We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.

Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
Lynn in Fargo

Lynn from Fargo wrote:

> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.

Congratulations! TJs is wonderful.

> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?

Produce is good. Selection good. We like their organic soups, broths and
simmer sauces. Oh, and "Two-Buck Chuck" wine. Not sure if you will get
that where you are at. (I suspect it's the reason why they aren't in
states like Oklahoma -- damned liquor laws). Interesting things in the
freezer cases. We don't buy our meat there so I can't comment on it, but
overall we've been very pleased with the quality and variety of the
things they carry. Plus, it's fairly inexpensive (by California standards).

I think you will be pleased!

--Lin

Lin wrote on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:29:44 -0800:

>> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two
>> blocks from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to
>> the closest stupid market or "real" convenience store. The
>> little corner drug store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf
>> wonder bead and is not open after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays
>> and Sundays.

> Congratulations! TJs is wonderful.

>> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what
>> do you like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish?
>> produce? selection?

> Produce is good. Selection good. We like their organic soups, broths
> and simmer sauces. Oh, and "Two-Buck Chuck" wine. Not
> sure if you will get that where you are at. (I suspect it's
> the reason why they aren't in states like Oklahoma -- damned
> liquor laws).

They don't seem to need to sell wine. The branches in Bethesda and
Rockville, MD don't sell beer or wine. Mind you, my county has an
interesting leftover from the compromises to end Prohibition. You can
only buy liquor in a State-owned store. The state stores have quite
decent prices on wine but can't sell *cold* beer or any soda and the
selection available can be a bit eccentric.

> I think you will be pleased!




--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

"James Silverton" > wrote in message
...
> Lin wrote on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:29:44 -0800:
>
>>> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two
>>> blocks from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to
>>> the closest stupid market or "real" convenience store. The
>>> little corner drug store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf
>>> wonder bead and is not open after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays
>>> and Sundays.
>
>> Congratulations! TJs is wonderful.
>
>>> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what
>>> do you like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish?
>>> produce? selection?
>
>> Produce is good. Selection good. We like their organic soups, broths and
>> simmer sauces. Oh, and "Two-Buck Chuck" wine. Not
>> sure if you will get that where you are at. (I suspect it's
>> the reason why they aren't in states like Oklahoma -- damned
>> liquor laws).
>
> They don't seem to need to sell wine. The branches in Bethesda and
> Rockville, MD don't sell beer or wine. Mind you, my county has an
> interesting leftover from the compromises to end Prohibition. You can only
> buy liquor in a State-owned store. The state stores have quite decent
> prices on wine but can't sell *cold* beer or any soda and the selection
> available can be a bit eccentric.
>
>> I think you will be pleased!

James,
TJ's has a pretty decent presence in Eastern PA, and we have the most
archaic liquor laws in the country. Like you however, we're close enough to
Delaware so it doesn't really matter.

Total Wine is your friend. :-)

Jon

On Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:38:24 GMT, James Silverton wrote:

>
> They don't seem to need to sell wine. The branches in Bethesda and
> Rockville, MD don't sell beer or wine. Mind you, my county has an
> interesting leftover from the compromises to end Prohibition. You can
> only buy liquor in a State-owned store.

small correction: it's a county-owned store. one of two counties in the
country that run liquor stores themselves, if i recall correctly.

>The state stores have quite
> decent prices on wine but can't sell *cold* beer or any soda and the
> selection available can be a bit eccentric.
>

they have signs that say 'we do not sell cold beer, cigarettes or lottery
tickets,' which for some reason tickles the hell out of me.

once in a while i'll go in there and say 'give me all your cold beer and
hot cigarettes!' just for the **** of it.

your pal,
blake

On Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:29:44 -0800, Lin >
wrote:

>Oh, and "Two-Buck Chuck" wine.

I prefer their "Bear's Lair" brand... which is virtually the same
price.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

Lynn from Fargo > wrote:

>We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
>from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
>stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
>store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
>after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.

> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
>like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?

