Might be the smallest Trader Joe's I've been to but it still had what I needed!!! Found some yummy treats to enjoy!! Thank you read more

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I've been living in Back Bay for 15 years... And we needed this Trader Joe's the whole time! We do have a Trader Joe's, about 3/4 of a mile away on Boylston Street. But, 3/4 of a mile is a long way to walk with heavy bags of groceries. Their staff is extraordinarily helpful and friendly. They always make you feel welcome THE DEAL: Trader Joe's' offerings are ever changing seasonally. So, if you find something you like...STOCK UP! read more

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I think this is the smallest TJ's I have ever visited. Customers are mostly college students from nearby universities. Located in Back Bay near Green line. Parking is going to be difficult. Clear signage but the store is in the basement level. One of my favorite cheeses, Amsterdam Gouda, is no longer carried:( read more

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Food: So many options! Service: People are friendly, like every TJs. Ambiance: The store is huge, and very spacious. It's in a great location as well. On weekends they also have these cute samples for grabs. read more

Amazing experience at world's smallest Trader Joe's! It's so great to shop while being in line at the same time!

Visiting Trader Joe's on Boylston was a real highlight of my day. The store is a great size -- big enough to explore but not overwhelming -- and each aisle is full of interesting finds. The flower section especially stood out: beautifully arranged, fresh, and thoughtfully put together. I'm not usually a frozen food eater, but friends have been encouraging me to give Trader Joe's frozen options a shot -- and I'm glad I finally did. I took the risk, and I don't regret it at all. Their frozen meals have a great flavor balance, and I rarely have to add much (if any) extra seasoning. That's a huge win for convenience and taste. The staff here are friendly, approachable, and even funny -- whether you catch them on the phone or in person, they bring good energy to the store. The one downside is the checkout area. Because of the layout, it's not always clear where to line up, and there isn't much space for items to be packed. One time, a few things I paid for were placed off to the side and didn't make it into my bags. So now I double-check before leaving to make sure I've got everything. As for parking: they don't validate, and it's street parking only. That said, both times I visited, I was able to grab a spot right out front -- but definitely go in prepared for the possibility that parking might be tricky. All in all, I'd absolutely come back -- great selection, strong frozen food game, and an overall pleasant shopping experience. read more

Trader Joe's has a great variety of products at good prices. The staff is amazingly helpful and friendly! Shout-out to Hannah. All this elements provide for a great grocery shopping experience. read more

I've been to the first Trader Joe's in Pasadena, so I had to visit the smallest Trader Joe's while in Boston. It was definitely tiny and cramped, and you can pretty much do all your shopping from the line that winds around the store. While that's something I'm used to from shopping at peak times in NYC stores, you could feel the difference from having so much less space. But everyone working there was very friendly, and they seemed to still have a broad selection of products crammed into the small space. We found our usual snacks with no issues, and of course, picked up a Boston reusable bag. I don't think I'd like this to be my regular store because of the size (and the bigger store down the street was needed), but it was nice to visit. read more

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This is my go to grocery store. It's small but mighty! It has all the grocery essentials you'll need (excluding some of the niche items). My go to's are the turkey burgers and the frozen pasta meals. So quick and easy to whip up a meal from those two items. Also I appreciate the staff. They're typically pretty diligent when it comes to stacking my groceries since I buy quite a bit. Anyways, my favorite grocery store in Boston! read more

Awesome clean store middle of Boston. Very efficient friendly service great selection and wide open.

This is for "the new Trader Joe's" at Boylston and Clarendon Streets, in the Back Bay, across the street from Restoration Hardware (previously Louis Boston (clothing) and the Museum of Natural History). This store is new, sleek, functional, immaculate, and very well stocked. The staff are happy, professional, helpful, and efficient. Prices are typical of Trader Joe's, good value, but in this Trumpian/Tariff Era, everything seems expensive. Trader Joe's is on the low end of expensive/good value, in my opinion. Certain hours of the day, like after work hours, on weekdays, particularly around 8 PM on weekdays, can produce a long line at check-out, but, the line is efficient, usually managed by a kind-hearted manager, and moves quickly. If you are a guest of a Boston hotel, like the Park Plaza, the Newbury, or the Four Seasons, and you don't want to get hosed on food and snacks, this Trader Joe's is a godsend (flight crews at the Park Plaza, pay attention!). If you are a guest of the Copley Square hotels, like the Lenox, Copley Plaza, Copley Marriott, or the Copley Westin, "the other Trader Joes," at 899 Boylston Street, is more convenient, and a much smaller store. Hours are the same at both, Boylston Street Trader Joe's stores. One final word of wisdom, beware of runaway sodium in many Trader Joe's foods, READ THE LABELS, you can be easily surprised by very high levels of sodium, in some of Trader Joe's prepared/refrigerated/frozen foods. read more

