Groceries The semi-irregular "Cool stuff at Trader Joe's" thread
Sweet Italian chicken sausages. Really, really good.
Fisch
Prospect
Hmm, the only regular things I get are pistachios, peanut butter filled pretzels and the white cheddar popcorn (not the puffs).
Used to buy the different carne asada's, the maui shortribs, frozen meatballs and frozen kalbi ribs more often but now I make my own.
I go to the cheese store for cheeses, ethnic specific deli's and the butcher for prepared/raw meats.
Used to buy the different carne asada's, the maui shortribs, frozen meatballs and frozen kalbi ribs more often but now I make my own.
I go to the cheese store for cheeses, ethnic specific deli's and the butcher for prepared/raw meats.
orpheus
The Dolphin Cares!
I have been wanting to try soy chorizo.
They only last one day in the frige (if that)....mhihi:
D
Dana
Lurker
I have been wanting to try soy chorizo.
My sister likes it because it doesn't get near as greasy as regular chorizo.
orpheus
The Dolphin Cares!
That sounds good. I like the spicy flavor of chorizo, but yeah, it does tend to get really greasy. Lol!
Noble Savage
Little Priest
I'm wrong, they are Paulaner, not Warsteiner. . . waaaay better beer.
Also, I'm a carnivore and I love the Soy Chorizo with breakfast.
B
bimlanders
Lurker
Trader Joe's has 6 pack Ale for 5.99, and they honestly taste as good as the 8-9.99 stuff from other stores.
1.99 @ traders
Mission Street Hefeweizen, Brown Ale coming to Trader Joe's | Beernews.org
Very good just the way I like a Hef.
D
daxx
Lurker
I don't know what's wrong with TJ's these days. Recently when I purchase something that I haven't tried yet it almost always sucks. Litz actually got food poisoning from dried apricots a while back. We've tried some of the pre-prepared stuff and it just sucks. The only things I get at TJ's now is Chimay, fruit leather thingies, pizza dough and hummus. I buy the last two because I don't have the time to make my own. Sadly, TJ's has gone down-hill in recent years.
A
Azagthoth
Lurker
Sprout's > TJ's.
ianmonsta
I'm Cultured, Bitch
I like Sprout's a lot and while they are similar I feel they are uncomparilable. I do prefer Sprout's for produce and some meats though.
Last edited:
Sprouts is great, but WAY overpriced. And not to go off topic, but if you're gonna overpay for produce, hell, even if you're not gonna overpay, get some of these:
I saw the infomercial a long time ago in the middle of the night while "impaired" and the next day I went out and bought them, LOL. But they SERIOUSLY work. I don't know how many people I've recommended them to now. They're awesome.
I saw the infomercial a long time ago in the middle of the night while "impaired" and the next day I went out and bought them, LOL. But they SERIOUSLY work. I don't know how many people I've recommended them to now. They're awesome.
Last edited:
A
Annapurna
Lurker
Two different kinds of stores! TJ's is more into prepared foods and specialty foods, while Sprouts is a hybrid of a Whole Foods / Vons. Sprouts has a better meat section, but a crappy deli prepared foods section. Both have mediocre produce IME, but sometimes Sprouts surprises you with good produce at a great price.
I don't think that TJ's has gone downhill, but that other grocery chains have raised the bar and started to carry similar products. I can now buy a 1/2 gallon of Almond Breeze at Ralph's for $3.99, which makes the $1.99 for 1qt deal at TJ's not so great. Of course, if i want chocolate Almond breeze, TJ's still as the best price. Same with Indian simmer sauces, many grocery chains carry those now as well. There is also the plethora of ethnic stores that we can purchase from as well.
So for me, TJ's has plateaued and they need to change their game plan a bit.
A
Azagthoth
Lurker
Not really two different kinds of stores. Both are smaller than your typical giants (Vons, Albertsons, etc) that carry their own brand of products. They both have numerous types of prepared lunches/dinners and selection of meats (Sprouts meats blows away TJ's though). Sprouts has the best produce out there with a hell of a lot to choose from, and is the most inexpensive too. TJ's is often overpriced in the produce department, with a lousy selection.
TJ's is better as far as cheese and wine goes, but for the overall grocery trip I only need to hit Sprouts. Don't get me wrong, TJ's has some cool stuff, but Sprouts annihilates them.
A
Azagthoth
Lurker
Are you sure you're not mistaking some other place for Sprouts? Their produces is CHEAP as hell! I will easily spend half at Sprouts than if I were to buy produce at TJ's or Vons. Easily. Vons will rape you on tomatoes @$2-3/lb while Sprouts has them for normally 49-90 cents a pound. I know stuff can be seasonal and all, but generally Sprouts will be the cheapest.
G
Genghis John
Lurker
I agree on the totally different stores sentiment.
Sprouts- Great meat, bulk items, above average produce
For regular everyday items like cheese, ketchup, peanut butter, etc. Trade Joes can't be beat.
Yes their meat is over priced and their produce sucks.
Sprouts- Great meat, bulk items, above average produce
For regular everyday items like cheese, ketchup, peanut butter, etc. Trade Joes can't be beat.
Yes their meat is over priced and their produce sucks.
A
Annapurna
Lurker
I respectfully disagree on Sprouts having the best produce. They are really inconsistent from store to store. I was at the new Culver City location last week and all the produce looked miserable and like it was about to spoil. The watermelons were all soft. It can be also be expensive if you don't purchase produce on sale.
I've never seen any prepared meals from Sprouts that are similar to what they have in TJs, unless I'm looking in the wrong place. One thing they DO have is a great bulk items section, but that isn't prepared meals.
Can't disagree on the meat section though.
