Trader Joes KC

[Deberg_1990]

Anyone been yet? Whats the fuss? Its just a grocery store right?



http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22845&full=yes&pbr=1



Fast forward to this week's hot July weekend in Kansas City and Friday's grand opening of not just one, but two TRADER JOE'S grocery stores---the upscale sister business of German owned ALDI stores.

A grand opening without any advertising no less!

(Note: TJ's takes all credit cards. Aldi doesn't take any. And the second TJ location is at 119th and Roe in Leawood.)

Barricades at Ward Parkway Center, security officers, long lines, humanity in mass. You'd think these people had never been to a modern supermarket. Or God forbid, a WHOLE FOODS.

As I was driving past the new Trader Joe's off State Line Friday morning, I swore to stay away from the place for at least a month before checking it out. But curiosity got the best of me Sunday afternoon and off to Ward Parkway Center it was.

Trying to find a parking spot anywhere close was a major challenge. But I lucked out with a spot on the far north side of Target's parking area.

What did I find inside the new store?

Massive crowds, many semi-empty shelves that couldn't be restocked fast enough and some pretty tasty looking goodies. Pricing at first glance seemed to be good to average. A six pack of Beck's beer $6.99, while a gallon of milk sold for $2.99---good prices.

Did I stock up?

No way! Eight checkout lanes. Each with lines at least 20 shoppers deep.

Will I go back? Sure, why not---when things have settled down a bit that is. Until then, it's HyVee, Price Chopper---and dare I suggest--Whole Foods for me.

[Rain Man]

I shop at Trader Joe's when I'm in California once or twice a year, and it kind of freaks me out that there are no brands that I recognize. It's a fine store, but it's odd to go into a grocery store and see nothing from Minute Maid, Nabisco, et al.

[jiveturkey]

I went and it was beyond packed. I do like that it's taking people away from Whole Foods. The one on 119th is always nuts to butts and yesterday was a little more laid back.

[blaise]

I shop at Trader Joe's when I'm in California once or twice a year, and it kind of freaks me out that there are no brands that I recognize. It's a fine store, but it's odd to go into a grocery store and see nothing from Minute Maid, Nabisco, et al.

"I only shop there. I live in LA. I've never even heard of Nabisco."

- Dane

[loochy]

"I only shop there. I live in LA. I've never even heard of Nabisco."

- Dane

I had sex with Angelina Jolie on the checkout belt last week. It's no biggie. That happens all the time here in LA. She's a cool girl. I'm so awesome. QUIT STEALING MP3s and ILLEGALLY DOWNLOADING MOVIES!

-Dane

[angelo]

I went to the ward parkway location Saturday afternoon 4 pm and it was a mad house. People were shoving past everyone. I did not last long. I returned Sunday morning at 8 am and there were maybe 20 people waiting to get inside. I had more time to shop and picked up an assortment of there goods. What I have tried has been quite good.

Pear sauce (think apple sauce) it was really nice.
Triple ginger snaps. Excellent ginger bite and flavor.
Pineapple juice. Very Good (not from concentrate)
Orange Juice. good but seemed to lack flavor (not from concentrate)
Organic eggs. Very good flavor and dark orange yolk
Trader Jo's Root Beer. Ok it is no IBC rootbeer.

They will be definitely competing with the Market in Brookside. Their price seem good.

I like the fact that they carry some different produce and different meats.

Ang

[DaFace]

I've been to one in DC a couple times. The entire place is pretty much house brands, but the quality level is certainly much higher than "Great Value" and that type of thing. People who do a lot of shopping there swear it's less expensive than about any other grocery store out there, but the quality is just as good. I couldn't really judge from my limited experience, though.

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

[ReynardMuldrake]

I went last night. The prices are good and the employees were very friendly.

[blaise]

I've been to one in DC a couple times. The entire place is pretty much house brands, but the quality level is certainly much higher than "Great Value" and that type of thing. People who do a lot of shopping there swear it's less expensive than about any other grocery store out there, but the quality is just as good. I couldn't really judge from my limited experience, though.

