Is Trader Joe's A Good Grocery Store? Twitter Users Debate

Trader Joe’s is probably the only grocery store people build an entire personality around (excluding Erwhon, for the LA crowd). Which is weird because, you know, it’s a freaking grocery store. But that level of fan obsession has also made it an incredibly polarizing brand — for every TJ’s die-hard who proudly carries a tote there are a handful of people who insist on trash-talking TJ’s.

Personally, I’ll go to whichever market is closest to where I am. Unless I’m looking for something specific like cuts of meat, certain spices, or region-specific products. Or if I want to buy produce — which is tough to grab at Trader Joe’s unless you want four different-colored bell peppers, 18 jalapeños, or some pre-packed pre-washed greens.

So is Trader Joe’s a bad market? Our take: It’s fine. Trader Joe’s has some great products, fun snacks, decent wine, quality bread, excellent frozen meals, and a few other pantry staples that you can get on the cheap. But over on Twitter, people are in the midst of a fierce debate and we have to say, given some of the takes, both sides are making some pretty strong arguments.

Here are our favorite takes from the ailing social media site.

Literally all of the Trader Joe’s slander I see on here is from 21-year-olds that don’t know how to grocery shop. Trader Joe’s is amazing. It’s significantly cheaper than most chains, they have cute seasonal items, there’s produce, meat, dairy, bread—like, I’m not understanding.

— [HB] RAINEY™ (@RaineyOvalle) July 17, 2023

You can’t do 100% of your grocery shopping there. It’s for picking up various speciality items that the typical store doesn’t carry, or if they do Trader Joe’s usually has it way cheaper (goat milk, kefir, etc.). It’s an ideal place for “treats”, if you will https://t.co/5WPfpstMvn

— Alex (@sanpellyenjoyer) July 17, 2023

Trader Joe’s slander is crazy, y’all never had their chicken soup dumplings and it shows.

The fucking chicken tikka masala??!!!!!

— no thnx (@pamahlaa) July 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/MajorDoon/status/1680966209276379137

My friend, you misunderstood the purpose of Trader Joe’s. It is not a grocery grocery store. It is a snacks, wine, and frozen meals grocery store. https://t.co/np5IxkVuKF

— Timely Legal Pun (@alyginspace) July 17, 2023

Going to Trader Joe’s is more stressful than Walmart cause at least the madness is spread out…Trader Joe’s is like 400 sq ft of condensed chaos.

— Bria (@BriaMaria92) July 17, 2023

This is an elitist tweet. Ain’t no way Trader Joe’s is inexpensive. Plus, it shows that you live in an affluent or in proximity to an affluent neighborhood. https://t.co/S5Ie9FjMVq

— Big momma💕✨🌈 (@GorgeousKitty5) July 17, 2023

I don’t do Trader Joe’s, most of what I see people raving about is snacks, drinks, and frozen meals

— This is Howie Dewitt (@NotSoNewlywedPC) July 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/mamichampu__/status/1680940361005375488

i think the opposite. Trader Joe's is for young people who don't know how to shop or cook imo

most stuff is like premarinated meats and prefilled pastas that you can you can just throw in a cart and have dinner within the hour https://t.co/5rt8MK7Co0

— wolfgang (@Limesinfluencer) July 17, 2023

Trader Joe’s has real food u guys are just getting distracted by the snacks like magpies to a silver spoon

— non-virgin hate account (@prozacfriedrice) July 17, 2023

The worst thing about Trader Joe’s are their locations. Always inconvenient https://t.co/jPD8ksm2QB

— Maracuya (@Marassta) July 17, 2023

You have to treat Trader Joe’s like you’re going to NY. Act like you’ve been there before. Keep it moving, don’t block the walkways, and for the love of God, do not bring your family of 8. The whole store will literally turn on you. pic.twitter.com/3J9ZKereqb

— d. (@OriginalDWoods) July 17, 2023

I’m 38 with a family and I COOK cook and SHOP shop.

Trader Joe’s is definitely not cheaper than most chains. The ppl for whom TJs can meet all their grocery needs are a certain demographic and it’s ok to say that without y’all feeling aggy just bc y’all love it so much lmao https://t.co/IaHeJwEgWl

— Adrienne | Creative Consultant and Soap Queen 🫧 (@brownandbella) July 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/majordouzie/status/1680927198734176259

To me Trader Joe’s is good for single ppl. I spend way less in there and waste less food because the portions are smaller. Everybody else make everything cheaper for families

— The Neighborhood Publicist (@nhoodpublicist) July 17, 2023

Some great arguments from both sides and some fun observations about the culture of shopping at TJ’s — this is what the internet is for people: arguing about dumb shit.

But we have to hand it to Twitter user EaRF DAY for providing the only proper take that matters: