Trader Joe’s is a pretty universally loved grocery store, with quality items at great prices, including store-branded products like produce, snacks, baking mixes, beverages, and oh-so-much more. However, with such a wide selection, it’s only natural for the grocery fave to sometimes fumble when it comes to getting every product 100% right.
Not every item can be a winner—even at Trader Joe’s. If you’re a frequent shopper at the store, it helps to know which options are better left on the shelf, and luckily, the Trader Joe’s subreddit offers a wealth of knowledge (and opinions) on this very question. One poster on r/TraderJoes asked fellow Redditors to chime in on “What item do you NOT buy at Trader Joe’s,” and fans definitely didn’t hold back! We collected some of the most unrestrained opinions to help inform your next TJ’s shopping spree.
Redditors Weigh In With Their ‘Worst’ Trader Joe’s Items
A Reddit user took to the Trader Joe’s subreddit to ask others which products they don’t buy, whether for taste reasons or other concerns; the OP asked, “Like, should I really be buying the flour at TJ’s (albeit convenient) if I can also get it at my local supermarket?” Trader Joe’s superfans were only to happy to share their own least-liked products.
1. Crunchy Cinnamon Squares / ‘Junk’ Food
One Redditor started off hot with their top disliked Trader Joe’s food. “The Crunchy Cinnamon Squares,” they answered immediately. “These are the knock off Cinnamon Toast Crunch and they were stale even when I had just opened the bag. Not only that but they are very thick and hard to chew, definitely not as good as the original.” Another fan of the grocery chain agreed, saying that “TJ’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch has a real texture issue, IMO.” They also added that “there are some certain ‘junk’ items where I need to buy the real thing. For example: Joe Joe’s. They’re good, but they’re not Oreos. And I’m sure the difference in taste is because the TJ’s version is better for me (ingredient wise) but sometimes i just want the real thing.”
2. TJ’s Brand Cream Cheese
“The cream cheese is pretty disgusting,” commented one Reddit user under the original question, prompting another to suggest, “the whipped one is good (not the light whipped tho).” Unfortunately, the original commenter couldn’t be convinced: “The whipped one is the only one I’ve tried… =/ Not a fan, especially when compared to Philadelphia [Cream Cheese].” To a response saying that it’s “better than having all that crap Philadelphia has in it,” the same writer countered, “Not if it tastes like crap!”
3. Other Non-Cheese Dairy Products
Although shoppers were careful to stress that, aside from the store-brand cream cheese, Trader Joe’s cheese selection is excellent (which this writer can certainly vouch for!), it was a common agreement on the thread that the store’s other dairy offerings left much to be desired. “Milk, half and half, most dairy besides cheese,” said one customer of their least-liked TJ’s items. “Much shorter sell by dates than most other grocery stores. I have had items spoil before the sell by date or already be bad the day I got them.” Another commenter added, “TJ’s flavored yogurts have an unbelievable amount of sugar, I find.”
4. TJ’s Brand Sandwich Bread
The store’s sandwich bread was also much-maligned on the thread.” [The] sandwich bread,” insisted a Redditor. “Why is it all so hard? Consistency of cardboard, texture of sand paper. Taste is…not right. I’ve tried most varieties and I can’t find any I like. Which is a bummer cuz their cheese and deli meats are reasonably priced, but I have to make a trip to another store for bread.”
“This!!! I just cannot get on board with the dried out, flavorless TJ’s sandwich bread,” effusively agreed one commenter. Another added, “Expiration date is always the next day or a few days after in my experience, too.”
5. Sushi
Lastly, but certainly not least, one responder simply commented two words: “Sushi. Disgusting.” Just this short response was enough to earn dozens of upvotes from other Redditors, with one commenting “Agree!!!!!”
One Commenter Added A Different Perspective To The Discussion
One r/TraderJoes subscriber offered a differing perspective and helpful information on Trader Joe's items, especially their store brand products:
Comment by from discussion intraderjoes
They also added in an additional comment that "TJ's doesn't allow vendors to put [HFCs] in products! Plus no artificial stuff, MSG, hydrogenated oils, GMO, nitrates and nitrites, etc. TJ's also reports ingredients on their labels differently than every other store out there. You will see 'wheat' listed as an ingredient on soy sauce. TJ's also doesn't hide stuff under 'spices'. If you see 'spices' on a TJ's product ingredient list, it's just that: a propriety mix of herbs and spices the vendor used in their recipe. Anywhere else you go, that's not the case. Now, that goes for all Trader Joe's products, but not everything at TJ's is a TJ's product. If you see a product that doesn't have 'Trader Joe's' on it, definitely give that ingredient list a read."
All good information—and recommendations!—to keep in mind during your next Trader Joe's run.
