link
Key lime pie is back!
― Lily Dale, Saturday, 4 June 2022 04:34 (one year ago) link
I've recently discovered that it will slice even when completely frozen, so you can keep it in the freezer and cut a piece at a time, rather than defrost the whole thing at once.
― Lily Dale, Saturday, 4 June 2022 04:36 (one year ago) link
hm
I’ve been saying this pic.twitter.com/d7AOkLqji0— cancela lansbury (@gossipbabies) June 30, 2022
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Thursday, 30 June 2022 18:15 (one year ago) link
haters gonna hate
― Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Thursday, 30 June 2022 18:42 (one year ago) link
never trust anyone who says "i wouldn't even feed that to my twink"
― the cat needs to start paying for its own cbd (map), Thursday, 30 June 2022 18:50 (one year ago) link
the kind of person who says that also likely does not do their own regular food preparation and cooking other than for instagrammable moments every other weekend.
― the cat needs to start paying for its own cbd (map), Thursday, 30 June 2022 18:53 (one year ago) link
I went through a phase where I thought that way about Trader Joe's. It was before I knew how to cook good food efficiently, and I was also (more entirely) an asshole.
― Herby Dutch Baby (Sufjan Grafton), Thursday, 30 June 2022 20:57 (one year ago) link
Has anyone in NYC or the Northeast US been to Trader Joe's lately and bought a flat box of peaches? Could you post the specific kind that is available? It should be printed on the side of the box.
― youn, Thursday, 30 June 2022 21:26 (one year ago) link
the strawberry & jalapeno crisps are... complicated. they are NOT good on their own the way the raisin & rosemary ones are, like unpleasantly spicy. but they're a lot better with a piece of cheese on them I guess.
― music for A★TEENS’ musicians (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 5 July 2022 13:57 (one year ago) link
xpost Obviously not the east coast, but we just bought a flat box of peaches at TJs, and the packaging was different. Don't have it handy, but there was a big "Hollywood"-something ad on the back, so I would guess ... California?
Our friend who works at TJs currently recommends the house brand Bomb Pops.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 5 July 2022 14:15 (one year ago) link
I have this nagging feeling that there’s a horrific expose just waiting to be written about Trader Joe’s but nobody actually wants to write it and make themselves and all their friends feel bad about shopping there. Anyway I’ll keep buying that garbage!
― JoeStork, Tuesday, 5 July 2022 18:09 (one year ago) link
by garbage I assume you mean the gimmicky processed foods/snacks that are talked about here. otherwise it's a whole store full of good stuff at low cost that is fresh and that you can use to cook great meals! at least that's my experience with my local store
― Dan S, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 00:24 (one year ago) link
xp i'm not sure if you consider unfair labor practices and union busting to be "horrific" but that stuff is already out there if you look for it - your mainstream news channels aren't going to cover that unsurprisingly. it's also no secret that their model saves costs by inserting "gig economy" structures into the grocery store business. of course i'm going to keep shopping there, where the hell else am i going to get food that good, easy and cheap?
― the cat needs to start paying for its own cbd (map), Wednesday, 6 July 2022 00:34 (one year ago) link
the thing that baffles me about tj's is the uniformly chipper attitudes of the checkers while they bag your stuff at 5x the speed of anywhere else. i'm pretty sure that it's some kind of company policy that they are encouraged to ask you about your day or comment about how delicious something you're purchasing is or w/e. i think most of the people they hire genuinely like doing what they do, and i have heard that the pay is "not terrible" (don't know details), though i can tell that the occasional checker is tired of it. i'm fucking grateful that they're so good at bagging and i don't have to do it myself, but at the same time, it's a little disorienting tbh, like somehow tj's has magically solved some previously unachievable neoliberal equilibrium between customer, employee, and management happiness. like, something doesn't add up here lol.
― the cat needs to start paying for its own cbd (map), Wednesday, 6 July 2022 00:43 (one year ago) link
I like to engage with the checkers about the products they're selling, mostly to talk them up, and have had many interesting responses
― Dan S, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 00:47 (one year ago) link
i generally don't (though i try and be polite about it), but i certainly understand the desire to.
lately i've had a few who have been good at dealing with the fact that i don't want to talk, which is impressive! one asked me if i was up to anything fun, i said "not really, no" and laughed, and she said "i understand" and was quiet through the rest of the interaction. people who "get" that you're not a talker up front are so damn impressive to me.
another time the checker, i don't know, just said the right things which got me talking a little bit. that almost never happens lol.
