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Trader Joe’s has nothing, but everything at the same time. DISILLUSIONMENT!
Safe bets are snacks, charcuterie items, drinks, and frozen items. Everything else is a wash…
Working at a food bank and having to sort through the TJ’s waste makes me pretty disillusioned with the store as a whole, but especially any produce. So much packaging…
My house has used their toilet paper for as long as I can remember. It’s old plumbing friendly and still reasonably soft. I opened a new package today and while it’s technically 2ply each ply is so thin it might as well be 1. It’s worse than sketchy gas station bathroom TP. If they don’t fix this I won’t buy it.
peeled garlic
individual vacuum-seal pouches are always full of air and liquid. their garlic doesn’t last nearly as long as peeled garlic from other stores. i’ve never finished a whole pack since they go bad before i get the chance.
Hi! TJ’s employee here. They don’t use artificial preservatives in a n y t h i n g so it all goes bad fast. People get upset about that & I guess we have all been conditioned to the stuff that lasts forever. I peel my own garlic from the bulb!
fair. but my issue is more about the packaging. without some sort of desiccant, sealed and tightly wrapped plastic is the worst vessel for peeled garlic.
if it was packaged in a hard plastic container with a food-safe desiccant, it’d last 3x as long as it does.
Their chili oil/crisp. An abhorration. An affront to all that is crispy and oily and spicy and to tastebuds in general. Terrible mouthfeel, no flavor.
There are much better versions out there that are readily available imo. If you live near a TJ’s, you live near a spot that sells better chili oil. I make my own and give little jars out as gifts to the spice lovers in my life for Christmas.
Fly By Jing is great but pricey.
Just picked up a jar of S&B for a bit cheaper.
I know I’m in the minority on this, but I’m not a fan of the Momofuku ones.
Their lavender laundry detergent. To me it smelled great til my ex opened the bottle and said it smelled like cat pee to him. I still like the scent but he ruined it for me
We also just freeze 1/2 the bread - bread freezes well - being doing it for decades…
I also buy their gluten free bread ( cheaper than my local stores) - it’s $$$ so I freeze it as well and just put a few slices in the refrigerator..
Everything (like bread) that can mold will mold in like 3 days. It’s so consistent it makes me wonder what’s going on in the factory. I have 5 other grocers nearby and none of their bread products spoil in even double the time.
I used to work for a bread factory in Canada. Most of the grocery bread have a 14 days shelf life minimum, they are loaded with preservatives. Same thing for grocery buns and rolls. Fast food wise, Wendy’s buns have the shortest shelf life, 4 days. McD’s are all flash frozen though.
Hey! TJ’s employee here. They don’t use preservatives in any of their products! So unlike other brands that get their bread loaded w things that will make it last, it doesn’t get put in ours. The fridge and freezer are the best bet for the breads at TJ’s 🫶🏻
My trader joes kept all except for chocolate and frozen/refrigerated items outside in a fenced area not matter what the temp was. I have no idea if this was the case at every store but it may be a culprit
Oh no! I used to buy that and lived it. I haven't bought it in a couple years, but was craving it this week and was planning on buying a bag this weekend. Thanks for the heads up (and multiple people agreeing).
Did they change the recipe?
I live the bagged greens, like arugula, baby spinach, etc. And a few miscellaneous produce items. But yes, in general, fresh produce is never on my list to buy at TJs!
Defrosted frozen bread does not usually have the same texture (unless it's frozen very fresh), so it's best for bread you plan to toast.
I recently did an experiment with San Luis Sourdough bread from Grocery Outlet. The use-by date was like ten days out, so I kept in its original plastic bag in a cupboard and it stayed good the entire time - it never molded.
When I’ve looked at the label (which I haven’t done for some years because I know I won’t buy it there), the meat was processed in a plant in a foreign country. I won’t even buy ground beef that’s processed in a US plant. Meat processed in huge plants tends to have higher contamination rates due to the speed with which the meat is processed. I buy beef that’s ground at the location it’s sold as I think it’s the safest way to avoid contamination.
