The good:
-Lots of creative, atypical, yummy grocery items better than most supermarket equivalents
- Mostly friendly, helpful staff
- good prices on dairy, eggs, and staples like honey, pasta, spices, snacks, etc.
- Awesome seasonal, ethnic goods
- Mostly cool employees
The bad:
Their bags - especially if you have milk and the bag handles rip off
The packaging - some items like blister peanuts are in cheap plastic bags and need to be stored in another container after opening.
I have been a Trader Joe's customer since the mid 80's (at their former Santa Ana location on Main St.) Have always loved their many unique, value for the money and delicious items. Having traveled to many of their locations from the Bay Area to Las Vegas, and most OC locations, this is one of my favorites. First, the parking is decent except for the busiest times (Sundays, before holidays), etc. TJ's parking is never that easy but some locations in LA and the valley require driving around the parking lot several times and fight for a space. Here, you might have to park farther way but never is there no parking like some locations.
My last few experiences were quite good with the cashiers and stock people. Whenever I've asked where an item was, the stocking employee walked me to the exact place it was. Sometimes they ask how my day has been going and have a pleasant small talk without hindering me or the line behind. The last time I bought some eggs, the cashier noted a barely visible small crack in an egg carton. I was the only one in line and the next thing I knew, another carton of perfect eggs replaced the one I had.
Some items I have been buying for years, especially the frozen items like pork bun (theirs does not have red dye), shumai (sp), pot stickers, Belgian Waffles. tamales, etc. Love their many types of honey and maple syrups, too as well as the salsas and pastries (have visited some oi their contractor salsa and bakeries), and Honey Greek yogurt for $1. I like their blister peanuts except occasionally the peanuts are stale which I attribute to the packaging. I have tried all of their potato and corn chip items but my nutritionist has convinced me to cut out most of the seed oil fried items. One item I will stop buying is their delicious cocoa powder. It was tested high for lead content.
I didn't know this until recently but you can buy a single can of beer that's usually in a six pack. The last one I tried was a German lager which was $1.79 for a tall can. How can you ship that from Germany at that price?
Props for them on their seasonal and hard to find items. I enjoy trying the many candies and other desserts like King Bread celebrating Mardi Gras and Christmas items. I found some Kushu tangerines which you typically can't find because they're so delicate.
Overall, am a huge fan. One thing I personally enjoy are the many you tube videos of the vloggers finds at TJ's. They keep me up on the newer items. read more