― the cat needs to start paying for its own cbd (map), Wednesday, 6 July 2022 00:51 (one year ago) link
I like all of the people who work at my local store - the checkers, stockers, and people looking at inventory for me. They are all knowledgeable, sincere and forthcoming and have offered their preferences. That has meant a lot to me. I've learned a lot from them
― Dan S, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 01:02 (one year ago) link
I've seen TJs folks literally let people open one of their products to try them before they buy them.
We've talked about this before at home. I think part of it may be a particular work culture (whatever that is), but it's also a self selecting crew (for lack of a better word). Like that actor that made the news for working part time at Trader Joe's, when people sort of poked fun at him he said he did it because he liked it. My friend who works at Trader Joe's, same for her. She doesn't have to work, but she really enjoys the experience.
The other day the check out person asked me if I had any plans this 4th, and I literally responded "fuck this country." And she kind of smiled behind her mask and said "you know, I've been asking the same thing of a lot of people today, and I've been getting a lot of the same exact anger." Then she went through all the many things we all have seen happen, and she ended with a deflated sort of "who can celebrate that?" But she did it in the most friendly manner possible.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 01:02 (one year ago) link
I can attest that it is company policy that you talk to customers while bagging, tho there isn't necessarily a policy negging on the sorts of interactions Josh just described— I've talked about some wild shit with TJs cashiers.
One thing that the company *definitely* does as a matter of unofficial policy is either move people to different nearby stores (mid-lvel and upper level store managers) or fire people (regular workers) after three years. It keeps organizing to a minimum.
― broccoli rabe thomas (the table is the table), Wednesday, 6 July 2022 02:02 (one year ago) link
I also do wonder which Trader Joes y'all are getting fresh produce at. I can't stand to look at most of the produce at my locals TJs locations, it's awful!
― broccoli rabe thomas (the table is the table), Wednesday, 6 July 2022 02:04 (one year ago) link
The fresh produce typically *isn't* particularly good, especially the vegetables (hardy stuff like carrots aside). But it's still a good place for apples, oranges, pears, melons, lemons, limes, peaches, etc., and also good for onions, avocados, greenhouse tomatoes, garlic, and so on. So, most of the stuff I need, honestly. The salad greens and berries are the weak link, but they tend to turn pretty fast no matter where I buy them.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 03:06 (one year ago) link
agree about the greens going bad pretty fast, and I think TJ's limes are bad, just hard little balls with no juice, but I like a lot of the other produce
― Dan S, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 03:17 (one year ago) link
I think I got really spoiled in California and now only buy seasonally at the local produce wholesaler or the farmers market— The heartier things (like root vegetables) are fine at TJs, but anything that grows on a bush or a tree tastes like a pale imitation of the actual thing afaic, at least in Philly area TJs.
― broccoli rabe thomas (the table is the table), Wednesday, 6 July 2022 11:06 (one year ago) link
Yeah, I can see that. Here we're kind of beholden to the Michigan growing season, because most of the year we're SOL when it comes to fresh produce. Having recently spent a week in California just renewed my jealousy on that front. It's only a little bit better in PA/NJ/NY, iirc. From October to May or so there are just not a lot of local options, though I've noticed more and more clamshells of hydroponically or otherwise indoor-grown greens year 'round here.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 13:06 (one year ago) link
California peaches can be musky. Eastern peaches are bright. Peaches from Georgia or the South seem to be closer to Eastern peaches. I think mangos have a trajectory for ripeness that can be used to represent peaches, with California peaches on the ripe end. (I miss California peaches.) I imagine TJ's may have changed its sourcing, but they used to print the specific varietal on the side of the box. I guess I'll just have to drive to one and find out.
― youn, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 15:55 (one year ago) link
Purchased yesterday to replace the box we used up in a crumble:https://i.imgur.com/3hk6Urp.jpg
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 6 July 2022 18:24 (one year ago) link
I think Moonlight be a company rather than a varietal. It will be a shame if peach varietals lose their distinctiveness. I am glad you had them for a crumble and will have more after that.
― youn, Thursday, 7 July 2022 10:35 (one year ago) link
TJ's has good prices on a reasonable amount of fresh herbs. I buy their produce if I'm eating it soon. The prices are usually good compared to my other fancypants options. A bag of persian cukes, for example.