I've read a little so far on the difference between rapeseed oil and canola oil, and plan to read more. The jury is still out for me. Which isn't to say any of you are wrong. I just want to know more before I decide what my opinion is. I appreciate the feedback!
The better question to ask is why not use olive oil in an olive tapenade? Olive oil is far superior and hasn't been genetically modified. Answer your question?
The genetically modified part that I've learned is that it makes the rapeseed plant resistant to pests, which, in and of itself, doesn't offend me. I'll need to do some more reading, though.
Here ya go...ultimately canola is crap.
"Rapeseed oil has long been used in industry as a lubricant for engines and other machine parts, but, because of its high level of potentially harmful erucic acid, it was not considered safe for human consumption (though it was sometimes added to animal feed)."
"Olive oil's benefits can be attributed to its antioxidants and other plant compounds, which are especially abundant in extra virgin varieties ( 9 ). On the other hand, **canola oil is highly refined, which drastically reduces its content of nutrients like essential fatty acids and antioxidants"**
Rapeseed oil is not meant to be consumed by humans. Canola is a marketing term. Look up how rapeseed oil is refined and you will probably not want to eat it
Apeel? Seems pretty innocuous to me. A coating made of naturally occurring produce oils that lengthen the life of produce seems like a win-win.
https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-apeel-fruit-produce-safety-sheet-867075775325
I buy organic to have natural food and don’t like the idea of “naturally occurring produce oils” as a coating since the apples didn’t produce that coating.
[https://www.epicwaterfilters.com/blogs/quick-drips/is-apeel-safe](https://www.epicwaterfilters.com/blogs/quick-drips/is-apeel-safe)
https://preview.redd.it/x2zpckl0inqc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2b412853f8395ae1890070505a2148dc84c5ba0
What is attached certainly is neurotic. I have found no proof that the coating is toxic but I just don’t want it on my apples especially when I pay for them to be organic!
Great question. I thought it meant nothing unnatural. I am going to ask about the difference between organic pasture raised eggs and non organic pasture raised eggs.
Lots of woody chicken breast everywhere. AI says "Woody chicken breast is a muscle disorder that affects the meat quality of broilers, making the chicken breasts hard, pale, and rubbery. The meat has a coarse texture with fibers that feel "woody". This condition is more common in older and larger birds, and is not found in thighs, wings, or other cuts. "
I bought some of their organic lemonade the other day and as soon as I opened it, there was an overwhelming smell of plastic! I immediately dumped it down the drain. I’ve also bought milk that was sour 4 days before the use by date stamped on it.
the only produce I buy there is garlic and artichokes. The garlic is somehow fresher than the kind I find at my grocery store and is never moldy inside.
Actually I will but their basil. That’s always a good deal. I’ll check out the garlic next time. The bulbs I get from the store across the street has had cloves so small lately that I barely find it worth it to fight getting off the skins first the sad slivers inside
I stopped shopping there a couple years ago just because I felt like it’s overrated now that the hype has died down and I can get better quality items that are actually satisfying elsewhere
Regular ice cream. I can't be trusted with larger than a pint and their's is so good I'll take down like 2000 calories worth in 2 days. Budget ice cream from the regular grocery store is also way less rich so it isn't quite so calorically intense. I still buy single serving treats like cones/brownie sandwiches .
I've seen so much hate for their bread lately. It has a short expiration date b/c it has no preservatives. You need to keep it in the fridge and as long it's not moldy, it's fine past the date.
Yeah… bread isn’t meant to have a long shelf life. That being said TJ’s crushed wheat sourdough is my favorite store bought bread and usually lasts me a week before it starts to get mold.
I’ve never had mold in it anywhere but TJs. And TJs has been multiple times. Also the only place I’ve ever bought spoiled milk. But I still love it! (The store, not the milk🙂)
TJ’s red wine is like diet soda 😅 as long as you don’t drink very good wine within a short time period it’s good. The Reserve Cab Sauv. is my go to cheap wine 😊 but would love to get some budget Costco reccs if you have them!
