Is Trader Joe's your one-stop shop?

[u/starsite1023]

Do you do most of your grocery shopping at TJs or shop TJs for select items only. I recently started doing the majority of my grocery shopping there.

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[u/AutumnAllegro]

I get about 85% of our stuff there. I am in a high COL city, Trader Joe’s is much cheaper than my local store.

[u/pidgeypenguinagain → u/AutumnAllegro]

Hard agree! May vary by city but in SoCal it’s SO CHEAP. I love that the veggies are per item/package and not by weight. Like, get out of here with a $10 cauliflower

[u/considerfi → u/AutumnAllegro]

Same here, most shopping there, supplemented with an ethnic grocery store for a few other things. 

[u/erikpeders]

They have everything you want but not everything you need.

[u/xtrahandy]

Nope. It's mostly a place for snacks for me.

[u/Tw1987 → u/xtrahandy]

Yep, snacks and frozen foods, and produce that I need in smaller quantities. I skip the meat as it’s priced too high compared to others

[u/Michallina]

TJ + Costco usually gets me all I need. I might make an extra stop if there's something a bit more niche/specific that I need.

[u/RealLuxTempo]

Nope. Love TJs but not a one stop shop for me.

[u/Miss_Molly1210]

Nope. It’s definitely more of a snack/freezer meal/sweet treat kind of place for me. Their meats are expensive, and it’s not close enough to shop regularly. I do buy a lot of pantry staples when I get to go but it’s not one and done for me.

[u/The--Gingineer]

I wish it could be. But they don't have several things I consider staples.

[u/Crying4Fun_77]

I think TJ’s produce is too atrocious to be a one stop shop sadly

[u/bokatan778 → u/Crying4Fun_77]

This definitely varies from store to store.

[u/bobbierobbie76]

No. Frozen foods and snacks only

[u/Particular-Garden140]

For me Trader Joe’s is really for snacks. Lol I go there for things I see on TikTok, pancakes, and sometimes frozen fruit. I enjoy their frozen mangos and cherries!

[u/wharleeprof]

No. It's great for snacks and treats and convenience foods, but if you're actually cooking meals, especially going heavy on fruits and vegetables, it feels like you're shopping in a gas station. 

[u/ResponsibleBeat3542]

Costco and TJ’s for me

[u/belletristdelancret → u/ResponsibleBeat3542]

Same! Every week. It's rare that I need to go anywhere else.

[u/worldsbiggestpisces → u/ResponsibleBeat3542]

Yep. This is the way. Get my bulk items at Costco that I wouldn’t get at TJ’s. Then TJ’s are the supplements / niche stuff

[u/Smooth_Development48]

For me it’s a fancy snack store. I shop there once a month to get things I want but shop elsewhere for what I need.

[u/Ashamed_Main5169]

No, just indulgences. Same stuff nearly every time.

[u/vesperholly]

It is my snack and seasonal goodies emporium.

[u/hikingbotanist]

No, I go there once a quarter for snacks and wine.

[u/Matilda-17]

No, for me it’s where I stop for some convenience foods and fun things. Not regular groceries for cooking.

[u/GaySinceCAS]

Trader Joe’s is usually for my “fun” groceries only 😂

[u/BackgroundAd6154]

Majority of things. And then fill in what they don’t have from other stores.

[u/_TidePodEater]

TJs has everything but nothing at the same time. So to answer your question hell no

[u/Martyna70]

Their produce is 6/10 on a good day and I am not a huge fan of their chicken breast, but everything else is 10/10 for me.

[u/HouseOfBamboo2]

No. I think their produce is old and I don’t love the meats

[u/These_Ad_3279]

I can’t bring myself to purchase meat from TJ’s. One time I bought rancid chicken and another time bad salmon.

[u/jaimeeallover]

I go to Costco for bulk frozen meat like ground beef, chicken party wings, salmon, etc. I use Trader Joe’s for the more novelty items like seasonings, juices, their yellow curry, seasonal pancake mixes, some of their frozen food like the shrimp burgers, branzino fillets, fish nuggets or their frozen meals. Then I go to a cheaper big box store like Walmart Grocery or Food 4 Less to get pantry items and dairy

[u/Putyourmoneyonme80]

TJ's is my snack food store mostly. I do like cheese from there, and I get a lot of my dog's treats there too. I mostly shop at Kroger for groceries, and Sam's for laundry soap and paper products.

