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What's hot at Trader Joe's?
That's not even a fair question. We could go into TJ's, Supermarket Sweep-style, knocking items at random into the cart, and still have a successful shopping trip. And one that wouldn't blow the entire financial load.
But the same thing that makes Trader Joe's great—a large, shifting inventory—is also what can make it intimidating. You grow accustomed to your home supermarket, it's a fact. Changing it up can be difficult. Here's help in getting used to the distinctive style of TJ's. Each week we'll be picking 10 great items you should take a chance on.
Here are our delicious picks for this week.
Shrimp Corn Dogs
Shrimp Corn Dogs
Price: $4.99
We like where your head is at, Trader Joe. Grab on to one half-baked food idea and hammer away till you've pulled it off. The sea-fearing goodness of shrimp mixed with the functionality of corn dogs? Genius.
Soy Chorizo
Soy Chorizo
Price: $1.99
Even if you don't typically fuck with meat subsitutes—actually, especially if you don't typically fuck with them—you need to try this soy chorizo. Thanks to the hearty seasoning and great texture, it's damn-near impossible to tell that this isn't meat. Fry it up with some eggs and potatoes for a filling breakfast that won't put a hole in your guts.
Mini Beef Tacos
Mini Beef Tacos
Price: $4.29
A tray of these babies fresh out of the oven is a meal fit for a king. Throw a little cheese, sour cream, and salsa on top and you'll remember why you haven't been to Taco Bell in ten years.
Simpler Times Pilsner
Simpler Times Pilsner
Price: $4.49
Getting drunk on Trader Joe's beer is like getting drunk off a friend's home brew. It tastes solid and has enough alcohol to get you properly hammered. And even though your friend will probably charge you nothing for the favor, TJ's is charging next to nothing. This is what we're all looking for in life.
Mac & Cheese Bites
Mac & Cheese Bites
Price: $3.49
Whoever thought of bite-sized mac & cheese should be given the Nobel Prize for Delicious. Watching the cheese ooze out of past bites is a thing of beauty. Dip these in hot sauce or ketchup. Or mix the two up with some mayo to impress guests. Fancy.
Lamb Vindaloo
Lamb Vindaloo
Price: $3.99
Trader Joe's makes dinner easy. Dinners that can be microwaved are an important part of the modern man's diet. It's also important to think globally, hence microwavable lamb vindaloo. Expand your reach.
Drinkable Yogurt
Greek Style Pomegranate Berry Drinkable Yogurt
Price: $3.99
Shout out to the squeezable yogurt lovers who actually made it to adulthood. These bring the ease of the squeeze without the soul-crushing embarrassment. We're all grown up now, so raise your pinkies and chug some 'gurt.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Pot Pie
Price: $6.99
Chicken pot pie is so much better with high-quality ingredients, a principle Trader Joe's clings to (but without the preachiness of some chains). It's nice when chicken tastes like chicken. Oh, this one is big enough to share? Clincher.
Bunny Gummy Tummies
Bunny Gummy Tummies
Price: $1.99
A great find in the impulse-buy section. Only Trader Joe's could make a fruit snack that combines the greatness of regular fruit snacks with the liquid explosion of Gushers. The bag features orange, lemon, strawberry, and blackberry; our cravings for the sweet and the tart are satisfied.
Joe's O's
Joe's O's
Price: $1.99
If you make it out of Trader Joe's without a box of these, you're a fool. They stay crunchy in milk longer than your average cereal, reminding you that name brands aren't always best. Pour on a few spoonfuls of sugar to make Joe's O's an even badder medicine.