Trader Joes

Description

Trader Joe's is opening a location if Fort Lauderdale, so while I was up in Boca I stopped in on my way back to see what kind of stuff I might be able to get. While getting chocolate covered acorns may be fun, I wanted to see how much I could save buying real stuff that I normally buy.

I couldn't buy anything overly perishable, as if I hit traffic it could take me 1/2 hour to get home and I didn't want spoiled milk. This place is an all out supermarket, minus the deli, bakery and fish counters. They've got just about everything. Even a decent cheese section.

Trader Joe's Cheese

I was kind of in a hurry so I didn't spend too much time. Just a quick trek through the place. One thing that I wanted to try was the Trader Joe's Cold Brew coffee. I ended up saving quite a bit.

Trader Joes Purchases

So what I got:

Trader Joe's EVOO: $6.99
Trader Joe's Barbaresco: $9.99
Trader Joe's pecorino Romano ($8.99/lb): $5.12
Trader Joe's Cold Brew Coffee: $7.99
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Total: $30.09

Just over $30 for all of this. The Cold Brew was no bargain; the Cool Brew that they sell at Fresh Market is about the same price per cup (and it's better; I'm drinking some now), so lets call that a wash. Assuming that the Pecorino is as good as the stuff they sell at Publix and the EVOO is good quality. The Barbaresco is out of control; Decent Barbaresco is $35 and the cheapest young stuff is usually at least $25. This was a 2011.

Same Stuff at Publix / Fresh Market / Total Wine:

EVOO: $14
Barbaresco: $27
Pecorino: $10
Fresh Market Cool Brew: $7
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Total: $58

$28 savings. They also had stuff like organic brown eggs for $3.49/dozen and good prices on dairy. I think we're going to like Trader Joe's.

I'll be trying the Barbaresco on Thursday, but I probably won't open the Pecorino until I finish off the stuff I have. I'll add comments as I try stuff to let you know how it measures up.