Trader Joe's

Grocery store · San Diego

Trader Joe's

Grocery store · San Diego

1

1090 University Ave Ste G100-107, San Diego, CA 92103

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Highlights

Affordable produce, unique items, friendly staff, flowers  

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1090 University Ave Ste G100-107, San Diego, CA 92103 Get directions

locations.traderjoes.com
@traderjoes

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1090 University Ave Ste G100-107, San Diego, CA 92103 Get directions

+1 619 296 3122
locations.traderjoes.com
@traderjoes

$$

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Last updated

Sep 1, 2025

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@eater

America’s Grocery Store Egg Shortage in Photos | Eater

"Stores from this chain were listed among retailers struggling to keep eggs stocked; in one San Diego location staff repurposed empty egg shelves to stock other merchandise. Across visits, egg shelves were reported as pretty bare, with stores posting apologetic signage and some retailers implementing purchase limits." - Amy McCarthy

https://www.eater.com/24363493/egg-shortages-grocery-stores-whole-foods-trader-joes-safeway-bird-flu
View Postcard for Trader Joe's

Mama Shrek

Google
I love that Trader Joe has more affordable fruits than Sprouts & Ralph's. They have more frozen dinners that are vegetarian too. The cashiers are exceptionally kind & efficient -- they check the eggs when checking out. They do not rush customers too -- which is so good for senior citizens. I hope someday their store will be much bigger. I love Trader Joe.

Lydia Chu

Google
This store is one of the nicest Trader Joe’s locations I’ve been to. It’s in a large shopping mall with plenty of parking, making it easy to visit. The store is well stocked with a great selection of products, and they even have a nice variety of plants and flowers. The layout is clean and organized with good price. Highly recommend this location!

Kylie B

Google
This review is only because of the MASSIVE locally grown zucchini’s they have right now for 99 cents. I love Trader Joe’s and always have but that was a find deserving of a good review. Would love to see more of this!!! While I’m here - Trader Joe’s could be a lot better about their plastic use. I normally end up at Whole Foods for my veggies because most are wrapped in plastic at Trader Joe’s unfortunately:( Whole Foods has loose plastic free veggies! You’re gonna wash them anyway, might as well not have plastic.

H

Google
I loooooooove this location. The lanes feel wider, maybe because there are less people when I go 😆 Service is excellent as per usual. Parking is plenty. They have Tesla chargers around the back, so if you have one of those cars, you can charge and shop.

ARNEL DELEON

Google
Quite possibly the nicest location in terms of staff. Lots of parking makes it simple to get in and out of. Inventory is stocked high and prices are low. Never a bad decision to drop in for the items I need to make a killer meal.

Lexie Edwards

Google
Good location, but typically it's very crowded here. I strongly dislike having many people around me in the store, so I try to come early in the morning or near close to avoid big crowds. They have an incredible flower and card selection. The store is always well stocked and clean. Crew members are crazy friendly!

John Hardgrove

Google
Came in this AM with my older partner and did not like the service we received from Donny, he commanded me to help him bag groceries in a demeaning way and it was very unappreciated. I understand you can be busy but mistreating younger people and commanding me to help in harsh way (while not asking for help from my older partner) when you are busy :( I would have happily helped out regardless. Also, having side conversations and long hugs and draping over colleagues, and catching up while people are at the register is inappropriate do better.

Mark Gordon

Google
I’ve been looking all over for the very delicious Boursin garlic and herb cheese spread and found it here. They have a very nice assortment of cheeses. A nice wine section, all sorts of baked goods, various sauces, a small produce section, frozen foods and others. It is a place where you can find some unique items.
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Jane L.

Yelp
I'm newish to San Diego and this location is by far my favorite. We are a household of 1 1/2 so we shop roughly every two weeks. I've been super impressed with the skincare products recently. Huge fan of the body butters, face lotion with SPF, lip masks, sunblock, toothpaste and watermelon overnight face mask. I bought the Cacay Oil Butter Butter last week, tried it and didn't love it. It left a sticky residue that I had to wash off. I brought it back today, shared my experience and Ryan said I could get a refund. Now that is what I call real customer service. This is another reason why this is now my main grocer. They carry our staples and great variety of seasonal items too. We usually spend $200+ each visit for an abundance of food, but this time we only needed a few things. Love the selection of flowers and plants. We are always greeted with a smile. We been lucky with parking too!
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Claire J.

