I fell madly in love with Trader Joe's twelve years ago, when I stumbled into my first store in Arizona. For a long time, nothing touched my lips that hadn't been purchased at Trader Joe's. (Well... except for booze. And non-frozen burritos. And other lips, sometimes.) So it pains me to rip on the place after all of these years. Whenever I buy produce at this particular TJS, it seems to turn into brown liquefied goo within a couple of days. It's as if the veggies *almost* expired in the truck, and they're poised for some sort of mold/bacteria explosion as soon as they make the short trip to my refrigerator. Sadly, I don't have this problem at Safeway. And I hate Safeway. But now I shop there sometimes, because Trader Joe's seems to have developed a grocery equivalent of a not-so-fresh feeling in the last six months. I would have just ignored the produce thing... you know, out of loyalty... but then they shrunk my burritos. They really shouldn't mess with the burritos. It makes me very, very unhappy. The wraps in the refrigerator section are still okay, but the frozen burritos lost about 40% of their stuffing, and went up in price. I'm annoyed. Now we're basically eating microwaved tortillas with a small hint of red sauce. I don't mind the price increases, but don't mess with burrito innards. Basically, I'm getting whiny because TJS seems to be doing a lot of the same crap as other grocery stores. They're clearly trying to cut costs, which means less food in some packages, and maybe less-frequent deliveries (don't get me started about the time that I went to Trader Joe's, only to find the shelves almost completely bare... and it wasn't even on a weekend). TJS is a habit that I still don't wanna break, but my once-religious devotion to the store fades with every leaf of increasingly expensive, gooey, just-purchased-but-rotting spinach. read more

This is the most heinously designed Trader Joes that I have EVER seen. Seriously. I have almost no depth perception OR design experience, but I am 100% sure I could have come up with a better floor plan. You have to get in a long line to wait for one of the 8 plus cashiers. This line is in front of the cashiers- with a launching pad to the side of them all. When it is finally your turn in front... it is difficult to see if ANY of the registers are open. It is similar to the new cashier design at TJ MAXX or Marshalls- but somehow manages to be even worse. Oh- there are also cashiers over to the side- out of view from the launching pad. Really. Seriously- come on. I expect better. But- it is Trader Joes- and they have the same food that all the rest of them do. That is a comfort for days like today when I cannot stomach a hotel or restaurant meal. Just a jaunt down the block from my DC hotel and- there ya go. Easy food and cheap. read more

I absolutely love all TJ's, but I primarily shop at this location. The store is very well organized, the staff are very friendly, and the line is efficient despite always wrapping around the entire store. My only issue is that I always find them stocking out! I wish they could do a better job at keeping inventory because sometimes they can be stocked out on a certain item for weeks. Nonetheless, I would choose TJs over Safeway, Whole Foods, and basically any other grocery store. I'm also recently vegan, and TJ's has made it very easy for me to keep my groceries healthy, fresh, and affordable. read more

After getting the hang of Trader Joe's, I appreciate it a lot more. You will not find cheaper prices in the city for a lot of things. They have a ton of pre-marinated meats that make life a lot easier. My only real complaint is the produce. I don't know what time warp occurs with their produce, but it goes bad within 48 hours of leaving the store. I do not recommend buying any produce (particularly limes) that you will not eat within a day or so. To go all Sound of Music on you, these are a Few of My Favorite Things: -cranberry-apple stuffed chicken breasts (in fresh meat) - bake at home, so easy, seems like you slaved over a hot stove -Garlic Chili Tilapia (fresh fish section - perfect for fish tacos) -Pollo Asada (fresh meat section - perfect for fajitas) -whole wheat pizza dough (umm 99 CENTS and amazing) -Spicy Smoky Peach Salsa -Organic Peanut Butter (unsalted) -Mushroom Truffle Flatbread Pizza (frozen foods) -Belgian chocolate covered almonds w/ sea salt -Guacamole kit (only $2.99, but check it because the roma tomatoes are sometimes bad) Also, people complain about the line but it only takes 8 minutes or less from the very end of the wine section. It can wrap back to cheese on Sunday afternoons so I avoid that time. But it is much faster than any Giant or Safeway in the city. There is a small, free parking garage underneath the store too. read more

