Roundup

This is my weekly compilation of news and other links about Trader Joe's.


Trader Joe's announces additional measures to assist senior shoppers

Trader Joe's announces several stores temporarily closing after employees positive for virus

Taste test of 5 spinach dips

10 Trader Joe's canned goods to stock up on



Best tweets of the week:

just wanna say that us #TraderJoes crew members are more appreciative of and humbled by the thanks we've gotten for our hard work during this pandemic than people might realize. knowing that there are people not taking us for granted makes it all feel much more meaningful.

— whoregano (@mellamo_aaron) March 21, 2020

Good news at #TraderJoes 25th NW. No waiting in line if you’re a senior. Nice orderly store, shelves well stocked @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/gmPSAB74YE

— Media Scene (@RivetGang) March 21, 2020

I don’t know the name of this #TraderJoes employee, but she’s an angel sent from God. She’s maintaining the line all while smilingly reassuring everyone in line that the store is well-stocked. My heart is glad. ☺️ pic.twitter.com/aCBagIlW5I

— Agustin Vieyra (@educationator3K) March 22, 2020

@GMA @michaelstrahan when your 5yr old heard the #TraderJoes door employee ask to do a push-up challenge to stay warm and entertain the line, he walks up no problem pic.twitter.com/SWUF1P9CSZ

— Seth Spitz (@thewitz) March 22, 2020

These are the most searched Trader Joe's fan-favorites 😜@clubtraderjoes #traderjoes #fanfavorite https://t.co/ezGVRbdJj7 pic.twitter.com/Ht9WnX5ch6

— Alex Gaines (@alex_GFD) March 23, 2020

“My” Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake (yes, *that* one) still remains full of amazing employees. Assisting the elderly, pre-disinfecting shopping carts, offering hand sanitizer hits, putting up sun tents for everyone waiting in line. 💕#TraderJoes #COVID19

— CariStereo (@CariStereo) March 23, 2020

[Whispering to employees at Trader Joe’s]
“Y’all got any of that good shit?”#papertowels #toiletpaper #coronavirus #pandemic #TraderJoes

— Queefs & Poops (@queefsandpoops) March 23, 2020

Our #traderjoes taped measured lines outside the store. It felt like waiting in line for an exclusive nightclub with the "doorman" spritzing hand sanitizer instead of UV ink hand stamps that glow in the dark. I wanted to start an impromptu tai chi class since we had enough space.

— Katie (@JoKyungEe) March 24, 2020

Our #TraderJoes has about 90 percent of its product back in stock, and limits have been removed on most of them, but we are still limiting the number of people in the store to allow for social distancing. It’s become a small island of calm and normal in a world gone bonkers

— Ana Jones (@solorjones) March 24, 2020

A little ray of positivity for your feed...

Pictured: Elle Erickson of The Booth Fairy Project, who visited Trader Joe’s last Saturday to share air hugs, high fives and reassuring signs — from six feet away, of course — as a morale boost for Ashevilleans. pic.twitter.com/CVNKOAEYT6

— Mountain Xpress (@mxnews) March 24, 2020

I don’t remember where I shopped before I started shopping at #TraderJoes. I think I just didn’t eat ??

— Mother Taoresa (@teenewguyend) March 25, 2020

I've been observing #SocialDistancing & staying home. But every few days, I just have to drive somewhere. The one chore I abhor, grocery shopping, is now the one thing I look forward to. The poor #TraderJoes worker just stood there while I chatted at her nonstop... pic.twitter.com/noE1IEE82V

— Shelley K. Newkirk (@ShelleyNewkirk) March 25, 2020

And finally, here's this week's cute cat with its Trader Joe's advent calendar:

Day 3 of #traderjoesadventcalendarforcats#adventcalendar#adventcalendarforcats#traderjoes#catadventcalendar#traderjoesadventcalendar#HousePanther #BlackCat #BlackCats #BlackCatsRule #BlackCatsRock pic.twitter.com/f58BcOqOxE

— Stella KXLU (@StellaKXLU) December 4, 2019

Trader Joe's Scalloped Potato Chips

I thought these would be a shoo-in to my small list of favorite potato chips. Cheesy potato chips? Easy win, amirite?