Yelp
Your typical Trader Joe's, just with super narrow aisles. Highly recommend trying to go here in the morning or middle of the day--any other time you are generally stuck behind other people's carts trying to squeeze by, coupled with several "excuse me's" and "sorry's" hahah. They don't run out of produce as quickly as other locations which is nice. Eggs go extremely quick. Other than that, staff is always great & kind, and Ralph's is right next door to get your actual items that Trader Joe's doesn't carry. Very helpful to be placed right next to a classic grocery store. Recommend parking underneath in the garage, as parking is extremely difficult. Love their well-priced flower selection as a typical Trader Joe's has :)
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Sydney G.

Yelp
I've been going to this Trader Joe's for the past three years, and honestly, I've always loved how nice everyone is. The staff is great. But I've officially had it with the produce. This is now the fourth time I've brought something home that was either moldy or went bad almost immediately. Most recently it was the bell pepper trio--one of them was moldy and another one had the top completely ripped open and was leaking. I didn't even realize because they were all stacked in the bag. It's just super frustrating, especially being pregnant--having to lug groceries home and then go all the way back to deal with returns is exhausting. It also feels like a bit of a health risk at this point. I've tried to be patient and even reached out after the third time, but they just said to bring things back to exchange. I've given them the benefit of the doubt, but I can't keep doing this. The produce is just not reliable anymore. I'm going to start going to a different location, even though it's further--at least I'll feel like I can trust what I'm buying.
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Christine P.

Yelp
Trader Joe's flowers never cease to amaze me! Today was a particularly busy day with all cashiers working but the lines were super long. That said, the staff didn't skip a beat; they were still as pleasant and friendly as usual. This location had all of the new items I was looking for, especially the new French Onion Soup Popcorn and the Gingerbread Oat Milk Creamer. I never thought of myself as an "oat milk" kind of user, but Trader Joe's changed the game for me!
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Dollyrose V.

Yelp
Lowdy this Trader Joe's is always busy for a small Trader Joe's. I do not think I have ever seen this place slow. They seem to have an abundance of workers that keep the shelves stocked and clean. Also, they happen to do it with a smile. There's always a fresh selection of quick already prepared salads and items to grab for a quick lunch or dinner.
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Julia G.

Yelp
Love my Hillcrest Trader Joe's! Their seasonal items are out in full force. Large variety of Christmas flowers, wreaths and poinsettias! Right now it feels so festive. I also enjoy going to see all the specialty Christmas items that seem to run out quickly. Everyone working here is so friendly. I always enjoy shopping at this location probably because I only shop on the off times. Pro-tip: avoid Mondays because many fresh staples are purchased over the weekend and are restocked by Tuesday.
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Hannah N.

Yelp
Alright coming at you with another Trader Joe's review because BREAKING NEWS I got my hands on the mini cooler bag! Not just one but 4. And no I wasn't being selfish and taking as many as I could, they had them in green and red and I got a pair for my mom as well since we have been looking for them since they came out. I will say this Trader Joe's is doing it the right way by putting batches out through out the day so people don't come in and sell them out right when doors open. I am a huge Trader Joe's fan and I literally have every bag they have come out with so there were happy tears when I found these and they are the perfect lunch box size!
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Julia I.

Yelp
I'm a HUGE Trader Joe's fan and I have to say that this location is one of my favorites! What made this location stand out to me was how super helpful the employees were. The store was clean and well stocked with all my favorite (and some new tries) food. Plus they were super friendly! Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever encountered a grumpy employee at any TJ's!!! Thanks Trader Joe's for hiring happy people!
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Bridget D.

Yelp
A store with fantastical holiday goodies , wonderful healthy food options , fair trade & great customer service . Who doesn't absolutely value great food at well below today's average food prices ? I am so grateful to live near Trader Joe's so I can afford my groceries. Thank you for doing an amazing job at customer service & cashiering Today Marianne , you rock!! 5 stars today and for all the years i've shopped at a multitude of their store locations .
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Gary N.

Yelp
I don't remember a Trader Joe's with a space this small, I remember a big Trader Joe's full with stuffs, especially the dried fruits and nuts, jerky with a big section filled up with different jars, now I think for some reasons it shrunk, maybe I was wrong, maybe it's just the location here, too hard to find parking, Ralphs is bigger than this and it's next door, I was lucky enough to find some dried strawberries, but then that's it, I had to ask for help from an employee, that means how unfamiliar it looked to me
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Michael B.