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

Seems like most of the larger grocery chains have quite a bit of this kind of stuff now, too.

Not that I' saying Trader Joe's doesn't have more or better, just that a lot of grocery chains have added a lot of that.

[Kerberos]

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

Hippy food? That is an interesting way of putting it. :)


I have been to Trader Joes here in Vegas and Henderson many different times for many different reasons but most of it boils down to getting organic foods for me. They are a fresh alternative to the regular grocery store and they don't really carry much that isn't organic here. It is nice to read a lable and know what is in my food that doesn't have a name that I need google to find out what it is.

Trader Joes is far enough away for me that I only go there once or twice a month.

[Rams Fan]

Trade Joe's kicks ass.

No brand names that you would know, but good quality and prices.

[underEJ]

I first started going to Trader Joes 20 years ago and considered it a great place for wine, cheese, nuts, and trail mix. Since then it has really grown on me as a complete grocery store, and yes the quality is very high for the price. I eat out of a microwave alot due to work schedule, and Trader Joes makes that seem less gross with some really nice quality frozen and prepared food sections.

Very rare to find something I don't like there. I still have to supplement with some produce and specialty items from whole foods, but overall it's a regular stop for me and I have come to trust the Trader Joes brand.

I do give them shit regularly about the bottled water from New Zealand. Is it really a good idea to ship bottled water 7000 miles to a country that has plenty of bottled water?

[ModSocks]

I haven't been to Trader Joe's in years. Shit was way overpriced. Not sure what it's like now.

Not a huge fan of it. Good for some things, but I couldn't do all my shopping there.

[tooge]

I always got trader joe's confused with trader vics. I'd go in looking for a mai tai and find nothing but hippy food. WTF?

[sedated]

My gf wanted to take a look, so we went to the one in Town Center. I just don’t get it. Atiny grocery store selling nothing but their own brand of EVERYTHING! I didn’t see one non-TJ item in the store.

And the parking lot was a mess, took forever to get in and out, and almost got hit twice by soccer mom SUVs. I came away from my experience with 2 conclusions: I will likely never shop at trader joes, and while people are morons, the ones who frequent Town Center are the worst kind of moron.

[underEJ]

A sampling of great things from trader joes:

canned corn. amazingly crisp and sweet and not canny at all.
almond milk. they just added this and I like it more than almond breeze brand.
roasted pepper and corn soup. I sometimes add grilled chicken and hot peppers, but good straight.
satay noodles. I miss these since I stopped eating gluten.
marinara. the regular one, tall jar.
caramelized onion dip. great on carrots ,cucumbers, and grilled steak tips (happy accident.)
hummus. all kinds.

[The Bad Guy]

Love Trader Joe's.

Sad that there's not one in my area.

[Bowser]

The wife braved the crowds this weekend. She loves the place.

[JD10367]

Trader Joe's is awesome. Think of it as a small, hippie Whole Foods with better prices. (Or, if you have a cheapskate Aldi's around, think of it as Aldi's crossed with Whole Foods.) They have some truly unique products that are hard to find (if not impossible) elsewhere.

[Bewbies]

I love TJ's and shop there all the time.

[Bowser]

And apparently they have some decent tasting wines at very chep prices.

[sd4chiefs]

The Chocolate Croissants are amazing. They are in the frozen breakfast area.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Sounds like a "hipster" place.

[Deberg_1990]

Sounds like a "hipster" place.

Yea, thats kind of the vibe im getting. I dont think im enough of a food connoisseur to appreciate a place like this.

Ill stick to the regular grocery stores and name brand stuff.

[Third Eye]

Sounds like a "hipster" place.

Not really. Granted, there are a fair share of hipsters who shop there, but they are certainly a minority.

When I chose to go back to school full-time 3 years ago, I started working at one of the locations here in St. Louis. Flexible hours and great benefits made it the perfect job for me. I totally had my preconceptions blown out of the water as I had a similar opinion to the one above. Sadly, my tenure there has come to an end as I've graduated.

What it boils down to is this: if you like healthy foods (no artificial preservatives, no GMO's, etc.) at a cheap price (more often than not they are cheaper than your neighborhood grocery store), then it is a great place to shop. Best frozen foods and best valued wine, bar none.