I love Trader Joe's. Where else will you find Buratta for 5.99?!! It usually sells out quick, but I love coming here. They also have a salmon dip that's pretty phenomemal. I'll usually pair the dip with the pita chips. Oh, their guac is made with yogurt, super delicious! Of course the only downside is that this place gets super packed on the weekend. Damn college students. I usually come here during the week around 8PM and it's not crowded at all. Do not come on Sundays EVER. read more

It's Trader Joe's!! So what more do I need to say. It seems like every TJ is pretty much the same. Service is consistently good and the folks are friendly. Lines at the 25th street location can get pretty long, but surprisingly they move fairly quickly. As always, I can find good snacks and prepared foods..as well as fruits and veggies as a reasonable price. Wine and beer also sold at this location. So, yet another reason to visit. This location has offstreet parking which can be a bit challenging during the busy hours of the day. read more

Highly recommend. I like their own products, and I haven't been disappointed by them yet. Only thing I have to remind my friends, it's better to have a shopping list before you go because even with a shopping list, you will buy way too many things that are not on your list, or things you never think you will get... read more

I just bought 2 bags worth of groceries at Trader Joes and when they asked me if I wanted to bag it I said yes...and double bag it because I have 3 bottles of wine.... All 3 bottles of wine went in the other bag which they did not double bag..... And half a block laterthe straps broke.and so did a bottle of wine .. Went back and showed them my broken bottle of wine and explained ..not only did they replace it they gave me one of their trader Joe's bags Yeah they made a small error but it could have easily been a bad experience... their customer service was great....add in how helpful one of their employees was about choosing the wines and my overall shopping experience was fantastic... really wish I lived closer :] read more

I have been going to this Trader Joe's almost every week since it opened in 2006. In the beginning, it was a lively, happy energetic store. The lines were always horrendously long and the store was always crowded and the merchandise availability was unpredictable, but you left there in a good mood because customer service was so great, and cashiers made a point of being friendly and very helpful. Then, over the course of the past year or two, I noticed a decline. As someone else said, the cashiers appear to be asleep. The atmosphere is no longer friendly, and there is a security guard at the door. I think the store needs a service facelift. AND COULD THEY PLEASE GET RID OF THE 80S MUSIC??!! Trader Joe's prices are still great, and the quality of its food it consistently high. Supplies are very inconsistent, though. It is hard to know when is a good time to find your favorite items. So my opinion of the company remains high, but this store is no longer the gem it used to be. It has lost its zest for life. read more

Like everyone, I love the Joe. I can walk to it from work which means its not crazy busy (as long as you go before/after lunch), I can buy loads of yummies on my non-profit salary while staying on my semi-organic/vegetarian parameters, and they have chocolate covered blueberries and $2 wine. What else could a girl ask for? A marriage proposal perhaps? Yep, I got one of those there, too: from the cashier. :) Now THAT'S love. read more

Got my usual items here to throw into my hotel room- 1/2 gallon milk, salad, banana, a couple bottles of water, Trader Joe's version of PopTarts and Hazelnut cookies (I know....). This store has something really cool that I have never seen. They have a dog waiting area lol. It looks like a mini corral but for dogs and not horses. I went on a Saturday at around 4:00 and it was packed. The registers here are designed completely different than any other store that I have been to. There is no express line. It's basically 1 giant line that wraps around the store. It's sort of a similar concept to Ross or TJ Max. read more

45 people have said it all. So, here's what I like to eat from this place. (Maybe you'll like it too!) Lavash (soft flatbread) Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) Chicken quesadillas Potstickers (dumplings, chicken or pork) Frozen pizzas (bake in oven) Rice pudding (cheap!) Chocolate-covered cashews Chocolate soy milk and of course the samples! My friends have recommended Joe-Joes (they're like Oreos) Everything crackers Sorbet (in lemon or raspberry) Chocolate-covered blueberries The most interesting thing about this store is that they constantly do inventory and discontinue items that are not selling. Of course, they also introduce new items all the time. Unfortunately, if you get attached to a particular item, it can be heartbreaking. This morning I was there and two employees were belting out the song on the radio, "TAKE ON ME!" read more