I was completely wrong. Despite boasting of "five cheeses," the cheese flavor is rather muted, while the other seasonings (including salt and onion powder) are too prominent. I just didn't like them.


Will I buy it again? 

No.

Roundup

This is my weekly compilation of news and other links about Trader Joe's.


5 of the best ingredients to buy at Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's vs. Beyond Meat vs. Impossible Burger taste test

The 10 Trader Joe's products shoppers won't buy even during a pandemic

Trader Joe's announces temporary nationwide reduction in store hours

A Trader Joe's shopping list for a college budget

What you should buy from Trader Joe's to get through a quarantine

3 vegan beers from Trader Joe's for St. Patrick's Day

6 frozen appetizers from Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's frozen food power rankings

New products at Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's temporarily closes Seattle store after employee tests positive for coronavirus

Confusion at an L.A. Trader Joe's over senior-citizen shopping hours

The entire coronavirus world boils down to the line at Trader Joe's

The best Trader Joe's snacks to get you through a stressful time

Best vegan comfort foods at Trader Joe's

Here's what it's like to work at Trader Joe's during a pandemic

9 ways to jazz up Trader Joe's new vegan mac & cheese



Best tweets of the week:

UWS folks trying to get into #TraderJoes pic.twitter.com/8OLfcJCGAj

— Jeff Simmons (@JackHites) March 14, 2020

#Hoarding in an epic battle with #SocialDistancing and it is not going well. #TraderJoes#CarmelValley

I’m turning around. Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds can #WaitForAnotherDay pic.twitter.com/1MIKuNOPm7

— Victor Nizet (@victornizet) March 14, 2020

Tough morning then my bag burst in the middle of the store spilling salsa everywhere. Thank you to the wonderful #TraderJoes employee that helped me clean up, replace my items, and gift me a succulent. Thank you for being a light and a kind human during a stressful time.

— Kelsey Dolphin (@kdolph4) March 14, 2020

Meanwhile at #TraderJoes, this lady is serving apocalypse lewks pic.twitter.com/yyVOqxj9im

— Emily Gansberg (@emilygansberg) March 14, 2020

The new reality of grocery shopping. Being held outside in line as Trader Joe’s employees in Oakland let people in one by one for social distancing. pic.twitter.com/SQMB158KBg

— Lisa Fernandez (@ljfernandez) March 14, 2020

With #nosports on, a great game I’ve been playing is timing the checkout clerks #TraderJoes

— Chris Ramondetta (@ChrisRamondetta) March 15, 2020

a huge thank-you to all the #TraderJoes staff working today ❤️ 1 employee even stood in the cold to manage the line as they limited the # of people inside the store at 1 time 🙌 the same gratitude goes out to all retail staff still working rn so others of us can get food to eat

— Emily Rose Prats (@the_gremily) March 15, 2020

Hey #TraderJoes I guess imitation is the greatest form of flattery! Your berries at Walmart. pic.twitter.com/dqtAI6gNCA

— Nathan Voit (@natevoit) March 15, 2020

Now that NYC restaurants, bars & schools are closed, can we get the message to stores like #TraderJoes & @WholeFoods to institute social distancing on their lines? All the people pressed together cheek by jowl as they line up is undermining whole point of pandemic preparedness pic.twitter.com/kMBsWM8diN

— Michael Lobel (@mlobelart) March 16, 2020

This PART of line outside #traderjoes in #silverlake - #losangeles - over 90 min BEFORE store even opens. Well over 50 people. Taking all my effort - incl. convo, bags on ground (& earning major side-eye) to keep people at least 3 ft behind me, let alone 6 #LA @MayorOfLA #covid19 pic.twitter.com/AZaUHwK7EC

— ScorpFaery (@scorpfaery) March 16, 2020

#TraderJoes was out of Turkish apricots! If it wasn't time to panic before it is now! I have to eat the regular apricots! AHHHH!