― Herby Dutch Baby (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 11 July 2022 01:38 (one year ago) link
I really loved their pasture raised eggs for a week, but the consistency ain't at Vital Farms level.
― Herby Dutch Baby (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 11 July 2022 01:40 (one year ago) link
and they tend to play pretty good music in tj's― hyperstudio (skeletor), Thursday, October 8, 2009 7:52 PM (twelve years ago) bookmarkflaglink
― hyperstudio (skeletor), Thursday, October 8, 2009 7:52 PM (twelve years ago) bookmarkflaglink
Is it just my regular TJ (Glover Park, DC) that is always playing 80s college rock (NOT alt rock) whenever I'm shopping there? Is it a general corporate vibe, or an assessment of the customers of my location?
― Infanta Terrible (j.lu), Wednesday, 24 August 2022 21:52 (one year ago) link
based on nothing i feel like it's up to each store tho legally it has to be radio (i.e. pandora) of some kind i think? my regular tj's does not usually play good music. seems like a lot of the time it's smash mouth-y stuff. one day it was disney songs. the kind of thing white suburbanites in utah remember fondly i guess.
the music that stores and restaurants play is something i've always wanted to know more about. i wonder if there's some kind of inside industry survey about it that goes into all the details.
― (grim) pump track (wales) (map), Wednesday, 24 August 2022 21:59 (one year ago) link
The Korean Beefless Bulgogi is just a good as early reports on other forums: one of the best faux meat products one can buy.
But like the others, its wildly overpriced. I think I'll try my hand with some textured soy protein chunks and Wang Bulgogi marinade soon.
― firm foundation of unyielding despair (Sanpaku), Thursday, 1 September 2022 17:14 (one year ago) link
Banana pudding flavored ice cream is good.
― Jeff, Thursday, 1 September 2022 17:52 (one year ago) link
When I bought that a couple of weeks ago the register person held it up, looked me in the eye and said "this is the Devil."
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 1 September 2022 19:24 (one year ago) link
Confirmed. Single serving.
― Jeff, Thursday, 1 September 2022 19:58 (one year ago) link
I tried a free sample at TJ's today for the first time since before the lockdown, and the Super Seedy Cheese Snack Bite was an immediate purchase.
― Rabbity Gainsborough (Leee), Wednesday, 4 January 2023 02:20 (one year ago) link
the frozen arepas are pretty good
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Thursday, 5 January 2023 19:40 (one year ago) link
I bought a bag of beef kebabs for ice storm emergency options - depressing 1980s microwave dinner quality meat.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Sunday, 19 February 2023 19:27 (one year ago) link
The cheddar jalapeño pull apart bread is stupendous.
― Shartreuse (Leee), Sunday, 19 February 2023 22:49 (one year ago) link
I actually don't mind the kebabs. They're seasoned fine, and good in a pinch, especially if you have pitas and other fixings on hand.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 19 February 2023 23:16 (one year ago) link
just want to remind people that Trader Joe's has had the most amazing Meyer lemons (a cross between a lemon and tangerine) right now, at least on the west coast. They are packaged in bags and the season for them is about to run out
― Dan S, Monday, 20 February 2023 00:34 (one year ago) link
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/business/money-report/i-work-at-trader-joes-here-are-7-things-i-refuse-to-buy-there-and-what-to-get-instead/3098425/
― nickn, Monday, 20 February 2023 19:31 (one year ago) link
All the algorithmic news sites serve me up so many TJ’s articles like this.
― Jeff, Monday, 20 February 2023 19:42 (one year ago) link
No one's posted about it yet so get the Mee Krob rice noodle snacks while they're available. Not sure if they'll TOS fast, stuff like this tends to. Best newer TJ salty snack.
To answer the thing upthread, stores have a lot of leeway about their in-store music and it mostly depends on the captain's general attitudes. Employees at mine get to control the music within reason about 70% of the time, especially during slow periods.
(my spouse works there)
― Xii, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 01:14 (one year ago) link
Trader Joe’s used to carry some decent stuff but it’s truly just junk food for rich people. The quality of ingredients in their food has gone way downhill and they don’t even really come out with many interesting ideas anymore in my opinion.
― zacata, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 01:19 (one year ago) link
I don't really buy much of frozen, prepared meals - tamales on occasion. But it's good for things like frozen berries, jars of olives, cooking oil.. shit like that
Oh, and alcohol!
― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 01:28 (one year ago) link
Employee discount + inflation means all my kitchen staples are from there.
Their alcohol is very on point.
― Xii, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 01:35 (one year ago) link
I think their processed foods are mostly bad, and that seems to be the focus of the posts in this thread
- but the fruit, produce, flowers, nuts, bread, meat, canned foods, pasta, cheese, spirits etc are pretty great
― Dan S, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 01:43 (one year ago) link
their ground espresso is significantly better than anything else near the same price point and also better than any ground espresso available at the “normal” grocery stores
― na (NA), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 02:00 (one year ago) link
my preferred brand of beef jerky
― not too strange just bad audio (brimstead), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 02:59 (one year ago) link
my local is only licensed to sell wine and beer. oh well
― mh, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 03:30 (one year ago) link
agree, but 1. that's what they mostly sell? at least the one near me is basically a giant freezer section with like a head of lettuce in one corner.2. i'm not standing in that insanely long line to buy the head of lettuce, they sell those at stores with shorter lines.
― The field divisions are fastened with felicitations. (Deflatormouse), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 03:42 (one year ago) link
^why i haven't set foot in a trader joe's in like 4 years
― The field divisions are fastened with felicitations. (Deflatormouse), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 03:47 (one year ago) link
Any TJ I've been in is 20% freezer aisle at most and even then there is useful stuff on shelves above the freezers.
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 03:56 (one year ago) link
things i regularly buy at TJ's
bag of citruscarrotshummus prepackaged deli meat like prosciuttocrackerspeanuts, almonds, and sunflower seedswhole bean coffeepeanut butter, jam, mayo, pickles, condiments
is the produce anywhere near as good as my local co-op? no. but i live alone and ultimately a lot of the portioning / sizing works for me.
mostly i shop at my local supermercado or the asian market for produce, meat, and most other things.
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 04:07 (one year ago) link
^gets it
― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 04:30 (one year ago) link
Yeah, I find their produce underwhelming & overpackaged
― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 04:31 (one year ago) link
I just start in the freezer aisle, walk down and get one of everything, get a free sample, then run out without paying.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 11:36 (one year ago) link
^^ gets it
― mh, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 12:53 (one year ago) link
I'm with budo jero. It's also good for pantry staples like cereal, pasta/sauce, rice, canned beans, olive oil, tinned fish, etc.
― jaymc, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 14:18 (one year ago) link
These were so good! Due to some logistical reasons I go to TJs at least twice a week and I haven't seen them since they first appeared. Hope they become a regular offering.
― Chyiv Kyiv (Fetchboy), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 15:53 (one year ago) link
cheddar & gruyere melange cheese is the greatest egg breakfast cheese
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 16:29 (one year ago) link
I buy the prosciutto to add to dry bean pots. A bit annoying that TJ doesn't sell dry beans.
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 16:30 (one year ago) link
comments on produce mostly otm, but I'll get a sack of little red potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and the herbs
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 16:32 (one year ago) link
I saw a barefoot guy wearing hospital scrubs walk in and drink two cans of room temperature beer, right there in the aisle
― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 18:05 (one year ago) link
that is "Trader Joe", a mechatronic puppet that does this on a schedule at every location.
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 19:10 (one year ago) link
I miss the bagged babby kale since I no longer live near a tjs. Avocados were usu good but realize buying Mexican avos is controversial.
― Half Japanese Breakfast (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 22 February 2023 21:48 (one year ago) link
― beard papa, Wednesday, 22 February 2023 21:59 (one year ago) link
i swear by the spicy chakri mix and the ginger lemon soda water. my kids love the brookies. their prices on yellow peppers and onions are better than our local safeway.
― that's not my post, Thursday, 23 February 2023 03:07 (one year ago) link
A bit annoying that TJ doesn't sell dry beans.
Yeah, that seems weird given how crunchy-granola their image is. Do people not cook their own beans any more?
― o. nate, Friday, 24 February 2023 13:58 (one year ago) link
it had its own COVID spike a la sourdough, iirc.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 24 February 2023 15:00 (one year ago) link
Yeah, I guess people don't have the time for an overnight soak + couple hours cook time any more. I would honestly never cook my own beans either if I didn't have a pressure cooker. I've worked out that a quick "presoak" of 2 minutes at pressure, then letting them cool off, changing the water, and then another 15 minutes at pressure gives pretty cook texture and flavor. The whole process can be done in about 45 minutes, which is easily doable for a weeknight dinner.
