Trader Joe’s surveyed its customers about their go-to TJ’s products for its 15th annual Customer Choice Awards, asking them to rate their top items in several different food and beverage categories to determine everyone’s favorites for breakfast, dinner, dessert, and everything in between. And this year, we have a brand-new overall winner.
After calculating the responses, the California-based grocer determined that the all-around No. 1 product was … Chili and Lime Flavored Rolled Tortilla Chips. Whether it’s their satisfying crunch, the just-hot-enough seasoning blend, or the fact that they’re $2.99 per bag —or a combination of all of the above — these rolled chips bested everything else on Trader Joe’s shelves and in its freezers to come out on top. The runners-up in the Best Overall Category were Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings, the Korean Kimbap rice rolls, Steamed Pork and Ginger Soup Dumplings, and Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.
Personally, we always scroll down to see what the top-ranked cheese is, and this year’s Customer Choice Award winner was the goat cheese — which Trader Joe’s serves up in several different ways — followed by the limited-edition Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread & Dip, the eternally classic Burrata, Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper, and the savory English Farmhouse Cheddar with Caramelized Onions. (If you’re wondering where the Unexpected Cheddar is on the list, it’s no longer in contention for an annual award after being moved to the Trader Joe’s Product Hall of Fame, along with other GOAT-level offerings like Mandarin Orange Chicken, Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets, and Soy Chorizo.)
As for some of this year’s other awards, the top Breakfast was “the humble hashbrown,” as TJ’s described it, followed by the Chocolate Croissants and Almond Croissants, in that order. Butter Chicken took the top spot in the Lunch and Dinner category, followed by Chicken Tikka Masala and the Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings. (And the fact that the Paneer Tikka didn’t get a mention is an egregious oversight, right up there with the Academy failing to give “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig the Oscar nomination she TRULY DESERVED.)
Ice cream ruled in the dessert category, with the Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches being rated the No.1 Sweet Treat, as it squeaked past Mint Chip Ice Cream and Hold the Cone! Chocolate Chip. The top three appetizers were Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Mac and Cheese Bites, and Parmesan Pastry Pups, and the big winner in the Produce section were those hard-to-beat $0.19-cent bananas. Finally, Trader Joe’s seasonal Apple Cider edged past the French Market Sparkling Lemonade and the pleasantly spicy Triple Ginger Brew.
Next year is your year, Paneer Tikka. We just know it.
FAQs
Chili and Lime Flavored Rolled Tortilla Chips. Whether it's their satisfying crunch, the just-hot-enough seasoning blend, or the fact that they're $2.99 per bag — or a combination of all of the above — these rolled chips bested everything else on Trader Joe's shelves and in its freezers to come out on top.
What is the most popular food at Trader Joe's? ›
We have a feeling there are some new personal favorites in your future...
- #1 CHEESE. ...
- #1 PRODUCE. ...
- #1 APPETIZER. ...
- #1 BREAKFAST & BRUNCH. Hashbrowns. ...
- #1 Lunch & Dinner. Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice. ...
- #1 Bath, Body & Home. Brazil Nut Body Butter (limited) ...
- #1 Snack. Chili & Lime Flavored. ...
- #1 Sweet Treat. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches.
The secrets to Trader Joe's success are pretty simple and not all that secret: smaller stores with a limited number of SKUs, a friendly, playful atmosphere, helpful employees, aggressively competitive pricing, and most importantly, the food. It's Trader Joe's focus on food that makes the rest of it work.
What is the busiest Trader Joe's in the country? ›
The chain's busiest location is its 72nd & Broadway store on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Why are Americans obsessed with Trader Joe's? ›
Trader Joe's discloses its prices and generally keeps them uniform between stores. The seasonal products are a fun treat to look forward to. The employees make the shopping experience so much more pleasant.
What is a weakness of Trader Joe's? ›
Limited product variety: One weakness of Trader Joe's is its limited product variety compared to other grocery store chains. While the company is known for its curated selection of unique and innovative products, its offerings may only meet the needs of some customers.
What day of the week is best to shop at Trader Joe's? ›
What are the best days to shop at Trader Joe's? According to employees, the best days to shop there are Tuesdays and Wednesdays because they are the slowest days.
Who is Trader Joe's biggest competitor? ›
Top 10 Trader Joe's competitors
- Walmart.
- Bravo Supermarkets.
- CJ Express.
- DealsOfAmerica.com.
- HEB Grocery.
- Kroger.
- Pete's Market.
- Target.
Aldi Nord also owns the Trader Joe's grocery chain in the United States which operates separately from the group. Aldi Süd's responsibilities are for Southern Germany, Australia, China, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States and through Austrian subsidiary Hofer AG in Austria, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.
What is hidden at Trader Joe's? ›
If you're like us, and you didn't know, Trader Joe's actually hides stuffed animals all around its stores. Once we let that news sink in, we were on a mission to figure out why.
Earlier this month, the rumor mill reached such a fever pitch that the CEO of Trader Joe's himself addressed it. When asked on an episode of the company's podcast whether the company train its employees to flirt, CEO Bryan Palbaum replied, “Definitively, no.”
Do rich people shop at Trader Joe's? ›
Where Trader Joe's goes, the wealthy people follow, pricing the lower-income people out. Perhaps the most scandalous example is in the case of a predominantly black neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, which rejected plans for a Trader Joe's location in 2014 over fears that it'd result in further gentrification.
Who is Trader Joe's biggest competition? ›
Top 10 Trader Joe's competitors
- Walmart.
- Bravo Supermarkets.
- CJ Express.
- DealsOfAmerica.com.
- HEB Grocery.
- Kroger.
- Pete's Market.
- Target.
Mandarin orange chicken
It's been winning the hearts of shoppers since its release in 2004, earning multiple of the chain's Customer Choice Awards and finally snagging a long-overdue spot in the Trader Joe's Hall of Fame in January of 2023.
Where is Trader Joe's most common? ›
This stands to reason, as a quick glance at Trader Joe's locations would tell us that California is home to 139 locations, while Arkansas is home to only one, in Little Rock.
Is Trader Joe's generally healthy? ›
Trader Joe's is a great place to stock up on staples like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, and healthy fats. With low prices and attractive packaging, it's also easy to grab certain items that may not be nutritionally sound.
