232342 Tue Mar 21 17:22:04 -0800 2006 14 18 Manhattan 0 1232953 Went in about 3pm. The good news is Clif Bars are in fact $0.99 :) But the place was mobbed! I mean, there's no way I was going to wait on that line. They actually have a mobile employee who holds a tall sign that reads "Line Begins Here." It was literally half-way around the store. Just navigating the isles was an exercise in extreme patience. Maybe it's just the initial hype, but with crowds like that I won't be back anytime soon...unless I happen to be walking by right when they open in the morning or something. Hank Tue Mar 21 17:22:04 -0800 2006 0 Hank 1 1232974 i was there around that time, and at the end of the mile long line, but it moves VERY fast. couldn't have been more than 10 minutes. Tue Mar 21 18:12:19 -0800 2006 1232953 0 amp156 2 1232976 but can you move? i love food and food shopping occupies far more of my leisure time than is sane, but i can't tolerate the harlem fairway when it's zooey. sounds like TJs is worse, at least now. oof. i think i'm gonna wait a bit. Tue Mar 21 18:16:43 -0800 2006 1232974 0 freddie 3 1232980 that's a different story. waiting in line is much more pleasant than the shopping...... Tue Mar 21 18:20:36 -0800 2006 1232976 0 amp156 3 1232985 I'll stay away from TJ's until the hype dies down. I hate going shopping with a zillion meanderers who can't decide whether to pay debit, credit or cash. Tue Mar 21 18:28:06 -0800 2006 1232976 0 Calyandra 2 1232979 Stupid me went on Sunday. Line wrapped around entire store. When I left, they were lining people up OUTSIDE the store just to get in. The line did move fast, but what bugged me more was the commotion in the aisles. But I was very pleased with the selection and prices. Though they were out of crumpets and soy nuggets. Oh well. Tue Mar 21 18:20:35 -0800 2006 1232974 0 fudluvr 1 1233056 The good news is that Whole Foods suddenly became less crowded. Like a flock of pigeons, the foodies turned en masse and darted to the new spot. Wed Mar 22 09:34:35 -0800 2006 1232953 0 Pantagruel 1 1233096 I went last night after work (6-ish) and there was the smallest line I've seen. I think I waited online about 5 minutes. Wed Mar 22 10:50:36 -0800 2006 1232953 0 OyGevalt 1 1233127 I went at 10 a.m. (I live quite nearby) this morning (Wednesday) and it was pleasant and manageable--as opposed to yesterday at 2:00 or, worst of all, Friday at noon. I didn't go in all weekend--you couldn't MOVE or even get close enough to the refrigerator case in back to study the cheeses. But today it was grand. I got some green peppers for my basset hound (she has to have one every day or she goes a little berserk), some excellent TJ's Citrus-Bergamot unsweetened green tea ($1.49 for 33.8 fluid ounces, 1-pound bags of chile-lemon pistachios ($4.99), and Thai lime and chile peanuts ($2.29). The pistachios are lovely, but the Thai peanuts are among the best peanuts I've ever tasted--really spicy, with chiles de arbol, lemongrass, and lime leaves right in the mix. NEW YORK magazine this week "discovered" 14th Street as a food haven, and they gave really kooky ratings to every store, from Western Beef to Trader Joe's. I *really* disagreed with a lot of what they said, and I've been shopping DAILY in this area for decades. They gave the WILDLY expensive new Balducci's the highest rating. No way! Anyway, I'm SO glad Trader Joe's is among us! Wed Mar 22 12:06:02 -0800 2006 1232953 0 Tom Steele 2 1233179 The jumbo roasted and salted cashews are outstanding. Wed Mar 22 14:59:49 -0800 2006 1233127 0 Nuts 1 1233156 Went at lunch as I work near enough by... got some of the chili peanuts (they were out of pistacios) some chocolate clusters etc, checked out the cheese section and many other things... so what's the big deal??? maybe because I'm and Upper Westie used to shopping at fairway.... prices on common products were nearly identical and there were really very few things I'd travel for. I might have to go one night and sample the frozen foods that get raved about?? Wed Mar 22 13:59:41 -0800 2006 1232953 0 UWSFoodie 2 1233244 Does, or Will Trader Joe's have delivery....does anyone know??? Thanks Wed Mar 22 17:06:31 -0800 2006 1233156 0 ChowFun (derek) 2 1233250 They do have delivery....for now... however, I coulda sworn that my quick glance at the sign stated the delivery zone STARTED at 23rd St and went NORTH. iirc the charge is $4.95 I asked the cashier if I read that sign correctly and he admitted he didn't know but that the whole delivery thing was under review. Wed Mar 22 17:15:44 -0800 2006 1233156 0 bk 2 1235905 The frozen foods are the reason to go. Try the fire-roasted vegetables in balsamic butter sauce. They're (almost) worth that insane line. Also, for single people, their pre-prepared meals are very good -- much better and cheaper than Hell Foods (uh, I mean Whole Foods). Still, the line is so crazy and the place is so packed that I pretty much only shop there when I can muster the will, which isn't often. Tue Apr 11 15:19:16 -0700 2006 1233156 0 AK 1 1233272 I went today around 5:30. It was chaotic, but I managed to get in and out pretty fast. But the very nice cashier forgot to put my smoked salmon in my bag! I was looking forward to trying it tomorrow... Wed Mar 22 19:01:40 -0800 2006 1232953 0 JD