Nicole E.
Yelp
Once you make the mistake of coming here at 4:30 on a Saturday evening...or noon on a Sunday...or 5:30-6:30pm on a weekday, you'll never make that mistake again. Yet, despite having to park in one of the tight spots behind the store and schlep my bags back, and having to navigate aisles and dodge carts momentarily abandoned by their operators every 4 feet, I keep coming back. Although I would prefer not having to feel like my shopping mantra needs to be "every woman for herself," there are many gems here that are worth the added stress.
As for produce, I really enjoy the "riced" broccoli and cauliflower, the precut butternut squash (no more hacking away!), as well as the good prices on bagged potatoes. The bagged pre-cut broccoli and cauliflower are a little pricy for the amount, but it's a good time saver. I like grabbing English peas, pea shoots, Kirby cucumbers, and arugula.
A favorite occasional frozen food item of mine is the chicken tikka masala microwave meals. I also dig the mini chocolate dipped ice cream cones. So cute, and so good (just *try* to eat only one!).
I think what I enjoy most of all is that I can stock up on healthy "staples" for a good deal less than at Whole Foods down the road. If you need "alternative" flours (maybe you're gluten free, maybe you're just trying to be a little more healthy) come here. Almond meal here cost about $6. The bag of Bob's red mill almond meal at Whole Foods cost me twice that (seriously!). Coconut flour cost just $3. Grab your spices while you are here, too. Garlic and onion powder, Harissa, paprika, peppercorns, Himalayan sea salt, and more -- all run about $3. I also found some of the best prices I've seen on almond butter, coconut oil, coconut milk and coconut cream, clarified butter, and olive oil. You can also get coconut oil in spray form -- great for baking!
TJ's is also a great place to try something new at a good price. They have jarred preserved lemon if you want to try your hand at some Moroccan tagine dishes. Feel like hosting high tea? Pick up a delicious an tart jar of lemon curd. New to Indian food? Make it at home with a jar of curry or masala simmer sauce.
For those on Whole30 who want to try to save some money, Trader Joe's stocks, at good prices, many of the (few) snacks that are approved on this diet: RX bars, Larabars, Chomps meat sticks, and Epic jerky bars. Oh, and SO many unsweetened freeze dried and regular dried fruit. And the nuts! Regular almonds, fancy rosemary marcona almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, cashews -- raw, dry roasted, salted, unsalted -- you name it! Most are well priced, too. You can make a pretty great cheese/charcuterie plate by combining some of the nuts and dried fruit with some quality cheese from the cheese section. They even have some prosciutto and other charcuterie by the meats.
I don't often shop for my meat here, but they do have a couple of organic options (about $13 for a 3-pack of organic chicken breast, which was about $4 cheaper than at Whole Foods). I also saw ground turkey (not organic, but listed as "natural"), bone in (nonorganic) drumsticks, chicken thighs, a variety of pre-marinated chicken and beef, filet mignon (about $20 for 2), sausage, and ground pork.
If you are someone who likes to give cards, like me, check out the greeting cards (near the back of the store by the beer). They cost .99 cents each and have such cute patterns and messages. They're a great deal. You can find really lovely flowers at fantastic prices (less than $1.50 for a bunch of daffodils, for starters).
Although you may have to hunt for parking, bob shopping carts and people, and politely but sternly say "excuse me" to at least 5 people who find it a good idea to stop in the middle of the aisle to chat or read the nutrition facts on a container, the generally good prices, hard to find items, and friendly employees make it so worth it!
