re: Trader Joe's FTW!!

I don't like the store. My reasons are:

Way too much pre-packaged shite. I'm buying 4 apples, why do they need to be in a plastic clamshell type thing.

Their pre-packaged salads and the like, which many people rave about, is just average to me.

They strong arm small businesses by allowing them to sell in their stores and if they sell well they tell them, "we will continue to sell your product, but you have to give up your identity and have our name on it".

The prices just aren't that great.

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he prices just aren't that great.

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It really depends on what you are getting. Whole Foods is much the same way. There are items that you can get relatively cheap at both, and items that are unique to each respective store. I stocked up on natural almond meal for $3.99 a lb. (makes great fillings for pastries). I also grabbed a liter of dark "B" maple syrup for $13. I like their dried fruits and some of their grocery items. Their fig butter is $3.99 and has a really rich fig flavor without being cloyingly sweet.

I'm not a big pre-packaged meal guy, and I don't think their produce would ever attract me. Their coffee selection is pretty good. I forgot to loop back in on my way out to grab some peaberry coffees.

The best thing about Trader Joe's (and it's a very good thing) is the selection of flash frozen fish. Great fillets of salmon, swordfish, black cod, and mahi mahi.


All wild caught, and all are fresher than probably anything you'll find at the grocery store.