Trader Joes: "My Favorite Grocery" San Elijo State Beach Shopping Tip by KimberlyAnn

Trader Joes is a different type of grocery store, and is one of my favorite places to shop. Shopping here is actually fun! And this comment comes from someone who doesn’t list shopping as a favorite past time. To me it is like an adventure, I always find some thing new to try, and I am rarely disappointed. I think part of the reason that their products are so good is that the Trader Joes chain tastes every product before they decide to stock their stores with it. So if you don’t like it, it is more a question of your personal tastes rather than the quality of the item. Plus the prices are very reasonable, and won’t cost you what most organic and gourmet type shops do. How do they keep their prices so reasonable? They try to cut out the middleman as much as possible, and buy direct, then the savings is passed on to the customer. The quality of the food is excellent, and much of it is organic. They have wonderful fresh, packaged, and frozen items to choose from. They also have a nice wine selection, beer, coffees, teas, fresh flowers, and vitamins. And they have a tasting corner where they are featuring at least one item, and often one of their coffees. Smart! I have purchased a number of items just because I tasted them in the store.

What to buy: My list is too long, but here are a few of the items that I consider winners. Trader Joe’s low fat Cranberry and Pumpkin Loaf, Trader Joe’s Key Lime Pie, Trader Joe’s Chunky Olive Hummus Dip, Trader Joe’s Tomato and Basil Hummus Dip, Trader Joe’s Champagne Pear Vinagrette with Gargonzola Salad Dressing, Plats Du Cef Escargot in Brioche, Trader Joe’s Mango Fruit Spread, Trader Joes New York Style Baked Cheese Cake, Trader Joes Cranberry Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad Dressing, Trader Joe’s Mango Ginger Chutney, Trader Joes Baklava Ensemble, and Trader Joe’s Peruvian Style Chimichurri Rice with Vegetables. Notice that everything I listed except the Escargot are Trader Joe’s own brands. This is a store brand that is superior to most, if not all, name brand foods.

Address: 115 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
Phone: (760) 634-2114
Theme: Food and Drink
Website: http://www.traderjoes.com