TJ's is a lifesaver for people on a budget. Relatively inexpensive food, most of it is pretty good. The staff go out of their way to help you. They're always singing or dancing in their floral shirts, just acting very happy all around. Their cheerfulness is infectious; I'm always happy when I shop here! Most of their produce is pretty good. The best deals are the bananas ($0.19 each)! But I always get tomatoes at Whole Foods (TJ tomatoes always look a little rank!) and they turn out to be a little cheaper at Whole Foods, for much better quality. Other than the tomatoes, the rest of their produce is fine and I buy it regularly. MUST-HAVES: -TJ's Nonfat Greek Yogurt. At $2.99/tub with the same nutritional properties as more expensive brands like Fage, it's a great deal! -TJ's frozen berries ($2.99/bag), great for putting in your oatmeal, or just eating with the yogurt! -Chimichurri Rice (frozen food section). A friend introduced this to me. I think they put crack in this, it is SO GOOD!!!!! -Vegetable Panang Curry (frozen food section). Actually tastes like real panang curry! Very tasty! -Spicy, Smoky Peach Salsa. AVOID: -Indian Fare Thali Take Out (comes in a light blue box, serves 2). This was bland, stale, and overall, a bad life choice. No! Even when the lines are long, TJ's super-efficient system gets the line moving along pretty quickly. Busiest times to shop: Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday. Best time to shop: Monday morning/afternoon. Everything is stocked and it's not very busy! read more

Dump the stores like Safeway and Giant. A new man's in town named Trader Joe's! With his charming one of a kind products and quality organic produce, how many shoppers can resist? My Fave Foods TO NOT MISS: *whole wheat bulky rolls (must sweeter/more chewy than their bagels) almost always sold out! *hummus: garlic, white bean, red pepper variety *no flour chocolate cake *chocolate decadence platter (may have discontinued this product) *almond butter (smooth and no salt) *curry chicken (marinated in packets) *greek yogurt (TJ's variety has less fat than Fage's) *YOU MUST TRY Brownies with Salt (sounds weird, but helps balance out sweetness) *Lacey's Dark Chocolate Almond Cookies (Crispy, thin cookies! so addicting!) *I'm bananas for TJ's bananas!! *Really great Flax plus cereal *Whole wheat tandoori bread is so delicious!!! *Smoked salmon is awesome *Great wine selection! *Some good frozen food choices like the burritos, pasta, pizza, chinese, and indian choices! By the way, is it me, or the people who work here seem to be smoking something? they are all so freaking happy that it scares the new york in me? any suggestions??? read more

I am not going to explain what TJs is . I am going to tell you how to navigate the checkout line, which is seriously the longest thing I've ever seen. I love Trader Joe's and right now I live in Texas, so I miss it. Stayed at the Washington Suites hotel across the street from this location recently. Step 1) Have some kids. Step 2) Wait 9 or so years (Note : you can substitute a friend or partner for the kid, if they agree) Step 3) AS SOON AS YOU WALK IN, check the length of the line. Step 4) If it's long -- and it's 80% likely to be long -- IMMEDIATELY put your kid (or friend, etc) in line with the empty shopping cart. Step 5) Run around and start shopping. If you have extra kids, make them help you. Step 6) By the time you're done shopping, the kid with the cart will be at the front of the line. You're welcome! read more

I used to go to the Whole Foods in Tenleytown until I found out that Trader Joe's is cheaper and that it's relatively close to a Metro stop. I went here for the first time today and it's really not that far from the Foggy Bottom station - not as close as WF is to Tenleytown but still very easily walkable. They have a pretty good selection at this Trader Joe's with a lot of organic products at what turned out to be very reasonable prices. I don't know much about individual prices so I never truly know if I got a good deal until I get to the cash register and find out the total. When I used to go to WF I would buy at most 6 items and it would always be $20 - $25 whereas today I bought 19 items including two of those blue reusable bags for $46. This is definitely a small Trader Joe's, even the one in Santa Cruz was bigger so the lines seem much longer than they are. Actually, they moved through the lines very quickly given the limited amount of registers they have. The cashiers and I also had a cool conversation about our sneakers :) The other cool thing about this place is that unlike Whole Foods, the people here seem a lot less uppity and pretentious. Of course, Whole Foods has the best prepared foods... read more