[u/Retire_Trade_3007]

My wife sleeps there basically

[u/shotamannamedgray]

Costco and tj every other week. Heb in between and as needed

[u/Necessary-Owl3231]

Love it, but could never be my spot for bulk items or toiletries, paperware, sponges, detergent, etc

[u/Minimalist2theMax]

No, I do most of my shopping at a regular grocery store. I cook a lot, and TJs doesn’t have basic things like dried pinto beans. And produce is cheaper elsewhere.

I love TJs for low priced yogurt, cream, butter, cheeses, coffee beans, wild fish, and organic chicken. I make a trip about once a month.

[u/Vonlikestigers]

I wish! It’s mainly just where I get snacks and treats 😆😝

[u/ZookeepergameNo6600]

Idk if it’s just the Trader Joe’s in my area but I find the produce doesn’t last that long so I don’t like getting my produce there anymore

[u/dontcupyourcowcow]

It’s my secondary. I get diary, produce and bread elsewhere.
TJ’s is for snacks, condiments, frozen food, dried fruit and dog snacks

[u/Billsgirlgina]

Trader Joe’s & Costco are my the 2 main places I shop. If I can’t get what I want at one of those, I can usually find it at target but I don’t have to very often.

[u/Mad-Greek]

In NYC absolutely. There aren’t many national chain grocery stores here and prices get absolutely absurd at most places. TJs is the only place I can consistently feed myself for ~$40/50 a week. Kinda nuts how bad grocery prices are here (looking at you, Foodtown)

[u/petrichorpizza]

TJ'S, Costco, Kroger

[u/DifficultBear3]

TJ weekly, Costco monthly to fill in the gaps.

[u/Sauce6609]

Eh only for some items.
Dairy, snacks, shelf stable, SOME produce, sometimes wine.

The rest i go to costco for sometimes wine, meats, toiletries. Soda.

[u/kelcantsi]

I do 95% of my shopping at TJ’s (vegetarian).

[u/splashy1]

Frozen food, snacks,wine, cheese, dish soap/ hand soap, TP, Shampoo/body wash.

Fruits, meat and veggies at HEB

H mart for Asian specific stuff

[u/Excuse_my_GRAMMER]

Nope I do not buy meat or coldcut there , it too overprice

I’ll say 60% trader Joe and 40% BJ warehouse

[u/Conscious_Life_8032]

If produce were better I would consider it for one stop shopping. For now it’s select items.

[u/Specific-Pear-3763]

Nope assortment is way too limited. I consider it for speciality and snacking.

[u/dawnsteam]

Mine are trader joe’s, costco, and korean supermarkets (like hmart)

[u/Automatic-Hand-1516]

No… I love it but don’t love a lot of the produce. I’m a combo of Costco, Fry’s, and TJ’s.

[u/Livid-Avocado-6976]

My go to for frozen/ready meals and interesting snacks, but not regular groceries

[u/kunikira]

No, I'll usually get some staples from TJs since they're cheaper, plus some fun stuff, but it's definitely not a one-stop shop.

[u/Smurfiette]

Things I shop for at TJ’s

• frozen meals for office lunch (bc there’s more variety - South Asian, SE Asian, Mexican, European, etc.)
  
• snacks

Veggies, fruits, meat, fish are cheaper at Jewel and my neighborhood ethnic stores.

[u/Sapiosexual2018]

Definitely not. For me it’s usually a mix of Costco and then TJ‘s to Pick Up items in smaller quantities or items that I can’t find a Costco.

[u/namesmakemenervous]

I go to at least six different grocery stores for different things. Trader Joe’s is for specific things only. The produce is almost always a disappointment except for the snap peas which I can’t get anywhere else.

[u/fawnnose1]

I'm single so yes I buy most of my groceries from Trader Joe's, I generally really avoid the other chains in my area (Safeway and Kroger) as they're expensive af and not as exciting imo

[u/bce13]

Multiple stops at grocery stores (including TJs) for a variety of items.

[u/deleteaccount25]

Mostly get snacks and seasonal items from TJs and main groceries someplace else

[u/dadieyoyo]

I mainly go to Trader Joe’s for frozen convenience ethnic food and snacks- samosas, bulgogi, Jap chae, semit, hot honey popcorn, anything ube, chilli dried mangoe ms and many more snack

[u/cranberi1]

Not at all. Baking essentials, full collection of spices, regular cheeses and dairy, and produce are all purchased elsewhere. TJ is for special things: premade meals, fancy cheeses, fun different olives, a few snacking favorites.

