Trader Joe’s

Started shopping at Trader Joe’s this year after I moved and have gone back at least weekly. Now I’m getting all of my friends and family hooked. They have amazing food and reasonable prices.

Nice staff, very helpful, also at a convenient location. Parking can be difficult during peak hours. Also watch out for the fruits when buying them, sometimes they won’t rotate out the bad stuff. Although they are really good about refunding anything expired.

This is your typical Trader Joes, filled with awesome food and staff. I have been here a few times since I have moved to the area and have been impressed with the fresh produce and how friendly the people are.
The first time we went in blew my mind: I was over in the coffee aisle and wasn’t sure how to work the coffee bean grinder machine. Someone who looked like a customer asked me if I needed help with something. (turned out he worked at another Trader Joe’s in the area but was shopping here as a customer) I told him how I wanted to grind some coffee beans but was unsure of how to work the machine. He stopped his own personal shopping and not only ground up the coffee beans I chose, showed me how to use the machine, but also gave me recommendations on selecting a coffee based on my preference in flavor. I also saw him later on helping an older woman pick some flowers out on his way out of the store. This just goes to show that Trader Joe’s as a company really ensures that their staff are happy. There’s nothing worse then when you are at a store and you know that the person who is assisting you hates their job. That attitude is projected on the customer and then gives the customer a bad taste in their mouth about not only that employee, but the store and company as a whole. I have never had a bad experience at a Trader Joe’s and love their low prices, products, AND their staff.

I started shopping at trader joes in San Diego 25 years ago. Then they opened a store in Richmond VA where we lived until 2000, and another in McLean VA.
2 – 3 years ago trader joes SUDDENLY changed. Prices for all their nuts and dried fruit went WAY up. Packaging for these and all vegetables fruits shrunk substantially. I ran into a lot of problems with their fresh meat and pork — old many times spoiled. Their milk was not cold enough, and there were a few years this store (before they made the aisles wider) was very poorly maintained .
They also changed their product mix and eliminated many items that we had grown to love.
Now with the substantially reduced size in overall packaging I just now visit only for pre christmas items.
(I find the best value and flavor for dried nuts fruit and especially fresh excellent spices at GOOD prices are found at our many food co-​ops.)
Their many years of once outstanding flavor, unique products AND excellent value I feel are now gone.

We bought 2 packs of edamame from TJ at this location. We would totally eat worms if I didn’t accidentally open and saw it. Ok, maybe it’s organic so you don’t spray chemicals but you HAVE TO make sure it’s clean before sale! This makes me really worried about other produces at TJ that we may buy

I really like this Trader Joes—
The layout is nice as the aisles are wide enough for people browsing and you have to browse sometimes when here – it is fun!
They seem to have more than enough product.
The other customers are typically well behaved –I cannot say the same for the Woodbury location which is closest to me. I have actually quit shopping at TJ’s as much due to the rudeness and frustration at that store,
The prices and unique yet current products you buy here are spot on!

Love this traders, food is always well stocked. The only downfall is parking. On a weekday, it’s almost impossible to get a spot in their parking lot during rush hour, and the lot is not structured to house a lot of cars waiting for spots.

This is such a wonderful store and I am sure that I would just repeat everyone else’s reviews if I tried to describe it. Instead, I am going to list some awesome foods I tend to always get.
Almost anything frozen is worth it! I love to stock up on the vegetables and mixes to have on hand at all times. My favorite has to be the organic superfood pilaf! Also, it’s nice to have frozen pineapple, mango and figs on hand when they’re out of season. Other staples are curry, cheese, ginger soda, yogurt and mixed nuts. Don’t forget to grab some chocolate covered sea salt butterscotch caramels on your way out!
The only negative for this location, is the parking situation sucks!

