Brand spanking new Trader Joe's and it's fabulous! Extra wide aisles, brightly lit, well organized and stocked, and friendly customer service. Whenever I'm in this vicinity, I stop in even if I don't need anything! We all know that even if you don't need anything or stop in for just one item, you leave with a full bag!
While this isn't near my house, I often do a Marshall's run and this is in the same strip mall. I also drive down 99 on my way to the Wine Country and this is right on the way. For months I watched as it was being built and now that they are open, I'm delighted with how it turned out.
There are now 9 Trader Joe's in the Portland area and since I live downtown, all of them are within 20 minutes, some just 7-8 minutes away. We are most definitely spoiled since there are lots of people in other states that drive 2 hours just to go to Traders!
Most of the items that people rave about are the snacks, and yes they exceed in that department. From corn digger chips to chocolate peanut butter cups, maple leave cookies, pistachio toffee, peanut butter filled pretzels, movie theatre popcorn, triple ginger snaps - the list is endless.
Lots of decent frozen food items - Brazilian bread bites (gluten free), chicken tiki masala, chocolate croissants, hatch chile mac & cheese, orange chicken (not a fan), pizza, veggies, fried rice, soup dumplings, goyza - if you have a few of these in your freezer you can always make a quick meal.
I'm mostly here for the healthier stuff. I like their bagged lettuce, both taste and price. Same with sugar snap peas, broccoli florets, baby bok choy (put in miso broth along with sliced scallions and frozen wantons for exception soup that takes minutes), tri colored carrots, baby kale, mini heirloom tomatoes, fresh figs and sweet mandarin oranges.
Also like the variety of nuts and dried fruits (get the chili mango, great to add to a charcuterie) and once again, the prices. Same with the cheese section. They have so many varieties and prices are affordable. Their ricotta is the best store bought imho. The Doice de Bourgogne is incredibly decadent and creamy, delish on a French baguette slice. It's several dollars less per pound than other grocery stores.
The pantry items are great - olive oil, balsamic vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, jalapeño sauce, chili onion crunch, lemon curd, fig butter - my pantry has it all.
Bakery has some legit chocolate Babka and their cranberry apple handpies are amazing.
The fresh flowers are so beautiful, lots of bright, cheerful colors. Great prices and they last forever. The succulents and plants are also a fabulous deal, especially the orchids.
Greeting cards are just 99 cents, you can't find that anywhere, and the quality is very good.
And of course there are the seasonal items! They have such a following many are out of stock weeks before the holidays arrive.
Most Traders have the smallest parking lots that are a nightmare to get in and out of but not this one. There is plenty of parking available and easy access back to the main roads. read more