— Sir Travis Xagnon (@staycoolaustin) March 17, 2020

The inside of Trader Joe’s looks like he just went through a rough divorce #TraderJoes

— Dan Ramos (@danramoscomedy) March 18, 2020

Moms of #Oregon are trying to figure out how many bottles of #TraderJoes wine they can buy for $1000. #todaysmathlesson #schoolclosures #Covid_19

— Jessica Traffas (@Jessica_Traffas) March 18, 2020

20 minutes until Trader Joe’s in Hewlett opens and this is the line outside. Parking lot already full. #pandemic #coronavirus #TraderJoes pic.twitter.com/NkBDQNh6TT

— Tracey Segarra (@TraceySegarra) March 18, 2020

shoppers at my #TraderJoes (in full panic mode): I’m going to buy everything. Literally everything, regardless of whether it actually makes sense. Oh, except for kale gnocchi. Not kale gnocchi. pic.twitter.com/QApmrm0xrg

— Michael Krawitz (@krawimi) March 18, 2020

Appropriate #SocialDistancing waiting for #TraderJoes to open on Old Town. 🏬 🚶‍♂️ 🚶🏾‍♀️ 🚶🏼 pic.twitter.com/5gZMYScyKR

— StikeDCorona 🦠 (@StikeDC) March 18, 2020

Turned the corner and there it was, a nice message from our local #TraderJoes. Lines were long but staff was incredibly friendly and working hard. These are the people that are going to help keep us fed and alive, be kind to them. Stay strong everyone we will persevere! 💪🏽😷 pic.twitter.com/qhd59FLN2V

— MA (@margarineminute) March 18, 2020

My wife checking out at #TraderJoes:

Wife: Can you put these in a separate bag. They're for a neighbor.

Checker: Sure. And no charge.

Wife: ?

Checker: Someone bought gift cards this morning to be used for anyone buying groceries for a neighbor.#RandomActOfKindness

— Randy Choco (@RandyChoco) March 18, 2020

We played a little disc golf after closing as a way to distress, bond, and reward ourselves after days of craziness. It felt damn good to forget about covid-19, even if it was just for a couple of minutes. #traderjoes pic.twitter.com/itm4ymA3fC

— Fa'amaepaepa Laupola🐘 (@laupolarmy) March 19, 2020

Please do not do donuts in the empty Trader Joe's parking lot even if the urge is strong

— AllInThisTogetherHat (@Popehat) March 19, 2020

People out there buying toilet paper and canned beans when the REAL hot item should be the $1.99 @CharlesShawWine from #TraderJoes. Red blend, baby. That’s what’s gonna save us all. #QuarentineLife

— Cait Grace (@caitbeforegrace) March 19, 2020

Hey #traderjoes. Bought this ice cream and look. No chips. #coronavirusfail pic.twitter.com/6SE3HVbH1T

— Westin Conahan (@westindanger) March 19, 2020

If you don’t have a deep/thought-provoking conversation with your Trader Joe’s cashier, you’re not actually shopping at TJ’s #TraderJoes

— logan finch (@_shortandspicy) March 19, 2020

#TraderJoes Has it together! There was a long line before the store even opened. They were handing out water, cookies, and fruit snacks while we waited. pic.twitter.com/LiwcQ7ISXQ

— ! (@melvin_maine) March 20, 2020

This morning I forgot to mix my concentrated cold brew from #TraderJoes and needless to say I feel like someone doped me with a hallucinogenic. pic.twitter.com/KBMXvFpb8u

— Rudeboy Steve (@StephenBaker8) March 20, 2020

In other news, I just discovered #TraderJoes Elote seasoning on popcorn and I now am ready for anything. 🍿🌶🧀

— Jen Murphy (@JenMTweets) March 20, 2020

Shoppers at #TraderJoes in Ventura continue to practice safe distancing while waiting in line for groceries. pic.twitter.com/JxfKT1J6yJ

— Julia Espinoza (@juliaespinozatv) March 20, 2020

And finally, here's this week's cute cat with her Trader Joe's advent calendar:

View this post on Instagram

Zoey is very excited about her Advent calendar, even if it's a little late. Thanks @mary.k.woody !!! #zoeythedestroyer #catsofinstagram #treats #traderjoes #adventcalendar #feedmenowhuman

A post shared by @ zuzusunshine on Dec 3, 2019 at 7:37pm PST

Trader Joe's Tea Tree Hand Wash

I don't know what "tea tree" is supposed to smell like, but this is one of the most mild and pleasant scents of all the Trader Joe's hand soaps I've tried, vaguely like a cross between pine and mint.