Okay, this is the only Trader Joe’s that I’ve been to in Minnesota, but I have to assume that it’s better than the other ones, because compared to NYC Trader Joe’s, it’s AMAZING. So well-​stocked, pretty much no line at the register, not crowded at all. You don’t have to fight a sea of people to get to the sample counter. And obvi, everyone is really friendly. The parking lot is kind of a shit show, though. I’ve only seen somebody back up into another car once, and I’m surprised it hasn’t been more.
My go-​to place for organics.

Great food, but terrible parking :(Aside from that, no complaints as the cashiers are friendly as ever and there’s a variety of groceries.

Do all Trader Joe’s have terrible parking lots?! I used to go to Trader Joe’s all the time when I lived in Massachusetts, and I chose to walk there instead of driving because of the terrible parking lot. Now that I don’t live near a TJ’s in MN, I have to drive and deal with the unfortunate parking lot at the SLP location.
When I run out of cheap wine and frozen meals, I always end up making the trip back to Trader Joe’s.
Favorites that are always on my list:
— Frozen pasta meals (super easy, and perfectly portioned for 2)
— Bananas
— Raisin rosemary crisps
— Cheese *lately I’ve been excited about the pre-​portioned brie and goat cheese packs
— Spices
— Reasonably-​priced sparkling wine (cremant, prosecco, cava, etc…)!
— Cards *good selection of cards, all priced at $ 0.99!
I agree with many Unilocalers’ thoughts saying that the produce and meat aren’t great, but this store is worth going to for pantry staples, wine, and frozen foods.

I debated for a while on what the proper rating was for trader joes wine shop. They are a very inexpensive wine shop, with wine that I just ok. That being said it you are going to make sangria or something where t need wine in it then this is the place I always goto get it, just if you are looking for a good bottle to have with dinner I would not recommend it

Oh, Trader Joe, you wonderful, reasonably-​priced son-​of-​a-​bitch. If you want high-​end groceries without high-​end price, this is like a mecca for healthy-​eating college students.
Unfortunately, this Trader Joe’s is 25 minutes outside campus, and has a less-​than-​ideal parking situation, but I manage to make due (except if Trader Joe’s wants to come to U of M before I graduate, that would be toootally fine with me).
If I didn’t know Trader Joe’s employees were always nice, I’d credit it to the Minnesota location; however seeing as they’re always helpful and conversational, it was business as usual.
My only complaint would be the small sizes of their frozen fruit. I understand Trader Joe’s isn’t a «bulk» store, however for $ 7 or $ 8, I’d like to get more than two servings of fruit. Other than that, it’s a prime grocery store.
This is the location I’d recommend in the Cities. St. Louis Park has a very trendy, chic community, and the atmosphere of the grocery store makes an after-​work grocery sweep nice and relaxing.
When I die, bury me in their cheese selection.

Trader Joe’s is one of the three grocery stores I frequent. Always do Rainbow, Costco and Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe’s is a great place to pick up last-​minute dinner needs or small quantities of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. They also have a nice selection of frozen organic items. I personally am not a huge fan of their meat selection.
Staff is always very friendly and helpful. They truly know where everything in the store is and make your life so much easier while shopping. Another great perk is the alcohol section of Trader Joe’s. They have inexpensive wine and a decent selection of beer. With liquor, they are relatively competitive from a price point perspective.
Highly recommend as a convenient grocery store in the St. Louis Park area

The good: The frozen goodies, specifically the little spinach and egg plants lasagnas. The dumplings. Pot pie. Cheeses. Nuts. Prosciutto.
The bad: Besides this dreadful parking lot, the meat is just bad news, the sushi went straight to the garbage, and the produce looks shabby and goes back super fast.
The amazing: Soy Chorizo!!! OMG, I cannot believe this product is back. Hopefully it’s also back in different locations.

