Trader Joe’s

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3 months ago

13 Things That Prove Trader Joe’s Is the Greatest Grocery Store of All Time

January 15, 2018 by ERIN CULLUM

I feel grateful to live within a 10-minute walk of a Trader Joe’s, because it’s truly the greatest grocery store of all time. I know I can always find exactly what I’m looking for in addition to new Trader Joe’s products I never knew I needed — all at an affordable price. These 13 reasons prove why Trader Joe’s is the best grocery store, and every loyal customer is sure to agree.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum

Trader Joe’s Everyday Seasoning ($2) is one of the best pantry staples known to man. The spice blend of sea salt, mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander, onion, garlic, paprika, and chili pepper comes in a handy grinder, and as its name implies, it seasons everything (meat, veggies, you name it).

2The white cheddar popcorn can’t be beat.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Try to find a better store-bought white cheddar popcorn, and you will fail.

3You can return anything!

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Promise. Trader Joe’s return policy is as good as it gets.

4The chicken apple sausage has a cult following — for good reason.

The chicken apple sausage from Trader Joe’s has established a fandom-like following because it’s that good. People eat it for breakfast, chop it up in pasta, sauté it with veggies, and more.

5The affordable prices are the best for budget-friendly shopping.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jae Payne

Because 80 percent of Trader Joe’s products are its own, the company cuts down costs that many manufacturers charge.

6The customer service never disappoints.

Image Source: Flickr user Aranami

No other grocery store has friendly, Hawaiian-shirt-wearing employees all over the store waiting to help you out with any question. It’s Trader Joe’s policy for employees to walk you to an item if you can’t find it, check in the back if it’s not there, and even try every new item so they know how to describe it to customers.

7The Sea Salt and Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds are unbeatable.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Best. Chocolate-covered almonds. Ever.

8Speaking of chocolate, Trader Joe’s has a wall of chocolate-covered everything.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

The Trader Joe’s wall of chocolate items is a chocolate-lover’s paradise. It has everything from pomegranate seeds to orange peels, and it’s where some of the toughest decision-making takes place.

9The coffee station is a morning savior.

You can grab a mini cup — or use your own if no one’s looking — and fill it up with fresh coffee any time of day.

10There’s a coffee grinder, too.

You can buy whole-bean coffee without worrying about how to grind it.

11The inviting decor makes grocery shopping more fun.

Image Source: Flickr user Aranami

Grocery shopping can be a tedious task, but Trader Joe’s unique interior makes it a much happier experience. One surprising secret of Trader Joe’s is that every location has an in-house artist, so the art is personalized for each city.

12The free samples are always on-point.

Several grocery stores offer free samples, but you can count on TJ’s to have the sample station up and running all day long with interesting items you might not have noticed while shopping.

13Trader Joe’s constantly carries new items you can’t find anywhere else.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum

You could fill an entire cart with new Trader Joe’s items every month, because the company is always adding unique products to store shelves. Shopping there encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and try unexpected things like coffee mochi ice cream and Indonesian salsa.