First, there are are two key things to keep in mind about how
TJ's does its marketing. One, they never change the shelf
price of an item as long as they still have it in stock from
the same shipment. Two, they have no bulk food or produce --
there are no scales at checkout. So the produce is all
pre-packaged

In my region, TJ's has some of the best values on on the following:
Alvarado St. bread (re-labeled), organic dairy products,
commodity (i.e. non-local) organic produce, breakfast cereal,
frozen pizza, vegie burgers, soy nuggets, waffles; various
Niman Ranch meat products; kosher chicken; tofurkey and
similar products; cat food; bottled water. There are also many
good wine values, less true for liquor and beer.

Some common products they seem never to have in really good
quality are coffee and tofu.

A person could do about 80% of their shopping there and
not miss out on much other than local produce and local meat.

Steve

Steve wrote on Thu, 5 Mar 2009 23:55:57 +0000 (UTC):


> Some common products they seem never to have in really good
> quality are coffee and tofu.

I'd disagree with you about coffee since I buy all mine at TJs. I can't
argue about tofu; who can tell about quality in tofu; it's got no taste
anyway!
--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

James Silverton <not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not> wrote:

> Steve wrote on Thu, 5 Mar 2009 23:55:57 +0000 (UTC):

>> Some common products they seem never to have in really good
>> quality are coffee and tofu.

> I'd disagree with you about coffee since I buy all mine at
> TJs. I can't argue about tofu; who can tell about quality in
> tofu; it's got no taste anyway!

I am guessing from the latter that you've never had really good
tofu, which is not too surprising since it's not very available.
I'm fortunate in having a good local supplier (Hodo). I
have heard that there's good tofu in the south bay area too.

Coffee, well TJ's is better than some options, but there I
am also spoiled.

In fact I'm just spoiled in general.

Steve

"Lynn from Fargo" > wrote in message
...
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

Hi there;

Yes TJ'S is a good thing. Their Dairy, & egg prices are usually the most
competitive as are their cheeses. The bread is upscale - sorry no wonder
bread. :-)

They carry a good variety of frozen foods also.

Their wines are goes especially their 2 buck chuck and their TJ'S brands -
the hard stuff I find a little high priced..

They also carry a good selection of hot and cold cereals as well as dried
fruits and nuts.


You'll enjoy the store.

Go to their website and look at their FEARLESS FLYER (AD)

Enjoy.

Dimitri

Dimitri wrote:
>
> Their wines are goes especially their 2 buck chuck and their TJ'S brands -
> the hard stuff I find a little high priced..

I've compared certain of their hard liquors against
various other local stores (supermarkets, drugstores,
etc.), and for the same item they are always cheapest.

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
> Dimitri wrote:
>>
>> Their wines are goes especially their 2 buck chuck and their TJ'S
>> brands -
>> the hard stuff I find a little high priced..
>
> I've compared certain of their hard liquors against
> various other local stores (supermarkets, drugstores,
> etc.), and for the same item they are always cheapest.

For the low volume stuff I believe you're correct but 99% of the time I can
beat their prices on popular brands like Jack, or Chivas or Cuervo - one
needs to be careful in comparing price as they usually will stock a full
liter not a 750 ml. ergo one needs to take 3/4 of the price for comparison.

I think their prices on single malts are quite reasonable.

After all there's nothing like an Oscar Mayer bologna sandwich on sourdough
with a Laphroaig.

Dimitri

On Thu, 5 Mar 2009 16:55:51 -0800, Dimitri wrote:

> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Dimitri wrote:
>>>
>>> Their wines are goes especially their 2 buck chuck and their TJ'S
>>> brands -
>>> the hard stuff I find a little high priced..
>>
>> I've compared certain of their hard liquors against
>> various other local stores (supermarkets, drugstores,
>> etc.), and for the same item they are always cheapest.
>
> For the low volume stuff I believe you're correct but 99% of the time I can
> beat their prices on popular brands like Jack, or Chivas or Cuervo - one
> needs to be careful in comparing price as they usually will stock a full
> liter not a 750 ml. ergo one needs to take 3/4 of the price for comparison.
>
> I think their prices on single malts are quite reasonable.
>
> After all there's nothing like an Oscar Mayer bologna sandwich on sourdough
> with a Laphroaig.
>
> Dimitri

sounds like cultural schizophrenia to me. mayonnaise or miracle whip?