The parking lot sucks and was poorly designed for the store’s traffic. Every time I come here, I dread navigating the terrible parking situation.
But yet… 4 stars!
I love Trader Joe’s. I come here for things that I can’t get elsewhere. My favorites include:
*shaved brussel sprouts (you’ll be amazed how many ways you can use this)
*tomato-​less corn salsa
*gucamole kits
*SUPER CHEAP AMAZING WINE
*flowers that last a long time
*mushroom turnovers (a staple in my freezer)
*really well-​priced cheese
*cottage cheese that tastes good
*sparkling water
*dog treats for my cute pups
*cards to keep on hand for every occasion
*Cowboy Bark (!!!)
*frozen rice and quinoa
*roasted red pepper soup
*garlic naan
*almonds by the huge bagful
I could go on and on. I can’t go all my shopping there, unfortunately, but the more and more I go here and get used to what they offer, (and what they don’t), it helps me make a strategic plan for coming here.

Trader Joe’s in the only place I shop, and I’m a vegan.
Everything in Trader Joe’s is GMO free (even if it doesn’t say it on the box). I used to shop at Whole Foods because I liked their selection of healthy, but still tasty foods, but it was so expensive! Trader Joe’s is a much more affordable place to shop.
Some of my favorite things to buy there are the pack of 10 hash browns for only $ 1.99! They also have the cheapest wine I have ever seen! $ 2.99 for a bottle of their Charles Shaw wine. Be careful if you are a vegan though because some of the white wine is not vegan (they use animal bones when crushing the grapes!). Be sure to do your research on which wines are vegan and which are not vegan!
I just did all my grocery shopping for the next two weeks and I spent about $ 60 (I also bough 5 bottles of wine).
If you are new to Trader Joe’s, you should definitely try it out there. The only bad thing I have to say about Trader Joe’s is that if you go between 5pm-​6pm it is very busy!

Overall, I dig TJ’s.
THINGS THAT ROCK:
–I don’t know if any grocery store can rival Trader Joe’s selection of tasty and affordable frozen goods. I’m not sure how much money I’ve dropped on the pork dumplings, s’more ice cream sandwiches, and fruit bars, but it’s a lot! #guiltypleasures
–Love the variety of bread products. The first challah I ever ate was from TJs, and it’s still delicious as ever. Can’t really go wrong with any of them.
–Even though 90% of Asian folks are allergic to milk –including me– I can’t help myself from indulging in TJ’s dairy products. I believe the stomachaches are well worth it.
–Since I’m on the topic of dairy, THE CHEESE SELECTION IS THE BUSINESS! Seriously, many of them would be double at other grocery stores. So good! #manchego4life
-$ 3 to $ 20 wines that taste amazing? Enough said.
NOT THE BEST:
–The fruits and vegetables offered aren’t not enough and can taste kind of bleh. I do like the Cuties, though.
–Yes, $ 10 beef tenderloins rock, but the pork products are lacking.
–Personally, I can’t stomach the chaos that occurs in the parking lot. I was stuck there one Saturday morning for a good ten minutes. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t visit more often.
Need some snacks? Go to Trader Joe’s. Get your fruits, vegetables, and pork products elsewhere.

I HATE grocery shopping, but it’s a necessary evil when you have a family of 6. (2 adults, 4 kids.) The staff at Trader Joe’s make my shopping trips, which can be quite chaotic with my whole clan, VERY enjoyable. No matter how crowded the place gets (and it can get quite crowded… esp the parking lot!) the staff is always looking to me like they are having a good time doing what they are doing, which is helping the customers. They are always happy to help out, and seemingly happy to be there. (and no, not the fake, phony, «I’m going to act happy even though I’m not». They seem genuinely happy to be there and happy to help their customers out.)
What I really love, is they hide «Timber Joe», their stuffed wolf somewhere in the store for kids to find. If the kids find it, they get to pick out a prize from their treasure chest. It gives my kiddos something to do besides just trailing behind me, bored out of their minds.
P. S. I do not hate grocery shopping as much as I normally do when I go to this store!

The staff and atmosphere here is warm and friendly. They have awesome food quality and very affordable food prices. Their adjacent liquor store is very convenient, as well!
Though sufficient, I wish they had a wider selection of foods and produce. Regardless, I shop here weekly for my groceries.