Trader Joes

i keep seeing this all over. what is it???

http://traderjoes.com/

It's a grocery store that has different items than your average market. Some of the items are healthy, others aren't.

It's a chain of grocery stores that has eliminated the middle man. Therefore, the food is much less expensive than a traditional grocery store. The food is also all organic. There are lots of vegetarian options which is really nice. They do carry cookies, candy, etc. which we all know have a lot of extra calories, but they don't use artificial ingredients which can make the treat healthier. I give the store an A+, although some of the markets are kinda small and packed together.

I love trader joes, but i've definitly fallen into the trap that because it's organic it seems healthy...totally not the truth.

just a warning!

I love TJ's too, but is it just me, or do all of the locations have ridiculously small parking lots?

christine 1979: yes!! I live in LA and every TJ's has a teeny lot. And so many people like to shop there so it's a big pain. It's worth it to me though... I rarely spend over $25 unless I'm buying vitamins / supplements (they have really great ones).

I'm in LA too!  Maybe it's just here that the lots are small?  The one nearest to me, I don't even shop at anymore because I always had to park on the street about a block away, and it's a pain when I'm carrying groceries, so I drive 6 miles to the next closest one which has a slightly larger lot.  Luckily my gym is right by it, so I just try to do it after the gym so I don't feel like I'm doing all that driving for nothing.

I live in NYC and they opened one that is always packed!!! The stuff there is not necessarily good for weight loss but they have a lot of organic stuff and most importantly, they are CHEAP!

I usually get frozen breakfast foods there and sometimes prepacked frozen lunches. For those of you who like cheese, they have relatively cheap cheese and oh also BREAD and MUFFINS!

TJ's is the one for dried fruit and nuts. Seriously, their prices make Whole Foods look like an extortion racket. Their boxed salads are really good and convenient, though you have to be careful with the dressing. All their prepared food that I've tried has been reliably delicious, though, as others have said, it's not especially healthy.

TJ's isn't the best place for produce. It is definitely the best place for beer and wine, if you drink. They have an excellent selection of juices, if you're still drinking juice, and lots of great breads. It is a boon for people who live alone, or people who don't want to eat what the rest of the household eats, because there's so much good food that's packaged for just one person. And their personal-care section is pretty great; I've seen body washes etc. there for half the price as everywhere else.

TJ's is a great place to try out things you've never had before, just because it's so inexpensive and friendly. It's not like any other store in the world. Try it! Do not fear the TJ's!

Sigh. I love living in Texas, except for that there is no Trader Joe's here. I miss it so.

Also, yes, it is an unwritten law that all TJ's parking lots must be really, really awful. It's not just LA, either (though I did see a Hummer actually drive over the hood of a Volvo at the Silver Lake TJ's once). I have also patronized TJ's in Oakland, CA and Reno, NV and they had equally terrible parking lots.

I think it is just that there is no parking lot in the world that can accommodate the awesome. 

I was at the one on 3rd and La Brea yestersday, and it took me 10 minutes in line to park.  I really wanted to just leave and go somewhere else, but I was stuck.
When I visit my parents in SFBA, they go to one that shares a parking lot with orchard supply and a bunch of other ones, and there's always almple parking near TJs.

I'm don't really agree with the notion that Trader Joe's is cheaper than grocery stores. I can buy a ton more stuff, that are healthy, at a Ralph's or Albertsons when they have sales and coupons.

i really like trader joes! sadly there isn't one where i live but whenever i have been to california on vacation i went there a lot. they have some nice stuff but i honestly prefer whole foods, even if it is pretty expensive. i love whole foods!

I love Trader Joe's and their prices are great.  I am lucky to live near a TJ's and a Whole Foods here in Jersey.  The only thing about Trader Joe's is I don't really prefer their produce section.  Most of the produce section you have to buy in bulk and since I am one person that doesn't work for me.  But their breads and nut section is amazing.  If you like gaspacho (I love it)  Look for it there.  It is great, low cals. and is perfect for a quick on the go lunch.

In case you haven't tried their frozen fish, DO!!!! I am in love with the marinated Ahi and Mahi Mahi. Not to mention the cajun spiced salmon. It's all amazing and CHEAP for fish!!!!

Definitely my favorite store, and I have to say that the "terrible parking lot" sentiment doesn't really hold true for the 2 TJs that I frequent.  Granted, they're both in plazas, so it's just a plaza parking lot.

Some of my faves from TJs: their store brand rice mixture with brown rice, daikon radish seeds, and black barley seeds (unREAL, it's so good); Milton's whole grain bread (90 cal/slice and oh so yummilicious); Balmade Light Butter (I honestly can't believe it's not butter ... well, I guess that's because it is, but with only 50 cal/tbsp).......also, their prices, especially on meats/fish/etc., are unbeatable.

ETA: Not everything at TJs is organic. 

I bought some marinated chipotle chicken skewers at Trader Joe's recently. At 130 cal/skewer, I was psyched!! Well I just looked again (had chicken skewers at a friend's and wanted to estimate the cals). Those things have 4 oz of chicken, and 130 calories. According to the database though, 4 oz of plain chicken is closer to 190 calories. Call me picky but 60 cals... I mean that could be the difference between having dessert or not! Any ideas?

The produce at Trader Joe's is frustrating. Too much stuff has to be bought in bulk, and most of the produce is imported.

TJ's has the BEST prices for wine and beer!!!

The Trader Joe's stores I frequent neither have parking problems. One is in a strip mall and the other is in an outdoor mall so that may be a difference.

I like their frozen steel cut oats and 90 second brown rice pouches. Plus they sell a lot of kosher meats which is nice for me (like their kosher ground turkey breast.)