Demerits:

• The mechanism is super stiff, hard to operate. (This is likely a one-off problem on the specific bottle I got stuck with, rather than a design fault.) 
• If you like lather when you wash, you will be disappointed. There's virtually none. 
• It sticks to your skin, taking forever to fully rinse off. 

Will I buy it again? 

No. I don't need more annoyances added to my life, and here they outweigh the nice scent. I'm sticking to my SoftSoap.

Trader Joe's Limone Alfredo Sauce

This is the third Trader Joe's Alfredo sauce that I know of. I liked both of the first two I found (see here and here)--but this new product is the one I want to buy again and again and again. It's far and away my favorite of the three.

I admit that I was skeptical of adding lemon to a creamy/cheesy sauce. I was amazed at how well the combination works. Who knew? (Trader Joe did, that's who.) It's not just a faint whiff of lemon, either--they doused it up strongly, and I like it.

Nina found the lemon to be much less prominent than I did. As she speculated, this may be because she used a much lighter coating of the sauce, whereas I went pretty heavy-handed. Overall, she found it nice, but nothing special.

The label claims 3.5 servings per jar. I've had two, Nina one, and it looks like there's enough for one more serving left--so I think the label is about right.

Predictably, it is high in both fat and calories. That will stifle my usage somewhat. If not for that, I think it would become a staple. Even with that factor, I can see a lot of this stuff in my future.


Will I buy it again? 

Yes.

Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Smoothie

I tend to think of "smoothies" as containing blends of a bunch of different things. But here the ingredients are stripped down to the essence: Coconut water and coconut. Basically, they've pureed coconut meat with coconut water. It's like drinking a shelled coconut, without the work, and without bits of it getting stuck in your teeth.

As you can see, it was pinkish. It looked even more so in a glass. I don't know why, but it's apparently a sufficiently common phenomenon that the label alerts you to the possibility: "Some coconut smoothies may take on a rosy hue." Mine was more than "rosy"; it was about halfway to Pepto-Bismol. But it was just an oddity, didn't bother me.

I liked it. But given that I like coconut in just about any form, this was to be expected.


Will I buy it again? 

Yes, at least once in a while.

Roundup

This is my weekly compilation of news and other links about Trader Joe's.


Trader Joe's tops in notifying consumers of food recalls

4 new Trader Joe's beauty products

How Trader Joe's turns customers into fanatics

Items for your next Trader Joe's haul

7 reasons customers are in love with Trader Joe's



Best tweets of the week:

#TraderJoes tissue boxes: the choice of discerning #hedgehogs everywhere. pic.twitter.com/bpyTTxJn1q

— 𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓷𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓼 (@greenighs) March 7, 2020

#CoronaOutbreak #DC #TraderJoes (via @swati_h) pic.twitter.com/4r1aVbEQVR

— Martha Wilson (@marthaswilson) March 8, 2020

Food handler #TraderJoes wore food service gloves — but COUGHS right into food gloves instead of her elbow—then immediately placed out food samples. Customers rapidly walked away, but coworker grabs sample and eats it. #coronavirus

— Leslie Gonzalez (@LeslieMedia) March 8, 2020

MELINDA’S ORIGINAL HABANERO PEPPER SAUCE:
Come frolic with me in the islands...We will do things which are naughty!

