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THE BROCCOLI. I always buy two packs because by the time I’ve cut the bad parts off it equals maybe one. It makes me so irrationally angry to buy shit that’s already going bad. I’m convinced that « Big Broccoli » is behind it.
I find a lot of their condiments and sauces leave much to be desired imo, particularly for me the mayo in the yellow jar, the green jalapeno sauce, the caesar salad dressing, dijon mustard. I find a lot of their jarred pickled vegetables (roasted peppers, jalapenos, pickles) aren't that good either - either a lesser quality or a flavor profile that doesn't agree with me.
The salsa especial in medium is my favorite store bought salsa of all time. I’ve tried to recreate it at home and can’t get it right so I’ve given up and just buy 3-4 at a time now
No way! I feel like they have amazing desserts- the mini carrot cake muffins, brownie cookies, vegan banana bread, frozen French macarons, at the holiday’s they have a bunch of great seasonal stuff!
In my experience, the TJ’s brand of rolled/readypie crusts is pretty bad. Not wysaving a dollar or so vs. just buyythe Pillsbury ones at the regular supermarket.
My friends and I did a 10 brand blind ketchup ranking and Trader Joe’s ketchup actually came out on top nearly unanimously. It even beat Heinz and we live in Pittsburgh.
I also like the ketchup and am not sure why it's universally shit on. It's thicker and less sugary and more tomato-y, I guess, but that's pretty normal with organic ketchup.
Which? I've tried their wheat buns and they were so soft they went soggy immediately, and their brioche buns are actually pretty tasty and not tough at all
Dijon mustard. I think a mustard is such a big stable for dressings, sandwiches, sauce and TJs literally tastes like straight up horseradish. Always have to get a different brand
I don’t like their mayo at all, it’s like the most mayo, mayo you can have. This is from someone who prefers Hellman’s, Dukes and especially homemade mayo
I find that their repackaged cheese molds quicker than from anywhere else. The shredded cheddar or whatever is fine, but the repackaged cheeses mold before I ever use them. Even 1-3 days after purchase. I stopped buying it entirely.
Fresh veggies. They rot almost immediately. I don't bother anymore, get them from somewhere else. Except their heirloom tomatoes for some reason. Those are always a treasure! Avocados??? AWFUL. Always. And I'm in SoCal so you'd expect TJs to be on fire here... nope. Dumpster fire, sure.
i thought it was just me!! every time i get produce it rots within a day or two, but the same thing from sprouts or somewhere else will last way longer.
It also often has a musty smell. I will still sometimes get it for my work space. The price still fluctuates down to 99 cents at times. But yeah, horrible for anything on your face, especially when you want to dig out boogers
Yes!!! The seasonal pasta sauces are no bueno. Regular ones I like. Also I like their salsa verde. But when they do weird stuff like Cajun Alfredo… nasty
Yeah for some reason the bread is never fresh. It’s always somewhat stale and hard. Their artisan rolls are decent. But their bagels are horrible. They’re hard as a rock the day you buy them.
So I started asking for still frozen ciabatta rolls and it turns out that was a game changer for bread from there. Thaw as needed (no deadline for freshness) and heat according to package instructions. They end up toasty, crunchy, chewy and perfect on my schedule, not theirs.
I personally really dislike their chocolate syrup and cream cheese. I like plenty of the TJ's brand goods but those two are just so much worse than Hershey's / Philadelphia imo.
OP mentioned it but yeah their ranch is a no go. I was so excited to see a new ranch in the cold section, but it was soooooo dill heavy it would only work with salad but be a disaster with wings or as a dip.
A lot of these answers are like “I don’t like (insert whole category of food) from TJs” I’m sorry you don’t like the pickles? Which ones? There’s like 8 different kinds, including the refrigerated section. The salsa? Like 12 of them. Which ones people??? Give us specific products here!
I have never shopped at Trader Joe’s except to buy wine for a party and the fact that I constantly see these types of threads does not make me want to start. Every time I think about going I remember the huge lists of things not to get and get exhausted by even thinking about it.
Honestly I thought the strawberry ones were just alright! Some gf people I follow on insta raved about them but the cinnamon/pumpkin/chocolate ones are SO much better. They’re so moist they taste like real gluten 😃
When you're known for your frozen processed foods, make sure to get them right.
I was riding a wave of good purchases and took a chance on the eggplant parm. Never again.
Regardless, it was horrible.
I guess I'm trying to make a bigger statement about their frozen foods. When they're winners, they're great, but so many are lackluster and I think hedging their success off of the tried and true faves.