― o. nate, Friday, 24 February 2023 16:17 (one year ago) link
I remember reading many years ago (decades, tbh) that they don't carry products that they can't get a deal on, such that their price would be lower than supermarkets. I think the question was in regard to tea, which they carry a lot of now. Maybe beans are such a low-margin/high bulk product that it doesn't make sense to tie up shelf space for it.
― nickn, Friday, 24 February 2023 19:45 (one year ago) link
I would think dry beans would fall into the same category as staples like flour and rice, which they have to carry even though margins are probably not great. But I guess if there's not the demand for it, they don't bother. IIRC, they do carry dry red lentils.
― o. nate, Friday, 24 February 2023 22:01 (one year ago) link
i ate two boxes of the pickle dogs. they arent that good.
― kurt schwitterz, Friday, 24 February 2023 22:06 (one year ago) link
Are those the pickle corn dogs?
― Jeff, Friday, 24 February 2023 22:12 (one year ago) link
― kurt schwitterz, Friday, 24 February 2023 22:55 (one year ago) link
has anyone tried both the original cascatelli and the TJ version?
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 24 February 2023 23:14 (one year ago) link
I've only seen it Trader Joe's. I tried a recipe with it that included olives, Calabrian chilis, lemon, bread crumbs and tuna, and it was pretty good
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/05/27/cascatelli-pasta-salad-recipe-tuna/
― Dan S, Saturday, 25 February 2023 01:55 (one year ago) link
many xp i feel they could carry a higher quality, bit more expensive dry bean at a good price. Something like those eden boxes. I cook dry beans often to also get the broth for veg dishes.
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Saturday, 25 February 2023 02:05 (one year ago) link
(I asked management.)
TJs carries dry lentils and a couple other legumes, but not just like black and white beans. It's partly due to demand and space required, not so much needing to get "a deal" - TJs deals are mostly because TJs purchases from suppliers cash up front rather than on credit through a distributor. They're not a clearance retailer of food goods. Beans (like flours) have a pretty big spoil rate because of how easily bags can rip and how that ruins an entire pound or more of product.
It's also partly a difficulty in finding a good supplier. TJs has tried selling dry beans in the past but couldn't get one that met quality standards who was willing to private label.
― Xii, Saturday, 25 February 2023 21:06 (one year ago) link
TJ’s can be your primary grocery if it’s close, but their value is in being an auxiliary imo
― mh, Sunday, 26 February 2023 05:12 (one year ago) link
It kind of depends on what kind of cook/eater you are. I think if you enjoy cooking, TJs def isn’t the main place you’d shop but it’s great for people like me who hate cooking and hate thinking about food - their choices are limited so eliminates a lot of decision fatigue for me.
They do have a way better candy/cookie selection than most supermarkets, and at good prices.
― just1n3, Sunday, 26 February 2023 23:14 (one year ago) link
their chocolate is generally great and v cheap
― ꙮ (map), Monday, 27 February 2023 02:17 (one year ago) link
ack!
TJs round our way was giving free sample bags of the Salsa Verde Tortilla Chips. Given that I was asked "how many?" when I said I would try some, my expectations drifted from "poor" to "must be disgusting"
― horizontal, Monday, 27 February 2023 02:27 (one year ago) link
Love that Chocholate Lover's bar, even with all the lead a cadmium
https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/
― bendy, Monday, 27 February 2023 14:22 (one year ago) link
you can have a little lead and cadmium, as a treat
honestly, i was very enthusiastic about cooking at the beginning of the pandemic and went through waves of cooking a fair bit and then being completely burned out. having enough room at my place to buy a chest freezer was a boon -- i'd roll through trader joe's and buy half a cart full of frozen stuff and not have to do any shopping for weeks at a time.
there are occasional exceptions but imo the quality/price ratio of their frozen foods is a lot more predictable than standard grocery stores. that and, with a few exceptions, the local grocery chains here have been cranking up food prices like crazy
― mh, Monday, 27 February 2023 15:54 (one year ago) link
i don't agree with this. at least from my pov they have most of the staples i need
― Half Japanese Breakfast (outdoor_miner), Monday, 27 February 2023 16:32 (one year ago) link
it depends on the size and location of the store imo
we have exactly one and it's in the suburbs
― mh, Monday, 27 February 2023 16:35 (one year ago) link
TJ’s is my primary for most food. There are a few items that I go to the Walmart Neighborhood Market for and all non-food household supplies.
