We’re big fans of Trader Joe’s over here, but even we can admit that there are certain Trader Joe’s products better left on the shelf. One brave soul on Reddit started a thread with the intent of trying the worst products Trader Joe’s has ever put out, and the thread has gone viral, with over 2,000 comments from customers sharing their “worst ever” items. Keep reading for a list of the top 8 most hated items at Trader Joe’s.
1. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
While delicious in theory, for many, the Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese missed the mark. Advertised as rigatoni doused in "an opulent sauce made with three cheeses (Cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan), a classic béchamel sauce, the perfect amount of butternut squash pureé, and a sprinkling of seasonal spices like nutmeg and sage," according to customers, the description does not match the delivery.
"I'll never stop dissing their butternut squash mac and cheese whenever it comes back during the fall," one person wrote. "It's so gloopy and the texture is like mashed potatoes if you let it sit longer than 10 seconds. It's offensive and I can't believe it's such a hit with people." With plenty of other fall-themed items, we're fine with leaving this "gloopy" mess on the shelf!
2. Mini Beef Tacos
It's hard to mess up a beef taco, but according to customers, Trader Joe's found a way. Even though they're designed as mini versions —perfect to serve as apps or a mid-afternoon snack, they're apparently far from a fan-favorite.
"I think it's okay for vegans to eat these," one person wrote. "The beef is actually just used toilet paper."
"I was so disappointed by the tacos!" another person agreed. "Got them as a cute, easy dinner for my kids and they were NASTY."
3. Almond Butter Puffs Cereal
Another one that sounds great in theory, but really just didn't get there on the execution front. They have all the right ingredients: roasted almond butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar—sounds delicious! However, according to customers, they're "absolutely inedible."
"Ugh I was so disappointed by these," another person agreed. "I was hoping for a delicious, grown-up version of Reeses's Puffs, but they tasted like cardboard!"
"I got these and was like did they engineer the balls to be so hard they crack your teeth AND taste nothing like almond butter?" another customer asked. At that point, just have the Reeses's Puffs!
4. Truffle Ketchup
Thinking of upgrading your average hot dog, hamburger, or french fries with some fancy Truffle Ketchup? Think again! "I did not like this at all," one customer said in a review. "Something about the texture."
"Absolutely vile," another customer reported.
"A crazy level of gross," one person said. "I can't even describe it, it really just tasted like they took ketchup and added whatever ingredients necessary to make me not want to eat ketchup ever again."
5. Watermelon Jerky
Now this one doesn't even sound good in theory. Who would take the juiciest of all fruits...and dry it out? Beef jerky has been getting some extra attention out there, and while we're sure the vegans appreciate Trader Joe's wanting them to get in on this trend, this is one thing that they're fine with being left out of. "I damn near threw up immediately after my first bite," one person said. "Inedible."
"A dried version of a fruit whose main appeal is its refreshing nature and high water content? Sounds wonderful," said one customer.
"I used to work for Trader Joe's when the watermelon jerky came in," one former employee recalled. "Everybody took a bite and then just spit it out."
View this post on Instagram
6. Mango Joe-Joes
The Trader Joe's version of an Oreo—a Joe Joe—is one that changes with the seasons. Of course, you have your usual chocolate and vanilla, plus a delicious caramel, or pumpkin, or peppermint depending on the season, and then one summer they tried out Mango. And nobody was happy about it. "They were like eating a bath and body works perfume," one person said. "I hope they never bring them back." With reviews like that, we don't think they will!
7. Pizza Pillows
The Baked Pizza Flavored Pillow Crisps were certainly an interesting concept, but probably one better left on the drawing board. A crispy chip-like snack that tastes like pizza sounds like it would be tasty, but customers are reporting that it's far from it.
"Like eating a piece of stale pasta and someone is screaming 'PIZZA!' from the other room," one customer described.
"The pizza-flavored pillow crisps are not only flavorless, but are the texture of eating glass," another customer agreed.
8. Cauliflower Gnocchi
Remember a couple years ago when people starting adding cauliflower to everything? This is left over from that period in time. A good low-fat and low-calorie option, sure, but at what cost? Taste, texture, and flavor, apparently.
"The cauliflower gnocchi were so awful even my dogs rejected them," one person said. "And they will eat almost anything."
"It's terrible in my opinion," another person agreed. What's wrong with good old-fashioned potato gnocci?