Yelp
The staff here was fun. Everyone I passed by had something quirky and fun about them. And some of them asked me if I had found the panda, which is a promotion happening in the store in order to get a treat! I found it and earned me some stickers and a lollipop. :) Because I was searching for the panda I walked down more aisles and ended up purchasing more things than what I anticipated which is brilliant marketing on their side. This is my 3rd time visiting this store and first time it wasn't packed. I came here on a Saturday evening. Before I came on a Sunday morning and Thursday after work. I found some new seasonal products which was awesome. I saw a section where they had new recipes printed out which was a nice touch. It's located in a very busy village and there's a Ralph next to it so it looks and feels very busy. Not ideal for those who don't like being people. Parking is also a nightmare. The store feels a bit smaller than the others but on the bright side it didn't feel like they packed items in here. Because they are situated next to another grocery outlet, I feel like they have just enough unique products compared to their neighbors that makes it a nice alternative.
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India R.

Yelp
Love the staff at this store! This has been my local Trader Joe's for the past 3 years and am so sad to move away! Special shout out for the following team members who were always so friendly: Ashlynn & Andy - thank you for making my day to day shopping so enjoyable!
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Jane A.

Yelp
THE GO-TO I'm a regular. Let's talk about Trader Joe's. I have been a "Frequent Flyer" of this Trader Joe's since I relocated to SD back in 2016. But I have been a "Frequent Flyer" of Trader Joe's since 2007'ish when it wasn't very trendy and just a healthier but more expensive than Von's kind of store where the brands looked like knock offs and you weren't yet use to it. I've seen so many different products and seasonal products - some I'm glad left and some I can't wait and hope they restock. This is my prime location. I just know the feel and space of the store. Where is what and see familiar staff faces. As much as I buy and love shopping here some of my apps (that grade food base on healthiness) show many products (that we assume are healthier) aren't that much healthier. You'd think buying anything here is healthy, maybe a healthier to some degree. The snacks here I love but I've reduced purchasing. THINGS I DO LOVE - salads - green beans (the non-organic one) - the freeze dried chicken dog treats (for my dog not me) - some seasonal items - drink (non-alcoholic) selection THINGS THAT MAKE ME GAG - honey walnut shrimp: smells and taste like as5 - mee krob: what kind of nasty snack is that - watermelon jerky: absolutely not satisfying - Italian wedding soup: bland as f. - ube cookies: that ain't ube that's trashy ube Yet, here I am! Still a customer. CARRY ON...
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Jana H.

Yelp
Love this store! their products are excellent and they have lots of organic options which I love! The service there is excellent and when it's busy, they always put more people on to check you out. I love the store because they have a lot of their own products and they're not full of resilient chemicals which I really appreciate because I eat organic. The ambience of the store is OK it's actually kind of a small store but it's right down the street for me so super convenient!
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Alex C.

Yelp
It seems weird to review a grocery store, especially a branch of one that literally EVERYONE has been to. But this location is... well let's just say special. Inside you'll find the usual Trader Joe's stuff at the usual Trader Joe's prices, but this one gets four, rather than five, stars, because holy lord it can be a total and complain pain in the ass! You know those stock footage videos they always show of a sea of people in some random city in China or India when discussing how the country has something like 1.4 billion people? This Trader Joe's is the grocery store version of that. Why, you may ask? Well, three reasons. First, the store sits smack in the middle of a very busy part of Hillcrest and, product-wise, caters very well to the surrounding market. As popular as any Trader Joe's is, this creates a problem, regardless of reasons number two and three. But making things worse, this store is tiny. Really, really tiny. Seriously, I'd be surprised if it has half the square footage of most other Trader Joe's. (Trader Joe'ses? What the hell is the plural of Trader Joe's?) And inside that tiny foot print are all of the products, employees, registers, and customers that you would find in any other location, just squished together like one of those billion people videos. It gets so crowded that the fact of it being crowded turns into an inevitable topic of conversation between shoppers, which is how I met one of my ex-girlfriends in the cheese aisle. (Yes, seriously. We dated for a year.) OK, so it's crowded, I'm sure you get it. Well so what, you might ask -- you park, you deal with the store, and you leave, right? Oh no, because then there is reason number three -- the parking lot. It's just terrible. Both coming and going can be a complete flip of the coin as to whether it will be easy or a royal pain in your ass. Avoiding the busiest hours always helps, but the ingress and egress can be brutal. Its location in the very back corner of a very busy strip mall, right next door to a Ralphs, does not help, nor does the fractured design of the parking lot. In the end, it always feels good to make that left turn on University Ave., knowing that you've left the chaos behind you. OK, so that was a lot to write about a chain grocery store, but I thought it best to give fair warning that, while the products, prices, etc. are what you would expect, this is not your usual Trader Joes. You've been warned. Happy Shopping.
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Courtney O.

