Trader Joe's Pizza has changed my life...

[bcleez]

If you have a local trader joes, do yourself a favor and pick up a frozen pizza margharita or 3 cheese. They are $4 and very high quality. Blows any other pizza out of the water.

 

[lwien]

I love Trader Joe's. It's my main source for food. Love their pizza's.

Here's a few other things to try, especially if you like Indian food:

From the freezer:
Paneer Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala

Great food at great prices and they have some off-the wall stuff that you just can't find anywhere else.

 

[obelisk]

lol, i have the margharita and 3 cheese all the time. my favorite though is the spinach one. really is very good.

since we are talking about TJs, also check out their fruit bars. very good snack to have around when stoned. also check out their thai lime and chilli peanuts/cashews, their edamame hummus, the frozen meatballs, the baked NY style cheesecake, the carrot cake, the funky popcorn mmmmmmm, man i could go on, i love trader joes. i don't drink anymore (gave it up about 6 weeks ago) but they also have very cheap beer that actually tastes alright. Simple times it's called, IIRC.

EDIT:

Iwein: I noticed you mentioned the TJ frozen indian food. I think the TJ indian food is alright, not very especial. if you do like indian food and would like to buy some frozen variety, find an indian store and look for frozen food (lentils, chicken, paneer, whatever you like) sold under the brand 'Deep'. It has a more authentic taste and is as agreeable to the typical western person's palate as the TJ stuff

 

[lwien]

lol, i have the margharita and 3 cheese all the time. my favorite though is the spinach one. really is very good.

since we are talking about TJs, also check out their fruit bars. very good snack to have around when stoned. also check out their thai lime and chilli peanuts/cashews, their edamame hummus, the frozen meatballs, the baked NY style cheesecake, the carrot cake, the funky popcorn mmmmmmm, man i could go on, i love trader joes. i don't drink anymore (gave it up about 6 weeks ago) but they also have very cheap beer that actually tastes alright. Simple times it's called, IIRC.

lol.........ok, now I've got to make a shopping list, which I never do......lol

Some other good stuff:
Orange and Cranberry Bran Muffins
Pesto Turkey Sandwiches
Latin Style Black Bean Soup (with garlic and chipotle)
Field Fresh Chopped Salad w/chicken
Turkey Chili

 

[max]

We have a new TJ in my area, convenient to my normal travel routes. I'm gonna have to try some of these suggestions. Thanks guys.

 

[Lo]

Well now I'm pissed! No TJ's here and all that stuff sounds so yummy!! Thanks, guess I'll go forage for food now LOL!

 

[bcleez]

lol, i never bring a list to TJ's, i would never follow it. The cheap beer @ this TJ is Red Oval 6 pack for 2.99 and it is pretty good.

TJ's is awesome, it beats going out to eat in my opinion and has such variety & turn over. Try the Hickory BBQ potato chips. How are the meatballs?? I get their blue cheese & fresh bread and can't imagine how good a bluecheese& Meatball sub would be. Is the Cheesecake Really NYC style?? I am originally from the area (now NC) and get disappointed every time I buy a "NY style".

My wife was looking at something called like... Cheesecake dilemma or chocolate cheesecake apocolypse... some dilemma or issue with a dessert that was like 4 or more slices of different cheesecakes, obviously its a problem.

For me TJ's is way better than Whole Foods, way better vibe.

 

[lwien]

lol, i never bring a list to TJ's, i would never follow it. The cheap beer @ this TJ is Red Oval 6 pack for 2.99 and it is pretty good.

TJ's is awesome, it beats going out to eat in my opinion and has such variety & turn over. Try the Hickory BBQ potato chips. How are the meatballs?? I get their blue cheese & fresh bread and can't imagine how good a bluecheese& Meatball sub would be. Is the Cheesecake Really NYC style?? I am originally from the area (now NC) and get disappointed every time I buy a "NY style".

My wife was looking at something called like... Cheesecake dilemma or chocolate cheesecake apocolypse... some dilemma or issue with a dessert that was like 4 or more slices of different cheesecakes, obviously its a problem.

For me TJ's is way better than Whole Foods, way better vibe.

Whole Foods is definately more expensive. TJ's has a more organic, down-home feel to it. Whole Foods has a more supermarket feel. I prefer TJ's too.

Totally agree regarding the turnover. Every once in awhile, certain things just disappear, only to be replaced with something brand new and different. If you're looking for brand name stuff, TJ's is not the place to go, but if you're looking for really unique foods that can't be found anywhere else, it's great. Kinda like going on a treasure hunt.

 

[obelisk]

The cheap beer @ this TJ is Red Oval 6 pack for 2.99 and it is pretty good.

true. Simple times is 3.99 a six pack here (MA), and a dollar more expensive than Red. I don't mind the Red and used to pick it up when I was low on cash, but I definitely prefer Simple Times which is quite cheap too.

Try the Hickory BBQ potato chips.

will do for sure, i've seen those but never bought them, thanks.

How are the meatballs??