TRADER JOE’S HABANERO HOT SAUCE:
I will knife you in the poophole. Test me, bitch.#TraderJoes #HotSauce #Habaneros pic.twitter.com/5vw2FdqceB

— Christopher Buehlman (@Buehlmeister) March 11, 2020

I was at Trader Joe’s amidst chaos of what felt like a cross between hunger games and people prepping for a bomb shelter - & the cashier still asked “any fun plans tonight?” Like, no I’m holding on by a thread Jeff and what drugs are you on I need some.

— dizzle_saint_james (@dizzle_st_james) March 13, 2020

When all of the #Covid_19 #CoronavirusPandemic craziness is over, at least #TraderJoes will have some good data on what they should cut from their product line. If it can’t sell during an end of the world semi-panic, it probably doesn’t need to take up shelf space pic.twitter.com/Fadkhtc6LJ

— Joseph Briggs (@herrjoebangles) March 13, 2020

I probably contracted the virus trying to prepare for it. #traderjoes pic.twitter.com/Ci8iReV0Ax

— Courtney Galvan (@courtgalvan) March 13, 2020

You’ll find more food & supplies in an episode of The Walking Dead than at #TraderJoes tonight. 😷🧐#CoronavirusPandemic #Covid_19 #LosAngeles #panicbuying #emptyshelves pic.twitter.com/18pfzfqMpt

— Chelar (@ChelarVale) March 13, 2020

Hey #TraderJoes one piece of constructive feedback: Today may not be the best day to be pumping REM’s “It’s the End Of the World As We Know It” through your speakers.

— Henry Goldblatt (@HenryGoldblatt) March 12, 2020

#Coronavirus #Hollywood: It’s pouring rain on Thursday at 2on the #SunsetStrip and this is the checkout at #TraderJoes. An @NBCLA viewer approaches me with her cart overflowing. “What are you stocking up for?” I ask. She laughs nervously, “I don’t know.” pic.twitter.com/7YESK8E3In

— Robert Kovacik (@RobertNBCLA) March 12, 2020

So all the people in NYC standing close enough to each other to get pregnant are afraid of the Coronavirus? #TraderJoes

— Wicked StepMomster (@WckdStepMomster) March 13, 2020

#TraderJoes employee to me standing in front of endless rows of empty shelves tonight: “Can I help you find something?” Me: opens mouth to speak— “We don’t have it!” We both laugh, ignoring the impending doom. #coronatime

— Ian Agrimis (@IanAgrimis) March 13, 2020

MADNESS IN MANHATTAN pic.twitter.com/EJYaMABGb8

— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) March 13, 2020

#TraderJoes employees, getting ready to open the store#coronapocalypse #ToiletPaperApocalypse #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/xXTshziWKl

— Jonny Townsend (@Taansend) March 13, 2020

Me at #TraderJoes this afternoon. Lol https://t.co/WFP8LaIfQn

— Jess Beardsley, MD (@JessBeardsleyMD) March 13, 2020

If you’re just daydreaming in the MIDDLE of the aisle I’m going to hit you with my cart and play like I didn’t see you. #TraderJoes

— eddie a (@justeddie2201) March 13, 2020

Me, smugly: My job at the grocery store means I get first dibs at all the things I’ll need for a quarantine or apocalypse

Me, during quarantine buying sprees: Oh no I work at a grocery store #TraderJoes

— Laurel Coates (@noodlette) March 13, 2020

And finally, here's this week's cute cat with its Trader Joe's advent calendar treats:

Santa has the treats. #adventcalendar #TraderJoes #salmontreats #day3 pic.twitter.com/jSW2jhcne3

— Ben (@benistoocute) December 4, 2019

Trader Joe's Everything But The Elote Seasoning Blend

I have now tried this in four different ways:

1. On buttered corn on the cob. This is its primary intended purpose. The label suggests that adding mayo further recreates the street elote experience. I didn't do that. I think mayo on corn sounds gross. But this seasoning mix on corn was great--loved it. It's the only thing I've ever found that makes corn on the cob better than just butter (with or without salt).