― Jeff, Monday, 27 February 2023 16:41 (one year ago) link
huh, i believe you but i've used 4 regularly in my life. 2 in sf, one in Chico, other in SoCal and they all had similar stock even though store sizes varied greatly. maybe it gets dicier outside of CA?
― Half Japanese Breakfast (outdoor_miner), Monday, 27 February 2023 16:42 (one year ago) link
Looking at my spending data for the past four years, of all the money I've spent on groceries, 53% of that has been at Trader Joes. 21% at Walmart, 9% at Mariano's, 17% other.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 28 February 2023 12:02 (one year ago) link
TJs is more or less primary for us, and more than fulfills our ingredient needs. Proteins (tofu, chicken, fish, plus other sometimes stuff like ground beef/pork or whatever), plenty of sturdy vegetables (Brussels sprouts, carrots, potatoes, peppers, et al.), spices, fruits, cheese, garlic/onions/shallots, wine, flour, eggs, canned veggies, and so on. The only weak links for me are salad greens and bread, but I can pick them up somewhere else on the way home. And of course TJs has tons of snacks and frozen goods. So I don't know what else I'd need beyond something really specific for a specific recipe.
Best chocolate bar is this one, btw, though it may be seasonal:
https://preview.redd.it/h714cairdtka1.jpg
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 28 February 2023 12:14 (one year ago) link
https://preview.redd.it/h714cairdtka1.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=823819a41be476b563631d90dcc4899185a3bde9
I only buy bag salads.
― Jeff, Tuesday, 28 February 2023 12:15 (one year ago) link
See, I think their bag salads suck and go bad really quickly. Especially here, there are all sorts of local clamshell options that are and stay much fresher, longer.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 28 February 2023 12:25 (one year ago) link
clamshell option is the worst/most wasteful form of packaging of all time
― Half Japanese Breakfast (outdoor_miner), Tuesday, 28 February 2023 19:55 (one year ago) link
You can recycle it at least, can't you? We recycle ours.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 28 February 2023 20:24 (one year ago) link
you put them in a recycle bin. they possibly end up in a landfill.
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 28 February 2023 20:56 (one year ago) link
many xps thanks for the inside bean info, Xii!
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 28 February 2023 20:57 (one year ago) link
For 100% sure the plastic produce bags go in landfill, though.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 28 February 2023 21:01 (one year ago) link
I think a shocking amount of 'recyclable' plastic goes straight into the landfill - if not here, then in Bangladesh where they'll probably burn it
That's why I don't like to buy fresh fruit in a plastic box
― Andy the Grasshopper, Tuesday, 28 February 2023 21:09 (one year ago) link
yeah TJs not the best for produce packaging. I will defend some of their breads. Good brioche buns and english muffins. The ciabatta demi-baguette is my go to for fast grilled bread.
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 28 February 2023 21:32 (one year ago) link
I think a shocking amount of 'recyclable' plastic goes straight into the landfill - if not here, then in Bangladesh where they'll probably burn itThat's why I don't like to buy fresh fruit in a plastic box
I've stopped buying bloobs for precisely this reason. Unless the plastic has a 1 or 2 inside the recycle symbol, recycling centers are probably going to put it into the landfill, IIRC because of the cost involved in recycling (also because if the plastic is too dirty). That said, I don't know how much of an affect that I as a single consumer can have on the environment, especially considering industrial-scale waste nightmare.
― Shartreuse (Leee), Wednesday, 1 March 2023 01:55 (one year ago) link
I've had a lot of visitors over the last year and am startled at how wasteful they are, contributing mountains of plastic containers and bottles of water and cardboard boxes to the pile that I end up having to put into the recycling bin.
― Dan S, Wednesday, 1 March 2023 02:40 (one year ago) link
I am addicted to Trader Joe European Style Whole Milk Yogurt and go through a large container of it every few days, and I feel really bad about the amount of plastic involved, but I haven't found decent yogurt that comes in better packaging. I wish there were, like, a gas station for yogurt where I could just fill up a jug from a pump.