Yelp
I absolutely love Trader Joe's. I will go out of my way to go to a Trader Joe's because the vibes are just great! They don't have everything you'd find in a traditional grocery store, but the benefit of this location is that it's right next to a Ralph's so you can supplement your trip with what you need. I do have to say that this location is one of the most difficult to get to in San Diego! The parking is always a mess in this little shopping center and the layout of this one is so tight that it can feel a bit overwhelming. But, I'll always pick Trader Joe's over anything else thanks to the happy crew members and the ever changing new seasonal products to explore!
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Jes W.

Yelp
This is a great Trader Joe's location with plenty of parking in an underground garage and out in the open too. It also happens to be right next to a Ralph's so if there's something you need from a supermarket you can get it after your grocery shopping at TJs. The staff are always friendly and extremely helpful when there's a specific product I have in mind. I highly recommend the green onion frozen pancakes and the spicy lentil wrap, both are vegan and so yummy
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K B.

Yelp
My Trader Joe's list is simple: *Ultrachocolate ice cream *100% Ginger packets *Chile lime seasoning *Pineapple juice (not concentrated) *3 packs of fresh Lily's weekly
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Bradly P.

Yelp
Trader Joe's in Hillcrest is serving the community with fresh fruits and veggies, along with other grocery store essentials. Traders Joe's is located in the Heart of Hillcrest right off University Avenue. The parking lot here offers many parking spaces due to it sharing parking with a lot of other small business and grocery stores. This particular store offers many items to choose from for a great deal. I really like there alcohol section here where they offer many fine wines, craft beer, and many spirits. They have a great snack aisle providing many unique different styles of chips along with a nice frozen food section that has pre-made meals for your convenience. My favorite part of the store is their pints of ice cream. They have all amazing flavors for such a great price. For the majority, the store is always full, but the staff really knows how to get them in and get them out provided customer service with a smile. All the workers and staff are extremely helpful and will answer any questions you have. This Trader Joe's offers everything you absolutely need at a traditional grocery store and more. The ambiance and setting is your regular grocery store environment. Come out and check this store out for great seasonings and snacks. They have something for anyone here at this location.
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Sarah S.

Yelp
This Trader Joe's has culture and soul. I feel like there's more ethnic choices at this location. The grocers are friendly and they give out good samples. This is my go to traders in SD!
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Shay M.

Yelp
I'm a sucker for Trader Joe's so say what you wish. This store is one of my favorites (sans the horrible parking situation). Since there's nothing TJ's can do about the parking, I won't hold it against them. Great customer service!!! This Trader's is on the smaller side so they may not have everything that you're used to, so keep that in mind. Rather than make a bunch of hodge podge about stuff you probably already know, let me tell you about some of my favorite TJ items. Dark Russet Chips 5/5 -however this store is not currently stocking them- (-5 stars...lol) Organic White Truffle chips 5/5- I'm not a chip guy but these are a must, always keep these on deck. Ube I've Cream 5/5- I can't get enough When Life Gives You Lemons Ice Cream 5/5- everything I dreamed it would be. Elote salad 4/5- Was 4.5/5 but they upped the price from $3.99 to $4.99. I don't think it's worth the $1 uptick. Black Pepper Bbq Toscano salad 4.5/5- Better than I thought it would be. Would be great with pulled pork on top. Bbquey but not overwhelming. Cards- The cards are cheap and are great for any occasion. Thanks to the excellent TJ'S staff, you always make shopping here a breeze!

Richard L.

Yelp
I asked the Rep Eloise where the berries were and her comment back to me was find someone else I'm busy. I went to the service counter where i talked to a nice man. who pointed out what area the berries were in. I saw Eloise again so i could get her name, and she said i have nothing to say to you. Get away. Bad Customer Service. But the guy at the front counter was awesome
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Mark R.