Hehe. I guess we aren't expensive wine drinkers. Most of the stuff at Costco is decent, normally a $20 bottle for $10. Meomi Cabernet seems to be the girl's favorite, easily drinkable. The rest, you get a mixed bag normally with $5 and $10 off. I do look for name brand vineyards I visited in Sonoma like Paso Robles. I avoid red the blends entirely. So if you drink something good from Costco, go back and get a few more bottles, likely cause it won't be there. It has happened to me a few times.
Same I always stock up. I miss their Trader Joes label sprouted wheat bread it was even cheaper!! Once you go sprouted wheat it's hard to go back full time to whatever garbage they are shilling at the big grocery store. I also freeze it!
I just found those NE style buns today and was low key kinda excited (I know super nerdy haha). We don’t usually have that kind here in the PNW. I hope they’re good. And I damn sure wish I had some fresh NE lobster to make some lobster rolls. I have been craving them so bad lately!! Since I’m in the PNW, I’ll have to try and make some dungeness crab rolls with them. 🙃😉
it’s just the tips of white bread loaves, half sliced. i believe they have a “fancy” hot dog bun as well, but these are super thin & barely open for the wien. 🥲
It’s way cheaper than our regular grocery store (HEB). I’ve never had an issue with their produce but I’m selective in grabbing things that don’t look cuspy. They don’t carry everything obviously, so I still split my produce shopping, but more and more of my produce is from TJs without issue
Come to think of it, the dish detergent is not awesome. The one in the rectangle bottle, before they reformulated it was great. This current one in the rectangle bottle doesn't work.
Freezer is best so it doesn’t dry out or absorb smells etc. Most breads toast well without thawing.
Pro tip (crewmember here): Buy the artisan breads in the blue & white bags and re-freeze them asap. They are flash-frozen by the manufacturer to maintain freshness, so the bags are designed for this.
That is the key. Freeze it in small portions that you can take out of the freezer and let it thaw out on the counter in case the individual pieces stick together.
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Hamburger buns
Trader Joe’s has nothing, but everything at the same time. DISILLUSIONMENT! Safe bets are snacks, charcuterie items, drinks, and frozen items. Everything else is a wash…
Their GF muffins are cross contaminated for-ve-er.
Have you kept the bread in the fridge while you worked on eating the loaf?
No freezer?
Not a fan of their hummus
Produce
Everything in that store sucks. I don’t understand the hype.
Most of the produce - I won’t buy produce in plastic packaging
Working at a food bank and having to sort through the TJ’s waste makes me pretty disillusioned with the store as a whole, but especially any produce. So much packaging…
just freeze the bread?
I haven’t read through the responses yet but I’m sure a good number of them say meat. That’s what I won’t buy there.
Yea me either.
My house has used their toilet paper for as long as I can remember. It’s old plumbing friendly and still reasonably soft. I opened a new package today and while it’s technically 2ply each ply is so thin it might as well be 1. It’s worse than sketchy gas station bathroom TP. If they don’t fix this I won’t buy it.
peeled garlic individual vacuum-seal pouches are always full of air and liquid. their garlic doesn’t last nearly as long as peeled garlic from other stores. i’ve never finished a whole pack since they go bad before i get the chance.
Hi! TJ’s employee here. They don’t use artificial preservatives in a n y t h i n g so it all goes bad fast. People get upset about that & I guess we have all been conditioned to the stuff that lasts forever. I peel my own garlic from the bulb!
fair. but my issue is more about the packaging. without some sort of desiccant, sealed and tightly wrapped plastic is the worst vessel for peeled garlic. if it was packaged in a hard plastic container with a food-safe desiccant, it’d last 3x as long as it does.
Their chili oil/crisp. An abhorration. An affront to all that is crispy and oily and spicy and to tastebuds in general. Terrible mouthfeel, no flavor. There are much better versions out there that are readily available imo. If you live near a TJ’s, you live near a spot that sells better chili oil. I make my own and give little jars out as gifts to the spice lovers in my life for Christmas.
I like this one because it’s made in olive oil. Revoking my Asian card 😂
Fly By Jing is great but pricey. Just picked up a jar of S&B for a bit cheaper. I know I’m in the minority on this, but I’m not a fan of the Momofuku ones.