your pal,
blake

"blake murphy" > wrote in message
.. .
> On Thu, 5 Mar 2009 16:55:51 -0800, Dimitri wrote:
>
>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Dimitri wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Their wines are goes especially their 2 buck chuck and their TJ'S
>>>> brands -
>>>> the hard stuff I find a little high priced..
>>>
>>> I've compared certain of their hard liquors against
>>> various other local stores (supermarkets, drugstores,
>>> etc.), and for the same item they are always cheapest.
>>
>> For the low volume stuff I believe you're correct but 99% of the time I
>> can
>> beat their prices on popular brands like Jack, or Chivas or Cuervo - one
>> needs to be careful in comparing price as they usually will stock a full
>> liter not a 750 ml. ergo one needs to take 3/4 of the price for
>> comparison.
>>
>> I think their prices on single malts are quite reasonable.
>>
>> After all there's nothing like an Oscar Mayer bologna sandwich on
>> sourdough
>> with a Laphroaig.
>>
>> Dimitri
>
> sounds like cultural schizophrenia to me. mayonnaise or miracle whip?
>
> your pal,
> blake

Best foods (Hellman's) & crisp iceberg lettuce.

:-)

Dimitri

On Thu, 5 Mar 2009 16:19:35 -0800, Dimitri wrote:
>
> You'll enjoy the store.
>
> Go to their website and look at their FEARLESS FLYER (AD)
>
> Enjoy.
>
> Dimitri

i believe you can sign up to get the *fearless flyer* by mail. it's a
hoot, and also has recipes.

your pal,
blake

"Lynn from Fargo" > wrote in message
...
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

We couldn't live without TJ's. Milk, butter, sour cream, yogurt and other
dairy stuff is all cheaper than the local supermarket and always of good
quality. Orange juice is better and cheaper. Two buck Chuck wines, all
varieties, are good and very inexpensive, depending on your local and state
liquor taxes. I think we do over 50% of our food shopping at TJ's. This will
change your life positively.

As well the TJ's in our area have excellent customer service. As I recall
they got very high marks in Consumer Reports for that.

Hugh

"Lynn from Fargo" > wrote in message
...
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

I like their frozen fish a lot, especially red snapper. My faves are their
salsas, nuts, chocolate, and frozen ethnic and ready-made foods. We once had
a TJ raspberry torte on shortbread crust at a friends house that was
absolutely wonderful.
Their soaps and shampoos are pretty good too!
I used to drive quite a ways to get to a TJs but one opened up down the road
last fall. :-)

On Mar 5, 6:42*pm, "dejablues" > wrote:
> "Lynn from Fargo" > wrote in ...
>
> > We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> > from my apartment. *Right now, *I can't even walk to the closest
> > stupid market or *"real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> > store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> > after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> > Will this be a good thing? *Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> > like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> > Lynn in Fargo
>
> I like their frozen fish a lot, especially red snapper. My faves are their
> salsas, nuts, chocolate, and frozen ethnic and ready-made foods. We once had
> a *TJ raspberry torte on shortbread crust at a friends house that was
> absolutely wonderful.
> Their soaps *and shampoos are pretty good too!
> I used to drive quite a ways to get to a TJs but one opened up down the road
> last fall. :-)

Thank you all!
I'm betting that we will not get wine or liquor but that's OK as there
is a package shop a block in the other direction. Not sure what they
will do about pre-packaged produce as ALL of our other stores
(including Mall Wart) are you pick with a few exceptions like boxes of
mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. All the other stuff will be bulk.

We do have two good health food stores and 2 big ethnic markets (Asian/
African/Balkan/Hispanic) 8 to 10 blocks away. From late June thru
early October there is a 3 day/week Farmer's Market on the edge of
downtown and some other street vendors in a big bank lot on Saturdays.

