Ever get excited about grocery stores? If you do, we can guess which one might make the list — Trader Joe’s of course!
Grocery shopping may or may not top your list of favorite things to do, but when it comes to Trader Joe’s, shopping ain’t so bad. We’ve got seven Trader Joe’s brand foods that many consider better than national name brands.
What Is Trader Joe’s?
Trader Joe’s may seem like a new kid on the block, but in reality, they’ve been around since the 1960s. So, they might be new to your location, but their value, unique goods, and cool and quirky environment aren’t new at all.
Joe Coloumbe founded the store in Pasadena, Calif., in 1967. The Aldi chain took over in 1979, but it remains true to its original goals of providing unique, high-quality items at an affordable price.
With more than 500 stores, Trader Joe’s continues to grow while offering everything people love about their stores. Those things include unique grocery items such as cookie butter, fun and energetic employees in their tropical-style work shirts, and consistent value offered to everyone.
This value to everyone means they don’t have store coupons or membership cards. They do the work finding the best value, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of coupons or joining exclusive memberships.
All you have to do is shop. And shopping at Trader Joe’s is actually fun because of all of the above and its unique products.
What Makes Trader Joe’s Products Unique?
What makes their products unique is quite simple — travel. They have buyers travel the world for the best deals and exceptional products.
Before any products land on store shelves, they must pass taste and quality tests. You don’t have to worry about quality; you’ll know it’s good before purchasing it.
Another reason Trader Joe’s products are unique is flavor combinations. You’ll find many products you can’t find anywhere else. Many items pre-packaged for ease but also full of flavor, such as the cookie butter, are Trader Joe’s specific.
Additionally, you won’t find any self-checkouts, nor do they offer online ordering or grocery delivery, like many other grocery stores now do.
While some people complain about this, Trader Joe’s stands firm. Their customer satisfaction comes first, and the company believes that focusing on staff in stores benefits the customer more than sending staff away to handle issues that don’t deal directly with the customer.
It’s like calling customer service and only getting a recording. At Trader Joe’s, you’ll get a real live person on site, not a machine.
It removes the stress of shopping, leaving behind the fun of the experience.
Pro Tip: Going shopping at Trader Joe’s? Make sure not to commit any of these 7 Deadly Sins of Trader Joe’s Shopping.
7 Trader Joe’s Brand Food That are Better Than National Name Brands
And fun it is, especially when on the hunt for Trader Joe’s brand of foods. Many consider these seven brands better than their national name counterparts. From peanut butter cups and tortilla chips to orange juice and breakfast patties, Trader Joe’s brands come full of flavor with a price tag that won’t break the bank.
1. Honey O’s
Start your day with a bowl of Trader Joe’s Honey O’s. This breakfast cereal packs a nutritional punch with 23 grams of whole grain. But it’s not all about the healthy stuff.
This cereal is also delicious, with a light and sweet honey flavor that will leave you wanting more. Plus, it’s affordable and easy to find.
2. Trader Joe’s Brownie Crisps
Move over regular brownies. There’s a new kid in town, and he’s ready to take your place. Introducing Trader Joe’s Brownie Crisps with thick squares of chocolaty deliciousness that taste like a homemade brownie but without all the calories.
With a deep cocoa flavor and a crunchy yet not dry texture, these Brownie Crisps can satisfy your sweet tooth. Go ahead and indulge guilt-free.
3. Trader Joe’s Chili and Lime Flavored Tortilla Chips
If you’re looking for a chip that packs a flavor punch, you’ll want to try Trader Joe’s Chili and Lime Flavored Tortilla Chips. These compare to Takis but with more complex flavors and hints of chili and lime.
Additionally, they’re not overly salted and don’t coat your fingers as much as Takis do either. So if you want a flavorful snack that won’t leave your fingers feeling greasy, grab a bag of Trader Joe’s Chili and Lime Flavored Tortilla Chips.
4. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Do you love chocolate? Do you love peanut butter? Then you’ll likely adore Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. The chocolate is dense and rich, with a generous chunk of chocolate on top like a crown.
And it has smooth and creamy peanut butter with a full-on peanut flavor. It’s the perfect ratio of chocolate to filling, and you can only get them at Trader Joe’s.
5. “This Fig Walks Into a Bar…” Cereal Bars
This Fig Walks Into a Bar… And it’s good that he did because these cereal bars are delicious. Just the right amount of sweetness, with plenty of fruit filling and a moist, flavorful outer crust. And they have many natural ingredients making them perfect for those who need a quick healthy breakfast or snack.
6. Trader Joe’s Orange Juice
Looking for a delicious way to get your daily dose of Vitamin C? Look no further than Trader Joe’s Orange Juice. This orange juice is freshly squeezed and unpasteurized, so you can taste the natural goodness in every sip.
And since it’s not acidic, it’s gentle on your stomach too. So go ahead and enjoy a glass (or two) of Trader Joe’s orange juice. It’s like drinking oranges straight from the tree.
7. Trader Joe’s Meatless Breakfast Patties
These delicious little discs of joy work great for those mornings when you crave something hearty and satisfying but don’t want to eat meat.
Trader Joe’s Meatless Breakfast Patties use a blend of veggies, grains, and seasonings, offering a moist texture similar to meat. Reasonably priced and ready for any breakfast, it doesn’t matter if you’re a vegetarian or not; these deserve a try.
Pro Tip: Satisfy your sweet tooth by grabbing a treat at the Best National Grocery Store Bakery.
Is It Worth Shopping at Trader Joe’s?
These seven great Trader Joe’s brand foods are only the beginning of all the goodness within the walls of a Trader Joe’s store. From breakfast items and fresh produce to toiletries and lotions, it’s all here.
Not only that but Trader Joe’s is also known for its variety of vegetarian and vegan options, making this a true one-stop shop for any shopper.
Go ahead! Indulge yourself in a trip to Trader Joe’s. Are any of these Trader Joe’s name brands your favorite?
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