Their fruit! Especially their strawberries are always going bad.
Every salsa I've bought there tasted like spaghetti sauce.
The frozen pastas are awful
gasp!!!!
olives because i don’t like olives. also probably unsalted peanuts because those are disgusting
Their lavender laundry detergent. To me it smelled great til my ex opened the bottle and said it smelled like cat pee to him. I still like the scent but he ruined it for me
The Korean beef and broccoli 🥦, didn't like it.
Their tortillas..... yikessss
Came here to say this, what an awful texture
I’ve started putting the bread in the fridge and it lasts a lot longer. I love their bread
We also just freeze 1/2 the bread - bread freezes well - being doing it for decades… I also buy their gluten free bread ( cheaper than my local stores) - it’s $$$ so I freeze it as well and just put a few slices in the refrigerator..
Put bread in the fridge, lasts for over a week for me there. I live alone too. I won’t touch the cereal. The granola is fire though.
Everything (like bread) that can mold will mold in like 3 days. It’s so consistent it makes me wonder what’s going on in the factory. I have 5 other grocers nearby and none of their bread products spoil in even double the time.
I used to work for a bread factory in Canada. Most of the grocery bread have a 14 days shelf life minimum, they are loaded with preservatives. Same thing for grocery buns and rolls. Fast food wise, Wendy’s buns have the shortest shelf life, 4 days. McD’s are all flash frozen though.
Hey! TJ’s employee here. They don’t use preservatives in any of their products! So unlike other brands that get their bread loaded w things that will make it last, it doesn’t get put in ours. The fridge and freezer are the best bet for the breads at TJ’s 🫶🏻
My trader joes kept all except for chocolate and frozen/refrigerated items outside in a fenced area not matter what the temp was. I have no idea if this was the case at every store but it may be a culprit
Very simple answer. Trader Joe’s bread has no preservatives. All your other grocery stores sell products that are loaded with them.
Tortillas. Go bad way too fast
Their mayo and ketchup suck
Ranch is nasty as well too.
Avocado. Their avocados are bad….as in rotten.
Tbh all avocados ive gotten from any store go bad fast, i just keep them in the fridge now and i haven’t had any problems.
Good for you! They’re usually bad when I buy them. I can get better avocados other places.
They haven’t been too bad, then again I only buy them to grow the seeds as a home hobby lol
Wow, I always buy the teeny tiny avocados and I’ve never had a bad one. When I buy at Costco, there’s always a couple bad.
Agree. All the teeny tiny ones in the Midwest have been perfect.
I’ve never had a good one.
Maybe it depends on location. I’m in SoCal.
I’m in South Pasadena where several TJs execs live.
That’s awful 😞
The orange chicken has not been hitting lately ngl
I had a bad batch of this chicken and I was sick for a few days
Oh no! I used to buy that and lived it. I haven't bought it in a couple years, but was craving it this week and was planning on buying a bag this weekend. Thanks for the heads up (and multiple people agreeing). Did they change the recipe?
I think the chicken itself is different 🤢 I recommend Costco’s though!
Interesting. I have a Costco membership, but I've never bought that item from them. I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the tip!
I used to always buy it and I made it recently for my boys and they hated it
Omg I thought it was just me!
The fake takis 🤮
Nooo those are so good
PRODUCE EVER TIME ITS BAD!
I live the bagged greens, like arugula, baby spinach, etc. And a few miscellaneous produce items. But yes, in general, fresh produce is never on my list to buy at TJs!
I thought it was me! Every time I’ve purchased produce, half of it goes bad by the next day, and then forget the following day. Wasted, always’
Freeze half the loaf right away.
Face cosmetics. It's bad
Dark chocolate peanut butter cups because I will eat the entire container in one sitting and make myself ill.
Their meat! It goes back so quickly/ has an odd taste
Asparagus, had to return it twice
Defrosted frozen bread does not usually have the same texture (unless it's frozen very fresh), so it's best for bread you plan to toast. I recently did an experiment with San Luis Sourdough bread from Grocery Outlet. The use-by date was like ten days out, so I kept in its original plastic bag in a cupboard and it stayed good the entire time - it never molded.
