https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 12:44:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864474 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:26:13 +0000 Espion 864474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I'm not in Texas anymore, but Wegman's has *nothing* on Central Market. Unless there is some "super Wegman's" somewhere that I don't know about. Wegman's is kind of like a scaled down version of CM. </p> <p>I like TJs, but like PPs, I would mainly go for the novelty of something different. Their dried fruit/nut section really is quite good. I'm not even sure if they have one in Atlanta... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864450 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:50:05 +0000 sunny 864450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I looooove TJ's! I use something I have bought out of their frozen section for a quick meal several times a week. It makes things so much easier when you need to pull together dinner in 15 min. </p> <p>As @Anagram: mentioned, the frozen chocolate croissants are AMAZING. Seriously amazing. It's even better than from our local bakery because I can eat it warm!</p> <p>Other favorites:<br /> -cheese section (where else can you buy brie for $5 for a wedge? and I don't know where else I'd be able to buy Gruyere or Fontina)<br /> -organic chicken<br /> -frozen gyoza<br /> -frozen pizza<br /> -frozen gnocci<br /> -frozen veggies (sliced bell pepper!)<br /> -ready to eat pomegranate seeds<br /> -frozen meat balls<br /> -chicken &amp; apple sausage</p> <p>Before I shopped at TJ's, I did a lot of take out for dinner. Now, I substitute my quick TJ meal starters in place of take out. I realize its still not 100% healthy, but its better than the take out I was getting before and its also cheaper! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864438 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:59:36 +0000 red_seattle 864438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love TJs, except their produce. It's cheap but the produce quality isn't great. I prefer to buy our frozen fruits and veggies there though. It's cheaper and better quality than anywhere else. There's also more, and cheaper, dairy free and gluten free options. Overall, when I compare what we would spend elsewhere (and I don't coupon), I like TJ's a lot. The only downside is that it is not a one stop shop. But for the savings, I don't mind. (We have a Fred Meyer, Safeway, Trader Joe's, and a couple independent/local/organic shops in a 5 minute drive radius.) </p> <p>Also-- FYI: a lot of their products are made by big companies but are sold under the TJ's label for less than you'd spend at another grocery store (ex: their broths are by Pacific Organic, the pita chips are by Stacey's, etc.). So the quality of most prepared things should be the same as what you would buy elsewhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864423 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:22:45 +0000 Purpledaisy 864423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw I love trader joes!! I do about half of our grocery shopping there and half at wholefoods then we get most of our produce from the farmers market. I will admit that I tend to get a lot of snacky stuff at TJ that I don't necessarily need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864397 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:56:46 +0000 HLK208 864397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: that's true for me too. I do Costco, Safeway then Trader Joe's on our big grocery shopping days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864380 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:34:44 +0000 Mrs. Pen 864380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really, really like TJs. It's cheaper than organic at other local stores, and other produce is cheaper as well. I also love the wine - very cheap!</p> <p>I will say that they are missing quite a bit, if I shop at TJs, I usually have to stop somewhere else to pick up a few other things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864379 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:33:10 +0000 dcw6411 864379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love TJ's. they have a decent gluten free selection and the prices are great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be/page/2#post-864370 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:25:21 +0000 HLK208 864370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love trader joe's - so cheap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-864202 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:06:38 +0000 birdofafeather 864202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>maybe because we're in CA, so everything including produce, is awesome in TJs. we do almost all our shopping there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863558 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:17:28 +0000 matador84 863558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I loveeee central market! I don't live near one, but there is one in my hometown.</p> <p>I think TJ has fun stuff, but again, I don't live near one so I can definitely live without it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863536 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:07:36 +0000 ineebee 863536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They're not the best grocery store all-around, but I cannot live without them because I think they can't be beat for their prices on dairy, eggs and dry pasta. Every time I check out, I'm always surprised at how cheap it is! They also have an amazing frozen selection (chocolate croissants, chocolate molten cake, mochi ice cream, hash browns, etc.) Their snack items are also lots of fun.</p> <p>If you expect for this to be a one-stop-shop, you'll definitely be disappointed. But think of it as a place to stock up on your essentials for a great deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863517 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:01:07 +0000 LovelyPlum 863517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I liked TJs compared to what the alternative was when we lived elsewhere. Honestly, though, I'm pretty sure it will be hard to best Wegmans. Love Wegmans, and their prices are super reasonable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863474 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:43:00 +0000 nana87 863474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>nothing is ever better than Wegman's! seriously, I've lived all over the place and it's by far the best.</p> <p>TJ's is fantastic for certain things--packaged and frozen foods especially. the veggies/fruit aren't as good though as other places though. when we lived in DC, we'd go to TJs for nonperishables and dairy products and Whole Foods for veggies (or make the longer drive to Wegman's if we had time!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863367 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:00:31 +0000 Freckles 863367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think TJs is great if you like to buy a lot of prepackaged/prepared foods. Their produce isn't good at all. I do like their dried fruit selection and cheap wine offerings though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863293 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:40:36 +0000 autumnlove 863293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the stuff I buy when I go but I still don't shop there a lot. Their produce is gross and I prefer one stop shopping! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863203 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:10:52 +0000 Mommy Finger 863203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>TJ's is awesome. Like others have said, you can't do all of your grocery shopping there but I use them for a lot of meal starters. I love their jarred sauces (italian, indian etc) where I can add my own meat and veggies and serve over rice or noodles and call it dinner. I find a lot of their stuff is a lot less processed than what you find in the grocery stores. I also love their frozen section. Their frozen veggies just seem better to me than the frozen ones you get in the grocery store. And they have other frozen meal starters like mushroom pasta or risotto that I can just add some meat to in order to make a full meal. I agree that their produce section isn't the best but cheap wine!!! Can't beat that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863148 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:53:30 +0000 SupernovaJ 863148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i love TJs. where i live, you have either the huge grocery chains, or the more expensive stores like gristedes, whole foods, etc. TJs has great low prices but carry some of the more newer / unique / health conscious crowd items. i would say their weak spots are fresh produce (small selection of veggies and they are all pre-packaged), and meat. they really lack in those areas. but if you're looking for some of the newer items people seem to be raving about these days such as coconut milk and oils (they even have the coconut oil spray!), quinoa, gluten free items, etc. then this place is like heaven. I love TJs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863079 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:38:59 +0000 Anagram 863079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are there any Dallas or Texas bees here that have Central Market? I've never been to a Wegman's before, but the way people in this thread are talking about it, I imagine it to be like Central market, which is the best grocery store of all time.</p> <p>ALL TIME. I super wish they would expand and I could get one up here in the NE. (sad face). Maybe one day!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/central-market-dallas" rel="nofollow">http://www.yelp.com/biz/central-market-dallas</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-863072 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:37:38 +0000 jhd 863072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love TJ's. The closest one is 3 hours away, but they are building one about 1.5 hours away. There are only 2 grocery stores in my small town so I get overly excited about anything new or different! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862902 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:56:29 +0000 Dandelion 862902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I only go for advertised deals and their sushi. Most of their stuff is expensive </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862875 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:50:28 +0000 mediagirl 862875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: I find the Earth Fare near us is super expensive, as well. It reminds me of Whole Foods! Is yours reasonable? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862869 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:49:36 +0000 mediagirl 862869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meh. I have heard people say how reasonable the prices are and I just don't see it. Reasonable compared to what - Whole Foods? Certainly not Walmart. I'll go there for certain specific things I can't find elsewhere like frozen dumplings. I used to get raw pizza dough there but they have upped the price and I can find it cheaper at my grocery store (see above). :)</p> <p>I always partake in the free samples and sometimes walk out with a chocolate bar with cookie butter filling. 2 buck chuck has become 3 buck chuck, btw. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862837 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:43:55 +0000 sarac 862837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>TJ's has some really fun and cheap and high quality things, but you sure can't do all your shopping there. Their produce is especially bad. They're mostly designed for people who have small kitchens and don't really cook, in my experience.</p> <p>That being said, their pouch applesauce is the best. And they have a lot of little things that are super high quality and low price, if you look for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862805 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:37:44 +0000 Alivoo01 862805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm eh about it. There's only less than half a mile away from the house. There are some things I like about it (yay for 3 buck chuck), but there's nothing there that I'm like OMG! about yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862787 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:28:54 +0000 rachiecakes 862787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like its hit or miss - sometimes they have a great selection, others, not so much.<br /> But I love getting cheap but delicious wine there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862758 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:14:19 +0000 Dandelion 862758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stores like that are so expensive. I like going to Earth Fare, which is near me, but Trader Joe's is really far away. I like going once in a while, but I can't on a regular basis. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862748 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:10:09 +0000 SAHM0811 862748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love TJs. I believe most of their foods are preservative-free and their prices are very affordable. I've been going to TJs since I was a little kid... So maybe I'm biased, but I think one has to go there for quite some time and be willing to try a variety of their products. Some things are total misses for us, but over the years, I've found our staples. I also love that they have seasonal and new items all the time... They keep up with food trends and offer unique things. Check out the other TJs thread that is active right now. Lots of good recs on there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862732 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:06:41 +0000 spaniellove 862732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Wegmans and WF and TJs within a few minutes of us and I find that we never go to TJs. Maybe because they chose a location with super inconvenient parking and I feel like it's not worth battling it out for things I can find at the other stores. Ours doesn't have the cheap wine but then again, we live in the land of wine megastores so it's not necessary either! I guess there's just too much overlap around here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862731 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:06:22 +0000 calsmom 862731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like TJ's, but I wouldn't miss it all that much if we moved to a place where they didn't have it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-trader-joes-all-its-hyped-up-to-be#post-862714 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:01:06 +0000 Vegmama 862714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm "meh". I'm a gluten free vegetarian, and I don't find a lot there that fits into my diet. I think it's hard to navigate &amp; they don't always have the best produce selection. But, I love their hummus and fresh flowers ... Not that it matters now, but they have a great wine selection. </p>