― Lily Dale, Wednesday, 1 March 2023 03:00 (one year ago) link
idk I was just shopping at Target, and with the exception of onions and avocados in their non-supermarket stores, everything is in plastic. we’re not going to stop it from the bottom up and in most of the country or most stores at least, that’s what you get because small stores aren’t rotating product under a couple produce sprayers
aside from that dire tangential note, the Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers are a delight. alone, with salsa or cheese dip, really anything
― mh, Wednesday, 1 March 2023 03:31 (one year ago) link
I haven't found decent yogurt that comes in better packaging
I guess you could always make your own. My parents used to do it when I was little.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 1 March 2023 14:09 (one year ago) link
i used to think "every bit counts" when it comes to plastic waste but you're point is probably right, mh. like it's a bigass world with neverending plastic at this point.
at least those yogurt containers are likely to get recycled, Lilyxp
― Half Japanese Breakfast (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 1 March 2023 14:48 (one year ago) link
Hopefully plastic-eating bacteria gets scaled up soon
― G. D’Arcy Cheesewright (silby), Wednesday, 1 March 2023 16:50 (one year ago) link
If not it’ll evolve eventually
I seem to recall a great Carlin bit about plastic. The gist being, what if the planet *wants* plastic, and evolved us to harvest it for them, while simultaneously ensuring our own doom? So that it can live happily ever after with all the plastic and none of the people.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 1 March 2023 17:26 (one year ago) link
I wish there were, like, a gas station for yogurt
I was actually looking around for local bulk white vinegar, so I could just bring in a gallon jug rather than buying a new one - alas, this doesn't appear to be a thing
― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 1 March 2023 17:31 (one year ago) link
When my sister lived in Sacramento, she would shop at a store called Refill Madness, which only sold items in bulk. You had to bring in and tare your own containers. Idk if that concept is widespread (nothing like that exists here in the Inland Empire) but I think it will become more prevalent over time to the point that mainstream stores will also have to start accommodating it.
― john shopkins (naus), Monday, 6 March 2023 05:05 (one year ago) link
There is a store in Pasadena that does that, though I've never tried it. And we used to have a food co-op where you could do that for some items.
― nickn, Monday, 6 March 2023 08:42 (one year ago) link
There are a few places/products that encourage that, especially for shelf-stable stuff like shampoo. A few years back I want to say I heard a radio piece on how difficult it was to find a pizza place that would allow you to pick up the pie minus the box, using your own container.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 6 March 2023 12:41 (one year ago) link
https://www.wbez.org/stories/can-you-get-takeout-without-a-side-of-trash-in-chicago/fdab4761-534c-4cb2-9131-17979e34ae66
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 6 March 2023 12:43 (one year ago) link
https://preview.redd.it/gdbv8dnsntta1.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=133b2e5b0d90d6574e60b0667937f0cde3ea41da
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 17 April 2023 02:30 (eleven months ago) link
Top two look like hippos, middle two like goats, far right is a horse, lower left maybe a tiger, or a polar bear.
― nickn, Monday, 17 April 2023 02:37 (eleven months ago) link
Maybe top center is a rhino with a truncated horn.
animals.
― Cinta Kaz is comin' to town (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 17 April 2023 02:57 (eleven months ago) link
I just ate an entire Jalapeno Cheddar Bread in one and sitting and aside from feeling like I'm about to burst, my biggest regret is that I don't have any more to eat tomorrow.
― Sid Bream You My Love (Leee), Monday, 8 May 2023 04:05 (ten months ago) link
The French onion focaccia is really good too. Also those new Thai noodle rice snacks.
― just1n3, Monday, 8 May 2023 05:27 (ten months ago) link
Picked up the chai black-tea concentrate last week, mixed it with milk, and am absolutely hooked.
― underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Wednesday, 21 June 2023 17:27 (eight months ago) link
how caffeine-y do you feel it is (one tbsp for 2hrs alertness, 5tbsp for neversleep)?
― Philip Nunez, Wednesday, 21 June 2023 18:22 (eight months ago) link
TRADER JOES AMERICAN CHEESE DOES NOT MELT CORRECTLY
― kurt schwitterz, Wednesday, 21 June 2023 20:56 (eight months ago) link
I'm usually pretty good about bringing my own bag to Trader Joe's, but after making an impulse stop last night (I was getting my 16-yr old some driving at night hours in on the road) I realized I forgot one. "What about that?" she asked, pointing to the collapsable crate I'd bought at Costco but not yet brought out of the car. "That's perfect!" I said, excited. And boy did the Trader Joe's crew get a kick out of my BYO crate, ooh-ing and ah-ing over it, pawing at it, congregating by the register to admire it. And as I left I absolutely know the guy scanning my stuff loved telling me "your receipt is in the crate."