As we entered, I didn't realize that this was the smallest Trader Joe's in the chain. We are from sunny Southern California, and there are two TJ's near home. How may Trader Joe's have escalators? This one does. I really liked the Fenway Park mural as we had just toured Fenway. The store is really small but cozy, somehow most of the favorite items were on display...The staff has the traditional Aloha inspired attire, and made one feel at home. read more

Trader Joe's - I didn't realize that this was the smallest Trader Joe's in the chain. - Grocery Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Terrible customer service at Trader Joe's 500 Boylston today. Cashier Hannah was rude and gave me attitude when I corrected her on an item price. I later called the store and the manager only made things worse with excuses instead of addressing the issue. Won't be shopping here again. read more

I'm so glad they opened a second, larger Trader Joe's in Back Bay! This one is near Boston Common and has a bunch more checkout counters than the one on the other end of Newbury Street. Employees do a good job keeping the shelves well-stocked and are helpful and friendly. Can't wait to be back! read more

I like Trader Joe's and was out for the day in Boston and wanted to stop in and visit. I heard this one was the smallest of the chain stores. You take an escalator to go down and they sell lots of reusable bags. I liked the Boston one. The store is filled with groceries and very busy. I enjoyed walking around through the hustle and bustle looking at all the fruits, vegetables, meats, prepackaged sandwiches, salads, to name a few that they offer. It is very small but very organized and clean. I wanted my favorite coffee that I get here and couldn't find where the coffee was. I asked a sales associate and she was so friendly and lead me to it. Unfortunately they did not have the one I love. But I still enjoyed coming and walking around. I would recommend this store. It's so fun to see your favorite store in the big city! read more

[Out-of-Towner Review] The smallest TJ's in the US! Fact! I didn't realize this when I walked in, but I shortly understood exactly what this is. First, I've never taken an escalator down into a TJ's so that was new. I loved all the Boston-themed decor that adorns the walls at the entrance. So vibrant and tells the story of the city. I love that the escalator brings you right down to the flowers, it's such a welcoming sight when you get to the bottom. If there was ever a cute dungeon, this would be it. They've literally crammed everything a normal TJs has into this little spot. The main difference is the registers are laid out a little differently than that of their 'regular' stores. It's not bad, just a little different from what I'm used to at my California stores. I was so happy to learn they had the TJ's Boston reusable bags. My family gifts these to everyone as souvenirs -- cheap, location-specific, and reusable, the trifecta of a souvenir. I was told they had just got them in and hadn't had them for months due to supply chain issues. Lucky me! A must-see if you are a TJs aficionado! read more

This place is amazing, cheap, healthy and good! Customer service is awesome! Deserves 100 stars! read more

Trader Joe's - Boylston finish line - Grocery Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Apparently it's the smallest Trader Joe's in the whole universe! We almost missed it, So cute. Compact little store, stocked with the basics. The cashier who helped us was friendly. The only issue for me is the entrance and exit are through the same way. Got a cool Boston themed reusable bag. read more

Trader Joe's - Grocery Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I've had a thing where I get TJ reusable bags when I visit a city. I love that this location is in the heart of Boston. It also happens to be the smallest TJ. Once you enter there are escalators that lead to the supermarket. It has everything a Trader Joe's typically has; it's just the format of the market is different. With how busy the market was I still easily managed my way around. read more

Very small and limited items. Sometimes the line loops around the entire store which is insane. Escalator going down is always broken. However everyone is friendly and helpful. Don't expect to come here and find your limited Trader Joe's item. Also try to come here early during the day. If you come here after 5:00pm it's swarming with students and expect to wait awhile before checking out. read more

This Trader Joe's is located in a basement. You will be using an escalator to get to it. It is a small but nice location. They carry some good organic products, pastas, frozen foods, vegetables and fruits. The workers always look pretty busy stocking shelves and what not but are always ready and willing to help you out if you need assistance in finding what you're looking for. The produce is always fresh and attractively displayed. They usually have a good amount of cashiers at the registers so while the lines can get long during busier hours of the day it the lines keep moving and you will rarely wait very long to pay for your stuff. I would recommend this location to others. read more

If you want to see a very high ratio of Trader Joe's goodness vs. square footage, this is the place. I love my TJs and zipped through finding all of my usuals. There are some narrow aisles, but everyone was very aware of their own space and considerate. Once it was time to wrap up, there was an intimidating line for checkout. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how fast the cashiers kept everyone moving. Definitely will add this TJs to one of my regular stops. read more

Love that the prices have remained the same. Best cottage cheese and Mac n cheese ever. We also love the portions are more for two people. You eat less. read more

Good value, and fun to shop there. Staff is extremely helpful and polite. I wish the stores were closer to my location.

