What's not to love about Trader Joe's? They're always well stocked, clean, available to help and have the best snacks and foods to offer. Really love this location, haven't ever had any issues here! read more

I love Trader Joe's! We visit it almost every day!! But today's experience at Hillsdale Trader Joe's is the worst ever!!! The attitude from a cashier name JENIFER O is so bad and dont care what customer service meant and it ends more worst because the lady manager not even help much, not even help solve the problem, just helping ring my stuff and thats it. Attitude = 0 Customer service = 0 Problem solving = NONE This store needs more training so it will looks like other Trader Joe's. Im expecting a uniform customer service for every Trader Joe's. read more

It was straightforward to shop in this TJs! The layout is similar to all other stores. A huge front entrance! Nice and quiet on Sunday morning. I just dashed in for some juice. Btw, this store has the original TJs canvas tote bags ....amazing - limit 2! I don't need to get any of these totes but maybe you do? read more

See all

I planned to get furikake snack mix and try bulgak sticky rice/seaweed crisps, but I couldn't find the snack aisle! I recommend their canned coffee, matcha latte packets, and peppermint soap as treats while traveling. I'm glad they carry bonding conditioner with a pump dispenser. Until I developed some situational awareness, a worker politely waited behind me to restock a couple of loaves bread while I tried to decide whether to buy chocolate croissants. There were no disposable utensils by the exit, (so get your own "purse fork" for eating in the car). read more

This isn't my go to Trader Joe's but when in the area try to stop by. Plenty of parking being inside a small plaza across from Hillsdale mall. Usually the items are well stocked and always someone around when have a question. The cashiers are nice and seem like they want to get the lines moving. read more

I have found that their produce expires after 1-2 days and are not worth the price you have to pay for expiring fruits & vegetables. Also their fish used to be better but now it's stinky. They have some nice things like flowers, cheese and some of their frozen items. We come here once in a while but it's not our go-to grocery store anymore. read more

Love this location, a bit busy at times but they seemed to managed to keep the shelves organized and fully stocked regardless of the time of day. The staff stays helpful and friendly. The veggies always almost fresh as well as the dry goods. read more

Ethics is a virtue and this place has some really nice people but apparently rudeness is something you won't avoid. I don't know if it's because of difficult customers whose attitudes rub off on the employees or if some people are just rude by personality or if people are fed up with gas prices or what but if an employee wants to behave the way they do at the DMV then he or she should go work there and leave customer service to those that know how to deal with friendly people. Trader Joe's isn't what it used to be. A terrible place to shop with the worst vibes but some pretty good items you can't find anywhere else at the same reasonable price. Clean up the act or clean house. read more

Love me some Trader Joes! I cannot remember if there ever was a time I walked into a TJs without filling up at least one bag of something! Usually it's a smattering of snacks and gifts. And though this particular location, just outside of Hillsdale Mall seems to be on the slightly smaller side, they still had tasty samples of new item "mango rice crisps" and sugar apples. Yep, a few bags of those crispy mango snacks went into my cart! Also making it to the checkout were a few bags of nuts and snacks, a bottle of fig butter, a case of watermelon lemon sparkling water, a bottle of everything, some gnocchi and vodka pasta sauce, a box of strawberry flavored grapes (say whaaaa?!?) and a chocolate babka for good measure. You know, just a few essentials. ...Didn't even miss the truffle powder that I like to put on popcorn and pasta that was nowhere in the store. Smaller store also means no favorite sencha tea bags and no puffed lentil chips. Well almost didn't miss them, almost. read more

See all

This is not meant to bash this store or products, because I frequent here and enjoy TJs....but I had an interesting surprise when I went to cut my French baguette today after grocery shopping. I'll post photos but the end of the baguette had a screw stuck in the loaf!! Quality insurance failed here and the screw must have fell in the batter prior to baking! WILD! I checked the rest of the loaf and there doesn't appear to be any more hardware items present! Please check your food items - you never know! It's five stars to the market location, but one star to the bakery! read more