Yelp
I absolutely love this store. Yes, it can get crowded, but you can avoid the crowds by not coming in the late afternoon. The employees are personable and nearly every one I've encountered has been great at making friendly small talk with me. This is a much appreciated contrast to the employees at most other grocery stores. To those who complain about the parking, well, why are you driving here anyway? Most of the customers live in the area and could easily ride a bike here. I've been doing it for years. You can too.
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Amira D.

Yelp
The staff here is not very friendly which is surprising for a Trader Joe's. The extra star because it's Trader Joe's and we typically love Trader Joe's.
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Vivian R.

Yelp
The staff here is great. The store is always busy and there's always people coming in and out. I really appreciate how kind and helpful the staff is whenever I need help. Although the lines can get long, they do go pretty fast. The only downside of this location is at the parking can be challenging at times, but they do have a parking lot in the back and underground.
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Jila T.

Yelp
No sense of urgency at the check out on a Sunday afternoon. I guess when they encourage their employees to have genuine conversation with customers they forget to tell them to be cognizant of others during the busy time. Not everyone is interested in waiting in line and listening to those endless conversations. At the end she called me rude for pointing that out!
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Jay E.

Yelp
A friendly staff but this location is so frequently understocked, I had to find a new one!
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John G.

Yelp
This Trader Joe's is in the heart of Hillcrest and in a small shopping center. Parking can be difficult but it's because of limited spaces. Probably the most eclectic mix of customers that include LGBTQ customers with their little dogs, young women with their Yoga outfits on, families and singles. Great selection of produce, meats, cheeses, dairy and all the great Trader Joe's items.
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Special K I.

Yelp
I would like to thank you, Mr. Javier from Trader Joes-Hillcrest store, you were so nice & respectful to me. Your hospitality was so kind! Keep up the greatwork! ‍
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Patty B.

Yelp
I love this trader joe's for a quick trip, however, they truly dont check IDs and i came in once on my birthday to grab alcohol and the trader joes worker did not wish me a happy birthday which made me sad and made me feel old LOL
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Lucy A.

Yelp
I have had a bad incident before, but I like the TJ at Hilcrest. They have proved to me that they are worth trying again. One of the cashiers there got out of her way to make sure I had bottled water in a case in my cart during the rush when we were all shopping before the "storm." It really meant so much to me. So sweet. Thank you.
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Jessica M.

Yelp
I'd like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Allison & David, yesterday Sun Feb 18th I came in looking for a Lobster Bisque I had been to 3 other Trader Joe's and nothing but these two amazing people went way out of their way to call literally every store in San Diego and they finally found the last two in Point Loma for me.. Monday you the store was crazy busy rush hour at its finest and they still both got their phones.. I will definitely be coming back to this store more often .. Thank You Allison & David
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Liana J.

Yelp
I have to say first off that all Trader Joe's are wonderful, with all the workers genuinely happy and friendly. Every single time I go to one, I was greeted warmly by at least one person. The products are always on point as well, and totally deserve the cult following. I have yet to find white truffle chips that are as tasty anywhere else. If I want to make an epic charcuterie board, this is the place to come to, because the variety is amazing, and the curated products are the best. Not hit or miss like some other bargain grocery stores. While pricey, I do like that the portions are smaller, so I am wasting less. I can never finish the whole chunk of Costco cheese, so whatever savings per once I had just eventually went in the trash. So why did I take a star off? Mainly because this particular location is extremely busy, but there is barely any parking, especially because they are located in a busy plaza and just right next to Ralph's. During the height of the pandemic, I even saw a line around the block to get into the store due to limited capacity allowed in the store. Just this week, I came at 12:30pm on a week day and had to circle the lot at least 20 minutes before I found a parking spot.
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Clarence B.

Yelp
I just bought Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken, Chicken Fried Rice and Chicken Chow Mein, and these products are fresh, and excellent in flavor. Customer service is always friendly and helpful. They seem to enjoy their jobs and what they do to insure the quality of service and customer satisfaction. Trader Joe's had to be the greatest market.
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Cami Y.

Yelp
I mean it's Trader Joe's, it's the best! Frequented for close to 30 years and still absolutely my favorite. Great quality while being cost efficient. Nothing better than that!
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Alissa M.

