Can someone tell me...

J&K10910 · December 2010

Why I'm supposed to be super duper excited about a brand new Trader Joe's opening in my town? (Aside from Two Buck Chuck, which is three bucks here, which is weird, because this is totally the midwest.) We stopped there yesterday because rumor had it they had milk chocolate oranges (we had been to 9 places looking). There were SO MANY PEOPLE there that I didn't have time or desire to walk around. We got excellent service and I was highly impressed with that, but what's the BFD otherwise?

In other words, do I need to go back next week in the morning when it will be more calm?

J&K10910 · December 2010

It can't have too many neat foods. It was the size of the downstairs of my house.

betrothed123 · December 2010

I don't know. I said the same thing when an L.L. Bean opened near us (I think it was an L.L. Bean, but I could be wrong. See how much I pay attention?).

slubkin · December 2010

Trader Joe's has some regular staples at prices below grocery stores. I do the bulk of my shopping there for certain produce I know they'll have, dairy (esp. cheese) and eggs which are SOOO much cheaper there than the regular store.

They also have a ton of cracker, cookie, and frozen items which are fun but I have been avoiding because they're not really especially healthy.

Just keep in mind that the store will get its deliveries on a certain day(s?) and produce will be icky right before the new delivery, so try to figure out when it's fresh and go that day.

DodgersBride · December 2010

I have to admit that I have never been to a trader joe's. There are a ton near me. I always hear ppl being really excited and happy with them. I guess I should pay a visit to see what it's all about.

KaylaSue19 · December 2010

I have the same idea as Raynes. I have never been there but I only hear amazing things about it. My MIL buys a lot of food there, and it has all been really good.

allisong23 · December 2010

It is sooo good, and not too expensive. We get out T-day turkeys there every year. They also have great breads, yummy frozen meals and good cuts of meat, and pretty cheap. Ohh, and good cheeses too.

pirategal03 · December 2010

We have one. I've umm, never been. I like Fresh Market though

maratea · December 2010

I'm not sure what the appeal for other people is, but I can find items there that are more expensive at Meijer or Wal-Mart, like the stuff in my previous post. I can get olive oil at Trader Joe's for $6.99 and the same size at Meijer is $10.

ETA: Since TJ is so far away from us, it's kind of a novelty thing. I'm sure I'd feel the same way about it as I feel about Meijer if we had one in my city.

AllAboutTheBenjamin · December 2010

Other than Two Buck (or apparently Three Buck) Chuck I don't think there's a point to Trader Joe's. People around here want one in Fargo, and I think having one would be a slap in the face to our local grocers. Plus we already have two Super Wal-Marts. Eff Trader Joe's.

slubkin · December 2010

I agree, Mara.

I buy some things there just because they are so much cheaper. Like some produce (their selection is somewhat limited there but they have a lot of the staples), cheese (especially the premium cheeses), greek yogurt, eggs, olive oil, etc. Stuff I use a lot of. I like their premium pasta (not the uber cheap stuff, it tastes weird and cinnamony-sweet to me) - the spinach & chive or garlic linguine. I also like the quality of the meat at my store but that might vary for other stores.

marissa_claire · December 2010

People get the most excited about TJ's when they don't have one. Ours is not that far and I basically only go to buy things to take home to my parents (they are fanatics that don't have one...)

Don't buy fresh stuff there if you ever do go. Their bread molds in no time, their veggies don't stay fresh very long and the only cheese I've ever purchased their went bad really quickly as well. They do have some things that are cheaper and some offbeat products that are fun, which is part of why some people like them.

reddy123 · December 2010

We have several the size of regular grocery stores, I used to live right near one, and overall I think they don't have enough selection to be your 'one' store (even the big ones). They do have some items that are so good you will go just for them. They have a good beer selection, international cheap cheeses, and these really good lemon noodles(sounds gross, but so good). That's what I would go for.

I agree with PP that they have some things that are a major deal for being all natural, and some things are too spendy.

reddy123 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_can-someone-tell-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:8e06a322-15e7-4d88-a06c-f14bdf8b1586Post:a6ac4792-1cb6-43a0-92e1-c4dba3d40882">Re: Can someone tell me...</a>:
[QUOTE]People get the most excited about TJ's when they don't have one. Ours is not that far and I basically only go to buy things to take home to my parents (they are fanatics that don't have one...) <strong>Don't buy fresh stuff there if you ever do go. Their bread molds in no time, their veggies don't stay fresh very long and the only cheese I've ever purchased their went bad really quickly as well.</strong> They do have some things that are cheaper and some offbeat products that are fun, which is part of why some people like them.
Posted by marissa_claire[/QUOTE]

<div>Probably because it's not chocked full of preservatives, that's why I buy it there.</div>

MissIntentional · December 2010

I love tj. I find groceries to be cheaper at our local food maxx, but tj is far superior in quality. I'm not a big canned food person, but a lot of their canned food is pretty tasty. You can also find a lot of gourmet products other stores don't carry at a great price. Our tj is decorated beautifully for the holidays. A friend of mine who works there says that they have a portion of the interview that showcases your artistic skills?!