I love this Trader Joe's. I come to this place all the time whenever I don't have anything planned out for lunch and I feel like eating something healthy (I am not much of a veggie eater... ) I especially love "Lemon Chicken and Arugula Salad." It's always in stock (saw it replaced by butternut squash salad just once), very filling, cheap and delicious. The arugula itself sometimes tends to be on a tougher side. I guess baby arugula is a little more expensive. Nonetheless, I think I've had this salad for over dozen times in the past 6 months. One of the greatest reasons why I love coming to this particular location is because of its parking lot. As everyone knows, parking in dupont circle area is atrocious. When it's so cold out like today, I just don't feel like walking or driving around dupont circle to find a place to park and eat. This store is clean, organized, friendly and fast. read more

I can't really complain about anything at Trader Joe's. They have an awesome selection of (cheap) wine, including my favorite wine from Argentina, Norton Malbec. Frequent cheese and wine samples help keep customers in the extremely long line happy. Actually, the efficiency of Trader Joe's employees that zip through the line is what really keeps me happy. I once started waiting in line by the pre-packaged food section right by the entrance, thinking to myself, oh dear god, i should come back later, but they got through the line so quickly I'll never be afraid to wait in line again. Their "new products from around world" shelf is great, as is their great assortment of chocolates right next to the check out counters. They don't always have everything you want, but what they have is cheap and good. Oh yes, the free samples next to the "spa" type water station is fun too! **I do wish I could buy produce individually rather than in bulk. I guess the Safeways and Giants around here need something to keep going... read more

Holy Jesus I love Trader Joe's. I could echo what everyone else said about their rock-bottom prices, high quality food, and friendly staff, but I won't. However, I will say that they are the only grocery store in DC that actually carries the peanut butter cookie flavor of Larabars (aka my lifeblood). Also, points for the relatively large size of the store-for some reason, TJ's stores are always TINY-as well as the super-efficient checkout system. I almost left the first time I saw the line in this store on a Saturday, but decided to stick it out anyways. I'm glad I did because they moved through about 30 people in 5 minutes with every register open. No joke. All hail TJ's. read more

Trader Joe's had Free Bratwurst today! I'm talking about an entire sausage in a hot dog bun with mustard. I wasn't going to review TJ until today. I thought there was nothing else that could be said about TJ - we all know and love it's cheap organic food and free little samples. But free lunch cannot go ignored! read more

I grew up on prepackaged frozen foods. I became a little chub monster. I started eating healthy. Now I'm like normal and stuff. Trader Joe's is the perfect place for me. I can find quick pre-made affordable meals and some of them are even healthy! For instance, the pre-cooked chicken breasts with raspberry balsamic. Just heat? F yeah. Just buy. Plus, I'm a cheap drunk and we all know this is the place to go for that shizz. Cheap wine, free parking. Just don't partake at the same time. read more

Aside from the fact that this store is way too small for how many people frequent it, there is nothing to complain about Trader Joe's. It's high quality food with a lot of fun options that you can only buy here. Plus, the prices on some of the items are ridiculously cheap compared to other stores (cheeses, produce, hummus, frozen goods, wine...). I love this place and if you can go during off-peak times, it's not bad at all. Plus, they let you park in the garage for free which is really helpful. read more

My heart is bursting with Praise & Thanks! Chelsea (a manager, I suppose) arranged for me to send one of TJ's Amazing double orchids to my Birthday Gal turning 99 via a Lyft driver. Not sure if I should say this, but because couldn't, by policy, take my credit card over the phone, she 'comped' the plant and card. My tears are just fliwing - this was sooooo generous! Chelsea, this act of kindness will be passed forward. Trader Joe's- not only a place for good food, cool people and fun to shop...BUT policies liberal enough to allow human kindness. My kind of place! read more

