Trader Joe’s

I have been a long time shopper at TJs. I love the convenience, the price, the variety and many of the products. After considering myself a healthy eater, I am dismayed to learn today that I am not. I just read how bad glucose corn syrup is and that mono and diglycerides is another name for hydrogenated oils. These are some of the harmful ingredients in TJ desserts that I recently purchased.
I am very disappointed and will now be changing my shopping routine. I wrote to the company today. I am hoping anyone who reads this will also ask that TJ products eliminate the know unhealthy additives.

This is one of the busiest TJ’s I have been to. It has everything that other’s carry but I find the lines are incredibly long. I can’t complain though since it’s walkable to so much and it’s nice to park a distance and walk. There is a parking garage which usually has space. I would suggest to anyone going that you should walk or plan for extra time in parking and driving — it’s a busy area.

This Trader Joes is deplorable. I’ve NEVER been accused of stealing from ANY store until I stepped foot into this one. I’ve been shopping at this location for years and I’ve never been disgusted by the actions of it’s employees until tonight. I appreciate how kind the employees and staff generally are, but tonight was inexcusable.
I was at the cash register when I realized I purchased 1 item that I actually wanted 2 of. I asked the cashier to ring me up for two items. After PAYING for my items I went to the section the item was located and put it in the bag. The security guard waited for me to leave, and as soon as I stepped out, ran towards me, and said «You’re just gonna take that right in front of me?» I immediately asked him if he’d like to see my receipt and check the quantity of items in my bag to make sure I was not as he assumed, a thief, and he declined and said «Well I can’t say anything till you leave the store.» He didn’t even bother to check my items, he didn’t even bother to give me the benefit of a doubt, instead his first words to me were in that of a language that assumed I stole something. I became emotional and asked him why he wouldn’t just check my receipt, and that he could’ve approached me a better way instead of assuming I was a thief. His response was «Don’t make a scene.» Me? A person ran after me to accuse me of stealing and I’m the one making a scene? I’m wondering what kind of training it takes to be a security guard at your stores? I understand that security guards are generally through a 3^rd party company, but if you’re going to have them secure your store and associated with your stores, maybe you should have them complete a training on how to approach people instead of accosting them with false accusations.
I alerted the manager on the floor, and he said he’d have a talk with the security guard, but I’m not sure if that will make a difference, if he’ll side with the version of the security guard’s who I’m sure in his version will minimize and skew the actual truth, or if he just said it to appease me in the moment.
I love Trader Joes, it makes me sad that a store I considered to be so progressive in customer service and food selections could be so primitive in their treatment of their customers.
I’m afraid my fondness for Trader Joe’s has now been replaced with a fear that I’ll no longer be able to shop there in peace even when I’ve done nothing wrong.
–A former customer

Hold onto your seats, if you are reading this review you are in for a treat. There is a girl I think her name is brittney, I remember her because of her radical hair to match her personality. She was very curtious and tentative to helping me find what I needed in the store and very informative. Now let me tell you this is not me just blowing smoke up anyone’s you know what. I have been to many trader joes and I have seen a lot of things, and never have I seen someone like brittney. So ready to take charge, so eager, such charisma… need I go on? You should do the city a service and hire 10 more like her.

I usually love trader joes but today was a bad day. Went in for a few items this afternoon around 1 15. I was waiting in the express line when I was next there was a cashier off to the side who said next and I said can I go to you? His reply was come on I said next for express we have to keep the line moving ! I had to go to another cashier so I could keep my cool. So rude ! I was really rubbed the wrong way he could’ve been nice but he was so rude! He was a younger gentlemen with a shaved head and a small section of dreads on the top of his head (I didn’t get his name dammit) I told the manager who looked at me and was like I’m sorry about that. Which seemed like he didn’t care either. Now I feel awkward going to trader joes this man ruined my picture of it.

The parking lot is a molestation of my time and piece of mind. Made worse by people looking for a «good spot» instead of just a goddamn spot.
And the line to checkout can go from empty to around the store in 5 minutes. Which is never not awful.
But the security guard is always smiling and wishing everyone a good day; and that’s why you get 5 stars.

This line is insane. Nothing is worth the parking and shopping mess. Looks to me like two lines? I have no clue how to get out.

Parking here is a nightmare. I would pay for valet parking here if there is one. People can’t drive or park to save their life. Also, i dislike people who go to their car, sits there for a while and they know you’re waiting for their spot. –_–
Oh, what I would love to do to you with my hands… :) jk.

I like their good value. I once read an article that TJ’s had the best price on eggs and milk and I completely agree. Especially in this neighborhood when they range from $ 4 – 7. Seriously! These chickens better be getting daily massages for that price on top of being fed buffets. I also not my bread and tortillas here.

This T.J.‘s is the only one I’ve been to where they funnel people into one long line, and then one at a time a person will go up to the next available register, otherwise, hey, what can I say, it’s T.J.‘s, CAN’T GO WRONG!!!

Lines can be long depending on when you shop but move relatively quickly for the most part. Trader Joes has always been my go to spot for dessert and brunch ingredients. This store is smaller than some but we always seem to find everything we need.
Favorites include Lacey cookies and the spicy guacamole!