See all

Never met a T.J.'s I didn't love. It's a treasure trove of goodies, edible and non. We moved to S.M. and went here for the first time. It's just like the one I'm used to in Millbrae. Full of yummy stuff, customer service stellar and warm, never phoning it in. We went in practically every aisle and knocked it out of the park. Whether it's ready to eat salads and sandwiches or their frozen aisle and my favorite beverage these days, their rose sparkling green tea concoction, which given I don't drink alcohol but love the taste, I swear this stuff tastes like fermentation in a can Ala beer. The store is neat and clean, spacious, but not overly so, which is why I hate going to warehouses type places like Costco, god forbid, where you need to rife around in a cart or scooter. This is a more compact shop. It has a restroom in the back. A little floral department, and though I didn't see it, I'm sure it also has the requisite samples station. It's such a bummer that T.J's stopped their coffee samples, which I adored. Parking is easy and free in their shared lot. read more

See all

Probably the least friendly checker I have ever met at Trader Joe's- maybe this is typical on the Peninsula? My local TJ employees are so friendly read more

Shout out to JACOB for being so very kind and helpful as I was checking out the other day. Having friendly people greet you - just makes the day so much better. read more

a normal day after work I go by and you should leave cuz yours are extremely friendly but I usually this time I went cashier a young boy was very cold and not friendly at all not even a high or thank you or bye I said it and he turned and asked for next customer I know they're eager to go home. read more

Customer service is not that great, as you know that Trader Joe bag is very easy to break. She charged me for two bags which I double bag it but I also need an additional bags for another item. She charged me for two bags which I double bag it. I paid for my two bags. It's not for double backing it all because of the quality is not acceptable .She told me to pay another $.25. I suggest you guys change the quality of the bags and improves your customer service. read more

I really love this Trader Joe's. I come here once a week to shop for the family and am able to pick up all the normal stuff plus great frozen food options. The staff at the store is overwhelmingly friendly and helpful whenever I ask where I can find something. Some of my favorite items to pick up here are eggs, Boursin cheese, triple cream brie cheese with mushrooms, frozen soup dumplings, and frozen chicken tikka masala samosas. This store is a gem and really saves a ton on the monthly grocery bill! read more

See all

The Sunnyvale Trader Joe's is well stocked, the workers are pleasant and it's always a good experience! Freshest produce and flowers at great prices! I look forward to shopping here! read more

The ideal specialty grocery store you can find in the heart of the Peninsula! Ever since it opened up at the always bustlin, hustlin, and poppin' primary retail/dining destination in San Mateo, THIS has been a destination itself that serves not only as a neighborhood grocery store for the immediate area, but with its proximity to THE ever-growing & sprawling Hillsdale Shopping Center complex - grocery runs have never gone harder, but only easier! What I like about this store (not only the convenient, central location), but the wide aisles, easy access to the fresh produce/baked goods & friendly associates you come across, despite the fact that it DOES get REALLY busy during peak times & weekends - the flow of this store runs as smooth as possible, in addition, to having neat displays & items all stocked up for those wanting to get a quick fix to their various Trader Joe's goodies! Their NEW ITEMS shelves are also quite fascinating - not only it has easy-to-read labels and descriptions, it's fully stocked! I've enjoyed most of the new items - and I'm a huge fan of the seasonal Ube Mochi Pancake Mixes! That should be a regular staple at the baking section, to be honest. This place truly makes a difference for the community, and being the second location in San Mateo! Not only you can go for a stroll at the mall, do some retail therapy, watch a movie, play some bowling/bocce ball, and indulge in a sit-down restaurant, you could also make a quick trip to do some groceries while doing the other mentioned activities! Highly recommended for your Trader Joe's runs while you're at it! Kudos to ya'll! read more

