Ash UK/US

Soooo over the years (too many to go back and search ) I have seen multiple people comment about Trader Joes. West Michigan finally got it first, very own TJ'S. I have not been over there yet, it literally just opened 2 days ago, I do plan on checking it out mon. What British (or British comparable items) should I be looking for???

We just got brand new outlets 20 mins down the road... if only we could get us an IKEA... it would be game, set and match!

tonrob

Our TJs has sliced white bread that isn't shit! We always load up on that for the freezer (our TJs is 40 minutes away so don't go often).

Not sure about other British comparables, although we regularly buy a few other bits and bobs whenever we visit - those things that we find are either cheaper or better quality than elsewhere.

robin1234

I don't know what the licensing laws are like in Michigan. Because the wine and beer offerings at TJ are very interesting! Wine all the way from standard table wine to very nice quality, and priced fairly. Some good beer.

We used to have to go to MA for TJ ( no wine,) but now we have a closer one in VT (where the licensing laws allow for beer and wine.) Folks drive hundreds of miles to go to TJ in Burlington, VT!

A lot of their frozen food is good, Indian and vegetarian delicacies and so forth.

dj6372

Bread without sugar!
Proper cheese, had some double gloucester!
A bloody good Lamb Madras

They're my current faves

Guindalf

As others have said, it's not necessarily British stuff you go to TJs for, but the bread, frozen curries and naan bread are good to get (almost essential!).

There are many unique items and an eclectic collection of grocery items without the Whole Paycheck...er..Foods prices!

Don't forget a jar of Speculoos Cookie Butter.

You're welcome!

kimilseung

Crumpets.
Balti pies.

username.exe

I don't go there for British stuff. We do a weekly shop because they do quality stuff.

We usually get:
- Decent bread and scones;
- Flowers;
- Quality craft beer (I'm looking forward to picking some good stuff up);
- Some 2 buck chuck;
- Frozen meals for quick dinners (quality of these is pretty good, and you can get some decent asian meals e.g. Sukiyaki - unheard of!);
- Quality cheeses and deli meats; and
- Good coffee

We don't do all our weekly shopping there as it would be too expensive, so we get regular toothpaste/soap etc at Target.

RoadWarriorFromLP

Trader Joe's toothpaste lacks the chemical additives of the major brands and is reasonably priced. You should try it.

As for Two Buck Chuck, I just don't get it. It might be suitable for cooking, but I wouldn't drink it.

petitefrancaise

Cheese and wine selection is excellent.
Proper creme fraiche
Lurpak unsalted butter
Weetabix (sometimes)
Indian food
Lentils prepared the way the french do them is yummy (in the fridge section)
Gluten free battered fish is a bonus for us.

wtkp0u

Which of their breads has no sugar? Are you counting molasses, cane juice, malt, fructose, fruit juice, glucose, honey, etc.?

joto

TJ's do Blackthorn cider in cans. I like their cinnamon raisin bread, they also do cinnamon bread. Their fresh pasta selection is good as is their cheese. They have a lot of "own brand" stuff which is good quality. They also have a taste test corner in the store close to us, but I think that is in most of their stores.

username.exe

I'll have to give their toothpaste a whirl.

I'm a luddite, so I'll drink any old plonk.

ChocolateBabz

Reasons to go to Trader Joes...

Cookie Butter (if you haven't had it it is a spread find it nr. peanut butter, eat with a spoon)
Frozen Chocolate Croissants (you must take them out the night before, don't forget or you will cry)
Shishito Peppers (not spicy, chuck in pan with olive oil and blister, sprinkle with salt and soy sauce yum)
Sweet Chili Sauce
Sweets and Biscuits (better than the average US stuff)
Frozen Shrimp Nuggets (I kid you not it's almost scampi, eat with aforementioned sweet chili sauce)
Lots of different frozen things.

One thing I have noticed is that all their frozen stuff takes a bit longer than stated on the packet

robin1234

I wouldn't drink it but I wouldn't cook with it either. I like a good, cheap table wine but I'm afraid the two buck chuck is a couple of grades lower than drinkable or cooking...

Hiro11

Living a major city, I have lots of local options for food buying and use TJs more for specific items only they carry. TJ's only carries a few things and most of what they carry is own brand.

For example, not British but:
- precooked, individually packaged unfrozen chicken breasts. Very handy for a quick, healthy dinner.
- endless variety of trail mix and dried fruit (5 varieties of dried mango, last I checked)
- reasonable whole bean coffee for very little money. I like their organic French Roast.
- excellent own-brand cookies. Many, many varieties, most of which are very good.
- good cheese selection, if not as good as Whole Foods and about the same as Fresh Market and Mariano's (all three also in my area)
- good own brand frozen stuff, I really like their frozen savory tarts.
- meat and produce is middling.
- reasonable wine and beer selection (ours is next door to a giant liquor store so it's less useful for me). their own brand Vintage Ale, which they sell in corked bottles every year around Christmas, is made by an excellent Quebecois brewery and is a truly great.
- reasonably good baked goods. bread and scones are middling (we have a local bakery that's better) but their apple pie is actually very good.
- good own brand peanut butter, apple sauce, jams, preserves, honey and condiments.
- Ritter Sport in the check-out aisle, good quality Belgian "pound plus" bulk chocolate for cheap.
- good chips/pretzels/crackers.
- the best hummus on the market