This is a good neighborhood for prepared/frozen stuff, organic and
ethnic because housing is on three strata: subsidized housing and
cheap cheap efficiencies, then in the middle are the graduate school
types NDSU Art & Architecture and Business Administration are
downtown. That's mostly 3 or more guys/gals sharing a 2 to 4 bedroom
apartment at $700 - $900 a month. Rest is condos that START at
$200,000 and go to $500,000. Who the hell is going to buy a half a
million dollar condominium in FARGO fer chrissakes? For that I want
my OWN POOL!

Lynn in Fargo
In a teeny tiny HUD diability accessible, fifth floor, one bedroom
apartment with the same (nice) view as the $$$Condos across the
street. heheheh

On Mar 5, 7:10*pm, Lynn from Fargo Ografmorffig >
wrote:
> On Mar 5, 6:42*pm, "dejablues" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > "Lynn from Fargo" > wrote in ...
>
> > > We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> > > from my apartment. *Right now, *I can't even walk to the closest
> > > stupid market or *"real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> > > store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> > > after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> > > Will this be a good thing? *Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> > > like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> > > Lynn in Fargo
>
> > I like their frozen fish a lot, especially red snapper. My faves are their
> > salsas, nuts, chocolate, and frozen ethnic and ready-made foods. We once had
> > a *TJ raspberry torte on shortbread crust at a friends house that was
> > absolutely wonderful.
> > Their soaps *and shampoos are pretty good too!
> > I used to drive quite a ways to get to a TJs but one opened up down the road
> > last fall. :-)
>
> Thank you all!
> I'm betting that we will not get wine or liquor but that's OK as there
> is a package shop a block in the other direction. Not sure what they
> will do about pre-packaged produce as ALL *of our other stores
> (including Mall Wart) are you pick with a few exceptions like boxes of
> mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. All the other stuff will be bulk.
>
> We do have two good health food stores and 2 big ethnic markets (Asian/
> African/Balkan/Hispanic) 8 to 10 blocks away. *From late June thru
> early October there is a 3 day/week Farmer's *Market on the edge of
> downtown and some other street vendors in a big bank lot on Saturdays.
>
> This is a good neighborhood for prepared/frozen stuff, organic and
> ethnic because housing is on three strata: *subsidized housing and
> cheap cheap efficiencies, then in the middle are the graduate school
> types NDSU Art & Architecture and Business Administration are
> downtown. *That's mostly 3 or more guys/gals sharing a 2 to 4 bedroom
> apartment at $700 - $900 a month. *Rest is condos that START at
> $200,000 and go to $500,000. *Who the hell *is going to buy a half a
> million dollar condominium in FARGO fer chrissakes? *For that I want
> my OWN POOL!
>
> Lynn in Fargo
> In a teeny tiny HUD diability accessible, fifth floor, one bedroom
> apartment with the same (nice) view as the $$$Condos across the
> street. *heheheh

Oh yes, forgot to mention that my building is haunted. Sometimes the
late great Peggy Lee walks the halls singing. Not kidding! She got
her start singing in this hotel when she was still Norma
Eckstrom . . . "is that all there is? . . . "

Lynn from Fargo wrote:
>
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo


Am not impressed in general with Trader Joe's. If you don't have much
selection in your area, you might well like it. They do sell a lot of
things under their own label, which makes it difficult to know who
actually made the product. Was looking for a particular brand of
biscuit/cookie before Christmas and thought they were out of stock.
Found it eventually, rebranded; seemed to taste the same.

The one nearest us does have an excellent selection of wine with a wide
price range and locally-produced wines as well. Most of the other things
we've tried there were good enough but not top of the line. Fruit and
veg are ordinary and more expensive than where we usually buy them.

Keep in mind that each TJ's is modified to the local market. The one
opening near you could well sell very different product lines than the
one we've been to.

On Thu, 5 Mar 2009 15:09:15 -0800 (PST), Lynn from Fargo
> wrote:

> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
>like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
>Lynn in Fargo

Believe me... if what you say is the only thing available within easy
access, you're going to be blessing the ground your TJ's is built on.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Mar 5, 3:09*pm, Lynn from Fargo > wrote:
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. *Right now, *I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or *"real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> *Will this be a good thing? *Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

I buy the majority of my groceries from Trader Joe's, esp. fruits,
vegies, olive oil, desserts, ethnic foods, and wine -- they also carry
the only instant coffee I ever found palatable. If they had a wider
meat and fish selection, I would probably do all my grocery shopping
here to save time. (Hmm, and I'm envious to hear just now from others
that some stores also sell hard liquor, as they don't here in WA.)

