Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish

Ode to Trader Joe's

So, having lived a few years in Germany, I know this story well. The Aldi brothers inherited a huge grocery store chain in Germany and Europe, and they decided to split the operational rights of their grocery enterprise between East and West. They just divided the world in half, and went their separate ways each conquering their own half. They both (separately) now rank among the world's richest men, having each successfully developed grocery chains in their respective hemispheres. Conquering the US was a tricky matter for the Aldi brother who inherited this task, however, because the Europeans don't quite "get" American mentality. Until the Aldi brother came on the "Trader Joe's" concept. Which is to provide high quality foods in small quantities and at extremely low prices (something the Aldi brothers did all over Europe) and combine it with some pseudo-American (read, "frontier") aesthetic and promise of green earth wholesomeness.

I love Trader Joe's. I'm astonished by how much good food I can buy there and for how little, in comparison to a regular old supermarket. I can't even touch the Union Square location because there are always droves of people LINED UP in the middle of WINTER to do their weekly grocery shopping.

Let's all sing the praised of Trader Joe's.
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
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43 Comments

hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
Yeah, Trader Joe's. I went there one time and man what bargains. I am going back when I get a chance.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
Bravo Uraniumfish ! I absolutely love Trader Joe's and do battle the crowds to get there to do my weekly grocery shopping. I had no idea it was an offshoot of the Aldi stores which I do frequent when I am in London. When I move overseas I am definitely going to miss all my essentials which I get there like their huge bar of 72% dark chocolate which has luscious thick pieces which truly satisfy all your dark chocolate cravings with just one piece. I even take it with me overseas as it has found fans in my parents and my aunt in Singapore. BTW the trick is to go to TJ's as one clerk told me that's the only time when the Union Square store is relatively quiet though me thinks the store will become more accessible when the new Manhattan TJ's opens on 72nd Street on the UWS sometime in 2010.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
Hey Uraniumfish just came across this new book called Cooking with all things Trader Joe's-http://www.cookingwithtraderjoes.com/
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
The more I hear comments about Trader Joe, the more I want to go to it and do my shopping. With such great bargains, you can't miss.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Another TJ's location is LONG overdue. There's one in Boerum Hill on Court Street which is much more reasonable in terms of crowds, though a bit of a trek, of course.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Oh, uptowngirl, I have you beat on dark chocolate. Mine was 99% pure cocoa. So strong I can only handle one of those little squares every few days.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
oh god Uraniumfish I just have to try it will look for it on my Wednesday TJ's run!
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Lindt makes it...
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Chicken cilantro dumplings...I love this place. And have you noticed how the employees at TJ's are so much more friendly and helpful, as compared to the bad attitude you get in any old supermarket...?
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
Trader Joes is great, to be true, but my vote always goes to Whole Foods or Gourmet Garage, particularly the latter. Whole Foods has a great lunch bar, but can be pretentious and expensive, whereas Gourmet Garage (my local is the 96th St and Park ranch) tends to have amazing selections of meat, cheese, etc., along with specialty produce (best butternut squash I've had for a while) and interesting spices/sauces/etc. Plus, tons of free samples -sometimes when I want a snack I go in to try their cheese with fig confit!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
I know Whole Foods. I went there at one time. I liked the atmosphere and the prices were not too bad. It is between Trader Joe and Whole Foods. What competition. It beats paying high prices for food items at Gristedes. They are horribly expensive. A box of cereal can cost up to $7.00.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I am a fan of Trader Joe's, don't get me wrong, but I feel like the selection of fresh foods is always better at other groceries. Trader Joe's is great for inexpensive frozen food, but I feel like they are always missing something particular I came in for, like my brand of cereal or something.

That being said, I must admit to frequenting the place since my more bereft college days. I love love love their wine shop.

And here's a tip that I've heard from many people who work at Trader Joe's - get there when they open and miss the crowd. I also met a girl on the train recently who had just come from there and she said she only goes around closing time because there is hardly anyone there.

When I was living in LA there was literally a Trader Joe's within a few miles in any direction from my house, and none of them were ever crowded. Those were the days....
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@ajadedidealist I really like Eli's on the UES. Ever been?
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK: Good idea to get there early or before the store closes. The question is what are their hours. Once I know that I can go there at the right time.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted TJs at Union Square is open from 9am -10pm everyday.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish most of their staff are NYU students so its no wonder that they are chatty and friendly ..
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@BroawdwayBK The fresh foods section is a bit of a hit and miss at TJ...
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Yeah, I like Trader Joe's, but sometimes I just want what I want.... and they don't always have that.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone the TJ's on the UWS now has an opening date- 20th September 2010
http://www.dnainfo.com/20100830/upper-west-side/trader-joes-open-upper-west-side-location-sept-20
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
I am obsessed with the Trader Joe's Wine shop!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
TJ's wine shop is cool, but I feel like boutique wine places put a lot more thought into which bottles they put on sale, and offer just as decent prices. And why is 2 buck chuck $3 in NYC!? It's so scandalous.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK Simply because its NYC :)
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
Haha - fair point, @uptowngirl. I love NYC to bits - but it can get insanely expensive! Especially when it comes to housing prices...
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone Trader Joe's Upper West Side is now open.. Yay

http://ny.racked.com/archives/2010/09/20/fairways_worst_nightmare_is_here_trader_joes_uws_is_open.php
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@uptowngirl The headline is funny. I don't really see how Fairway and Trader Joe's are comparable. TJ is rather limited in its offerings. It has wasabi mayonnaise, which is great, but what if you want just plain old mayonnaise?
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish TJ's doesn't have regular mayonnaise? remember seeing some in the Union Square store ..
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
TJ's doesn't have every item at all times - they only have it when they are getting some kind of deal. I really prefer shopping at Fairway. And there are times when Fairway is actually not that busy, unlike at TJ's.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK I used to regularly shop at the Fairway on the UWS until TJ's opened in the city. Now I stick to the east side and take the express train down to TJ's on 14th street though now with a new Fairway opening on 86th and Lexington I may just switch back.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
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The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
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The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone do you carry your own bags to the grocery store or do you ask for store issue paper/plastic bags? Here in HK I have to carry my own bags as the grocery stores charge 50 cents for each plastic bag issued .. In NYC I used to sometimes remember to carry my bags but more often than not I used to use TJ's paper bags. I sometimes used to wish I had one of those old lady trolleys to help me lug my stuff , a British friend who lives in Hobboken and comes into Manhattan regularly to do grocery shopping has no qualms lugging around her trolley but I havent got around to getting one though I bet it would be easier than carrying the stuff however uncool it looks.
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The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
uptowngirl! You're stuttering!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish something's gone wrong with my account have informed the guys who operate the site. Hope they can get it fixed soon as I can't delete these posts on my own.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK do you go to the Fairway in Red Hook? the Fairway on the Upper West Side which is the closest to me is always packed unfortunately. Hopefully the opening of the East Side Fairway will ease some of the traffic.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@uptowngirl I do go to the one in Red Hook - it's just a quick ride down the BQE from where I live. It's never not busy, but it's not as packed as TJ's or Whole Foods during the week. Not even close. I love sampling the expensive bottles of olive oil - sometimes this is the main draw for me.

I have a bunch of cloth grocery bags, but I usually forget to bring them to the store! Which is why I have so many - once I realize I've forgotten to bring one, I buy another one thinking I'm being really economical or something. I promise myself I'll remember to bring it with me next time, and then I don't.
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