Tracking Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's Recalls

The Boston Globe is reporting that Trader Joe's has issued recall notices for products "...manufactured by Ian's Natural Foods because of possible listeria contamination."

The recalled products include:

Trader Joe-San's Teriyaki Chicken with Basmati Rice
Trader Giotto's Baked Chicken Parmesan
Trader Giotto's Italian Style Meatballs
Trader Jacques' Quiche Lorraine
Trader Joe's Chipotle Lime Chicken Strips
Trader Joe's Just Chicken
Trader Joe's Just Chicken with Panko Breadcrumbs
Trader Ming's Szechuan Style Chicken

There is also a separate voluntary recall notice for the Trader Joe's Garlic & Herb Chicken Breast product (the product may not be fully cooked as marked on the package).

As always, you can bring any product back to Trader Joe's for a full refund.

Trader Joe's posts recall notices on the Trader Joe's Web site and in the stores.

Thanks to "T" for sending this in.

Trader Jose's Habanero & Lime Salsa

I'm a big fan of salsa, and I've tried almost every one from Trader Joe's. My favorite has to be the Habanero and Lime Salsa. Despite the fact that this salsa includes the world's spiciest pepper, the Habanero, I would only rate this as a "medium" salsa. I'm not a serious chili-head (I don't enjoy pain), so don't let the name scare you. The salsa has a slightly sweet and fruity taste.

The Wikipedia has an interesting entry on the Habanero pepper.

I put salsa on eggs, in Mexican food (typically quesadillas, nachos, or burritos), mixed in with black beans, and I also use it to baste grilled chicken. I will pour a jar into chili if I'm rushing the recipe or to add additional flavor.

Trader Jose's Habanero & Lime salsa costs $2.29 per jar.

Long Beach Store Opening Nov. 18th

According to this story in the Press-Telegram, Trader Joe's will be opening its third store in Long Beach, California on November 18th:

"We decided to open a third location in Long Beach because the residents have really embraced our store and we felt that it was an ideal fit for us and the community," said Alison Mochizuki, national publicity manager for Trader Joe's. "We are very excited about this opening."

Will anyone be able to attend the opening and get some pictures? I'm going to try to make the November 5th opening of the West Hartford, Connecticut store.

BusinessWeek: How to Ease Inflation's Squeeze

Trader Joe's is mentioned in a BusinessWeek story about How to Ease Inflation's Squeeze:

If you don't have room for bulk in your home, check out discounters like Trader Joe's or even your local dollar store -- increasingly they sell cereal, spices, canned, and paper goods (although not always for $1)

Stop & Shop Discovers Trader Joe's?

Trader Joe's stores typically are ignored by traditional grocery stores. After all, they're typically located in a strip mall and they only carry a few thousand products (and most of them are private-labeled). Most supermarkets consider them to be "niche" and "novelty." How can anyone be a serious market without stocking 50,000 or more products, have a wide variety of brand-name items, and run a weekly flyer in the newspaper?

I was surprised to see Stop & Shop, the dominant local supermarket chain in Connecticut, run a commercial promoting economical organic foods. Here's a screen shot from the commercial which ran during E.R. tonight:

Have they noticed Trader Joe's or are they just promoting healthier foods? What do you think?

New Illinois Location in Park Ridge?

The Park Ridge Herald-Advocate believes that the "specialty grocey store" that is interested in leasing space is Trader Joe's. The unnamed company is waiting for final approval from the overseas office (Trader Joe's is owned by the German company Aldi).

The grocery store is believed to be Trader Joe's. The city earlier this year approved a change to its liquor ordinance in order to accomodate Trader Joe's, which requires a larger sales space for alcoholic beverages.

Davis, California To Get a Trader Joe's in 2007

DavisEnterprise.com is reporting that Davis, California is one of the lucky towns that will get a new Trader Joe's store:

A month before the election, the popular specialty grocery store signed a lease agreement Wednesday for a spot in the proposed Village Center. Officials say the store could be open by late 2007, if the project is approved by voters.

In a 2003 city survey, 84 percent of respondents said they would support a specialty grocery store, and 900 people specifically asked for a Trader Joe's.