BTW, many of the TJ label products are really major label products that have been reformulated to meet the TJ standards.

[Baby Lee]

I've been to one in DC a couple times. The entire place is pretty much house brands, but the quality level is certainly much higher than "Great Value" and that type of thing. People who do a lot of shopping there swear it's less expensive than about any other grocery store out there, but the quality is just as good. I couldn't really judge from my limited experience, though.

They also have a pretty good selection of "hippy" food (as I affectionately call it), such as organic foods, gluten free stuff, and a plethora of stuff that vegetarians would like.

Actually, a lot of them are name brands, but they package them as house brands so people don't say "why would I buy XXX at the grocery store when TJs has it $.50 cheaper."

I, and my family [who went there gleefully, Sunday], are totally in the cult of Trader Joes. I don't buy everything there , but their meat, frozen and especially 'trail mix' aisles are [i]de rigeur.

[Baby Lee]

Sounds like a "hipster" place.

If a hipster and Sam's Club 'did it.'

it's actually owned by the guy who owns Aldi's.

Take a lot of Sam's Club's foodstuffs and package them individually, and you have a good bit of Trader Joes.

[HonestChieffan]

Ive never been but the idea is a cool one.


Id love to go someplace and trade stuff to get stuff. I have stuff they may want to trade me for.

[Fish]

Ive never been but the idea is a cool one.


Id love to go someplace and trade stuff to get stuff. I have stuff they may want to trade me for.

http://troll.me/images/futurama-fry/not-sure-if-serious-or-just-stupid.jpg

[Stewie]

The private label business model is growing rapidly. Aldi was the first to do it exclusively and they continued the idea with Trader Joe's.

There used to be a website that listed what foods at Aldi were made by whom. It was a Kosher site for those who needed to know what was edible. Some well-known names that I remember were Sargento for most of their cheese, Tyson for chicken, spin-off of Prego for spaghetti sauce and cereals made by Quaker and Malt-O-Meal. I'm sure things change, but most of their food comes from well-known sources.

When I worked in food production during HS and college we did some private label packaging. It was exactly the same as the name brand product, it just came in a store-labeled carton.

[kstater]

Sheeple

[RockChalk]

http://1thought2many.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/generational-carter_hipster.png

[Demonpenz]

Trader joes is better than an NBA team

[loochy]

Trader joes is better than an NBA team

They are better than the Minnesota Timberwolves, but not better than the Memphis Grizzleis.

[Al Bundy]

I work in the same shopping center as the Trader Joes on 119th, it was nothing more than inconvenience for me. Although I know a few people who work there.

[NewChief]

2 buck chuck FTW.

[Baby Lee]

2 buck chuck FTW.

Their beers are worth perusal as well, though since they are store branded as well you have to find out for yourself what you do and don't like.

A notable exception, Framboise Lambic, still quite expensive $7.99 for a 32 oz bottle, but still cheaper than other outlets.

[veist]

The other thing to keep in mind is Trader Joe's is pretty fanatical about dropping anything that doesn't move enough volume, so the stuff that isn't "new" is stuff that a lot of people like. Not just stuff they can get cheaply.

[Tits McGee]

Trader Joe's buys mostly close-out items. In other words, they buy all the crap nobody wanted in the first place. They price it very low (they practically get it for nothing) to draw people in, end of story.

[DaFace]

Trader Joe's buys mostly close-out items. In other words, they buy all the crap nobody wanted in the first place. They price it very low (they practically get it for nothing) to draw people in, end of story.

Do you have any sort of evidence for that, or are you just making shit up? That sounds highly unlikely given the types of products they carry.

[CHENZ A!]

2 buck chuck FTW.

This is what I don't get....

How can they afford to sell good tasting wine so cheap? Is there a limit to how many bottles you can buy in one trip? Do they run out a lot? Why don't bums buy their booze at TJ's?

I need answers! :cuss:

[Third Eye]

Trader Joe's buys mostly close-out items. In other words, they buy all the crap nobody wanted in the first place. They price it very low (they practically get it for nothing) to draw people in, end of story.