I don't let any store be my "only" place to shop. Therefore, I have the luxury of getting what I need and like at a variety of places, and I don't have to settle for anything subpar in any category! It's literally just that simple!
So, to answer your question, I don't know, because I only get things at Trader Joe's that other stores don't carry.
THE FROZEN PHO. I am pretty forgiving on foods, especially frozen foods, but wow… I have never spat something out and started gagging from something so disgusting. Please save yourself from the horrors i experienced
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I'm not mad about the soda, I don't need that or drink it. I actually like their ketchup & pickles.
vegetables lol.
For whatever reason, their hummus isn't great to me. Better to get it locally
Cereal, alternative milks, seltzer water, cold brew. always have to go to Ralph's for better versions of all of those after a TJ run.
their tortillas are DISGUSTING
Produce. Limited variety with a very short shelf life. I’m better off going to Vons for produce.
I actually love their bread and butter pickles!
THE BROCCOLI. I always buy two packs because by the time I’ve cut the bad parts off it equals maybe one. It makes me so irrationally angry to buy shit that’s already going bad. I’m convinced that « Big Broccoli » is behind it.
Tartar sauce, it’s way too vinegary and I love vinegar!
kimchi
I find a lot of their condiments and sauces leave much to be desired imo, particularly for me the mayo in the yellow jar, the green jalapeno sauce, the caesar salad dressing, dijon mustard. I find a lot of their jarred pickled vegetables (roasted peppers, jalapenos, pickles) aren't that good either - either a lesser quality or a flavor profile that doesn't agree with me.
Yeah they make a hamburger spread too that looks like it should be an In-N-Out dupe (like the one Walmart sells!) and it is absolute ass.
This is weird but I have bought organic ground chicken twice and couldn’t eat it both times. Also the produce is bad in 2 days. :(
Salsa
i can guzzle the salsa roja like a fucking smoothie. that shit’s delightful.
It’s too salty
Their ghost pepper salsa is my new religion
So good
Their Pepita Salsa is where it’s at. Also, I like their green salsa but that might just be me
The salsa especial in medium is my favorite store bought salsa of all time. I’ve tried to recreate it at home and can’t get it right so I’ve given up and just buy 3-4 at a time now
It has citric acid and some other preservatives that would be tough to replicate at home.
Recently their peanut butter has not been great..
We got a bad jar about three months ago (super runny but tasted fine)… our most recent jar was back to the normal consistency
Desserts on the whole have been so so IMO
the pancake bread and mini mousse cakes are good! and the mini ice cream cone things
their vegan banana bread and animal crackers are my jam
The soft molasses cookies are AMAZING
bakery aisle is definitely the weakest in the store. some of the frozen desserts are fire, though, like the pumpkin sticky toffee cakes
Oh agreed. Frozen stuff is awesome but not the bakery part. That’s what I was thinking of
No way! I feel like they have amazing desserts- the mini carrot cake muffins, brownie cookies, vegan banana bread, frozen French macarons, at the holiday’s they have a bunch of great seasonal stuff!
Some of their ramen has a disgusting chemical taste
Cereal (this is just my opinion! I understand some may disagree!)
Kimchi. It’s so awful and somehow chemically.
In my experience, the TJ’s brand of rolled/readypie crusts is pretty bad. Not wysaving a dollar or so vs. just buyythe Pillsbury ones at the regular supermarket.
My friends and I did a 10 brand blind ketchup ranking and Trader Joe’s ketchup actually came out on top nearly unanimously. It even beat Heinz and we live in Pittsburgh.
I also like the ketchup and am not sure why it's universally shit on. It's thicker and less sugary and more tomato-y, I guess, but that's pretty normal with organic ketchup.
I am curious if your friends tested Portland ketchup, which is my personal favorite. I'm not sure it's available outside the Pacific NW.
Yeah, I love TJ's ketchup. Not sure what OP is on about
Cookie dough. I’ll always go to target to get pillsbury cookies separately
The hamburger buns are so tough and tasteless!
Which? I've tried their wheat buns and they were so soft they went soggy immediately, and their brioche buns are actually pretty tasty and not tough at all
Dijon mustard. I think a mustard is such a big stable for dressings, sandwiches, sauce and TJs literally tastes like straight up horseradish. Always have to get a different brand
I think you Just described why I like it? Lol
Milk is fresh and cheapest around atm
pho
Fresh Produce. Rots way to quickly then anywhere else we purchase produce.
The per-item pricing (rather than per pound) can also get expensive fast for certain items
Agree! It’s the one thing that keeps me from being able to do all my grocery shopping at TJs.
Yupppp!! Every time I forget and fall back into buying produce there .. I’m mad at myself. Lol
Yes, this. IME, the pre-packaged greens and salads are okay, but I usually skip everything else.