This small store Trader Joe's has done wonders, I live behind on the adjacent street and purchase small quantities of food since my kitchen is small. But these last days I had been depressed due to the loss of two close relatives and I haven't been able to leave the country -fear of this pandemic time and preferred to grieve home alone. Last week m, on Thursday I run to get some food but my pantry was empty and purchased more than what my Venmo card had and was very embarrassed, the gentleman at the cashiers was a little serous and said you are the first one that purchases this much, not encouraging me for my actions, I felt more anxious and wanted to cry... they called the manager and "SHO" saved the moment but being gentle and smiling took all my purchase and set it on the side so I could run back home where I had additional payment... packed my groceries and gave me a Trader Joe's Big Yellow bag and on top of all his work, a Flower bucket and said I'm sorry for your loss, that's all I needed, a human to easy my pain... Trader Joe's has been present and on the front line through outer this pandemia and will always be my Hero store, specially because their employees are so down to earth, naming Sho of course and Peter and many, many smiley faces. Thank you from all my heart. read more

Trader Joe's - Me. - Grocery Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Quite possibly the smallest Trader Joe's you might ever come upon but they're not lacking in selection nor customer service. Although this location is probably only about 1000 sq footage, they carry a good majority (excluding alcohol) of the products you'll need. They may have a smaller quantity of products available on the shelf but the staff are always restocking and won't mind helping you check if there's more readily available in the back. Because the space is limited, the queue does quickly wrap around most of the store during rush hour, making it hard to navigate around the arrows to search for a product during those times. Come during slower hours if you can. Basement location with escalators but they DO have an accessible lift. read more

IF this Trader Joe simply called himself a "Trader Joe's Express" much blunder and heartbreak and exasperation would be avoided: after all, one enters into this store and descends down and downward deep into the very intestines of the Boylstons themselves with their notoriety, and upon arriving into these entrails one finds oneself in a tight and sweaty and cramped maze of paths with no maize, and for that matter there is very little to be had in general--which, it must be said, is an absolute and utter pity because, truth be told, I do like intestines and had a delicious tripe stew last month, but that my friends is another story; although this Trader Joe is so petite, its few stocks and shelves are themselves only sparsely populated with the goods we know and expect to find within a Trader Joe himself (the sweet potato and the rice and the oil and the apple and the milk and the yogurt and all of the other things little and large) and, ¡let me tell you!, this is not a regional or even localized food shortage so please kindly do not even get started with me about shortages of goods and their microeconomics and financials blah blah blah blah blah, because the other Trader Joes nearby are bustling and booming and filled to their brims with all kinds of goodies, and they are not even in the Boylstons' intestines; in short, eager and robust shoppers find themselves out of luck because nothing they came looking for is actually to be had within this Trader Joe, he is void; indeed, this Trader Joe is simply a hoax and we are all its targets, not least of all I your writer who bore witness and fell into the very trap I have always sought to avoid; it however must be said that the cashier was absolutely splendid and loving, and provided much consolation to make up ever so slightly for the inadequacies around her, and for this reason and this reason alone I have awarded this Trader Joe one (1) single star, rather than the zero (0) stars that an experience without this splendid and loving cashier would otherwise demand; and so someone who does not hold a grudge like I hold a grudge told me, you must only go back another time and you will simply fall enamored and be carried away by Trader Joe himself and his voluminous bounties and voluptuous sweet potatoes and you shall forget the horrors of your first experience in the Boylstons' intestines and you will love them and this Trader Joe like you loved the tripe stew several months ago; and to that I simply reply, ha ha ha ha ha because I will never go back, I will never go back and you cannot make me. read more

According to their cheeky signage, this is the smallest TJ location in the *universe*! That being said, I'm reviewing it for what it is: a VERY SMALL but FUNCTIONAL location. Plus, it's kinda cool being in such a unique store. It feels like you're in Trader Joe's secret underground location! Despite the size, they seem to carry everything the full size stores do. I've rarely seen low stock here. The crew members are all very helpful if you can't find something specific. Lines are usually a bit long, but they go quickly. This location isn't my first choice because I like to peruse without bumping into the others in the aisle, but it does its job! read more

This is now my favorite Trader Joe's! They have so many items despite the size of this location and so many reusable bags to select from! The highlight was the nicest team member Steven who patiently packed $70 worth of groceries!! Lastly, I also recommend the lemon bars but overall I wanted to write this kind review to give Steven the biggest shoutout for being so sweet and hard-working (: read more

