re: As Trader Joe's gets set to open in Metairie, Underrated list of things to get

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It comes off as a place that is full of customers that dont have a grocery list and are just walking around buying random crap on impulse.

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Yup, that's going to be me tomorrow. Wife's got a half day working in BR on our way to Texas. I've a few BR places to go and waste time and TJs is on that list. I have no list and am planning to just get some snacks for the trip. We'll see house much damage I do.

The Charles Shaw wine is hangover in a bottle. Avoid. However, they do have decent prices on other wines, and it took a while but I have found a few Italian house brand wines that I like (I stick with the DOCG ones).

The maple leaf cookies are the bomb.

I'll go there to pick up some $1.19 pizza dough and make homemade pizza and calzones.

2 buck chuck (all kinds) actually $3.49 in nashville

mozzeralla balls with cream inside $3

chocolate croissants you leave out all night to 'rise' and bake

coffee (already mentioned)

fresh french/ciabatta bread 99 cents..amazing toasted with a little butter.

butter $3 (cant beat the price, but odd shaped 'quarters')

eggs 99 cents (great price)

everyone should get the cookie butter ONCE

fresh flowers..got my wife a dozen multi-colored roses for $7..best $7 i spent last week but most are like $3-$4

cheese -- great selection and prices are well under $5 for just about any type from brie to aged cheddar and other more exotic types. great way to get some interesting cheese for a cracker/cheese appetizer

TRADERS MOTHER frickER JOES TEA TREE SHAMPOO

this is the shite. $3 and you'll kiss your V05 or Suave goodbye. i never thought i'd switch from the 99 cent shampoos but i'm a believer.

See what Breaux Mart has!

How does trader joe's meat department stack up against whole foods and fresh market?

Besides the ground chicken, skip the meat. Frozen items, jarred items, packaged snacks, cheese, wine, and flowers. Most packaged items are kinds you can't get anywhere else, and they're also very inexpensive.

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Besides the ground chicken, skip the meat.

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this

TJs does not have a full-service butcher counter; it does have some cryovac'd meats and poultry. But if you're looking for a good meat dept, go down Vets to Dorignac's.

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Surprised no one said cookie butter, shite is like crack

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But Biscoff spread (the original cookie made into spread) is available at every WalMart, so why bother with the TJs version?

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Why would you want to step in to a Walmart?

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Because it keeps my sales tax dollars in my home parish. In many rural areas, your choice is WalMart or nothing. I burn less fuel by shopping w/in a few miles of home (so it's a green choice), and I keep my sales tax proceeds in my local economy.

I took three teenage European foreign exchange students to WalMart at 9:30 pm a couple weeks ago. It was a cross-cultural experience, to say the least. They marveled at being able to buy a swimming pool, contact lenses, guns & ammo, and produce all in the same store. 'Merica!