After shopping here for several years (just for some particular items), there are a few things they…read moreneed to do better. More on that below.
What's great about the store is the quality and flavor of the food they sell. Even though I've tried a few things I didn't like, I feel comfortable saying that it was probably prepared just as it should be, but it's just not something I like. Taste is subjective, and when you're trying some international product that you've not had before, not every one will be up your alley. Overall though, they've got some very interesting and delicious things. Currently, the Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (prepared refrigerated meal) is one of my regulars, as is their Chicken Picatta.
The associates working in the store are all super helpful, friendly, and they know the products they're selling. Heck, you could stop there just to see an example of good service. You won't find associates hiding from you or standing there with a blank stare. These folks do a convincing job of making you believe it's the best possible place to work. Pretty amazing.
So, what are the brand's weaknesses (not unique to any specific Trader Joe's)?
Baked goods. Anything baked typically has an expiration date of about 4 days from the current calendar date. I understand they use no, or only natural preservatives, but if you're single or a couple, be prepared to have the product become stale to some extent, before you finish it. Ironically though, it's not like the things are all fresh baked. In fact, when I inquired about the date on a small baguette, the associate was happy to go get me a frozen one from the back. I suspect a lot of the baked goods come in frozen, but of course I don't know for sure.
Then, we have the packaging of some items (like the prepared meals or things like their frozen griddle cakes). Apparently, Trader Joe's hasn't heard of "peel to open" because quite a few products put up quite a fight to get them open. It's actually a serious pain in the neck. The griddle cakes not only can't be easily opened, but you can't even get them apart to make say two of them. I'm guessing they go from baking to absolute zero degrees in a flash, and all of the griddle cakes are stuck together.
The store is missing best by or expiration dates on lots of things. Or, you need a flashlight and a magnifying glass to find them. It's just not right.
The pricing. They use an awesome talented person to make up cute little cards with the item prices, but being such an unusual way to display prices, sometimes you have no idea how much something is, or because Trader Joe's attracts a lot of people who seem to feel they're better off than most people, it's cool (to them) to appear not to care about the cost. And, you can bet Trader Joe's knows that.
So yes - there's room for improvement, but it you shop carefully, look for best by or expiration dates, and understand that you might need power tools to open some things, you can get some really awesome stuff there.