So very untrue.

[Baby Lee]

Trader Joe's buys mostly close-out items. In other words, they buy all the crap nobody wanted in the first place. They price it very low (they practically get it for nothing) to draw people in, end of story.

You're thinking of Big Lots, different store. Dunno that there's a lot of 'close-out' prime cut beef, or 'close-out' artisan bread, delivered fresh daily for years.

[Baby Lee]

Why don't bums buy their booze at TJ's?
I was about to say 'because they don't put their stores where bums can get to them, then I remember that the Metrolink in Big Derrty was extended to within walking distance of TJs.

[Reaper16]

2 Buck Chuck is below average to me.

Trader Joe's house beers are often worthwhile, though. Legit breweries make their beers. Most Trader Joe's labeled beers are brewed by Firestone Walker or Unibroue.

[Third Eye]

This is what I don't get....

How can they afford to sell good tasting wine so cheap? Is there a limit to how many bottles you can buy in one trip? Do they run out a lot? Why don't bums buy their booze at TJ's?

I need answers! :cuss:

Well, nobody ever claimed the 2 buck Chuck was good. Don't get me wrong, it can be passable, but I'm certainly not opening one to pair with a good meal. Now if I'm serving 100 people at a wedding reception, then hell yeah. There is a limit with Charles Shaw (2 buck Chuck), but that limit is 8 cases or 96 bottles, and nothing is stopping anybody from bringing a friend to buy another 8.

Forgetting the Chuck for a bit, there are quite a few private label wines there in the $7-$10 range that are absolute steals. To answer your question on how TJ's does this, we will look at an example. Say a good sized vintner has a stellar crop that yields a stellar bottle of wine. The bottle is good enough to yield a $20 price tag. Well, right off the jump, that is going to limit the number of bottles you'll be able to sell, as average Joe consumer won't spend that for a bottle at a grocery store. So the vintner will then sell their bottles with their label for $20, while at the same time selling in bulk to TJ's (the single biggest wine purveyor in the US) at a highly discounted rate, which nicely allows them to maximize their profits. TJ's then puts their own label on it allowing the vintner some anonymity so people will still buy their label at twice the price while TJ's is selling it much cheaper.

[chiefsfan987]

There is one across the street from me and I don't ever shop there really. Every once in a great while I'll go there for wine, but thats it.

[DaKCMan AP]

Trader Joes = pure Awesome.

[gblowfish]

The one they opened out by Ward Parkway is managed by a guy I went to High School with in Independence. He moved back here from Colorado, he's worked for TJ's for more than 10 years.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Try the mochi, bomb shiznizzle

[OnTheWarpath15]

I was about to say 'because they don't put their stores where bums can get to them, then I remember that the Metrolink in Big Derrty was extended to within walking distance of TJs.

Where's the Brentwood stop?

Drawing a blank.

[Baby Lee]

Where's the Brentwood stop?

Drawing a blank.

It doesn't stop there between Best Buy and Dillons? Then why did they build the parking garage behind Best Buy? Never looked, and never took Metrolink beyond the old line [ie, CWE].

Seriously, why the parking garage? They have the metrolink right there passing through, and people park there to hop on a bus?

[jspchief]

I checked out the new one in West Des Moines a while back. Was with my 2 daughters who weren't in the mood for grocery stores, so I didn't get a chance to really absorb what all they offer.

I think the thing that stuck with me was all the 40 year old men working cash registers, dressed like 20 year old hipster douche bags on the way to the coffee house. It came off almost like they were wearing costumes. Sad.

Place isn't close enough to ever become part of my grocery shopping, but I may check it out again someday. Or not.

[Third Eye]

The one they opened out by Ward Parkway is managed by a guy I went to High School with in Independence. He moved back here from Colorado, he's worked for TJ's for more than 10 years.

Um, pretty sure Michael manages that one, and he is from Seattle. Though you could be talking about one of assistants.