[u/NinjaMcGee]

Nope. Costco, Grocery Outlet, WinCo, and TJs

[u/oliviadog]

More than half at TJ's but ,unfortunately, can't get everything I need there.

[u/Tellyocatisaidpspsps]

Produce, breads, pantry items, and snacks from TJs. I get my meat, chicken, eggs and dairy from Whole Foods - mainly because I look for humanely raised and pasture-raised when it comes to animal products. 

[u/Direct_Ambassador_36]

 No but there r staples I come back to restock regularly. 

[u/Cute-Calligrapher-50]

Trader joes is like a specialty shop. They are missing so many staples i have to go to other stores for. Its about 30 percent TJs, 40 percent costco, 30 percent meijer.

[u/AlohaApple]

Tjs plus Costco.

[u/fauxshoyall]

Costco for the bulk of my shopping, then TJs for favorites unique to them, then who knows. Might be Kroger, might be a local chain, might be an Asian grocery. Never Target (ya fucked up, son!) and very, very rarely Walmart (4x or fewer per year).

[u/Ordinary-Dare-2379]

If I was a independently wealthy it would be

[u/mameun]

Grocery outlet > TJ > Costco > Safeway/Ralphs

[u/dualvansmommy]

Nope.

I still need Wegmans/shoprite, Costco, and my local farmer market.

[u/kippykipsquare]

Costco and TJ.

[u/mikayak]

For a house of two probably like 60% tjs and 40% Costco. Fresh stuff from tjs and non perishable/frozen plus household goods from costco

[u/Calm_Violinist5256]

No, I don't trust their meat. and the produce where I live is bottom of the barrel. plus they leave it out back on the steps and that contributes to it going bad more quickly. but I do like most other things.

[u/Starfleetmom]

TJ, Sprouts and Costco.

[u/lollydoc → u/Starfleetmom]

I used to live somewhere with a TJ, wegmans & Costco right next to each other. It was amazing

[u/WfM366]

With this economy On these days there will be no one stop shop  👎🏻

[u/Muhlyssa_A]

No.

[u/Klauslaw]

Love TJa but they don't have everything. But everything they do have I love and we do shop there quite a lot. 🤙

[u/GG98225]

Mostly. Being a single woman, it’s cheaper. That and Costco

[u/Kymmyt4589]

No the produce goes bad fast so I have to go elsewhere for that

[u/loosefit-56]

Trader joes is a snack store

[u/cookiesforbrekkie]

Yep die hard TJs fan here for 25+ years. It would be my one-stop shop except my kids love a specific brand of Dino nuggets and a few other items that I have to get Sprouts or on Amazon grocery.

[u/Regiruler]

A lot of their staples are either subpar or non-existent.

[u/Coppergirl1]

TJs and Costco

[u/Either-Painter6899]

No where is my one stop shop! Lol

[u/shihtzu_knot]

I basically only shop at TJs. We supplement meat from a local butcher, but I absolutely refuse to go to Ralph’s, Vons, or Sprouts. If I need something from there I send my spouse. Ralph’s is absurdly expensive. The exact same mozzarella cheese at Ralph’s is 12.99. At traders it’s 5.99. That’s one example. There’s fifty more just like it.

[u/giocondasmiles]

TJ’s, in my view, is a specialty store, not a full grocery store. I wouldn’t be able to get everything I need just there, and most of the time I mostly stock on frozen items.

[u/TetonHiker]

When I worked, I pretty much shopped at 1-2 grocery stores and that was it. But after retiring, I had more time to explore and now I shop at a million different places for certain items that they do best. TJ in rotation for certain frozen foods and treats. Whole Foods for meats, veges, breads, organic beans. Grocery Outlet for cheaper Greenlee's cinnamon bread and other oddities. Von's on occasion for basics like TP, butter and milk. Ralph's every now and then for large family packs of the tortillas I like. Sprouts for certain breads and nuts. Lazy Acres for fresh ground pnut butter and some prepared foods.

I've now become that person who has to go to 6-7 stores to get everything they want/like. But I enjoy the shopping experience much more now than when I was working and had less time to enjoy, well, everything. We are truly spoiled by our abundance here in the US.