This is a really really really busy TJ’s. If the line is long, don’t stress, it moves super quick. Try not to freak out about parking, you’ll find a spot eventually. I wouldn’t come here if you’re in a big rush. Since they’re so busy, if I come here at the end of the day, I can’t really count on them having everything I wanted so when shopping here it’s important to be flexible. The people who work here are always very friendly and chill. TJ’s always has great pantry items and frozen foods.

Not a bad trader joes, right off the freeway and close to everything else. The store is well supplied and looks clean. A little dark inside. The clerks are friendly for the most part, you have to ask for help instead being offered help.
The place that hurt this place, the atrocious parking. Wow, this place for parking sucks and you have to wait. Plus people in the bay area are much more rude and no chivalry for women when it comes to opening doors or offering a parking spot .
Hey bay area people, maybe if you’re nice to each other like patience for parking or helping the elderly in the lot, the powers above won’t drag your city into the ocean when you Crack off the west coast.

My favorite Trader Joes that I go to every week for staples because I know where everything is and there’s a drug store next door so one stop shopping! Prices are reasonable and I can find almost everything I need in this store, even organic pea sprouts! You just have to know when to come here because certain days and times can be a madhouse in the parking lot. I avoid the weekends, after 4 pm on weekdays. I tend to come early in the morning or first thing on a weekday morning and parking is not a problem. They also started having basket express checking so if you only have a few items and they open the basket express, you will have a shorter wait time in the basket express line.

This is the closest TJ’s to me but I have been going here since I lived by Lake Merritt. I love this Trader’s. They usually have what I need but, sometimes things run out, I get it, I used to work at Trader Joe’s. I know how it goes. The crew is all nice a friendly. They can get busy in the evenings and weekends. The line looks long but don’t worry, it moves really fast. They just recently opened an express line, which helps on those busy evenings.
I recently moved to Marin and haven’t been to the TraderJoe’s near me yet but I’m sure it’s going to be just as good as this one :)

This store is a disaster! The parking is so crowded, there are actual fights over parking spots. I witness such a fight! And then in the store, the lines are so huge and the aisles are all messed up, like people put shit back where you found it if you don’t want it! Milk put back with the potato chips … nice … people. The checkers here are no where near as efficient as the other Trader Joes I’ve been to. I bought is Sukiaki in a bag thing and it was pretty bad. The meat provided was half FAT. Then there was not much broth at all … all for $ 7.00 bucks. So totally not worth it. I find a lot of Trader Joes meal kits frozen are not what they ought to be or the directions are all messed up. Stay the hell away from this store and the cesspool of this part of Oakland. What a mess Lakeshore shopping district has become.

Having used to live near the Berkeley TJ’s on MLK (talk about no parking there), I find the one in Lakeshore to be better. Although many do complain about the parking, I will say that parking is bad at peak hours (weekends and after work), so try to get there early and you shouldn’t have too many problems.
OVERALL
The selection is standard like any other Trader Joe’s. It should be that way and I do like how close it is to other things too, cough cough Arizmendi cough cough. I also do really like how fast things move here. Super efficient. There’s the new express lane for hand baskets, which is nice for people like me who go to get a few things at a time.
CONS
Parking, but overall, can be bypassed if you go at off peak hours.
You can’t go wrong with Trader Joe’s, so I always go!

A perpetually crowded Trader Joe’s that always seems a chore to visit, unlike other Trader Joes in the area.
The ordeal starts with parking; although there’s a garage attached, there’s always a huge line getting into it on weekends, such that you can rarely find a seat unless you park several blocks away in the surrounding neighborhood. The crowding continues inside, and it doesn’t help that the store feels smaller and the aisles narrower than most. Also, whether it’s a function of their selling out of things fast, or a deliberate inventory decision, there are often certain items you’ve come to expect from other Trader Joes that you can never seem to find here. And, last but not least, the checkout lines always wrap around the front aisle of the store twice, before overflowing well into the store, all the way to the refrigerated meats section in the back.
Unless you’re already in the neighborhood, save your time and go to the Rockridge or Alameda locations for your Trader Joe’s fix.

Ran into Trader Joe’s before my work out to grab some water, juice, etc. Since it is right across the street from my yoga spot, I cheated on Whole Foods for the day. As I was walking through I realized that I wanted to just come back over after my work out and do my weekly shopping.
I really liked the selection available. The lines at the counters moved quite quickly as well. The produce was much fresher than I remembered from past visits. The place was also well organized and very clean.
When I reached the check out counter and actually received the bill, I was in shock! My bill was almost $ 100 cheaper than my usual weekly grocery bill. Okay, I might be hooked. Can I actually break up with Whole Foods for Trader Joes??? Possibly…
Stephani Smiles for Trader Joe’s ;)

Great place to get fruits and veggies. I love the cheddar cheese puffs they are amaze balls. You’ll totes love them.
*Disclaimer*. I was hacked by my 10 y.o. This review was written by a ‘tween.
Might as well make use of the rest of the space below:
To buy:
Kale
Spinach
Bananas
Black or blueberries
Strawberries
Clementines
TJs Greek yogurt
Soy creamer
Butter
Almond milk
Chocolate chips
Arrabiata sauce
Ground turkey
Farfalle
Olive oil
Agave
Tortilla chips
Salsa
Chicken tikka massala
Island soyaki marinade
Pesto
Lemonade juice box
Ginger miso soup
Chocolate covered pretzel
Pirates booty
Brioche buns
Wine if you’re feeling fancy or frisky. 2 buck chuck ain’t cutting fancy — J Lohr might get you lucky.