Yelp
Gotta have my Trader Joe's! Even when I'm out of town it's no exception. I love Hillcrest Trader Joe's, however this time of year it is SUPER crowded and parkIng is close to impossible. I know that due to the holiday they are working overtime to keep items stocked but having so many staff on the floor can be kind of inconvenient. Also, this store is small compared to the Mission Valley location. Still, I love the vibe in Hillcrest and this store is the most convenient for us so I prefer to shop here. Staff is super friendly and they carry all my essentials. Happy shopping!
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JohnAndrew R.

Yelp
Not as big as other Trader Joe's I've been to so the selection is limited. Nether the less, the quality remained the same. Stockers we're constantly restocking the shelves and we're available to asked questions. Produce sampling was available at this establishment. Staff member was very polite, informative and captivating; really knew how to draw in customers. The ambiance is the typical 'laid back' vibe. I always enjoy shopping at Trader Joe's. It is in a huge and congested shopping center so parking is limited.
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Eileen R.

Yelp
I Really Love this Location. I Appreciate Erik. He has an Excellent & Positive Attitude, & was friendly and attentive. He saw I needed a cart & went out of his way to get it for me.* I also Appreciated the front end, the Cashier was welcoming & personable, asked me a lot of questions, lol. That I was not prepared for. ...I ended up Sharing quite a Lot ;pp *So, It has been a Hit or miss Experience, shoppers can be unfriendly & quite aggressive, during Rush Hour. So, I try to Avoid those Times. *Front end can also not really Engage with you.. However, In Conclusion, this IS my Favorite Trader Joe's & I Love being Around it's Unique Community of people. This was the First Trader Joe's in San Diego. So, this TJ Location has always been #1 for me, at Heart.
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Alexandria H.

Yelp
Normally I would say if you want affordable organic groceries Trader Joe's is your spot, but with inflation that's impossible. Now that I'm doing being a sour grape here's the scoop. They a a good selection of organic options, the best gluten free snacks and helpful staff. The store usually feels cramped and parking is available (but cramped).
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Joe L.

Yelp
COVID-19 update: I was here last Halloween, which was a Saturday, and my experience was much better than what my previous review reflected. I had to wait about ten minutes to get in, which is similar to other TJ's in San Diego. TJ's is doing a great job of keeping their employees and customers safe during this pandemic. Limiting the number of people inside is the right thing to do, and, as an added bonus, it makes shopping much more pleasant. I'm glad I gave this location another shot. Thanks, Trader Joe's!
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Marisol A.

Yelp
Usually I shop at the Eastlake Trader Joe's but we were running errands in a different part of town today so we figured this Trader Joe's should be like the other one right? This location is much smaller than our usual location but they carry most everything however there were no mini cucumbers and the fruit selection was more limited. The employees were super nice, there was one employee at the entrance counting how many ppl were coming and going and offering hand sanitizer as we came in but I'm not sure if they are cleaning the carts as I didn't see anyone doing so. They had a really nice selection of fresh cut flowers so I grabbed a bunch for my home!!
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Vidya P.

Yelp
A great experience, as always. It's probably the one safe grocery-shopping experience I feel like I have during COVID. They have sanitized carts waiting, a staff member with sanitizer at the door, lines and arrows to keep the flow in the store so no one gets too close... The staff always is willing to help, and I love how safe and cautious every one was. While it is smaller, it's no less organized than any of the trader joes I've been to. Keep it up - and thanks for working so hard to keep us all safe and comfortable!
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Jason A.

Yelp
I've got to give it up for this Trader Joe's location during the pandemic. Since things hit in March, the staff here has been on top of things with safety and social distancing protocols. They are excellent at managing expectations of folks waiting to enter the store no matter how deep the line goes; at no point have I felt like the wait was longer than it should have been. There is always someone posted up at the door regulating customer flow while passing out hand sanitizer safely, and at no point in any visit have I felt like there are too many customers inside. Trader Joe's is great, pandemic aside. They have fantastic products in general at very good prices. Some of the best products that I recommend here over anywhere else: colby-jack cheese sticks, whole chocolate milk, bite-size everything crackers, microwaveable soup dumplings, mini ice cream cones, gluten-free pasta, jarred salsa, polenta rolls, mini wontons. Also their pasta sauce options and dips are very good for the price. As far as the location itself goes, I find this one preferable to the Mission Valley or Downtown SD locations. Parking is ample -- the back lot is where it's at, folks -- and though it's smaller than the others I feel like it's easier to get in and out quicker. Really no drawbacks either. I'll continue to be a loyal customer of the Hillcrest Trader Joe's.
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Brad B.