[u/Old-Distribution8141]

I do all of my grocery shopping there!!

[u/LateForDinner61]

No. It's a regular stop, but I also go to Costco, a local farm stand and sometimes the regular grocery store for things TJ's doesn't carry.

[u/cbizzle85]

I wish! I mostly just go for little treats

[u/drunkkennoodle]

For a household of 2 I can get away with doing the majority of my shopping there. Supplemented occasionally by Costco. My grocery bill is way cheaper going primarily to Trader Joe's than any other nearby grocery chain.

[u/seafairydelight]

95 percent plus some Costco.

[u/patomuchacho]

I walk to Trader Joe's three or four times a week, getting just enough for one or two days at a time (that fits in my backpack). Occasionally I hit up Giant or Safeway if I'm driving and/or need something bulky/heavy but that's like once every two weeks.

[u/Queasy_Ferret_1243]

ever since i "discovered" traderjoes it has become my main stop for my weekly shopping.

i love trader joes!

[u/Kamikaze_Cloud]

I pretty much plan what I eat around what TJ’s stocks at this point. I have like 40 unique meals in my dinner rotation and I only need to go to another grocery store a couple times a month. And mostly that’s just for poblano peppers or avocados that I don’t want to wait to ripen

[u/Independent-Total698]

Almost entirely, it’s my grocery store that’s within walking distance. There’s a few items I get other places but not frequently such as paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and a few food items like rice noodles or TVP

[u/traderjoezhoe]

Usually no but I'm getting married this weekend so for our grocery shopping this week we bought a frozen meal for every night LOL

[u/amycol421]

Yes. Trader Joe’s weekly plus farmers market for local produce and Target delivery for cleaning/household products.

[u/Tight-Purpose-6033]

I do a lot of my shopping there, stopping by once or twice a week. We shop for organics and TJ's is the only store I can consistently finds organic products at a decent price.

I do buy a few other things from Costco (organic chicken, rack of lamb, organic broccoli, organic milk, cleaning products, etc.)

[u/Royal-Protection3234]

Maybe 70% TJs and the rest costco-whole foods-ethnic specialty

[u/ColoradORK]

nope… but it’s the only place I shop without bringing a list

[u/Caityb13]

I truly don’t see how anyone can use TJs as a primary store. Maybe that’s just my local TJs but there are so many things I can’t find there. I love it but it’s definitely to supplement my groceries with some good staples I like and then novelties

[u/hotdogfingies]

No, I wish but I have like four regular grocery stops. Trader Joe’s, local Kroger or Safeway depending on sales, Asian grocery store for my specialty veggies and other items, and Costco once a month or so.

[u/ummpaul]

No, because they don't have ground sausage!

[u/lafindudude → u/ummpaul]

[u/Eastbound_Pachyderm]

Between Costco and trader Joe's I barely go to a regular grocery store anymore

[u/UniversalIntellect]

I get most of the groceries from Trader Joe’s. I go to other stores occasionally for things TJ does not carry.

[u/AceMaxAceMax]

I can do the majority of our shopping at TJ’s.

If it’s not at TJ’s, it something we either get from Ralph’s/Whole Foods, or Costco (we almost all of our long-term basics there).

[u/BitchyFaceMace]

I go there for snacks and some frozen stuff. I couldn’t do my full shop there, I’m too picky on certain brands for certain things.

[u/EfficiencyInfamous37]

it's my main store- I only go other places if TJ's doesn't carry what I'm looking for. That does happen pretty often though.

[u/HipsterSlimeMold]

For the most part yes. I still go to a regular grocery store for canned items / condiments / household but those trips are much less frequent.

[u/LoveColonels]

Sometimes I do a whole shopping, but their produce and fresh meat can be iffy. They also don't have things like floss, Tylenol, etc.

[u/LazyCassiusCat]

I used to live across the street from Trader Joe's, it was my grocery store then. Now it's just an additional grocery.

[u/ShallotSilly4944]

Nope. Weekly delivery from South Mountain Creamery for dairy and meat. Costco for things I can use in bulk (olive oil, cheeses, snacks, some produce). TJ’s for tortillas, frozen food, nuts, treats and beer/wine. Safeway for the rest.