TJ's prices may not always be the *very lowest* and the quality may
not always be the *very best*, but overall prices are always
reasonable and quality above average. Just think of it as a time-
saving, one-stop, affordable gourmet shop for all your frilly
comestible needs. And they have a very liberal return policy if you
don't like what you buy (as I've been told by the staff as I never had
cause to return anything).

If you have a Trader Joe's within walking distance of your residence
then I think you should consider yourself very, very lucky. (But let's
hope your rent won't go up because of it.)

--
Ht

htn963 wrote on Fri, 6 Mar 2009 00:42:29 -0800 (PST):

> I buy the majority of my groceries from Trader Joe's, esp.
> fruits, vegies, olive oil, desserts, ethnic foods, and wine --
> they also carry the only instant coffee I ever found
> palatable. If they had a wider meat and fish selection, I
> would probably do all my grocery shopping here to save time.
> (Hmm, and I'm envious to hear just now from others that some
> stores also sell hard liquor, as they don't here in WA.)

Judging by people in front of me in line, a lot of people do most of
their grocery shopping there. I don't mainly because I prefer my fresh
vegetables unpackaged, they don't have equivalents of cereals that I
like and they are too far away for emergency purchases. I like their
method of selling bananas per banana instead of by weight.
--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On Mar 6, 5:23*am, "James Silverton" >
wrote:
> Judging by people in front of me in line, a lot of people do most of
> their grocery shopping there. I don't mainly because I prefer my fresh
> vegetables unpackaged,

I actually prefer my vegetagles packaged because the other stores here
either overwater them into sogggy messes with short lifespan, and/or
leave them too dirty. And can still judge what I'm getting at TJ
through the plastic wraps.

> they don't have equivalents of cereals that I
> like

Agreed. The cereals selections could be more varied.

>and they are too far away for emergency purchases.

Can't argue with that. But they're good to pop into to sample new and
interesting stuff if you're ever in the area as they like to
experiment with and rotate their stock; on the flip side, that also
creates my biggest beef with them in that they will occasionally run
out of or discontinue products I liked and got used to buying.

>I like their method of selling bananas per banana instead of by weight.

There you go -- pick the biggest ones and save. I do this with their
papayas. (Though in the spirit of being contrary I must say that I've
always prefer the taste of the smaller types of bananas.)

--
Ht

htn963 wrote on Sat, 7 Mar 2009 08:12:22 -0800 (PST):

> On Mar 6, 5:23 am, "James Silverton"
> > wrote:
>> Judging by people in front of me in line, a lot of people do
>> most of their grocery shopping there. I don't mainly because
>> I prefer my fresh vegetables unpackaged,

> I actually prefer my vegetagles packaged because the other
> stores here either overwater them into sogggy messes with
> short lifespan, and/or leave them too dirty. And can still
> judge what I'm getting at TJ through the plastic wraps.

The problem is that the packages are too big for my limited needs. I
often want just one sweet pepper.

Incidentally, it's OT really, but why do grocery stores like to spray
water on cilantro? It keeps better dry.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:36:19 GMT, James Silverton wrote:

> htn963 wrote on Sat, 7 Mar 2009 08:12:22 -0800 (PST):
>
>> On Mar 6, 5:23 am, "James Silverton"
>> > wrote:
>>> Judging by people in front of me in line, a lot of people do
>>> most of their grocery shopping there. I don't mainly because
>>> I prefer my fresh vegetables unpackaged,
>
>> I actually prefer my vegetagles packaged because the other
>> stores here either overwater them into sogggy messes with
>> short lifespan, and/or leave them too dirty. And can still
>> judge what I'm getting at TJ through the plastic wraps.
>
> The problem is that the packages are too big for my limited needs. I
> often want just one sweet pepper.
>

that's my complaint also. grocery stores don't often cater to (or even
acknowledge) small households.

your pal,
blake

On Mar 7, 8:36*am, "James Silverton" >
wrote:

> Incidentally, it's OT really, but why do grocery stores like to spray
> water on cilantro?