[Frazod]

There's a Trader's Joes in Naperville, but it's on the other side of town in a really congested area, so it's kind of a pain in the ass to go there. I think we've been there three or four times over the years. They have some neat stuff, but generally when we go there we walk out with a bunch of shit we don't need. I'd probably go there more if not for the location.

[Third Eye]

It doesn't stop there between Best Buy and Dillons? Then why did they build the parking garage behind Best Buy? Never looked, and never took Metrolink beyond the old line [ie, CWE].

Seriously, why the parking garage? They have the metrolink right there passing through, and people park there to hop on a bus?

There is a stop there.

[OnTheWarpath15]

It doesn't stop there between Best Buy and Dillons? Then why did they build the parking garage behind Best Buy? Never looked, and never took Metrolink beyond the old line [ie, CWE].

Seriously, why the parking garage? They have the metrolink right there passing through, and people park there to hop on a bus?

LMAO

I was asking you. I've never taken it that far west either.

But now that you mention Best Buy, I recall a sign being there.

[jspchief]

They have some neat stuff, but generally when we go there we walk out with a bunch of shit we don't need.

Ya, It's like Sam's or Costco in that regard. You see something you've not seen before and your brain gets tricked into thinking you should buy it.

My one trip to TJ's, I bought a bag of Chile Spiced Mango. Dried mango, coated in chile. Fucking inedible.

[Baby Lee]

LMAO

I was asking you. I've never taken it that far west either.

But now that you mention Best Buy, I recall a sign being there.

It was just, when you questioned it, I realized that I'd never looked. When I go to BB, I come in the back off Hanley and park under the store. And if I'm on Eager, well I'm driving and thus more concerned with traffic than what's going on under the overpass.

[loochy]

Trader Joe...is he related to Ranger Joe?

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[Baby Lee]

Ya, It's like Sam's or Costco in that regard. You see something you've not seen before and your brain gets tricked into thinking you should buy it.

My one trip to TJ's, I bought a bag of Chile Spiced Mango. Dried mango, coated in chile. Fucking inedible.

I miss the fuck out of their chili lime peanuts. Roasted peanuts with dried whole chilis and some kind of leaf that tastes like lime [analogous to lemongrass].

[Frazod]

Ya, It's like Sam's or Costco in that regard. You see something you've not seen before and your brain gets tricked into thinking you should buy it.

My one trip to TJ's, I bought a bag of Chile Spiced Mango. Dried mango, coated in chile. Fucking inedible.

The main thing we get at Costco is chicken - frozen, individually sealed breasts in a big bag that saves us anywhere from half to three-quarters off what the regular grocery stores charge. That alone is worth the annual fee. We'll also get things like cheese, frozen vegetables, cat litter, razor blades, batteries, toilet paper and paper towels, but we have learned over the years what to buy there and what not to buy, the days of going there and stocking up on a giant quantities of useless crap are over.

[OnTheWarpath15]

It was just, when you questioned it, I realized that I'd never looked. When I go to BB, I come in the back off Hanley and park under the store. And if I'm on Eager, well I'm driving and thus more concerned with traffic than what's going on under the overpass.

Same here.

Hell, I generally avoid that area anyway, because the traffic is usually chaotic - especially in the Promenade where TJ's is. On the rare instances I need to go to MicroCenter, I go in the back way through the industrial court, or take Rose from Brentwood Blvd.

[Baby Lee]

Pear sauce (think apple sauce) it was really nice.

They used to have a Peach Sauce that was the best waffle topping. Most missed TJs discontinued item ever.

As I mentioned earlier, family went to new KC store Sunday. Now they're raving about a new offering, Sparkling Clementine Juice.

[jspchief]

I miss the **** out of their chili lime peanuts. Roasted peanuts with dried whole chilis and some kind of leaf that tastes like lime [analogous to lemongrass].See, that's the type of thing I like.

However, mango in chile is disgusting. In fact, after posting about that purchase I went to the cupboard to give them another try. 1 bite, I spit it out and threw the bag away. It's not food.

[Baby Lee]

Same here.

Hell, I generally avoid that area anyway, because the traffic is usually chaotic - especially in the Promenade where TJ's is. On the rare instances I need to go to MicroCenter, I go in the back way through the industrial court, or take Rose from Brentwood Blvd.