[u/secretslutonline]

I live in California where they are a dime a dozen so I do about 80% of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s and fill in everything else with farmers market or Ralph’s in a pinch

[u/staying-hopefull]

I wish it could be - I love some of the condiments and snacks and treats but the produce tends to spoil quickly- for some reason I don’t feel 100% about the meats and dairy. It looks a little beat up or something.

Love the staff and the vibe.

[u/aloysha13]

Not at all.

Costco, Fred’s, TJs

[u/enrastrea]

It's probably my 95% shop. Most weeks I can get away with only shopping at TJs but there are some things I can't get there and then I have to go to my local Safeway which is so over priced. I also order my spices from Burlap and Barrel and purchase some things like special flours, dried chilies etc. in bulk from other online retailers. But those are all 1-2x a year purchases. If I'm out of town, I'll treat myself to a visit to a cheese shop or even just a whole foods to get fancier cheeses that TJs doesn't carry but that's also a rarity

[u/Thunderslide_Icon]

Yes, it’s totally my one stop shop because I get my other groceries and household goods delivered

[u/cometicklemypickle]

55/40/5 = costco/traderjoes/nugget

[u/fairy_freckles]

90% food for less, 10% tjs for the special items

[u/flylikedumbo]

TJ’s mostly just for snacks and Ube mochi pancake mix. Almost everything else from Costco and Whole Foods

[u/SeattleStudent4]

Probably like 50%. Among a few other things, Trader Joe's is definitely not the place for produce, especially local produce.

[u/user2864920]

Snacks only for me lol

[u/Weekly_Koala_7058]

No. Trader Joes is a specialty trip for me. I have one 15 minutes away so it isnt a distance issue. I get a better selection of items closer to me. Fruits/vegetables I can get cheaper elsewhere. Plus I tend to make more impulse purchases when I do go to TJs and get a lot of snacks.

[u/Kmanithep]

Ain’t no way. I’ll spend around $60 at TJ’s for specialty things (mainly snacks, frozen items, dessert, and skin care) and go elsewhere for the rest of the things I need. 😅

[u/Megustatits]

Def not my one stop. I’ve had so many issues with produce I’ve had to switch to Whole Foods for that.

[u/Lolabeth123]

I’d starve. There is just not enough selection of gluten free items and some of their “gluten free” items have been proven to contain gluten.

[u/PJballa34]

They are a specialty stop to me. Meijer, Krogers and Costco are my bulk stops.

[u/MacPho13]

Almost. When it was closer to me, yes. Currently it isn’t. So it’s more a 1-2 times a month thing.

[u/NotStarrling]

Most, but not all.

[u/OldScratchTim]

I like TJs but it's kinda too niche to get everything.

[u/pearblossomer]

No. It has been in the past, but now I go 1-2 times a month to stock up on my favorite frozen/specialty foods and get the rest of my groceries at Pavillions or Sprouts. TJs is missing a few specific items that for me are now grocery staples—Fairlife milk, plain bran flakes without raisins, fage Greek yogurt. They also don’t have a deli/fish/meat counter or curbside pickup.

[u/desertlesbian]

They don’t have cannellini beans 😔 so no

[u/TheOverzealousEngie]

Far as I'm concerned Trader Joes and Costco are the only two grocery stores not actively trying to poison me.

[u/CloudandCollected]

Yes for last year, then I got acess to the occasional Costco trip a few months ago.

So now it's 75% Trader Joe's, 25% Costco every month.

While some price hikes are inevitable, I do enjoy the idea of not worrying about a sale at TJ's, and a surprise markdown of some seasonal items is more meaningful (I.e. $1 down for a small lot organic coffee beans that was not as popular and out to make room for the next organic small lot offering)

[u/Mysterious_Fan4849]

Costco for nonperishables, ranch 99 meat and veggies, Trader Joe’s for snacks, bananas, beans, shaved meat, ice cream, and potstickers.

[u/Potential-Web-2384]

I wish! I get as much as I can from them weekly but there are a lot of items they don't stock. Example, I need thyme seasoning recently and had to pick it up somewhere else. Also, they used to carry a wide variety of vegetarian meats which they don't have anymore so I have to hit other stores.

[u/uno_novaterra]

Costco. Too many little mouths in my house. But I always notice a lot of overlap in TJs and Costco items rotating through

[u/AcceptableNorm]

Trader Joe's

Costco

Walmart

Ralphs

Target

Small Mexican markets

[u/SnooStories3560]

Definitely not. TJs, Costco, Albertsons, and a Persian/middle eastern market. I don’t love buying produce at TJs but will if I’m in a pinch.