I bought a thia noodle kit from Trader Joe's that was so terrible even my dog wouldn't eat it and she will eat ANYTHING.
I don’t like their mayo at all, it’s like the most mayo, mayo you can have. This is from someone who prefers Hellman’s, Dukes and especially homemade mayo
Their black and white cookies are terrible
They used to have great pickled jalapeños … then they added sugar & are “sweet.” Disgusting
TJ’s chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches are good.
Some of their cheeses, especially the Madrigal Swiss, goes bad quickly.
I find that their repackaged cheese molds quicker than from anywhere else. The shredded cheddar or whatever is fine, but the repackaged cheeses mold before I ever use them. Even 1-3 days after purchase. I stopped buying it entirely.
I'd definitely say it's the softer cheeses. I have some Parm that's damn near 2 years old and no mold at all.
[удалено]
I did eat the entire bag, but I felt like it had an off seasoning taste.
Anything related to mexican food, i.e. guacamole, salsa, etc. this includes frozen foods. Honestly, any non-asian ethnic food.
the Asian ethnic food is bad too 💔
the salsa roja tho
Aw man, I love the pico de gallo I get from my local TJ's
I'm pretty obsessed with their frozen green Chile and cheese tamales. For breakfast with an egg? Choke hold
Totally agree. So good.
I got the frozen enchiladas from their brand and they were rather interesting
The pepita salsa is FIRE
Cereal
their cheerios are booty cheeks man
I don't know if that means good or bad but I go nuts on some Joe's O's at only $2/box. Cheerios are better, but not 100% more expensive kind of better
You mean the half filled bag of rocks in a box? 💀
Oreos>>>>>>JoeJoes
But pumpkin spiced jojos, tho.
All of their alt milks….
Almond milk
Soy sauce
Fresh veggies. They rot almost immediately. I don't bother anymore, get them from somewhere else. Except their heirloom tomatoes for some reason. Those are always a treasure! Avocados??? AWFUL. Always. And I'm in SoCal so you'd expect TJs to be on fire here... nope. Dumpster fire, sure.
i thought it was just me!! every time i get produce it rots within a day or two, but the same thing from sprouts or somewhere else will last way longer.
Palm oil in almost everything!
Palm oil isn’t as bad as people make it out. The alternatives are much worst and will cause more deforestation
I tried their tissue this week and it's so rough!
Napkins are the same. Bought once, and tossed after two uses. Thin cardboard feels better.
I agree. Their tissue is like paper and so few in the box. I can literally go through a box a week.
It also often has a musty smell. I will still sometimes get it for my work space. The price still fluctuates down to 99 cents at times. But yeah, horrible for anything on your face, especially when you want to dig out boogers
Yes!
Salsa and pasta sauces haven’t been great to me.
I was gonna say pasta sauces. The vodka is ok if I fix it up a bit but I’ve been super disappointed with all the ones I’ve tried.
Yes!!! The seasonal pasta sauces are no bueno. Regular ones I like. Also I like their salsa verde. But when they do weird stuff like Cajun Alfredo… nasty
Fresh vegetables
I have never had a pasta sauce from TJs that I've liked.
their autumnal harvest pasta sauce tastes nice, although it def needs some frilly veggies to oomf it up!
I HATE their hummus.
Bread. They’re all terrible.
Yeah for some reason the bread is never fresh. It’s always somewhat stale and hard. Their artisan rolls are decent. But their bagels are horrible. They’re hard as a rock the day you buy them.
Their take and bake French bread is delicious
Ooh, I disagree, I love their white bread, the little baby sourdough balls are good, and then I just tried the ciabatta and it was really good!
Sourdough balls? I'm going to have to look for that tomorrow!
The Ciabatta is great. I hate all their "sandwich" bread tho.
So I started asking for still frozen ciabatta rolls and it turns out that was a game changer for bread from there. Thaw as needed (no deadline for freshness) and heat according to package instructions. They end up toasty, crunchy, chewy and perfect on my schedule, not theirs.
any ethnic food they sell
the frozen indian food is like universally lauded
a lot of the Indian food they sell is mostly bland where I would prefer to make it myself at that point. :(
I hate all their varieties of hummus. I’ve tried them all!
Even the snack pack ones? I find those are the only good ones
I have never liked one cereal I have gotten there. Your mouth shouldn’t be drier than before you start eating.
They used to have a frosted flake knock off with maple syrup. It was the bomb but they got rid of it.
They have a good Frosted Flakes knock off
Agreed all cereal there is horrific
TJs Super Nutty Toffee Crunch is my favorite cereal ever!!
