Making a trader jo's trip

[lilmomma]

What do I absolutely have to get? So far on the list

tea tree shampoo
rice milk
butternut squash already cut up
frozen julienned peppers
frozen green beans

[westsidegal]

the frozen, organic, strawberries for making smoothies.
the organic persian cucumbers for making israeli salads.
the del cabo cherry tomatos.
the frozen organic brown rice--nukes up perfectly every time in just a couple of minutes
the tj high protein extra firm tofu (NOT the stuff in the plastic tray, but the stuff in the refrigerated section wrapped in plastic)
the tj organic fat free whole wheat bread.

[coney with everything]

If you like Indian food, absolutely the frozen paneer tikka masala, butter chicken, and frozen naan.

Frozen artichoke hearts
Tarte d'alsace "pizza"
Fage yogurt
Niman ranch bacon
Freeze dried blueberries, strawberries, bananas, mangos. Must be freeze dried--aluminum pouch.

Agree that their goat cheese is way cheaper than anywhere else

Hansens pomegranate soda

I like the tea tree body wash...very tingly.

[NewDude]

When in doubt, ask for recs from the crew, they will generally steer you in the right direction. They got me going on buttered frozen veggies which were 10X tastier than the frozen organics I had become a regular on. Also:

1. the mac and cheese: overrated--too salty.
2. the trail mix--very good

[biga290]

Niman Ranch St Louis style bbq ribs!

[Dee S]

Frozen Albacore Tuna Steaks
Frozen Mushroom pastry appetizers
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels (be aware that they say there are multiple servings per bag; they lie! You'll eath them all in one sitting!)
Plugra Butter (if your local store has it)
Frozen Garlic Naan
Cannellini Beans (cheapest ones around and they are darned tasty)
Pastas (any and all)
Gluten Free Products (my friends especially enjoy the pancake mix)
Indian Simmer Sauces

You have to try different things to figure out what you like.....it's a fun store!

[Michelly]

Yes, DON'T get their mayo, nor the frozen waffles
But DO get:

almond butter
lemon curd
grade B maple syrup
butter
eggs (cheaper than anywhere else)
Fage yogurt
cream cheese
feta cheese
cotswild cheddar
spicy black bean dip
dried blueberries
cashew pieces
brushetta topping
uncured bacon
anchovies
tuna
packaged broth
roasted red peppers
handmade tortillas
Stonehedge, Chateau St. Michelle, or Rodney Strong Cabernet
fresh spinach by the bag
frozen potstickers

Find out when their produce arrives, and go the day after. And never enter a TJ's if you're hungry.

Oh, yes, Mochi green tea ice cream.

[Woof Woof Woof]

the grade B maple syrup is from Canada NOT VERMONT. buyer beware. you are buying a CANADIAN product *rolls eyes*

[Fibber McGee]

Problem?

[NewDude]

There are some winners for sure on this list^.

The tuna is terrific and dirt cheap.
frozen potstickers are yummy and the correct size unlike gigantoid size stocked at Costco.
mochi ice cream is a classic.
veggie pizza rocks and keeps fingers crossed, price has stayed the same for six years!

[scuzzo]

Yes on tuna and potstickers. I also love the spinach pizza which usually gets meat and bit more cheese added. I also like the spanikopita and manikopita.

And they have a ton of great nuts to stock up on!

[adrienne156]

After reading that thread on "Site Talk" about list threads, I'm almost afraid to post here, but myeh....

Michelly has a great list and I agree on everything aside from the fresh fruit - and especially their tomatoes - which I've had nothing but bad luck with because it seems that everything is picked very young. My last batch of tomatoes bought by the unsuspecting SO took a full two weeks on the counter to bear any resemblance to real tomatoes. As for what else to get, I would expand the cashew pieces to their nuts in general (very well priced) and add:
quinoa
olive oil
sunflower seed butter
veggie pizza (2nd - identical to the Amy's cheeseless w/ caramelized onions?)
pizza dough (2nd)

And, their frozen section is great for quick appetizers and desserts.

[scuzzo]

Here are some of my favorite things:

The fresh sugar snap peas!
Old Amsterdam Gouda (aged gouda, too good to cook with)
The goat cheese there is usually much cheaper than other stores, same brand
TJ's 72% dark chocolate in the BIG red bar
TJ's Chilean Sauv. Blanc (only $3 in CA!)
Champagne Pear Vinagrette
Jars of roasted red peppers
Lumps of pizza dough, garlic herb, near the cheese and sliced meats
TJ's BBQ sauce
Artichoke hearts, either canned or frozen

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you buy their mayo though!

[alkapal]

here's a head start: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/622396

[lilmomma]

thank you