I began shopping here on a friend's recomendation, and and have been very pleased with the 7-8 trips I have made here thus far. As others have mentioned, the parking sucks here (I stopped bringing my Xterra, and use my gf's Corolla for trips here now because it is TIGHT quarters in the parking garage). After the parking though, I really have no complaints. Beer/wine selection is quite good- in addition to the TJ classic 3 buck Chuck, they have some pretty hard to find beers, and at reasonable prices. They have some other reds that are good too, particularly if you like Chilean and Italian varietals. The once a year Trader Joe's Golden Ale is excellent too. I like the organic veggies, exotic juices, fresh tuna steaks, as well as a few easy frozen things that are pretty tasty, and not as awful for you as you would expect (mini chicken tacos for example). My gf routinely buys their chicken quesadillas which are a breeze to re-heat over a stovetop. You can wander the aisles here for 90 minutes, or get in and out with a list. I will have to disagree with the previous poster who complained about the employees: I can't say whether they are college students or not, but they always get me in and out of line very quickly. read more

The management at this TJ's location seems to be slipping. Unlike my past experiences, it appears that the employees arrive at work at about the same time as the customers who visit at around 8am to avoid the long check-out lines. What does this mean? You have a choice...Shop early to avoid the long check-out lines but find that many of the shelves (including produce) are bare or shop mid day or later when the shelves are fully stocked and but the check-out lines wind around the store. Likewise, if you prefer to shop early don't expect to find any carry out plastic kitchen utencils or free sample offerings. Last, while I've found that some employees are very pleasant, others give the impression they are totaly indifferent towards their customers. read more

I LOVE Trader Joe's. I really don't think that I could survive for over a week without my fix... there's really nothing like filling my cart to the brim with fresh vegetables and fruits, new and enticing condiments, and wine and beer, then leaving with a bill that's under 2 digits (unlike, ahem, Whole Foods). I could live without the other 900 people trying to shop at the same time in the cramped space, but their ingenious line management checkout system works wonders. Things I'm currently obsessed with, and my staples, include: -Chocolate-covered frozen bananas- AMAZING -Incredibly cheap double pints of grape tomatoes -Cinnamon almonds -Vegetables- the sliced baby portobello mushrooms, brussels sprouts in a bag, broccolini, cheap and good onions and garlic, and the great bagged baby arugula and spinach. -Pomodoro sauce- I use it for pizzas, with the 99 cent pizza dough! -Yogurt- the little 6 packs of blueberry/vanilla or strawberry/banana, and the Greek style yogurt (SO much cheaper than Fage) -Tangerine juice -Pretzel chips -I don't think it's a TJ's brand, but they have this spicy pepper crusted salami that is awesome with everything Well, this could go on for a while, so I'll wrap it up. Basically- thank you, Trader Joe's founders! You have made my life that much more economical, tasty, and delicious :) read more

I moved from Seattle three months ago and have been craving my Trader Joes groceries ever since. Today, I had off, and so I hopped on the metro and went to the one in Goergetown. I love the fact that I can find all the things I love here especially the vegetarian things including the cheeses!!! Can't wait to be back! read more

Trader Joe's is undeniably my favorite place to by groceries. This particular TJs is a little small, so it can quickly become crowded and the line can wrap around the entire store. Don't get discouraged. Get in that calm place like when you are navigating the airport around the holiday season and carry on. The lines move fast and they have recently re-laid out the store for more optimal line shopping (aka grabbing half your groceries while you stand in line). Recently discovered a fantastic Vino Verde and Rose that are less than $5 and actually pretty good! Also a fan of my recent find of dehydrated broccoli -- similar to kale chips but with a little bit more substance. read more

I used to live right next to this Trader Joe's location--I'm removing 1 star because it makes me sad that I'm not longer there. Actually, just kidding. I'm taking away that star because it's ALWAYS crowded, doesn't have a great veggie selection, and is often out of exactly what I'm looking for. Other than that, TJ's is perfection! Check out these items next time you're there: Mozzarella balls soaked in olive oil, pepper, and basil Any of the bries (SO CHEAP) "The Works" bagels Frozen spinach and artichoke dip Frozen empanadas Frozen flounder stuffed with crab--it's only $3 and is incredible! 2-Buck Chuck--sauvignon blanc or cabernet sauvignon; the other flavors aren't too good Any of the free samples--seriously, they're so creative! Not as gourmet as Whole Foods, but delicious nonetheless. The had a garlic mashed potato sample the other day, and my roommate ended up buying all the ingredients. I'm literally going to be salivating until she makes them! Whenever I do my grocery shopping now, I'll go to our Giant which is right up the street, and then to Trader Joe's which is a few miles away. Some foods just can't be replaced by brand-name products! Check it out if you haven't already! read more