5 STARS for GARY who is up holding the culture and customer service of Trader Joe's and what it used to be. He actually engages in conversation and cares to make you feel like a valued customer. He looks you in the eye and asks actual questions to acknowledge you and your day. 1 STAR for the person that was rude and snubbed me and Gary for having a genuinely good conversation because he took 5 seconds longer than someone who doesn't even engage in conversation or uphold customer service values and principles. This person rushed him and said "the lines long" and shoved the receipt in my face and said NEXT. Benefit of the doubt: this person was eager to get the line moving. (Purposefully not using he/she as I don't think it's worth getting this person bad feedback as I've been there but tip for you - rushing people thru a line isn't considered customer service.) Call me old school, but I vote for Gary who creates a human experience not a rushed one. read more

This Trader Joe's is super chill and offers free samples. The stock is pretty full and there was full inventory of all the foods! Employees were also nice and friendly. read more

Trader Joe's is my favorite place to shop! Fresh produce, clerks are always friendly! Good job! read more

I walked up to the door and it was wideopen, so I assumed the place was open for business. As I went to walk in, the employees very rudely told me it was closed in an unnecessarily hostile way, then proceeded to shut the door right in my face. This was extremely unprofessional and disrespectful to a potential customer. Even if the store was closed, there are much kinder and more courteous ways to communicate that. I also feel the doors shouldn't be wide open when the store is not open. Me and the other customer there discussed how hostile it felt and all decided to go to a different store instead of coming in. Very disappointing experience. read more

We bought a corneb beef brisket yesterday. It was vaccuum seeled. It looked like a nice piece of the point. Jen soaked it for me last night. The plan was to smoke it. I pulled it out and have never seen such an example of terrible butchery. I will never buy a corned beef from them again. This is not going to cook well. read more

Trader Joe's - Mangled corned beef brisket. - Grocery Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

One of the better TJs on the peninsula, especially compared to San Carlos. Pros: Has some products (i.e. snacks) that I haven't seen at other TJs. Expiration dates on produce and dairy were WAY later than I typically see at the San Carlos store which is usually cook as soon as you get home or else... it actually made me question whether SC gets what doesn't sell here in time. Clean and well stocked. Easy access off the Hillsdale exit of the 101. Same plaza as HIllsdale mall and other big stores such as DSW and Old Navy. Has its own lot separate from the mall so you can avoid the tiered mall lot. Cons: Parking lot is still pretty narrow and congested at peak hours. Smaller than the San Carlos, Millbrae or Palo Alto stores. read more

This TJs has an interesting layout, I don't know if it's just me but the aisles feel tighter as I always feel like I am running into people or weaving in and out of traffic in aisles. This TJs also usually doesn't carry all the new items I see in TJ blogs. Why is that? I think I went looking for the mochi pancakes and the truffle sauces and couldn't find either of them. The lines can get long, but that's TJs for you in general. Parking isn't bad because it's basically in a strip mall with Old Navy and Guitar Center. read more

Came by for some fruits the other night and it was quick and easy. Located across from Hillsdale shopping mall, parking was plentiful. Employees were everywhere stocking and their selection of fruits was a touch limited, although quite a bit of their fruit selection was organic. Checkout was easy with minimal line and speedy service! read more

Trader Joe's - Grocery Near Me - San Mateo, California

This morning the Yelp app asked me "How was Trader Joe's?" and I'm like c'mon it's just the best. Review over. See you there tomorrow morning at 8am, I need Palak Paneer and the freshest eggs. read more

Extremely rude cashiers, I was buying food for my mom and the cashier was arguing with me because I asked what the total was before I paid and she kept arguing with me about why I needed to know!!!! That's standard policy for the total to be on the screen before you pay and she kept gaslighting me. What kind of store are you guys rubbing????? read more

Best Trader Joe's. I love the variety of food and other things. Prices are great compared to big box grocery stores. Best of all the people who work there. They give A+ customer service. Kudos to TJ's Hillsdale Store. read more