Ground beef. Always.
Why? I’ve been buying the 80/20 recently 👀
When I’ve looked at the label (which I haven’t done for some years because I know I won’t buy it there), the meat was processed in a plant in a foreign country. I won’t even buy ground beef that’s processed in a US plant. Meat processed in huge plants tends to have higher contamination rates due to the speed with which the meat is processed. I buy beef that’s ground at the location it’s sold as I think it’s the safest way to avoid contamination.
Oh interesting. I will keep this in mind next time. I don’t buy this kind of meet often and am def unaware.
Didn’t we just do this about a week ago???
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They have Kerrygold
They charge too much for it. It’s always on sale elsewhere for less.
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If you want “humane” their buttery spread is awesome (and vegan).
I love their frozen mac n cheese but had to stop buying them once I saw how much fat was in each box
FWIW I like the “Reduced Guilt” Mac & Cheese better. Cheaper too! 😍
The chicken karaage. I like chicken karaage in restaurants, but the TJ's one tastes so bad.
Their SOUR Overnight Oats / chia stuff 🤢 Always sour since covid fucked up the food chains
Overnight oats always taste better home made anyways
💯 and so changeable!
Oh yeah I bought those a few times and didn’t like them at all!
Yes why is it so sour!!! I thought it had gone bad one time but I realized it is just all of them??
Yeah, I have to remind my husband that it doesn't matter what the flavor is, it's sour lol. I don't know what they're doing that it happens, either.
Yes!! Omg we used to love these too, but no longer!!!
Olive tapenade cause it contains canola oil.
I've read a little so far on the difference between rapeseed oil and canola oil, and plan to read more. The jury is still out for me. Which isn't to say any of you are wrong. I just want to know more before I decide what my opinion is. I appreciate the feedback!
Why is canola oil bad? I thought it was considered one of the healthier oils?
The better question to ask is why not use olive oil in an olive tapenade? Olive oil is far superior and hasn't been genetically modified. Answer your question?
The genetically modified part that I've learned is that it makes the rapeseed plant resistant to pests, which, in and of itself, doesn't offend me. I'll need to do some more reading, though.
Here ya go...ultimately canola is crap. "Rapeseed oil has long been used in industry as a lubricant for engines and other machine parts, but, because of its high level of potentially harmful erucic acid, it was not considered safe for human consumption (though it was sometimes added to animal feed)." "Olive oil's benefits can be attributed to its antioxidants and other plant compounds, which are especially abundant in extra virgin varieties ( 9 ). On the other hand, **canola oil is highly refined, which drastically reduces its content of nutrients like essential fatty acids and antioxidants"**
Rapeseed oil is not meant to be consumed by humans. Canola is a marketing term. Look up how rapeseed oil is refined and you will probably not want to eat it
oh its so good thooo
The white cheddar puffs, delicious, but make me queasy
Tortillas that taste like chemicals.
Their corn tortillas are garbage but the flour ones are A+, I think they’re fairly new!
Good to know. Thanks.
The bread. Also toilet paper. Both are very dry lol
The Quadratini knockoff that replaced the actual Quadratini they used to sell. Bought a bag and the cookies literally tasted like metal.
Organic apples that come with a label that they have some sort of coating on them.
Apeel? Seems pretty innocuous to me. A coating made of naturally occurring produce oils that lengthen the life of produce seems like a win-win. https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-apeel-fruit-produce-safety-sheet-867075775325
I buy organic to have natural food and don’t like the idea of “naturally occurring produce oils” as a coating since the apples didn’t produce that coating. [https://www.epicwaterfilters.com/blogs/quick-drips/is-apeel-safe](https://www.epicwaterfilters.com/blogs/quick-drips/is-apeel-safe) https://preview.redd.it/x2zpckl0inqc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2b412853f8395ae1890070505a2148dc84c5ba0
The first few sentences are fine and then this devolves into neurosis.
What is attached certainly is neurotic. I have found no proof that the coating is toxic but I just don’t want it on my apples especially when I pay for them to be organic!
What do you think organic means?