I can take the traffic, it's those fucking micro parking spaces that get me. I think a Smart Car would get in a bind trying to park in those things.

[NewChief]

See, that's the type of thing I like.

However, mango in chile is disgusting. In fact, after posting about that purchase I went to the cupboard to give them another try. 1 bite, I spit it out and threw the bag away. It's not food.

Fresh mango and cayenne or chili powder is a classic Latin American and Caribbean pairing but I can see it losing something with dried fruit.

[Bump]

don't ever get that fat free spicy black bean dip. It's disgusting, pureed black beans with lots and lots of vinegar. PUKE

[Braincase]

I've got one across the street from my office. If they had a decent soup/salad bar, I might check it out.

[KCUnited]

A sampling of great things from trader joes:

canned corn. amazingly crisp and sweet and not canny at all.
almond milk. they just added this and I like it more than almond breeze brand.
roasted pepper and corn soup. I sometimes add grilled chicken and hot peppers, but good straight.
satay noodles. I miss these since I stopped eating gluten.
marinara. the regular one, tall jar.
caramelized onion dip. great on carrots ,cucumbers, and grilled steak tips (happy accident.)
hummus. all kinds.

I'm addicted to their organic roasted red pepper and tomato soup. Its a fantastic base. I'll add some curry, ancho, red pepper, whatever I have on hand. Add some sauteed chicken and some baby spinach, yummo.

Their pretzel buns with jalapeno pub cheese are legit as well.

[Pants]

Is their sunflower seed butter not the best thing ever to be put in the jar?

[htismaqe]

I've never been there but a co-worker sent me a can of Trader Joe's English Toffee as a Christmas gift. It's superb.

[Frazod]

Is their sunflower seed butter not the best thing ever to be put in the jar?

Sunflower seed butter? Oh man, I have to try that.

Damn you!

[Al Bundy]

I bought one of the Turkeys.. I work in the same parking lot as the one on 119th and roe.

[Pants]

Sunflower seed butter? Oh man, I have to try that.

Damn you!

http://images.quickblogcast.com/2/4/6/4/2/133294-124642/SunflowerButter400.jpg?a=21

[Titty Meat]

Gonna check this place out tonight.

[Chiefaholic]

The wife and I prefer to shop late in the evening when most of the crowds are home. Open isles, short lines, get what you need and get the **** out.

[BigChiefFan]

Try the Peanut Butter cups.

[DaKCMan AP]

Try the Peanut Butter cups.

Those are dangerous!!!!! Way too good and they embarrass Reese's.

[Silock]

Two buck chuck ftw. It's decent tasting, but the great part is that the alcohol content is super high. Win!

[rageeumr]

I've been trying to get to one since they opened in KC. But I live a long ass way from the Ward Parkway one, and it seems silly to go to the one in Leawood. You can't take advantage of one of the more important aspects (cheap, decent wine).

[suzzer99]

My Favorite stuff at TJs:

carne and pollo asada meat in a big plastic bag
etamame beans
onion and garlic toritillas (or onion and something)
pico de gallo salsa
canadian bacon
meatloaf
meat and chicken lasagna
4 cheese pizza (or maybe 5)
spring herb salad mix
albacore tuna in oil
some of the ready-to-eat Indian stuff
port salut cheese
chocolate bon bons
almond crunch cereal (so addictive)
italian chopped salad

[Stewie]

Sheesh! You'd think TJ was the all-end-all. It's fucking Aldi with excellent marketing to the dumbasses.

[Baby Lee]

Sheesh! You'd think TJ was the all-end-all. It's fucking Aldi with excellent marketing to the dumbasses.

They are popular because they offer quality at value. I fail to see how marketing has anything to do with it, as their circulars are newsletter format and I never bothered to even read it until I'd been a shopper for a good long while, and they don't advertise on radio/TV.

Their rep grew for me in this mannner, I'd browse their aisles, find something that looked tasty. Try it, love it, go back for more. Not everything is a hit with me, but what is a hit keeps me coming back.