Wow. Great experience. If you are looking for, yet, another great Trader Joe's -- here ya go. Well-stocked inventory, and cashiers all open at each station makes great shopping! It's a busy store, and along with that, an ultra busy parking lot. Beware of lots of cars backing out, coming in, carts flying, and people walking while talking. Once you finally park and come in, you'll have that "I've won" feeling. Service is particularly a stand-out. There's always several people restocking the shelves, and thus, always available to help find something or answer questions. I'm definitely in that upper half percentile who ask (and am a little "pest"-cadarian), "Do you still carry..." or "Can you help me find...". Very satisfying, even for me. 1. Easy parking. 2. Super big; wide aisles 3. Easy to find items 4. Well stocked 5. Efficient cashiers, all staffed 6. Super nice folks I really like. I was in/out in 25 mins. read more

Everything. Best maker I have shopped at. Clean, knowledgeable staff, friendly, selection (for a small focused store) etc.

I have been spoiled by the Trader Joe's in San Carlos. Why? I babysit my 23 month old granddaughter while her folks work. She loves it when we go to the Trader Joe's in San Carlos. They give her free stickers and they have a treasure chest with free suckers. Each time she carefully chooses one. I thought ALL Trader Joe's were the same. I was wrong. The Trader Joe's at Hillsdale makes all kids "earn" a free sucker by finding where they hid their store mascot!! Is there signage saying this? Well we got to the check stand with my groceries and I asked where their free suckers are kept. She asked me where the mascot was. Then explained how my 23 month old granddaughter could earn the sucker if she found the store's hidden stuffed mascot somewhere inside the store. She then said that they sell suckers and that I could get out of line and buy her a sucker since she could not tell her where the mascot was. Luckily my granddaughter did not care that the store refused to be generous like in San Carlos. It just irked me that the sucker had to be earned by a 23 month old with no signage about "their" store rules or even a picture of what this store mascot looks like. I will always patronize the San Carlos store just for their goodwill towards babies, toddlers and kids. read more

This TJ's is mostly great but on a couple different occasions now, cashier just stared at me while I bagged my own groceries. No, this is not a Covid protocol as other cashiers have helped in the past (recent). These ones just seem lazy. Like bruh why do you work here then? I always start bagging my own stuff but when they're done scanning, they should be helping too. Today, the cashier just said "when you're done putting your stuff away, your total is ____" lmao like ok thanks, Joan! Last time it was some younger Hispanic girl with long fake nails and thick fake lashes (she could barely open her eyes). Legit just stared at me and tapped her plastic nails while I was bagging my stuff, waiting for me to pay so she can gimme the receipt. Aight bet. I'll be going to TJ's on Grant from now on. Btw, if y'all gonna do this then just install self check-out. I can do the whole thing by myself and more efficiently too. read more

I love this Trader Joe's . They have such a great variety of snacks and frozen foods as well as produce and lots of iced teas . The prices are very affordable and the staff here are super friendly . read more

I often buy here. Good value for money. If you expand the range of European cheeses))) read more

My favorite Trader Joe's in the Peninsula. Really, all Trader Joe's are amazing - helpful staff, great products, fair prices, but this one takes the cake for going to extra mile. The store is larger than the other Trader Joes I've been to which means more product selection and wider aisles (a huge plus in 2020 when there is limited capacity in the store and for safe physical distancing). Not only that, but they set up tents outside so people waiting in line will be covered from the rain and heat. It's truly the small gestures that make the largest impact! The staff enforce safety procedures which makes shopping here less stressful. They also were giving away free paper bags for months when it was not allowed for customers to bring in their own reusable bags, unlike other grocery stores that made you pay for bags during this time. read more