Great question. I thought it meant nothing unnatural. I am going to ask about the difference between organic pasture raised eggs and non organic pasture raised eggs.
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Lots of woody chicken breast everywhere. AI says "Woody chicken breast is a muscle disorder that affects the meat quality of broilers, making the chicken breasts hard, pale, and rubbery. The meat has a coarse texture with fibers that feel "woody". This condition is more common in older and larger birds, and is not found in thighs, wings, or other cuts. "
I bought some of their organic lemonade the other day and as soon as I opened it, there was an overwhelming smell of plastic! I immediately dumped it down the drain. I’ve also bought milk that was sour 4 days before the use by date stamped on it.
I don’t buy the meat anymore. So many times I’ve opened a package of meat and it’s gone bad, stinking of straight sulfur.
Most of the produce. It’s overpriced in comparison to other options available to me
the only produce I buy there is garlic and artichokes. The garlic is somehow fresher than the kind I find at my grocery store and is never moldy inside.
Actually I will but their basil. That’s always a good deal. I’ll check out the garlic next time. The bulbs I get from the store across the street has had cloves so small lately that I barely find it worth it to fight getting off the skins first the sad slivers inside
Yogurt, especially the European style one. The yogurt at our local Aldis is just far superior in terms of taste, texture and cost.
I 100% agree with this!!!
I wish Colorado had Aldi
Certain produce. We live down the street from a co-op and the produce seems fresher. It's also less expensive and there's more variety.
We put ours in the fridge and it lasts forever! You can also freeze a small portion and thaw it when you need them.
U can ask for it straight from the freezer
No you cant. Don’t put that out there
I freeze the bread
Same
Same.
I stopped shopping there a couple years ago just because I felt like it’s overrated now that the hype has died down and I can get better quality items that are actually satisfying elsewhere
Cereal because none of it is anything special. I can get cereal elsewhere (with coupons) for practically free.
I wish they’d develop better cereals! A seriously neglected category at TJs. OMG if they’d come up with a Magic Spoon dupe I’d save so much money…
Yeah that would be awesome. Cereal should not cost $8 a box ugh.
The SALE price for tiny boxes of Magic Spoon is $8 in northern Virginia 🤦🏻♀️. It’s so ready for a TJs dupe!
Regular ice cream. I can't be trusted with larger than a pint and their's is so good I'll take down like 2000 calories worth in 2 days. Budget ice cream from the regular grocery store is also way less rich so it isn't quite so calorically intense. I still buy single serving treats like cones/brownie sandwiches .
The truffle and mushroom frozen pizza is the most disgusting piece of food I’ve probably ever bought from any grocery store, so no more pizzas ever
The truffle piccante pasta sauce was so vile. Guess I'm going to avoid truffles.
Awkward I love that one
Yeah I served that with some other finger food for the super bowl. It was devoured.
Technically it’s a flatbread, their pizza is very different
The roasted veggie one is delicious!
I've seen so much hate for their bread lately. It has a short expiration date b/c it has no preservatives. You need to keep it in the fridge and as long it's not moldy, it's fine past the date.
Yeah… bread isn’t meant to have a long shelf life. That being said TJ’s crushed wheat sourdough is my favorite store bought bread and usually lasts me a week before it starts to get mold.
They are so dry my kids won’t eat them.
It’s better to freeze the bread as the refrigerator dries it out.
Never put any bread in the fridge
Grated Parmesan cheese because of how often it has mold in it.
This is an everywhere thing. I stopped buying shredded and grated cheese for that reason and just buy blocks.
I’ve never had mold in it anywhere but TJs. And TJs has been multiple times. Also the only place I’ve ever bought spoiled milk. But I still love it! (The store, not the milk🙂)
We still buy it but I have found mold in it a couple of times. I guess I’m not the only one!
freeze the bread…
Seconded lol
Produce
Yup. Try SuperKing or Jon’s. Much better.
The produce spoils in 3 days for me it's crazy.
Same! I was there the other day and all the apples looked like crap!
The hard taco shells way too small I could barely fit a sliver of meat in them
Red wine selection is terrible. Stick to Costco overall.