I love the atmosphere and convenience of this Trader Joe's, and I love all of their products as well. I have to dock a star because I can never come close to doing a full grocery shopping expedition here, but this is a great place to stop for all those specialty sauces, juices, beers, and don't get me started on Three Buck Chuck!!!!! I've noticed that my bill always turns out to be much more than I expect it to be at costco and Whole Paycheck, and much less than I expect it to be at TJ's. That is a definite plus! I haven't had a problem yet with parking, I generally go just before closing on Sundays, but the checkout lines is always horrible. They are really good at moving people along though and they are nothing but efficient. I think the trick is to go with someone else and while they're waiting in line, you can look through the store for anything you might have forgotten. read more

You can trust me on this review.....I work there.... How can you go wrong with Trader Joe's? It is an amazingly affordable specialty foods grocery store. They have everything you could imagine and more, and if you for some strange reason can't find what you are looking for, the store is always taking requests for new products. Friendly faces, great prices...I'm there! The only downfall....it is the only Trader Joe's in the city. Weekends can be crazy. I would recommend avoiding Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons (the lines can wrap all the way around the store). read more

Where can I: get a free sample of coffee and a free sample of organic green tea with lemonade; get two bottles of white wine for $3 each; buy a small bouquet of flowers; and engage friendly and knowledgeable employees in a clean and well kept supermarket??? Traders Joe's of course. So that is exactly what I did today and the best part is that it's just a short walk from my office. read more

Foggy Bottom is like a grocery store desert and Trader Joe's is the oasis. I had never been to a Trader Joe's until I moved to DC, so I was a little hesitant to shop here because 97% of what it carries is it's own brand. I had heard from several people how great the place was, though. Regardless of what people said, I was forced to go because the only other nearby grocery store is Whole Foods, which has ridiculously priced for food that isn't that great and/or bizarre. The Foggy Bottom location is small and compact compared to other Trader Joe's I have been to in the metro area but it has pretty much all of the same stuff as the other stores (perhaps just a smaller amount of said product that is displayed) and with the same great prices. Because of the lack of grocery stores, the place is always pretty busy, especially from 5:00-7:30 on weekdays and on weekends. At these times, the line literally wraps all the way around the store. The good news is how quickly the line moves! Thanks to the high volume of people, the fruit, produce, and meat is always fresh. The staff is friendly, always willing to answer any questions, and will let you open anything (except alcohol) to try before you purchase it! Just as a warning, however, you will like whatever it is you're sampling! I am actually convinced they secretly lace the food with cocaine because it's that addictively delicious! Make sure to get the FREE food sample in the back corner by the snack foods, the FREE coffee sample in the coffee/bread aisle, and the FREE drink (usually juice or iced tea) sample at the end of the frozen food aisle! Bottom Line: Trader Joe's is amazing - great prices and a variety of absolutely delicious food! read more

You might not be able to do ALL of your grocery shopping here, but no other place offers affordable all natural, organic, and often local products that all taste incredible! Way better than MOM & Whole Foods chain (both in terms of price and taste). TJs has the most friendly staff and bang for your buck around. Avoid on the weekends, as it gets incredibly crowded and it's relatively small. Try midday weekdays instead read more

Yeah, I'm also not sure why it took me so long to review TJs, I've been shopping at TJs since 2006 too. Anyways, other people have basically said it all, but here is a quick summary: 1. Great "bang for buck" on everything, especially wine. 2. Busy as heck on Sat and Sun. 3. The produce goes bad within 48 hours of purchase - but this is because a lot of the produce at TJs is either organic or just from sources that don't cover their produce in a layer of pesticides. You will notice the fruit does not have that dried white substance that covers the fruit you get from Safeway. 4. Yes, unfortunatly as any small company grows, they lose some of the quality and service you get from mom and pop shops. But while the people at TJs may be not as friendly as they were in 2006 - it's because they are dealing with like 3x's the amount of traffic as they did in 2006. And either way, they are still a lot nicer and more helpful than the staff at any of their competitors. read more