If anything, their PRODUCTS are their own marketing, which is as it should be.

And actually Aldi has benefited greatly from its association with TJ. Their staples are still on par with store brand/generic, but they've added some great salsas and cheeses and a few higher end offerings, particularly frozen seafood.

[Fish]

Yeah... it's Aldi for people who think they're too good to be shopping at Aldi...

[griZZly64]

Trader Joes is just like Target.. Women cant get enough of those two stores. When women love your shit you're gunna get plenty of business.

[Pitt Gorilla]

They are popular because they offer quality at value. I fail to see how marketing has anything to do with it, as their circulars are newsletter format and I never bothered to even read it until I'd been a shopper for a good long while, and they don't advertise on radio/TV.

Their rep grew for me in this mannner, I'd browse their aisles, find something that looked tasty. Try it, love it, go back for more. Not everything is a hit with me, but what is a hit keeps me coming back.

If anything, their PRODUCTS are their own marketing, which is as it should be.

And actually Aldi has benefited greatly from its association with TJ. Their staples are still on par with store brand/generic, but they've added some great salsas and cheeses and a few higher end offerings, particularly frozen seafood.Their peach juice is amazing.

[KCUnited]

I've been trying to get to one since they opened in KC. But I live a long ass way from the Ward Parkway one, and it seems silly to go to the one in Leawood. You can't take advantage of one of the more important aspects (cheap, decent wine).

I get a lot of funny looks, but this is exactly why I use the mini shopping cart for kids. It's the only way to navigate through the place with all the Kansas crowd.

FWIW, we shop at Aldi as well as TJ, Hyvee, Price Chopper, or anywhere else that has what we like for a price we are willing to pay.

[KCFANinNC]

Try the Mission St Ale's The brown is one of my favorites. 5.6% too

Orange chicken, fried eggplant, marinara in a green can, goat cheese, and flowers (to justify the beer) are bought every visit.

Produce usually is not that great of a deal.

The parent company is actually Aldi's and all of their products are re-branded.

[htismaqe]

And actually Aldi has benefited greatly from its association with TJ. Their staples are still on par with store brand/generic, but they've added some great salsas and cheeses and a few higher end offerings, particularly frozen seafood.

This.

The frozen Chinese food (ie. orange chicken) from Aldi is superior to any other supermarket brand, including PF Chang's-in-a-box, and is on par with many of the decent restaurants around here.

[htismaqe]

Try the Mission St Ale's The brown is one of my favorites. 5.6% too

Orange chicken, fried eggplant, marinara in a green can, goat cheese, and flowers (to justify the beer) are bought every visit.

Produce usually is not that great of a deal.

The parent company is actually Aldi's and all of their products are re-branded.

ROFL

:thumb:

[Stewie]

It's funny to me that Aldi/TJ are suddenly awesome food choices. I suppose that 888 International will be the next best thing for the uniformed.

http://888intlmarket.com/

[Baby Lee]

It's funny to me that Aldi/TJ are suddenly awesome food choices. I suppose that 888 International will be the next best thing for the uniformed.

http://888intlmarket.com/

You're an idiot, not even worth the CP meme version of said statement.

[Silock]

ITT: People hating on cheap food.

...I don't get it.

[veist]

I think Stewie is just totally jelly of my lemon triple ginger ice cream from TJ's. They must've been out when he went to get some.

[sedated]

Is there a website that reveals what the real brands are behind the Trader Joe’s packaging?

As a wholesale food producer, I’m not a big fan of the place – I think the people that created these things that everyone seems to love should get recognition for it.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Is there a website that reveals what the real brands are behind the Trader Joe’s packaging?

As a wholesale food producer, I’m not a big fan of the place – I think the people that created these things that everyone seems to love should get recognition for it.I'd like to know as well; there are no TJs in my area and I'd love to be able to procure some peachy awesomeness.

[ReynardMuldrake]

It's funny to me that Aldi/TJ are suddenly awesome food choices. I suppose that 888 International will be the next best thing for the uniformed.

http://888intlmarket.com/

That place is cool! I love keeping weird Japanese candies on my desk at work just to see the looks I get. It's also a good place to shop if you like eastern cooking or sushi making. I can buy lo mein noodles in a 10-pound box, and they're the only place I know of that carries masago.