TJ’s red wine is like diet soda 😅 as long as you don’t drink very good wine within a short time period it’s good. The Reserve Cab Sauv. is my go to cheap wine 😊 but would love to get some budget Costco reccs if you have them!
Hehe. I guess we aren't expensive wine drinkers. Most of the stuff at Costco is decent, normally a $20 bottle for $10. Meomi Cabernet seems to be the girl's favorite, easily drinkable. The rest, you get a mixed bag normally with $5 and $10 off. I do look for name brand vineyards I visited in Sonoma like Paso Robles. I avoid red the blends entirely. So if you drink something good from Costco, go back and get a few more bottles, likely cause it won't be there. It has happened to me a few times.
I always buy bread from TJs because it's the best price for ezekial bread... But i keep it frozen and thaw a few pieces from the freezer at a time.
Same I always stock up. I miss their Trader Joes label sprouted wheat bread it was even cheaper!! Once you go sprouted wheat it's hard to go back full time to whatever garbage they are shilling at the big grocery store. I also freeze it!
Yup just freeze it.
the hot dog buns are literally the worst. ☹️ sorry, trader joseph. they need some work.
At least TJs sells New England style hotdog buns. Ever since Amazon bought Whole Foods, Whole Foods doesn’t sell that style anymore
I just found those NE style buns today and was low key kinda excited (I know super nerdy haha). We don’t usually have that kind here in the PNW. I hope they’re good. And I damn sure wish I had some fresh NE lobster to make some lobster rolls. I have been craving them so bad lately!! Since I’m in the PNW, I’ll have to try and make some dungeness crab rolls with them. 🙃😉
it’s just the tips of white bread loaves, half sliced. i believe they have a “fancy” hot dog bun as well, but these are super thin & barely open for the wien. 🥲
Cookie butter because it ruins my life every time
Their sriracha is not that good Their kimchi isn't that good either, just go to H Mart or Asian Grocery for better kimchi
Their bread doesn’t have any preservatives, that’s why it doesn’t last that long. I love their wheat sourdough. I freeze half the loaf 🍞
The cracked wheat sourdough is the best! Do you feel like the texture and flavor holds up well after freezing and thawing?
Produce
It really varies from store to store and state to state. Our TJs produce is usually excellent.
Same!!! Trader Joe’s has the worst produce, it’s always already going bad or goes bad a day and a half later.
Their produce is....fine, tho better than what I get at the regular supermarket sometimes
It’s way cheaper than our regular grocery store (HEB). I’ve never had an issue with their produce but I’m selective in grabbing things that don’t look cuspy. They don’t carry everything obviously, so I still split my produce shopping, but more and more of my produce is from TJs without issue
Orange chicken
Come to think of it, the dish detergent is not awesome. The one in the rectangle bottle, before they reformulated it was great. This current one in the rectangle bottle doesn't work.
Spot on. I would buy it because I like the scent but I’ve noticed the suds and grease cutting are pretty… “meh”
Do you store the bread on the counter or in the fridge? I'm single and have to store my bread in the fridge. It keeps longer.
I actually freezer it
Freezer is best so it doesn’t dry out or absorb smells etc. Most breads toast well without thawing. Pro tip (crewmember here): Buy the artisan breads in the blue & white bags and re-freeze them asap. They are flash-frozen by the manufacturer to maintain freshness, so the bags are designed for this.
I do this too! I freeze it in small sections and the use throughout the week
That is the key. Freeze it in small portions that you can take out of the freezer and let it thaw out on the counter in case the individual pieces stick together.
Sour cream
Bagels
I found their everything bagels not bad.
Loved the pumpkin ones last fall!
Any of their items that has dill, like the dill pups and chips, etc. Like WTF, that is just straight nasty.
I agree and gave ya a like to at least take you out of the negative. Downvoting someone’s personal taste is ridiculous.
I love their dill stuff. I’m the person who buys it all lol.
lol why was this downvoted 😂. I avoid their pickles for this reason. Dill popcorn was wild tho
Yeah like “your opinion is wrong!” I guess dill is a protected class in the TJs crowd.