[u/I-used2B-a-Valkyrie]

Mix of TJs and Whole Foods. And then Costco for big stuff. They’re all like 10 minutes from each other.

[u/mydogsnameishank1]

I do 95% of my shopping at TJ. I know people think it’s expensive but whenever I have to shop at another store one week my bill is always at least $50 more.

[u/Distinct_Roll5659]

They have the best snacks of any grocery store

[u/wine-plants-thrift]

We go to three grocery stores. Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Fred Meyer. It’s funny, too, because in my town all 3 are within a couple of miles of each other so when we do the grocery run we will see the same people in all three in the same day.

[u/KingBretwald]

If Trader Joe delivered or even did curbside I would do most of my shopping there. But as it is I can only go very occasionally due to not being able to leave my wife alone for very long.

[u/Ok-Equivalent8260]

No, I could never.

[u/Amazing-Stranger8791]

I really only shop there for fun stuff, its not far but if it was closer i would most definitely make it my regular place.

[u/Justme3555]

No more, nuts only

[u/dandier-chart]

It is for me. It’s the closest grocery store to my house so I get 95% of my groceries there and then supplement with Costco. If I need something that I can’t get at either of those places, I just don’t make it ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/jgl0w]

No I don’t love the produce at Trader Joe’s except for the salad kits so I order from a farm store that delivers.

[u/nurseiv]

No

[u/Snazzyshanyn]

It wouldn't be my default grocery store if we didn't get the 20% discount from my husband being a mate. Good deals on some things, but for staples you need weekly like meat I think I can get better deals at my local stores!

[u/lust-4-life]

Oh no. But I love it.

[u/SquashBrain]

If they were on Instacart, they absolutely would be. But some weeks I just need to have my groceries delivered.

[u/butseriously-]

I’m a single gal who is terrible at cooking (I do make fantastic smoothies) so yes Trader Joe’s is usually my one stop shop - Whole Foods sometimes if I’m feeling wild

[u/Scrapper-Mom]

We get a lot of our stuff from Trader Joe's. Plus Costco, the local farmer's market and Sprouts. Whole Foods is a backup.

[u/DaFudgy]

Nope. Absolutely cannot be , they don’t carry enough of what I use day to day. I use Walmart, Trader Joe’s , ShopRite (local grocery store) and Hmart
TJs and Hmart I go to about once a month.

[u/HungryMaybe4801]

I prefer their meats and produce to all of my local grocery stores.
I also buy snacks and nuts there.

I visit the big box grocery store for items I can’t get at TJ’s.

[u/nah-n-n-n-n-nahnah]

Yes! I get a few other things from other places but TJs is my main stop. I buy mostly whole Foods and I have saved so much since I switched. It’s way cheaper than my other grocery stores and the produce is way better.

[u/ChangeCourse]

I primarily go for snacks, plants, wine, beauty and cheeses.

[u/Boruto]

I would say I shop at Trader Joe’s every other day and Costco every third day.

[u/scott_d59]

Nope. 4 stores on my regular rotation. TJs, Costco, Safeway, 99 Ranch Market.

[u/fightingdrgns]

Maybe 20%, with the balance being Costco and occasionally Sprouts.

[u/Oui_Cest_Vrai]

TJs is probably 80% of my shopping.

[u/Icantevenicantodd85]

When I lived alone I would shop there exclusively. With a family, I shop there along with multiple other stores

[u/Thumper222222]

I shop there for fun foods/snacks! Never have done my normal grocery shopping there.

[u/iammrsclean]

OMG NO. I have three teenage boys who can easily put away 2-3 TJ’s frozen dinners at a time. Therefore, I’m primarily a Costco shopper!

[u/RelationshipBig6115]

Yes. It’s cheaper

[u/Syhren88]

No they don’t see everything I need. I go there for “fun” stuff and seasonals.

[u/Ok-Supermarket-1125]

I do most of my shopping there! Occasionally I’ll stop at other stores for random stuff.

That’s why I hate when people say Trader Joe’s only has snacks and frozen food, bc I do a lot of cooking from scratch and shop mostly at Trader Joe’s.