I think there are a few kinds, but in the frozen section, where they have the BBQ skewers and similar stuff, they have these meatballs that come in a gray-green pack, i forget what they are called, but those meatballs are kinda smallish but very very tasty

Is the Cheesecake Really NYC style?? I am originally from the area (now NC) and get disappointed every time I buy a "NY style".

well, i was in NJ for a couple of years, went to NY often, love my cheesecake, and i'd say the TJ stuff is pretty good. perhaps not as good as some bakeries in NY/NJ but definitely very tasty and, yes, 'real' NY style (or what i understand as NY style anyway)

For me TJ's is way better than Whole Foods, way better vibe.

I haven't really been much to whole foods even though there is one right next to the TJs here. Whole foods is pretty expensive, and I prefer TJs. I agree with your vibe statement too.

My landlord says it best, he worked for TJs for some time and says their motto internally is 'cheap gourmet'.

i kinda agree

 

[bcleez]

simple times is good too and the lager is 6.2% alcohol by volume. I was actually there today and its St. Patricks theme and there are lots of goodies.

have you guys ever tried the coffee?

BTW owning a coffee press has changed my life too. but thats another thread....

 

[lwien]

have you guys ever tried the coffee?

BTW owning a coffee press has changed my life too. but thats another thread....

Yup. I grind my own and have been using a French Press for decades. Love their coffee. French Roast 'cause I likes mah coffee STRONG !! Their Volcano dark roast is great too.

 

[Lo]

Okay.. now you guys are killing me. I drive 45 mins....circle a block to find parking at whole foods to buy beans there. No TJ's here I love me some nice espresso beans!! Why o' why no TJ's here in Florida??

Now I want pizza, meatballs and coffee... okay some of the cheesecake too I have to leave this thead!!!

 

[obelisk]

have you guys ever tried the coffee?

BTW owning a coffee press has changed my life too. but thats another thread....

my wife and i drink their french roast (with caffeine)-- don't own a coffee grinder but I use the TJ one- that's another thing I love about them, I can grind my coffee beans right before I actually buy them!

 

[edamame]

TJ is awesome, screw Whole Paycheck

 

[sour]

I just found out there is a TJ's in Rancho Cucamonga about 5 mi. away! Life changing!!!

 

[tdavie]

Here's a few other things to try, especially if you like Indian food:

From the freezer:
Paneer Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala

Ah, a fan of Indian food! Do you like Channa Masala, Alu/Gobi Paratha, Naan or Biryani?

Arghh, now I feel like going out and getting some Indian food.

Tom

 

[chucku]

Their coffee is excellent. I wish their Kauai and Molokai varietals came in larger cans (like the Columbian Supremo). TJ is owned by Aldi and like Aldi private labels a lot of brand name products for about 1/2 the cost of the local mega mart. Their bulk candy offerings are impressive.

 

[IAmKrazy2]

Trader Joe's wine, why has no one mentioned that?? I am not much for whine, more into whiskey, gin, or beer but i know I have had some TJ's 3 buck chuck before. I think it's more like 5 buck plus now though.

 

[chucku]

Not just the 2 buck chuck. I have gotten some outstanding Reislings for $4.00-$5.00 a bottle. They also have some very good Italian reds. Their Trader Jose beer is private labeled Tecate (lager and amber).

 

[AgentGraves007]

If you like pizza, but a whole grain crust for 1 dollar at TJs and make it, it comes out thin and fairly crispy for us. we use a refried beans and salsa base, some jalepenos, pineapples, mexican cheese, it's awesome!

 

[lwien]

If you like pizza, but a whole grain crust for 1 dollar at TJs and make it, it comes out thin and fairly crispy for us. we use a refried beans and salsa base, some jalepenos, pineapples, mexican cheese, it's awesome!

My taste buds just blew up.

 

[momofthegoons]

Hit up my local Trader Joe's today. Pumpkin butter! So darn tasty. Of course, while I was there I had to pick up lots of other good stuff; frozen pizzas, pumpkin cream cheese, some of their cinnamon grahams, some killer teas and seasonal coffee, cut flowers, a couple of cheeses, crackers and some really nice lavender dryer sachets. I had a good buzz going when I went in. I'm lucky I came out with only 3 bags full.

 

[reece]

Trader Joe's wine, why has no one mentioned that?? I am not much for whine, more into whiskey, gin, or beer but i know I have had some TJ's 3 buck chuck before. I think it's more like 5 buck plus now though.

Wine is pretty much all I buy at Trader Joe's. Very good, very inexpensive.

 

[lwien]

Trader Joe's wine, why has no one mentioned that?? I am not much for whine, more into whiskey, gin, or beer but i know I have had some TJ's 3 buck chuck before. I think it's more like 5 buck plus now though.

Wine is pretty much all I buy at Trader Joe's. Very good, very inexpensive.

They do have a pretty nice wine selection. Of course, so is their frozen pizza selection, nut selection, pre-packaged salad selections, cheese selections, coffee selections, nut butter selections, chocolate selections, chip selections...........achhh, fuck it. I LOVE Trader Joe's.

 

[aesthyrian]

TJ's is cool, but they need to stop discontinuing everything I become addicted to. Seriously, EVERY TIME I buy something religiously from them it's bound to disappear forever someday because they are constantly changing what they carry. They finally carry hemp milk which is awesome, but still no chocolate hemp milk so I have to go to whole foods to get that until TJ's catches up Why make vanilla but not chocolate.. what the hell?