They want to spray water on *everything* -- to keep them shiny,
glistening, bedewed and "appealing" to shoppers I suppose.

>It keeps better dry.

And sprouts, lettuces and just about every other leafy vegetables in
my experience. Too much moisture breaks down their cellular walls.
The only ones that can withstand all that deluge are the ones with
tougher shells.like cucumber and squashes.

--
Ht

Lynn from Fargo wrote:
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

Of course, it's a good thing. :-) That being said, it is not a
total replacement for other markets. Also, they have an
infuriating habit of dropping some popular items after one becomes
hooked on them.

--
Jean B.

On Mar 5, 6:09*pm, Lynn from Fargo > wrote:
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. *Right now, *I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or *"real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> *Will this be a good thing? *Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

Trader Joes can be the Yuppie 7-11, or it can be a great regular
grocery with limited selection. My sister in the Boston area uses
them for her fill-in shopping (milk, vegetables, bread, etc), and the
supermarket and Costco for the rest. They are usually more expensive
for the fresh things than the regular markets, but their produce is
good, and they give what they don't sell (which still has a few good
days left on it) to the food bank.

Their store brands of things are generally very good. I like their
frozen vegetables, the spinach pie thingy, the dried fruit and ginger,
and cheeses. Some of their Indian-style sauces are good, that we've
tried, and of course they have lots and lots of chips, cookies, and
snacks that are all good<g>.

If you're going to walk to the store, then the slightly higher prices
will be offset by the money saved on driving to the supermarket. Plus
it's easier (for me at least) to find what I consider healthier foods
there.

It's a fun place to shop, and they hire their people to be mostly very
friendly and helpful.

maxine in ri

Lynn from Fargo wrote:
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. Right now, I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or "real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> Will this be a good thing? Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

I mostly buy their sparkling pomegranate juice.
They have great prices on nut and dried fruits. I've
never bought meat there except for some apple chicken
sausages which were great.

I love their boxed soups - roasted red pepper and tomato,
corn and green chile, butternut squash, etc.

I also don't usually buy any veggies or fruits there except
for special purposes.

They have a lot of fresh and frozen prepared foods that are
great. All kinds of Asian and Mexican things.

They have good bread. They have some interesting frozen
things like ice creams, gelatos, etc. They have great
frozen mochis - I like the mango ones.

They have some good chips - I like their blue potato chips.

They have great whole milk yogurt. I comes in a quart container
and and French vanilla flavor. I love it with fresh fruit or in
a fruit lassi.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

On Mar 5, 6:09*pm, Lynn from Fargo > wrote:
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. *Right now, *I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or *"real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> *Will this be a good thing? *Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo

It's a very good thing. (apologies to Martha Stewart).

Excellent cheeses & deli, good bakery (bewa buy earlier in the day
so you still have a selection to choose from). Nice produce. Awesome
sweets & confections.

I find it best for "ingredients" instead of "fully prepared" items.
Great price & good selection of grains, pastas, nuts, sauces. I have
found the frozen stuff to be a bit hit-and-miss, but it never hurts to
try once, right?

It's also a fun place to shop. You'll love it, I'm sure. I wish I had
one so near!

Kris

I assume, Lynn fom Fargo, is Fargo, ND... and you are saying you are
getting a Trader Joe's in Fargo, ND? If thats true, its the 1st time
i have heard of it, and would like valid evidence, since my trips to
minneapolis would be much fewer if we had a TJ's in Fargo.


On Mar 5, 6:09*pm, Lynn from Fargo > wrote:
> We're supposedly getting a Trader Joe's grocery less than two blocks
> from my apartment. *Right now, *I can't even walk to the closest
> stupid market or *"real" convenience store. The little corner drug
> store sells late dated milk $4 a loaf wonder bead and is not open
> after 5 pm or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.
>
> *Will this be a good thing? *Do you shop Trader Joe's? what do you
> like? what don't you like? How's the meat? fish? produce? selection?
> Lynn in Fargo