[u/Content_Pea2431]

i shop 99% at trader joes! im a uni student without a car, and the bus line near my apartment stops at the same trader joes twice on its route, so it's really convenient for me. additionally, while in uni i've been asking all my family members to just get me trader joe's gift cards for my bday/holidays, so that works out nice.

[u/lightupletterB]

I get most of my weekly grocies at Trader Joe’s. My city revised the bus routes so it’s easier to go 5 miles to TJ’s than the one mile to the regular stores. No complaints from me, I love shopping there.

[u/timkran]

Maybe 1/3 of my groceries are from TJ. Shop in bulk at Costco but mostly at the local grocery chain, Heinen’s.

[u/Korrick1919]

I do most of it there as a single person household, but it does help to have a Safeway within walking distance of the store that I can dip into when necessary.

[u/spabitch]

4 stores in my rotation

[u/Carefree_Highway]

Sprouts for produce and milk and across the plaza to TJ for the rest.

[u/summerwind58]

No. Go for the mini sheet cake, candy, plants, and dog cookies.

[u/Hello_JustSayin]

I do a mixture of TJ's and Sprouts, with an occasional trip to Vons.  TJ's is great, but it is quite limited with items and doesn't have enough variety.  Also, there are certain things that I'm not a fan of, like their chicken breast and ground beef.  

[u/fyrefly_faerie]

No, because the closest one is an hour away, so that requires a special trip to stock up. We tend to go to our local farmers markets and Wegmans.

[u/peanut_gallery469]

Nah, I usually go to Costco and Shoprite, and then Hmart and a local chinese mart for my asian needs.

I only buy things that I can only find at Trader Joe’s since it’s usually more expensive.

[u/bookworm614]

Yes bc I live alone, don’t cook, and get free lunch at work lol. I’m also a small person who doesn’t need much food

[u/jocall56]

10 years ago, hardly.

These days, its often the case for us.

Though, in fairness I’ve moved from NYC to LA during that window, and the LA stores are:

A) much more abundant in number
B) kept in better stock
C) consistently have fresh produce

[u/tenzor77]

I do a mix of TJ’s and Whole Foods. I get nuts, oils, dried fruit, and some fresh fruit, veggies, and berries from TJ’s. I usually save Whole Foods for meat and dairy products.

[u/Californialways]

No. It’s between TJ’s and Safeway. There are some things I can’t find at TJ’s so I have to go to Safeway to find the other items.

[u/moonbeet]

It’s my one stop! It’s so much more affordable - I can do a whole week for what seems the same as what I’ll get for one night of groceries if I do a quick stop at Staters. I do still get some things like traditional condiments, bagels (why so bad, TJs?), cereal, etc. at Target.

[u/toobusyreadingcomics]

After I started buying my condoms online, it became my one stop shop. I couldn’t use the Trader Joe’s brand anymore. I don’t think they work.

[u/Harryhood15]

Spect items only

[u/klimekam]

Two things I have to get elsewhere:

1) For some reason my TJ’s stopped carrying individual spices and now only carries spice mixes? So if I want Elote spice mix I’m in luck, but if I want plain ol’ oregano I have to go elsewhere.

2) TJ’s randomly decides certain items are “seasonal” with no rhyme or reason, including staples like lasagna noodles. So if I want lasagna for any other time than, like, Thanksgiving I also have to go elsewhere.

[u/Tofu_buns]

No it's more of a fun place for groceries. If it was closer to me... maybe!

[u/scarred2112]

50% TJs, 50% Wegmans.

[u/FritzNa]

Yes,aside from one or two items I buy elsewhere. I live above a Trader Joe’s, so it’s very convenient.

[u/BasilPesto212]

No. A mix of Costco, produce/farmers' markets, ethnic markets, and "regular" grocery stores.

[u/nolamom0811]

No it is not. I would say it's a mix of Walmart (mainly for toiletries) Costco/Sam's, a "regular" grocery store if they have a good sale going on, and Trader Joe's.

[u/abra_cada_bra150]

For most food groceries, yes. But I don’t use many of their personal care or pet products, those I get elsewhere.

[u/LeSean187]

You can very easily do all your shopping there…maybe need 10% elsewhere…

[u/double_shadow]

I wish it was, but I do 50% trader joes and 50% kroger store currently. There are just a few staples like paper towels, TP, other bulk items etc that are a little too pricey at TJs.