On 9/9/2012 10:34 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 09 Sep 2012 09:43:52 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>
>> I also wandered the isles while I was there and I was not impressed with
>> their prices. In most cases, I see that I can get better prices at my
>> regular grocery store.
>>
>> Glad that I check out the store (finally) but I won't be going back. Trader
>> Joe's is nothing special, imo.
>
> You went in with the wrong expectations. I've said over and over that
> it shouldn't be considered a regular grocery store. In any case, I'd
> never buy what you bought because I don't buy premade dressings or
> cookies.
>
> You didn't like their selection of bread/baguettes? I don't know what
> the bread aisle at TJ's is like where you live, but we have a great
> selection here - high quality (Acme, Semi-Freddies) at a really good
> price. One of my treats from their bread aisle is the "Almond Ring
> Danish (think: big bear claw). Eggs and dairy are always a very
> reasonable price too. It isn't a huge selection in terms of variety,
> but they have what I want at better prices than where I shop for
> groceries. Extra large eggs were consistently $1.69 a dozen before
> prices started to rise a couple of weeks ago in response to the
> drought. Check out the frozen vegetables. I always keep a bag of
> petit peas and one of roasted corn in the freezer - you just can't
> beat TJ's regular price for them, even on sale elsewhere. You already
> know how much I like their Marinara sauce in the 28 oz can and their
> Arrabbiata sauce in a jar. Read the labels; they're basically tomato
> and spices - home made without the work. On the snack aisle, they
> have Olive Oil potato chips, multi-colored potato chips, sweet potato
> chips, root chips, vegetable chips - all sorts of goodies - $1.99 for
> packages you'd be paying $4-5 for elsewhere. I buy the one pound
> package of regular hummus in the refrigerated section, it's perfectly
> seasoned for me... just enough garlic. I don't want/need anything
> fancier. Then there's the wine aisle... and beware of the checkout
> counter because that's where the chocolate starts whispering my name.
>
> But if you're not going back, you'll never know how wrong you are.
>
I quite like TJ's spaghetti sauces but I wish they would sell them in
smaller quantities. Yes, I know I can freeze small quantities and I do!
A lot of their breads are quite good but I don't think much of their
baguettes; my regular (Giant) grocery store does better and sells a more
authentically French tasting sourdough. I can't talk much about their
wines since none of their stores in Maryland seem to have licenses.

--
Jim Silverton (Potomac, MD)

Extraneous "not" in Reply To.