2. On buttered toast, instead of cinnamon-sugar. Meh. Seemed odd and out of place.

3. On popcorn. Judging by my monitoring of the #TraderJoes hashtag on Twitter, this is the second most popular use. It was good, but I didn't think it was better than just butter and salt, which is my standard preparation. Unexpectedly, it lent a distinct tone of sweetness to the popcorn. It was so prominent that it prompted me to look for the first time at the ingredients. Sure enough--"cane sugar" is first on the list. I did not notice that sweetness in any of the other three applications, for reasons that I can't explain.

4. On steamed mixed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots). As with toast, the flavors didn't blend right, and it seemed clashing. Not terrible, but not enhancing, either.


Will I buy it again? 

No. The only use for which I want to keep it around is corn on the cob. And I eat that rarely enough (3-4 times a year, I guess) that this one shaker should last me nearly until the heat death of the universe. But it's definitely good in that context, and well worth a try.

Roundup

This is my weekly compilation of news and other links about Trader Joe's.


7 cult-favorite Trader Joe's products you can buy on Amazon

Trader Joe's and museum curators

Trader Joe's giving employees more paid sick time due to coronovirus

Coronavirus prompts change in how Trader Joe's does samples




Best tweets of the week:

The originator of Trader Joe's has passed away. His funeral service will be overly crowded with very limited & congested parking.#RIPTraderJoe #TraderJoes #jimmykimmellive pic.twitter.com/uYpsFDul8x

— ViewsoftheWorld (@Watcher56192991) February 29, 2020

I’m sad to learn the founder of #TraderJoes has died, but I’m very excited to meet the cauliflower version of him coming soon.

— Kevin M. Klein (@TheKevinKlein) February 29, 2020

RIP Joe. His funeral should reflect the legacy he created: an incredibly long line to the procession and then lowered into a vat of affordable and delicious microwaveable tikka masala https://t.co/ArDqwwVpI0

— Short King ™️ (@Garrett_ftw) February 29, 2020

Based on the #TraderJoes depleted aisles, it seems we in #PaloAlto prepare for #Coronavirus pandemic by purchasing pasta & soup.

— Monica C. Hubert (@mchubertt) March 1, 2020

I’m not saying Coronavirus is mutating but I saw this lady sneezing at Trader Joe’s and now I have a slight fever and an urge to devour the flesh of the living... #coronavirus #traderjoes #zombie #walkitoff https://t.co/Elks2LS92u

— John Judy (@PapaJohnJudy) March 1, 2020

A Trader Joe’s in Portland, Ore. did its second busiest day in that store’s 16 year history yesterday, sources (the delightful check-out person) tell me. Frozen veggies, pasta, rice and canned beans basically all gone. #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/LJCd2xaYtV

— Conrad Wilson (@conradjwilson) March 1, 2020

#TraderJoes #NewNormal #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/cfR7mwrQ6Q

— Emmanuel Darzins (@edarzins53) March 2, 2020

"I'm worried about Coronavirus. Let's go stuff ourselves into a tiny Trader Joe's with 1000 other people."#Coronavirus #COVID19 #TraderJoes #Americans

— Jordan Kane (@jordyface) March 2, 2020

Someone needs to come over here and take this bag from me.

Warning: I will fight you, and then you’ll have to remind me about this Tweet. #TraderJoes #JustMango #MoreLikeJustDelicious pic.twitter.com/gg50Z2KNtd

— Jennifer Walker (@JWalkWriter) March 6, 2020

And finally, here's this week's cute cat with its Trader Joe's advent calendar:

#catadvent #traderjoes Day 3 Stars had to split again to be fair to the cats pic.twitter.com/q201IryOY9

— Carol Havlik (@HavlikCarol) December 3, 2019

Trader Joe's Kunefe

I had never heard of Kunefe before Trader Joe's started carrying this.

Texturally, it feels a bit like eating a bird's nest (or so I imagine). Fortunately, it's tastier. It's shredded dough with very mild cheese filling, topped with pistachios and a sweet syrup. I poured on just half of the supplied packet of syrup, because that seemed like plenty--and it was. I think using the whole packet would have made it too sweet.

Nina and I shared this for a dessert last week. We both liked it, though no raves.


Will I buy it again? 

No. But I'm happy to have tried it once.