This review applies to both the Hillsdale and Delaware Street locations so I will be posting the same for both. This is a once great store that has gone downhill since the pandemic started. - Fruits and veg are no longer very fresh and usually spoil within days of getting home, especially the fruits. - Cheeses show mold typically within 2 days of getting home as well - Several frozen items that we have kept on hand for the last 20 years are no longer of the same quality and not worth buying - such as the mini-tacos, Parmesan Pastry Pups, and the tamales We still do about half of our shopping at one of these two locations weekly but Raley's and Whole Foods are now the go-to spots for dairy and produce. Even Safeway stores in the area are better bets for those. read more

This spot is in such a great location if you have multiple errands to run. It's across the street from the mall (where Cheesecake Factory is) and in a shopping center with Barnes and Noble, DSW shoes, The Counter, Old Navy and a few other spots! I will say that this store can be busy during peak shopping hours. I advise heading there right when they open (Wed and Sunday they have senior hours 8-9) Food wise, You c ant beat TJs for a single person or small families the food is portioned spot on and the prices are unbeatable! I find all the food to be high quality and the prices aren't unreasonable at all. For their fresh foods I recommend: cauliflower thins, southwestern salad mix kit, green goddess dressing, chicken pesto wrap, Turkey meatloaf, balsamic or lemon prepared chicken, spicy hummus, fresh pizza dough and Caramelized onion dip! For frozen food I recommend: soup or cilantro chicken dumplings, orange chicken, vegetable fried rice, Turkey lime burgers, spinach and artichoke dip, any of the frozen pasta's, mini ice cream cones, key lime pie, Belgium waffles, had brown patties, and garlic naan. For snacks: caramelized onion cheese, cheddar and chive cheese, pepita or pineapple salsa, chili lime cashews, garlic onion pistachios, everything but the bagel chips, peanut butter covered Joe Joe's, vanilla sprinkle sandwich cookies, chomps jalapeño beef stick and raisin rosemary crackers. Sauces: siracha BBQ, Catalonia gold BBQ, Magnificent burger sauce, lemon Alfredo sauce, pesto and chili lime Mayo. Spices: everything but the elote, cuban garlic citrus, umami blend, smoked paprika, lemon pepper, and cocoa cinnamon and spicy Italian blend. Bread: focaccia sliced bread (and loaf!) the brioche buns, Hawaiian rolls, low calorie tortillas, and lavash bread. read more

I'm a regular here as I work 5 minutes away! I come here for lunch and also to pick up things for dinner! When it comes to Trader Joe's, think QUALITY, not quantity! Keep reading to find out why this is my favorite store. What's MOST memorable about this place and specifically this location is their customer service! The lines are almost never long because the staff are quick to open their registers when they see lines beginning to form in the check-out area. While stocking shevles, the TJ crewmembers here always try to make small conversation so that customers feel happy TJ's offers everything you need from breads, to meats, to produce, and wine! Although their selection is small, they carry pretty quality stuff! I love their pizza dough, while selection of salads and cheese, and their frozen foods! Samples/Demo Area: This places features new items every day to it's customers. Shop with confidence- if you are not sure about an item, you can take it to the demo area and they will happily open the item and let you try before you buy. Also note that if you are unhappy with a purchase, they don't give customers a hard time about returns. They're very friendly and care a lot about maintaining happy customers For these reasons and more, I continue to come back! read more

See all

I've been coming to this Trader Joe's since I have moved here to the Bay Area. This location has super friendly workers who interact with you. I truly appreciate at this time how they really are doing all the safely and actively sanitizing carts and enforcing new safety procedure. I hadn't gotten out for shopping in about three weeks because of the pandemic and I brought my personal shopping bags and one of the staff workers politely let me know that I was not allowed to bring it in. Which ... definitely makes sense at this time. I appreciate the hard work of the staff during this trying times. I love Trader Joes because they have great fresh products at an affordable price. I did notice the prices are the same here in California and in Dallas which I was pleasantly surprised by. Just another reason why I am a fan of Trader Joes. read more