J&K10910 · December 2010

I do have to say that we grabbed a chunk of sea salt and rosemary foccacia while we were there last night because it looked really good, and we ate the entire think last night. It was frickin' awesome.

MissIntentional · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_can-someone-tell-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:8e06a322-15e7-4d88-a06c-f14bdf8b1586Post:859fa639-2901-4fee-9a75-2041ae376a48">Re: Can someone tell me...</a>:
[QUOTE]What is a Two (or Three) Buck Chuck?
Posted by rhonwynv[/QUOTE]

cheap wine that doesn't taste half bad.

K Byte · December 2010

Aldi has cheap groceries and pantry staples too and it's not always jam packed crowded. We only have 1 TJ's on this side of town and it's usually packed and it's been open for years. I like it but I don't like the crowdedness so I usually go to some combination of Aldi/World Market/Big Lots instead.

cupcakesfrosting · December 2010

I like the wine (It's seriously $3 there J&K?). I like the bread, and they have these mini Peanut Butter Cups that FI can't get enough of. I like the unsweetened tea, and their baked chips.

Soo, I mostly go there for alcohol, or snacks. We have a Luckys across the street, so it's much easier to just go there for veggies and milk, etc.

slubkin · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_can-someone-tell-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:8e06a322-15e7-4d88-a06c-f14bdf8b1586Post:97bc2922-a81a-43d0-b36d-b3a71c7bccd1">Re: Can someone tell me...</a>:
[QUOTE]I like the wine (It's seriously $3 there J&K?). I like the bread, and they have these mini Peanut Butter Cups that FI can't get enough of. I like the unsweetened tea, and their baked chips. Soo, I mostly go there for alcohol, or snacks. We have a Luckys across the street, so it's much easier to just go there for veggies and milk, etc.
Posted by cupcakesfrosting[/QUOTE]
Oh yes, the PB cups are great. Like I said, they have lots of sweets and snacks that are great but I personally avoid to keep temptation at bay.

I do have to add though that I think a fair amount of what the stores carry is sourced regionally... so in CA we get pretty decent produce, cheese, artisan bread, etc. I don't know that all of what's available at my local store would be available across the country, and if it is there may be differences in quality between stores.

J&K10910 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_can-someone-tell-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:8e06a322-15e7-4d88-a06c-f14bdf8b1586Post:97bc2922-a81a-43d0-b36d-b3a71c7bccd1">Re: Can someone tell me...</a>:
[QUOTE]I like the wine <strong>(It's seriously $3 there J&K?)</strong>. I like the bread, and they have these mini Peanut Butter Cups that FI can't get enough of. I like the unsweetened tea, and their baked chips. Soo, I mostly go there for alcohol, or snacks. We have a Luckys across the street, so it's much easier to just go there for veggies and milk, etc.
Posted by cupcakesfrosting[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't lie to you!

At least, not about that.

maratea · December 2010

It is definitely 3 buck Chuck in the midwest. But worth every dollar. It's awesome to be able to buy a case of wine for $36.

crose29 · December 2010

Oooh where is it? Im sure if it just opened it will not be as busy once its been open a while.

marissa_claire · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_can-someone-tell-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:8e06a322-15e7-4d88-a06c-f14bdf8b1586Post:bbc858b6-4c70-4822-9e29-4448401fe4c1">Re: Can someone tell me...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Can someone tell me... : Oh yes, the PB cups are great. Like I said, they have lots of sweets and snacks that are great but I personally avoid to keep temptation at bay.<strong> I do have to add though that I think a fair amount of what the stores carry is sourced regionally... so in CA we get pretty decent produce, cheese, artisan bread, etc. I don't know that all of what's available at my local store would be available across the country, and if it is there may be differences in quality between stores.</strong>
Posted by slubkin[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>That would make some sense. The bread I've had before has gone bad overnight. I'm sure it's good bread, but I haven't tried much of it yet for that reason. I do think they ship some things across the country if you ever look at the organizational flow-chart they have posted in-store (or at least in my store.) </div><div>
</div><div>I forgot to add the koala licorice. It's awesome. And the maple cream cookies.

</div>

J&K10910 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_can-someone-tell-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:8e06a322-15e7-4d88-a06c-f14bdf8b1586Post:443c2a6a-2c94-422d-93be-b08779ebc1c3">Re: Can someone tell me...</a>:
[QUOTE]Oooh where is it? Im sure if it just opened it will not be as busy once its been open a while.
Posted by crose29[/QUOTE]

In Rochester. I'm not actually in MSP. Silly TK.

slubkin · December 2010

Marissa- I haven't had issues with bread but I habitually keep my bread in the fridge, so it lasts longer, because I've been trying to eat a lot less bread.

Night_Sprite · December 2010

They're also supposed to have good prepared frozen stuff and dips and things. I know of no specifics.

J&K10910 · December 2010

I like dips.

crose29 · December 2010

The frozen pot stickers are really good. Also they have chocolate for cheap.

specialk84 · December 2010

They have tasty frozen hors d'oeuvres and chocolate-covered frozen bananas. I also like their soups, especially the tomato.

Can someone tell me...

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