Yelp
- Businesses operating during the pandemic, "thank you" review #8* - While I'm a Ralph's guy, my wife is a TJ's gal. In my defense, I worked bagging groceries, pushing carts, mopping floors, and cleaning the meat room at Ralph's all through high school so I have a certain loyalty to them. This being said, you really can't beat the prices, quality, and some of TJ's frozen meals, sauces, cheeses, and other edible odds and ends. It really is true, it's hard to go wrong when picking out just about anything from on of SD's favorite businesses. Trader Joe's is regulating the line during the curing pandemic and I'll tell you what, if they did that when the world isn't losing their collective mind I'd be much more loyal to them. Yep, the only thing that keeps me away is the rush hour crowd but the line regulation has made for a much more peaceful shopping experience as long as you know some things are going to be in short supply. But hey, you're only here for essentials anyway, right? Who: Trader Joe's in Hillcrest What: Selling their usual goods. Fresh meat, eggs, produce, cheese, canned foods, liquids, alcohol, fresh flowers. If you know Trader Joe's, you know what will and won't be on the shelf. When: During operating hours. Please call to confirm that they are indeed open when looking to do some shopping. Additional: Be prepared to wait in a line that snakes past the front doors and into the rear parking structure. The line has gone as far as the dumpster in the far corner a few times but it tends to move relatively quickly with TJ's staff monitoring the flow. - *As long as the world is in an unpredictable place with the coronavirus dictating our lives and schedules, I'm going to review businesses who are still operating to provide us some sense of normalcy, and this is one of those reviews. My reviews will be 100% positive when clearly indicated with the "Businesses during the pandemic" header and footer. Feel free to steal the format and do the same for the hard working businesses that you come across. -
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Heathe M.

Yelp
Trader Joe's is offering senior time you might want to call them and check it because it changed a couple times in the last week. I was really happy to see that the store is completely stocked again. There's a staff member inside wiping down the handheld baskets and giving them to you and you will be bagging your own food. It's super clean in there And I believe the staff is holding up really well. Congrats Trader Joe's staff we appreciate you!!.
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Vishal D.

Yelp
Stopped here after our Yelp Elite event at Ike's sandwiches. Though the space is organized differently than most Trader Joe's we're used to, still well maintained. Staff is friendly as always and very well maintained with regards to COVID. Would highly recommend.
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Cory G.

Yelp
I love Trader Joes in general, but the Hillcrest store is the best. great fruit, baker, house brands, etc. the staff are so friendly and helpful that I almost feel guilty. Can't say enough good things about it.
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Corine G.

Yelp
This has been my favorite Trader Joe's location for over 10 years. Their customer service is consistently excellent and the staff are knowledgeable about the products. Tonight I went in to buy lilies and I couldn't find them. Not only did Diego locate the somewhat hidden flowers, he went above and beyond to help me find the two best bouquets. As someone who suffers from extreme anxiety attacks and has difficulty in crowded places, enclosed spaces, Diego and the staff at this location make my grocery shopping experience much easier than any other stores.
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Nic W.

Yelp
I've visited a few Trader Joe's over the years, and this just happens to be the one I currently visit based on my location. Couple 'cons': 1) the store is located in a bit of an odd spot within what one might call a sort of shopping center. With that in mind, the parking in this particular area is kind of a mess. There is also a Ralph's right next door, basically, as well as several other businesses, so it's kind of a cluster. Pretty much always a busy area and the parking lot is kind of difficult to drive around in because it's always all over the place. 2) I have visited this store several times on weekends, and it's particularly busy. 3) not really a con so much as something to be aware of: this store is operating during the COVID '19 pandemic, and while they appear to be practicing excellent sanitation and preventive measures, just keep in mind that this will hinder your ability to get in and shop quite a bit. I definitely appreciate their efforts, but if you're going to visit this location, just be aware that you'll spend at least 15 minutes outside in line waiting to even enter. 'Pros': 1) The staff at this location is quite friendly and always around to assist if you have questions or need help. 2) The store is set up in a way that you can kind of walk around and not be overwhelmed - if that makes sense. If you go, you'll see what I mean. 3) The prices are pretty good - they have great food and great quality items here as well. TL;DR: Go here, if you don't jive with it, don't go back.