Trader Joe's
Categories: Grocery, Fruits & Veggies [Edit]
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights3 Masonic Ave
(between Euclid Ave & Pine St)
San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 346-9964
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
30 reviews
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
"I love this place. Ray, Kelley, their mom and pop and the rest of the fam are AMAZING. Grocery selection is extensive and always fully…" read more »
269 Reviews for Trader Joe's
5 stars for yummy samples and employees, and being located on my walk home from working out at the JCC. I almost asked my cashier out yesterday but got distracted by the even cuter cashier behind him. All this while he was bagging up my mango lemonade, organic veggies, fat free burritos, mango chicken sausages and six-pack of Oranjeboom. TJ's rocks my world.
I love Trader Joe's, I do, but how annoying is it to have to wait in a line of cars just to park?!! At least one of the parking attendants is really cute and flirty...
Yes, yes, I know, you're thinking, why not leave the danged car home and hop on muni?!
The answer's easy: I buy WAAAAAAY too much stuff at Trader Joe's to carry around on a bus...where would everyone else sit?!!!
My other kvetch about this location of TJ's is that it's a little smaller than the other location I generally frequent, and thus, seems to have less space to move my cart around amidst the crowds of other TJ addicts...oh, well, can't have it all, now can we?!
All in all, where else can I get the uber-delicious-and-healthy TJ's European Style Lowfat Chocolate yogurt?!!!
Nowhere else, I tell you :)
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Did you guys know that this was the #1 busiest Trader Joe's in the entire company? It's pretty obvious with the all day long lines not only to check out but to get into the parking lot. This is the closest Trader Joe's to my house so it pains me to have to go in. I always try to NOT use a cart as it's almost impossible to move around the store since it's so busy. So I can't get everything here but I can get most stuff - milk, eggs, frozen foods, juices, snacks, some fruit and veggies, etc... There's not really too much meat to choose from so I just go to Falettis for that.
I'd almost think about not shopping here anymore if it wasn't for all the attractive women that work and shop there. Plus Lucky is just gross. Enjoy!
TJ's is the best. I mean come on its like a one stop shop for most items that you would need to purchase. Yea so I have heard that trying to get into the parking lot can be crazy. Come on folks they have and attendant there that directs the parking traffic. It definitely takes only a few minutes to get a space.
Now the store itself...clean, cheap and convenient. My favorite 3 C's....what ya expect I am chinese. I can say most items here are cheaper than your local grocery store...and probaly healthier too. At least that is what I want to believe. Things come in convenient sizes and for you lazy or single folks out there that don't cook....they have plenty of refrigerated items that are ready to eat or heat and serve. Even in their freezer aisle...my latest discovery is the chicken siu mai ($2.69 for 18 oieces) they don't taste bad for a frozen item.
Lastly, we have to thank all the workers there that keep the store so clean and fully stocked. Its so easy to navigate this store...I'm usually in and out in less than 30 minutes.
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I honestly don't think I could shop anywhere else! I tried though... I went into the much inferior Lucky's the other day and noticed that not only were things not as wholesome and tasty, but the commercialized crappy food actually cost more! So, hats off to Traders... not only is your food better for me, but it's better for my bank too! And i've also noticed that its quite the place to find dates...it's like a singles watering hole. Lovely!!
Food's good, price is right, staff is nice and the person behind ya is a hot slice..why go anywhere else.
Only thing is that we need to work on the produce section.
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This will be my most useless review; everyone already knows how great this store is, if they didn't there wouldn't be such crazy lines during peak hours. I go here several times a week sometimes and everytime end up getting way more than I need. It's filled with healthy, affordable tempations, be warned. They pride themselves on having a unique variety, but that's all they have. There are few items, if any, that are common brands. I personally like that, but if you must have your brands, this isn't the place for you. In fact, SF isn't the place for you if you prefer big brands over cute little mom 'n' pops bobo ones.
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I fall in love with one of the cashiers every single solitary time I come here.
AND I can get yummy organic food.
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My reviews keep disappearing so I am really concerned. According to Yelp, they cannot put back my reviews so I am re-writing them once again.
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MY REVIEW WRITTEN ON 6/27/08:
I find the prices great and a good place to find organic or unique food items. Parking is always a bit tricky, especially on a Saturday afternoons. One of their best items? Why, they're the only source for Snap Pea Crisps -- a light and denture-safe snack!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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06/27/2008
I find the prices great and a good place to find organic or unique food items. Parking is always a… Read more »
This is the best grocery store in the city! I love organic and healthy food. There's something about Trader Joe's food that makes it good. The frozen food are easy to make and they're pretty good. I love the spicy dried mangoes, they're the best! Also, the workers here are friendly, which is a plus.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/16/2007
Excellent customer/worker experience, love the free samples, haha. The food is expensive, but when… Read more »
Inferior to most other Trader Joe's. If only because the parking is just awful and then the overflow spreads onto Masonic, creating traffic mayhem. I shouldn't complain, I guess, since I live closer to the (better) SOMA one anyways.
