Albertsons Avenu

[Not Afraid]

Whole Foods is more "granola" with a lots of organic produce and bulk foods.

Bristol Farms is more "gourmet" with Godiva Chocolate and Peet's Coffee and a great deli counter.

TJ's is a cheaper version of a "gourmet" store. They have odd cheeses and things like Buffalo Burgers and great ready-made frozen foods and salads. They custom wrap most of their product so it's like buying "plain wrap" but the quality and selection is high if you eat "weird" food like we do. They also have great selection of breads and sauces.

You won't find wonder bread at any of these stores (not that anyone eats wonder bread anymore.)

[Alex]

I don't really hate TJ's (though I say I do for dramatic effect and to help with Darwinian culling when those with weak blood vessels stroke out), but rather a lot of the people who shop there. "But it has the best selection of Indian food," they'll tell me as they walk past the local Indian grocery that they won't go into because it smells weird.

Plus TJs had a commercial on the radio that bugged me to no end.

"There are many names for potstickers around the world...but here at Trader Joe's we call them...shu mai."

No, the entire nation of Japan calls them shu mai. It was like they said "There are many names for baked yeast dough around the world but here at Trader Joe's we call it...bread."


That's how fickle I am. Based on a single really stupid commercial I'm willing to never again step into the store.