Hellobee Boards

They're very different, IMO. I always feel like I can't do a complete shopping trip at TJs. but they have GREAT selection for certain products, like frozen foods and snack foods (and dessert snack type food--they have chocolate coverd everything!).

I could easily buy everything I need at WF (and spend a fortune doing it!). They have a great meat/fish selection and great take out options. It's just more comprehensive, IMO.

I don't have either where I live but TJs is an hour away. We love all the snacks'

IMO, WF is more of a full-service grocery store and TJ is more of a specialty store. For example, WF has butchers, fishmongers, and cheesemonger a who you can ask questions to and they'll cut to order; at TJs, on the other hand, those things are all prepackaged. Much of the produce at TJs is also prepackaged (for instance, you can't get whole Swiss chard, just precut chard on a plastic bag). WF has bulk bins, which I love because you can try out things like farro or buckwheat flour without having to buy a one-pound bag of it. On the other hand, TJs products are usually pretty great and tend to be cheaper than the equivalent at WF. For me, the two stores are complimentary, not either/or.

We have both, but TJ is cheaper than WF.

Trader Joe's is like Aldi (actually owned by the same umbrella company) and they private label their foods to save money.

Whole Foods focuses on strict standards for what they sell (meat and animal welfare, unacceptable ingredients for food, organic body care standards, etc.).

VERY different.

I love TJs for snacks and certain staples, but I rarely buy perishable goods there because they seem to go bad really quickly. The main things I buy at TJs are things you could also get at WF - shaving cream, frozen berries, organic sugar, coffee - but are much cheaper at TJs.

I buy most of my perishable grocery items - dairy, meat and fish, produce, and bread - at WF.

I also shop at a regular grocery store for staples like English muffins, peanut butter, OJ, pasta, etc.

@plantains: yup, same as you.

I do a big haul at trader joes, but a few specialty items I get at WF. I don't buy much produce there because of the price. But of they have sales on meats or fish, I like to get some.

we actually do most of our shopping at TJs and then supplement at WF for more specialty items. i NEVER get fresh fish at TJs.

We go to both for different things, like hilsy said TJs for specific TJ products, easy freezer meals, etc. WF for meat and produce!

@hilsy85: I agree.

I can get everything at WFs. TJs is more convenience/ packaged/ frozen foods ime.

We just got TJ's and honestly I wasn't super impressed. I think I need to go back at a time after the craze dies down to see what sounds good. There were easily 100+ people in our tiny store on a Thursday afternoon. It was ridiculous.

Right now, I prefer WFs just because it's closer and it's all we've had until now.

No one has mentioned 2 Buck Chuck. Is that because we're all pregnant?

We have all the grocery stores near us. WF is like, way too expensive for us, and sort of too "fancy" as well. They have great bison dogs, though, I will say that.

I was never a TJ shopper but I'm coming around. It helps that the org where I volunteer is right next to one! TJ has some really good deals, and I can always find something "fun" to try there. But I don't really consider it a full-service grocery store, as some of the PP have said. I've been using their facial serum at night, too, and really have liked it.