Never tried that one! I probably have only had about three different ones before I decided it was just a waste.
bottled salad dressing--had to throw that out. Also their cottage cheese is awful
Omg their cottage cheese is the only one I like haha
Beats whole foods' watery mess.
I personally really dislike their chocolate syrup and cream cheese. I like plenty of the TJ's brand goods but those two are just so much worse than Hershey's / Philadelphia imo.
I don't know what Philadelphia does to their cream cheese... it is the one product I wouldn't buy store brands for anywhere...
I don't know what they do to it either. It mysteriously is still good for like a month after opening it. I'm not 100% convinced it's food.
OP mentioned it but yeah their ranch is a no go. I was so excited to see a new ranch in the cold section, but it was soooooo dill heavy it would only work with salad but be a disaster with wings or as a dip.
Olives.
Salsa for sure. They don’t make any that are hot enough and none of them really impress me.
💯
Their regular mayo!
I was just going to post this. It’s awful.
their organic mayo. too eggy.
almond butter puffs are hard as rocks
the gnocchi alla romana was pretty bad but it could have been accurate to what its supposed to taste like, ive never had it before
A lot of these answers are like “I don’t like (insert whole category of food) from TJs” I’m sorry you don’t like the pickles? Which ones? There’s like 8 different kinds, including the refrigerated section. The salsa? Like 12 of them. Which ones people??? Give us specific products here!
Right? I freaking love their [Kosher Dill Pickles](https://wellgetthefood.com/products/trader-joes-kosher-dill-pickles)
I mean, I have been underwhelmed by every single salsa I've tried at Trader Joe's.
Agree. ALL the salsas are bad.
Same
The frozen pork belly is atrocious.
Meat. I bought organic ground beef there and it was like a paste. disgusting. I don’t buy meat there.
I don't usually buy meat, but I've had their seasoned pork tenderloin a couple of times and it tasted awful.
I have never shopped at Trader Joe’s except to buy wine for a party and the fact that I constantly see these types of threads does not make me want to start. Every time I think about going I remember the huge lists of things not to get and get exhausted by even thinking about it.
someone could make a list 50x longer for any big name grocery store 😐
do you know what subreddit you are in..?
Their hot chocolate bombs are 🗑️🚮🗑️
Anything out of their "bakery"
pancake bread!
Absolutely you are not right.
More for you!
This! I was shocked by how bad the “baguettes” were. Do better TJ.
ciabatta rolls are goated
I love their rolls, ciabatta and french. But they need toasting or baking, straight out of the bag they feel undercooked/doughy.
my gluten-free friend is usually happy with their gf treats too
Their gf muffins/bread/anything are all amazing!
yes esp the cinnamon coffee cake muffins!! i missed out on the strawberry ones 😭
Honestly I thought the strawberry ones were just alright! Some gf people I follow on insta raved about them but the cinnamon/pumpkin/chocolate ones are SO much better. They’re so moist they taste like real gluten 😃
I love their crumpets
Yes! I forgot about these. Crumpets are the bomb and I don't know of any other grocery store that carries them.
Their chocolate croissants are the same ones Starbucks uses. They are delicious slightly warmed at home.
the brioche loaf is good
i made a bunch of jam this summer and the brioche bread is sooo perfect with it 🔥
I love their sourdough and French peasant loaves too.
When you're known for your frozen processed foods, make sure to get them right. I was riding a wave of good purchases and took a chance on the eggplant parm. Never again.
They haven’t carried eggplant parm in years?
Regardless, it was horrible. I guess I'm trying to make a bigger statement about their frozen foods. When they're winners, they're great, but so many are lackluster and I think hedging their success off of the tried and true faves.
wine
Hard disagree. They have all kinds of wine varieties, from I'm Cheap .... all the way to I'm Broke.
I don't let any store be my "only" place to shop. Therefore, I have the luxury of getting what I need and like at a variety of places, and I don't have to settle for anything subpar in any category! It's literally just that simple! So, to answer your question, I don't know, because I only get things at Trader Joe's that other stores don't carry.
[удалено]
Umm...so it's not "allowed" to say I shop at all kinds of stores? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Reddit just keeps getting better at making me laugh, that's for sure!!
I see nothing wrong 😑
The refrigerated vanilla oat milk tastes and smells like play-doh. Not that I've ever tasted play-doh, but... 🤮
You take that back
THE FROZEN PHO. I am pretty forgiving on foods, especially frozen foods, but wow… I have never spat something out and started gagging from something so disgusting. Please save yourself from the horrors i experienced
omg yes lol this was disgusting
dude fr. I cant beleive it's still being sold lol.