[Haggar]

Trader Joe's spray sunscreen has been a top pick by Consumers Reports

[coconutmama]

Orange chicken, wine & onion soup

[Gail3762]

Add dark chocolate peanut butter cups, so much better than Reese’s.

[DeborahK]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Our favorite wine is only available at TJ's

But it's a secret?

[thevillager1988]

Tomato-less salsa (it's actually corn relish). Used to be less than $3 a jar. Not sure now. I put it in quesadillas for the sweet to compliment the savory. Yum. Gluten free pasta. There was a time when TJ was the only place we could get it, and even when standard grocery stores started stocking, TJ was still less expensive. Also, lots of different tortilla chips, various grains. They used to have a 3 layer soft cheese in the dairy case - one layer was pesto, don't remember the other 2 - but it melted perfectly over hot pasta for a super easy side dish; my go to for a quick and easy pot luck side. And of course the wine. But now with Aldi and Total wine, the wine is less of a draw.

For us, TJs has always been more entertainment than necessity shopping. Most anything we ever saw that looked interesting was less expensive than other places and good quality.

The only thing I have ever bought at TJ that was (IMHO) inedible were the California rolls. Publix makes a fantastic California roll (albeit a little pricey).

We have not been there in a while. The Orlando store was a nightmare (the traffic and the parking).

What a fun posting. Have fun in Gainesville. Will enjoy hearing how it goes!

[bp243]

Trader Joe’s is a family owned business and they treat their customers like a family. Very few grocery stores have that kind of service anymore. I like the size of the store in our Illinois neighborhood. Unsure why a store isn’t available closer to The Villages.

[MidWestIA]

Thanks I've wondered what makes people love Trader Joes

When we lived in north Dallas we had easy access to it, Whole Foods and Sprouts. Sprouts is great - good produce and lots of prepared items - we have Sprouts here by Whole Foods try them

[sallyg]

Love the Gainesville Trader Joe's! Good deals on wine, cereal, and soaps, shampoos etc, their produce is beautiful.
They have an interesting assortment of sauces and tapenade. We like their snacks too, chips and crackers.
I guess we like everything about this store including the friendly efficient staff. Wish we had one close by. Enjoy!

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by Garywt

Not a fan of Trader Joe’s but to compare it to Aldi seems strange ad they are nothing alike. To me Aldi is an off brand second hand food store.

I'm so glad you feel that way, one less person in line in my favorite grocery store ever.

[Proveone]

Originally Posted by turneronce

Been to a Trader Joe's only a couple of times so don’t know what’s so special about them. We are planning to go to the one in Gainesville and would like to hear from TJ lovers what we should look for. PLEASE, we don’t need to hear from those who don’t know TJ and are happy shopping at Sam's or Costco. Thank you.

"Upscaled" version of Aldi's. Owned by the brother of Aldi's.

[MandoMan]

They have a store brand flatbread pizza with a fila pastry crust and white sauce and herbs for topping that is very good.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by DeborahK

But it's a secret?

No its not but didnt think it was part of the conversation. They do have an excellent selection of wine at all price points.

[fraurose]

[QUOTE=Garywt;2054482]Not a fan of Trader Joe’s but to compare it to Aldi seems strange ad they are nothing alike. To me Aldi is an off brand second hand food store.[/QUO

ALDI IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST Grocery stores in Europe and they have the best products available to The public .
Of course the ones here in the States are totally different .

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Our favorite wine is only available at TJ's

Originally Posted by DeborahK

But it's a secret?

(Formerly) 2 Buck Chuck ?
Trader Joe's Best 'Two-Buck Chuck' Wines, Ranked

Go ahead. Admit it!

[tophcfa]

TJ,s has really good frozen stuff, at a very reasonable price, that makes a quick dinner on the fly. We especially like their frozen fish, chicken fried rice, and eggplant parmigiana, among other things. If you go there, bring a cooler and stock up the freezer.