In the mood for trying new things at TJs? Look no further...

November 13, 2008 7:08 PM

Trader Joe's Fan: Recipes, product reviews and more.
posted by invisible ink (26 comments total)

This post is missing something.

Oh yeah, links.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:15 PM on November 13, 2008

I guess I always wondered where Steve got all that weird-ass shit he eats. Still, this post lacks depth of flavour and mouthfeel.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:23 PM on November 13, 2008

See also the Trader Joe's Training Video (NSFW).
posted by zippy at 7:31 PM on November 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

I love TJs. Right now the Peppermint Joe-Joes are out.
But this was a pretty dull post.
posted by k8t at 8:07 PM on November 13, 2008

Yes! This website is totally for me! I love TJs more than I probably should..
posted by spiderskull at 8:26 PM on November 13, 2008

This is where that plumber guy shops, right?
posted by ericbop at 9:27 PM on November 13, 2008

You're thinking of Joe the Trader's.
posted by maryh at 9:33 PM on November 13, 2008

Or, as Sarah Palin likes to call him, "Traitor Joe" cuz he pals around with fromagerie, you betcha!
posted by maryh at 9:41 PM on November 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

They get a huge chunk of my money. Italian Blood Orange Soda, yo.
posted by Bookhouse at 10:03 PM on November 13, 2008

Has this reviewer met a Trader Joe's item he doesn't like? I mean seriously, I managed to find one one star rating and even that was described as good. Now I like Trader Joe's. It's my default place to get cheap prepared food for lunches, and I pick up plenty of basic items while I'm there. But I know that when I buy random things there it can be pretty hit or miss. A real review site would be cool, but this site ain't it.
posted by aspo at 10:10 PM on November 13, 2008

"Not affiliated with the Trader Joe's Company" but might as well be. If not, then who gives him the TJ's cookies and coffee for his giveaways? I smell a Blueberry Pomegranate Blue. Or maybe the guy wanted to be an Apple fanboy but couldn't afford an iMac, just some Annie's Mac.
posted by wendell at 10:21 PM on November 13, 2008

Has this reviewer met a Trader Joe's item he doesn't like? I mean seriously, I managed to find one one star rating and even that was described as good. Now I like Trader Joe's. It's my default place to get cheap prepared food for lunches, and I pick up plenty of basic items while I'm there. But I know that when I buy random things there it can be pretty hit or miss. A real review site would be cool, but this site ain't it.

I've got just the thing. Reviews of packaged foods, sorted by brand, with tons of TJ's stuff. When my town got a Trader Joe's I read the whole archives of this site to find out what to buy (as well as posting an Askme question).
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:26 PM on November 13, 2008

Sheesh, 4/5 stars for Annie's Mac? That's what I had for dinner tonight, the best I can say is it was warm, filling, and full of MSG.
posted by TungstenChef at 11:10 PM on November 13, 2008

Cardhouse used to do TJ product reviews that were good and funny. This site just makes me miss those.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:47 AM on November 14, 2008

Mr. Gravy and I are always thrilled when we find something we don't like. Our nightmare is discovering more items we will be craving at 2:00am Sunday morning.

"Any chili lime cashews left?"
"No, sorry."
"Mini-tacos?"
"Nope."
"Horseradish hummus? Parsnip chips? Lemongrass chicken sticks?"
"Nothing. We only have normal food."
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:22 AM on November 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

Everytime I fall in love with a TJs product, they discontinue it. Where is my goat cheese and pear pizza, you bastards? What about my black olive tapenade that was so salty it hurt (so good)? I didn't even want to try the dark chocolate covered mango slices with chili powder, since it is so obviously a trap. But I caved.

Oh, what am I saying? I love you Joe. let's never fight again.
posted by JoanArkham at 7:07 AM on November 14, 2008

Things from Trader Joe's that make my pee smell funny:
- vegetarian chili
- organic lentil vegetable soup
- those espresso-flavored chocolate chip cookies
- vegetable gyoza

I love you, Trader Joe's. And your flyers crack me up. Also, free samples of wine or beer on weekend afternoons. Uh, I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend.
posted by giraffe at 7:17 AM on November 14, 2008

We have found the produce to be lacking but overall, TJ has far higher quality for the money that the other chains, not to mention Whole Food$. And now our cats are addicted to the Holistic dry cat food - I swear I should buy it by the pallet. I am jonesing for the chicken cordon bleu which appeared last year in November and December, then vanished without warning or reason.
posted by Ber at 8:00 AM on November 14, 2008

They do a lot of "entertaining foods" around Christmas, Ber. If they're going to bring them back this year I suggest stocking up.

You're allowed to keep frozen foods for up to a year, right?
posted by JoanArkham at 8:29 AM on November 14, 2008

I love Trader Joe's too, but I would love to see a website of all the things there that just *suck* and sit in your pantry for 2 years before you chuck it out.

I don't believe for one second this website isn't affiliated with Trader Joe's.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:46 AM on November 14, 2008

I don't believe for one second this thread isn't affliated with Trader Joe's.
posted by mippy at 9:01 AM on November 14, 2008

Everytime I fall in love with a TJs product, they discontinue it.

Totally. Bring back the Moroccan Tagine Simmer Sauce! That stuff was great over chicken & couscous.
posted by dnash at 9:10 AM on November 14, 2008

Well, to be fair it is "traderjoesfan.com" not "traderjoescriticalreviews.com".

Oooh, know what else I miss? The frozen soba noodle bowls! Those were the best micowavable lunch ever. (Not saying much, I know.)
posted by JoanArkham at 9:34 AM on November 14, 2008

Yes, and bring back the pappadum chips! And the Casablanca trail mix!
Someone should start a site for discontinued TJ products, where we can make petitions and t-shirts and so on.
posted by exceptinsects at 12:20 PM on November 14, 2008

Has everyone seen Cooking with Trader Joe's. It's not affiliated with the company, but has all kinds of usage ideas for their products.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 4:47 PM on November 14, 2008

Everytime I fall in love with a TJs product, they discontinue it.

Rosemary-infused ham, I salute thee.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:18 PM on November 15, 2008