[sedated]

That place is cool! I love keeping weird Japanese candies on my desk at work just to see the looks I get. It's also a good place to shop if you like eastern cooking or sushi making. I can buy lo mein noodles in a 10-pound box, and they're the only place I know of that carries masago.

you need to hook up some recipes. My apartment is literaly right behind one of these 888 markets, and I would love to try to make some asian stuff, but am completely lost when it comes to cooking that style of food.

Include pics of the ingredients, since everything in the store is in chinese (or whatever).

[Pants]

It's funny to me that Aldi/TJ are suddenly awesome food choices. I suppose that 888 International will be the next best thing for the uniformed.

http://888intlmarket.com/

My dad is a HUGE tea connoisseur so I get him those Chinese teas from there. He digs them.

[DaKCMan AP]

Sheesh! You'd think TJ was the all-end-all. It's fucking Aldi with excellent marketing to the dumbasses.

Trader Joes sells quality while Aldi sells garbage. You're typically on the very wrong side of things so your disdain of Trader Joes only further confirms it's Awesomeness.

[doomy3]

It's funny to me that Aldi/TJ are suddenly awesome food choices. I suppose that 888 International will be the next best thing for the uniformed.

http://888intlmarket.com/

Why do you think people wearing uniforms would especially like 888 International Market?

[Bump]

Sheesh! You'd think TJ was the all-end-all. It's ****ing Aldi with excellent marketing to the dumbasses.

bullcrap. The stuff is good and reasonably priced, except for the milk, I ain't paying $7 per gallon. But most of the stuff in there is unique and tastes good to me and it's cheap. I see no problem shopping there. My only complaint is that it's too damn small.

[Fish]

Trader Joes sells quality while Aldi sells garbage. You're typically on the very wrong side of things so your disdain of Trader Joes only further confirms it's Awesomeness.

Bullshit. It's the same stuff. The only difference is TJs is trendy with the food and offers more kinds of products.

[Silock]

So what? It's still cheap and tasty. I don't understand why everyone is hating on it so hard.

[Bump]

Bullshit. It's the same stuff. The only difference is TJs is trendy with the food and offers more kinds of products.

it seems decent quality to me. I'd shop at Aldi's, but I never seem to have a quarter to use a ****ing cart. What kind of shit is that anyways? locking up the carts, went there once to shop, didn't have any change, saw that you had to put in a quarter for a fucking cart that you will use to put stuff in so that they can charge you. So I just got back in my car and went across the street to Target instead. Never been back, never will.

[keg in kc]

So what? It's still cheap and tasty. I don't understand why everyone is hating on it so hard.They're being trendy by hating on what's trendy?

[KCUnited]

I only buy my hamburger at McGonigles. /cp

[Bump]

They're being trendy by hating on what's trendy?

that's commonplace in the hippie community of lawrence.

[Baby Lee]

it seems decent quality to me. I'd shop at Aldi's, but I never seem to have a quarter to use a ****ing cart. What kind of shit is that anyways? locking up the carts, went there once to shop, didn't have any change, saw that you had to put in a quarter for a fucking cart that you will use to put stuff in so that they can charge you. So I just got back in my car and went across the street to Target instead. Never been back, never will.

The quarter thing is to save on personnel. You get the quarter back when you return the cart to the queue. That way they don't have to hire someone to round them up from the parking lot.

[DaKCMan AP]

Bullshit. It's the same stuff.

Wrong.

[chief52]

They have some great crackers as well as salsa/pico. I do not have one here but shop when I am in a town with a TJ. Good wine selection as well.

[Titty Meat]

Trader Joe's is ok the prices are great but I prefer Sam's Club.

[DaKCMan AP]

Trader Joe's is ok the prices are great but I prefer Sam's Club.

Costco >>> Sam's

[Titty Meat]

Costco >>> Sam's

I haven't been there in years but someone bought me a membership at Sam's so I can't really complain.