I really, really like this store. The selection varies quite a bit - meaning you might find your favorite item one day and not the next - but I always seem to leave with at least one goody I didn't expect to find. The wine and beer selection is great, prices even better. I have been frustrated on more than one occasion when they run out of skim milk (or only have it in gallon size), but that's my only major gripe. Well, that and the fact that most of their produce is bulk-packaged or shrink-wrapped and seems to be shipped from the farthest corners of the globe... it would be nice to find more locally sourced produce in TJ's, but I guess that doesn't really fit their mold. The store gets very crowded, and it can be a bit alarming when the checkout line stretches the length of the store back to the cereal section, BUT this place is always well-staffed and the line moves fast. I've never waited longer than 5-7 minutes even in the longest line. The parking garage is another story; I usually walk here, but one day I stopped by with my car. It was pretty dog-eat-dog down there on a Saturday mid-afternoon, and I felt lucky to get out with my life (and car) intact. But at least they have a free garage; that's a nice option to have if you are doing some heavy-duty shopping. read more

Trader Joe's is an amazing creation. Who knew you could have great tasting food at a fair price AND have it be organic with friendly staff. This place is great, especially for someone living with a kitchen the size of a bathtub. There are so many reheatable options that you know will taste good and are quick to make. The only drawback is that simply too many people love it here. It is INCREDIBLY crowded when you need it most (after work) and the line wraps around the store, making it nearly impossible to move. It's not a place to browse; just get in and get out. read more

Oh Trader Joe's, how I love thee. I wish that there were more of you in DC, because that would simply mean more awesomeness within the District. I pretty much grew up on TJ's; I'm from San Francisco, where the stores are large and the product is plentiful. This one definitely does the job in terms of getting the basics right, like eggs, milk, cheese, and some other simple things. Great prices as always. TJ's has a nice mix of easy to make things and basic ingredients that serve everyone from the hapless cook to the gourmet chef. Go here, love it here, and indulge in a well-priced bottle of wine from time to time. Good beer selection too. What compels me to write a review was that I needed some celery and some milk before snowmegeddon. I strolled over there and encountered a MADHOUSE. There were no carts, and the aisles were packed with people. This could have been the worst grocery visit of my LIFE. Yet, it wasn't. While I wanted to smote most of the customers in the store, the staff was beyond awesome, managing traffic, restocking food as they could, and passing out food. While I waited in line for 30 minutes, I didn't feel like I would have to burn the store down because I was stuck in the hell-line. They kept it moving, and cheerful. If only other grocery store chains could adopt this level of efficiency. Why there is only one store in the district (and kind of tiny to boot) still utterly befuddles me. read more

I have been coming here for about 10 years now (damn), so I might be a little biased. I recommend: Plantain Chips Peanut Butter (Crunchy Salted) Bananas (19c each) Trail Mix (If you feel like spending $5 for it) Roasted Garlic Hummus Price Range depends on what you are buying to be honest. The workers and the hippie atmosphere make Trader Joe's what it is. You won't find a more cool staff in America than at any Trader Joe's. They have my blessing. read more

Vegetarians, don't miss: - The fake meat soyrizo (especially delicious in chili). - The frozen indian food. (The paneer tikka masala is particularly flavorful, and easy to microwave in one go; none of that stirring and putting back in). - Cookie butter. It's like smooth peanut butter, except with a flavor of crushed graham crackers instead of peanuts. I know that sounds odd but it's fantastic. - The buckets of sea-salt mini-brownies by the checkout counter. Each bucket expires in just a few days, but don't worry, you will end up eating this stuff like popcorn. The big downside is that it's super crowded. If you must go on a weekend, go early, or else go in a team of at least two. Once you're in, one person stands in the queue while the other person shops, leisurely. (The line moves quickly, but is also ridiculously long). read more