So my five star review may be a little biased as I live in a state that does not have and in all reality never will have a TJ's for me to shop at. Therefore this TJ's gets five stars from me just for location! I mean really? How cool to be able to be in the city and drop on by for some much needed items. It is very accessible from the T and even though it it tiny it had all the items I wanted. The customer service was excellent and the line was not that long I waited at the most two minutes to be checked out. AND I got to take a picture of the smallest TJ's in the known universe so BONUS!! read more

Came back during COVID. There is an employee at the entrance spraying hand sanitizer on everyone's hand. Go during the day, so it won't be crowded! There are also super high plexi glass barriers at all the cashiers. Here are some of my favorite TJ items: -Unexpected cheddar. The employees there recommended it to me and its unexpectedly good! -Everything but the bagel seasoning- goes well on everything. -Everything but the elote seasoning- amazing for Mexican corn -Frozen Mac N cheese- a guilty pleasure of mine -Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and conditioner read more

I love Trader Joe's, but I tend to avoid this particular location just because it's tiny size makes shopping a bit of a nuisance. I appreciate how they tried to make the most of the cramped space, but it is a bit of a puzzle trying to find things. Add in the crowds of people--it becomes a strategic game of figuring out the most efficient way to get shopping done with the least amount of dodging and weaving through other food shoppers. The inventory is pretty much what you will find in any other Trader Joe's store, except it lacks an alcohol section. The lines tend to be long but check-out is quick and efficient. Despite the cons, this place does get the job done so I can't complain much. But it's definitely not my go-to spot-- I only come here when I'm in the area and need a few things! read more

I love this place. Has everything you'll ever need and more! I'm a sucker for the corn salsa and chocolate covered everything! The free samples are nice too. Like Damien said below, it's tiny but it's chock full of so much! From the outside it doesn't look like much, but hop on the escalator down into yumminess. Best times for shopping here is at lunchtime or the weekends. :) read more

It really is the smallest Trader Joe's and though it can sometimes be tough to navigate when busy, it usually has everything I need. The cashiers are always super nice and helpful when it comes to bagging my items and always have a smile on their faces which makes the experience all the better! read more

I love Trader Joe's. In a city filled with overpriced grocery stores, it's refreshing that TJ's offers affordable, adventurous, and high-quality products. Usually I'd give TJ's 5 stars, but this particular store is so small that it makes the shopping experience pretty stressful. During peak hours (after work or weekends) the line will often go around the entire store. And sometimes there's even a line just to get into the store before you shop! Plus, unlike other locations, this one doesn't sell alcohol. My advice? Opt for the one in Brookline, Cambridge, or Somerville. You'll likely have a calmer shopping experience and the possibility of buying $3 wine! read more

Great customer service from the cashiers during my quick trips here to grab seaweed. It's pretty cramped so brace yourself if you don't like being crowded in a small area with a bunch of people. Also, note that since you are in the Back Bay area, you are kinda out of luck for parking since Boston, in general, isn't well known for being friendly to drivers. Decent location, just note that you will be in a very compressed area with a lot of people. IG: Mood4foodeatery read more

Where does one go for anything and everything when visiting a new place? Why Trader Joe's of course. This location is in the heart of city and below ground. There's just something big city about stepping straight from a busy sidewalk and 10 seconds later doing your grocery shopping. Like all locations, this one has the generic and the eclectic. That day found me in search of some cold-brew (prepackaged) and of course it was there. But I also left with a few, unplanned items. Friendly cashiers at check out and a convenience I wish I had back home. Always a great experience. read more

Definitely one of the more unique Trader Joe's I have been to, it is located next to the Prudential Center. If you're ever in the area and need to go food shopping, this Trader Joe's is a good location! It is quite smaller than most as it appears to be in the basement of the building it is in and even sports a sign that reads something along the lines of "smallest Trader Joe's in the known universe" I believe- that smaller environment makes it seem more like a small market than a chain grocery store. Even though it is a chain, Trader How's does a good job at feeling like it isn't a chain and I like that! It also caters to the area it is in with references to it and this one is no different. Great place for food shopping overall. read more

3.5 stars rounding up for location and staff. Yes, selection is limited, but grateful for this Back Bay location! Tightly curated assortment but has all your basics (minus alc, as most reviewers have duly noted), all your favorite TJs frozen/readymade/apps, breakfast staples, snacks on snacks, cheese/dairy and modest produce/meats. Lines are long but staff is fast - what we trust and love TJs for! Pricing is competitive vs. Shaw's. Weekends feels like Black Friday, so just be smart about when you hoard, to avoid the hordes. read more

Tiny joes. This is basically a miniature version of trader Joe's. They have the bare minimum in food. If you're looking for your two buck chuck, you'll have to adventure further to Coolidge corner. Also, if you're in a rush, head to star market across the street because I can guarantee you, there'll be a line here. read more