Trader Joe’s is a beloved grocery chain with tons of delicious, unique products and a cult following. However, not every item on their shelves is a hit.
Even the best stores will miss the mark with some products—including TJ’s. Below, we’ll dive into the candid opinions of Trader Joe’s superfans who have taken to Reddit and other forums to share the “gross” foods that are better left untouched. From off-putting condiments to disappointing frozen meals, here are nine Trader Joe’s products that have left shoppers less than impressed.
1. Ranch Dressing
One poster on r/TraderJoes asked fellow Redditors to chime in on “the most disgusting thing you’ve had from TJ’s,” and people did not hold back.
Although Trader Joe's usually nails it in the condiment department (you haven't lived 'till you've tried their Creamy Vegan Dill Dressing, if you ask us), many people have a bone to pick with Joe for his ranch dressing. "Their ranch dressing is seriously the worst thing I have ever eaten," one Reddit comment reads. "I will sound like a broken record repeating this to save as many people as I can from buying it."
"It’s an atrocity to ranch everywhere," another agreed.
2. Garlic Sauce Thai Noodle Bowls
Then there's the Garlic Sauce Thai Noodle Bowls, which one shopper calls "HORRID."
Another agreed that these are the "worst thing hands down that have tried from TJs. Couldn’t stomach them, in the trash can they went."
Someone else pointed out that "All of the noodle bowls were a disappointment," so your best bet may just be to stay away from those in general.
3. Pho
It seems the Pho is another public enemy. According to one commenter, it "tasted like dirty water." Gross!
Someone else begged the question: "How can this abomination stay on the shelves for so long?" Guess we'll skip that next time we're craving a good soup...
4. Peanuts In A Pickle
We also have to call out Peanuts In A Pickle. Trader Joe's frequently offers a range of pickle-flavored delicacies, and it seems these missed the mark by quite a bit. Someone said that they're "hands down the worst thing I've ever tried from TJs."
Other commenters concurred: "So absolutely gross, by far the worst thing I’ve ever tried from there and I love all the pickle things normally," one wrote. Alright, alright, we'll stick to our beloved honey sesame cashews instead!
5. Honey Walnut Shrimp
Plus, while we tend to love many of the frozen foods at Trader Joe's, not all of them can be as tasty as the rest. It seems such is the case with their frozen Honey Walnut Shrimp. "The sauce was so bad. I ended up just eating the shrimp plain," reads one comment.
"The sauce is atrocious," another agreed.
6. Watermelon Jerky
One person aired their grievances with one specific dried fruit: "The watermelon jerky tasted like fish to me and made me gag."
Others chimed in to echo that this product is "gnarly," "tasted like rotten watermelon," and is even a "#1 TJ's most hated item." Um, noted!
7. Original Joe's O's Cereal
Typically, we love some good Trader Joe's cereal. Their granola? Delicious. Honey O's? Sign us up! But when it comes to the original, unflavored Joe's O's Cereal, we have to agree with the writers at Real Simple, who describe the OG version as having a "stale, dry texture and excessively bland flavor." Flavored Joe's O's, however, are perfectly tasty, so take your pick and succumb to the sugar content. We won't tell anyone.
8. Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns
Trader Joe's is known for their superb frozen food section—the gnocchi! The macaroni and cheese! The Chicken Tikka Masala! However, with such a wide variety of cuisine, they're bound to miss the mark at some point. And miss the mark they did with the Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns. We have to be honest: This combo doesn't sound great in the first place, and according to Real Simple, there's no reason to test that assumption. Luckily, TJ's has other, tastier dumplings on their repertoire to choose from.
9. Cauliflower Pizza Crust
While cauliflower pizza may be a great way to enjoy one of your favorite foods guilt-free, Trader Joe's shoppers recommend looking somewhere else for a good crust. On one hand, it's definitely one of the healthier options out there, coming in at just 80 calories. But unfortunately, it falls flat in the flavor department. Real Simple describes it as "gross and soggy," which is definitely not what we're in the mood for when we're craving pizza. They suggest opting for the Broccoli and Kale Crust for some better flavor.
READ MORE: The Best Trader Joe’s Dessert Items That Are Hitting The Shelves This Summer