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 1 August 2023 15:22 (seven months ago) link
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 1 August 2023 20:28 (seven months ago) link
Okay, my local was out of Vermouth so I decided to try this oddball instead... Pronto! Made in Italy, 24% abv, $9.99 for 750ml
Bitter, sort of like Campari or even Cynar, a muted plum color... poured over ice with a splash of lemonade (in the American sense), it's pretty darn good for the price! The label mentions 'intriguing aromatic herbs and a hint of orange peel'.. I might be buying this again, very refreshing in the hot California sun
https://i.imgur.com/NCRHhXO.jpg
― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 27 September 2023 23:31 (five months ago) link
good to know! Very sad about the hatch unexpected cheddar spread being done.
― Sufjan Grafton, Thursday, 28 September 2023 00:15 (five months ago) link
huh, really curious who is actually making that amaro
― jaymc, Thursday, 28 September 2023 01:13 (five months ago) link
the amaro person
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Thursday, 28 September 2023 03:46 (five months ago) link
less paper plane and more budget airline.
― horizontal, Thursday, 28 September 2023 15:37 (five months ago) link
Going to try out their porchetta tonight...
― underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Sunday, 24 December 2023 20:56 (two months ago) link
Porchetta worked out great. Had it out of the fridge most of the afternoon, had it in the oven a bit longer than instructed. Tasty!
― underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Monday, 25 December 2023 03:00 (two months ago) link
Damn do I love their pastrami-style smoked salmon.
― underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Tuesday, 2 January 2024 03:18 (two months ago) link
Enjoying snacking on the spicy tempura seaweed and the rosemary nuts
― that's not my post, Tuesday, 2 January 2024 03:41 (two months ago) link
Did they discontinue their jalapeno cheesy bread?!
― Beverly Step On Me Crusher (Leee), Tuesday, 2 January 2024 05:02 (two months ago) link
I’m bummed out over their decision to stop carrying the “Simply Eggless” egg substitute. It was way better and cheaper (by a few dollars) than the Just Egg. It was so easy to work with and never stuck to my cast-iron pan.
― john shopkins (naus), Saturday, 13 January 2024 09:55 (two months ago) link
The Trader Joe's Soyaki sauce is quite nice. However I've been informed by those in the know (i.e. my wife and her friends) that labelling it as a 'Trader Joe san' product is inaccurate, as you can't use the '-san' suffix for yourself in Japanese culture. Instead, it translates as "Dear Trader Joe, from Soyaki" or possibly "Dear Trader Joe, here is Soyaki from Japan".
Perhaps they meant that?
― help me I am in hull (Matt #2), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 15:23 (one week ago) link
The proof
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31L0m5W1imL.jpg
― help me I am in hull (Matt #2), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 15:38 (one week ago) link
The fact that they still do this kind of "ethnic" "marketing" (or mockery, as I would call it) is truly insane afaic.
That said, had a few people over about two weeks ago and the "everything but the bagel" dip literally disappeared in about five minutes.
― butt dumb tight my boners got boners (the table is the table), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:03 (one week ago) link
there's also the whole "dismantle the administrative capacity of the federal govt" thing :(
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/10/starbucks-trader-joes-spacex-challenge-labor-board
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:05 (one week ago) link
well if you choose to boycott TJ's for their stance on the NLRB you can always buy the name brand version of that product. I have been marinating salmon in it for years (and it has its own ethnic marketing spin that as a Jew I have never decided how I feel about)
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71AeHdXtmiL._SX679_.jpg
― Lavator Shemmelpennick, Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:21 (one week ago) link
As a child, i was forced to attend las vegas for an extended family vacation with cousins. Our parents also made us wear hawaiian shirts like the griswolds for a day. Nobody should be forced to wear a hawaiian shirt at their job.
― 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:23 (one week ago) link
Doesn't teriyaki sauce always have soy sauce? A bit like making your own ketchup mix and naming it "Tomatchup"
― 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:28 (one week ago) link
yeah you can make it with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar
I think the TJ's one and others throw in garlic and ginger, but you can do lots of variations
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:36 (one week ago) link
thought the revive might be for this
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/madness-trader-joes-mini-tote-bags-reselling-for-up-to-500-amid-social-media-craze/ar-BB1jI1r3
people are insane
― omar little, Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:52 (one week ago) link