OH! I seriously had no idea this was over here near my neck of the woods. Happy, happy, happy.
I find stuff here. Lots of stuff. And it isn't expensive. And that also makes me happy. Brewed green tea in jugs, veggies, fruit, pork-free chicken apple sausages, nuts, bread, frozen stuff. Happy!
I am even happier that when I've been here on a Saturday they had someone directing people into parking slots - made it much more efficient.
Trader Joe's is a nice store even if they are German owned. I was surprised to hear that the owner, Theo Albrecht, is a German billionaire that served in the Nazi Army during WWII. He even was a prisoner of war. His brother was also a POW. After the wars, he and his brother started Aldi and became rich. Aldi is like the Walmart of Germany and they are expanding in the US.
Too bad they try to market the store as a small company when it is actually foreign owned.
They don't carry as many products as a full service grocery store, but they do offer a good selection of organic at reasonable prices.
However, whenever you go to a Trader Joe's you always seem to buy like crazy and end up eating way more stuff. All the food is so tempting... gelato, banana waffles...
The store is hip and stylish to shop at. It's got a nautical boat theme going on. Everyone wants to be seen at Trader Joe's. Just don't mention the German/foreign owned thing. I choose to ignore that because I like shopping.
I do have to admit that the store always seems to be so crowded.
It's a Trader Joe's, of course the products great, and at this particular location the line for parking is a drag. But it's organized with a traffic guard so no biggie. The payoff is inside when you're ready to purchase: Cute, sweet, friendly boys work here. Year after year.
Hi....
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So, I'm adding a star to my thoughts and feelings regarding Trader Joe's.
I decided to make a dinner surprise for someone special, so I opted to pick up a few picnic-y items around the corner from mi casa. I went around 8PM... this was a good time.
A guy stands out near the road and directs you into the parking lot... he showed me to a space and seemed like a nice fellow. The free sample was good- pork- and my feelings toward Trader Joe's suddenly turned around.
Damn it. They're inexpensive, have what I want, and throw a twist on everyday items. And I like all of these things. (I want to hate Trader Joe's- but I can't)
They also have an extensive, and random, wine selection. And I'm not referring to two-buck Chuck!!!!
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1 Previous Review:
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05/19/2008
I really hate how crowded this store is, always. It's just whatever. I am over the hype.
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i have two words:
BON BONS!!!!
vanilla ice cream with chocolate cookie crust dipped in dark chocolate!!
i am eating them as i write this!
i am a bit hysterical!
i just got chocolate on the keys of my new white mac!
it does not get better than this!!!
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They have interesting items here that you can't get at other stores. Plus, their free samples are always good ;D Only if they had alot each time like Costco!
What a great market! Pretty good prices for what they offer. Always high quality and fresh food. Their samples are great too, I always end up buying something that I wouldn't normally try.
Fruit lovers, meat lovers, bread lovers, veggie lovers, soup-in-the-can lovers, ice-cream lovers, cookie lovers and even wine maniacs can find it all there.....
Need I say more?
Ho-ho ho! It's Trader Hoe's!
Parking problem? What parking problem? If you have City CarShare (and I do!) you (and I) get to park on the roof. No lines at all. If that's not incentive enough to sell your gas guzzling ticket magnet, I don't know what is.
Other items of note: The pesto is amazing, and I've never purchased a French wine with a screw top that was bad. Oh yeah - PhuKet Lager! Goat yogurt! 4 different kinds of dry ros!
It's corporate, it's anti-union, it's a lot of bad things, but the good outweighs, just like the dude abides.
UPDATE: I just went shopping and I won a free swag bag full of food - just because (TJ's is celebrating its 10th anniversary or something - I think that's the occasion). Nothing warms my heart quite like free stuff.
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They stock the shelves with healthy products.
They keep them stocked and are rarely ever out of products.
The prices are much better then their competition.
The employees all seem very happy and are always friendly and helpful.
And they seem to always have something new and interesting to try on the shelf.
I just can't understand why anyone would spend money at Safeway when Trader Joe's is an option.
I actually look forward to going to Trader Joes for my weekly shopping trips. They have great everything, from food to employees. Umm, can we please talk about the deliciousness of their spicy thai peanut salad dressing, frozen pablano peppers, mediterranean hummus, and frozen feta & onion puffs? AND, it's all completely reasonable. I mean, seriously, cereal for $3??? Luna Bars for 99 cents! This is a rarity nowadays. And I love their Honey Moon white wine selection- for so little money! I think they put crack in their trail mixes though- I no longer let myself buy them because they are so addicting.
Try to avoid going on Sundays, as the lines are incredibly long. The employees are oh so friendly, and you can usually count on seeing cute young men there. Always a plus in my book.
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I still like here even though It's a chaos here.
The parking lot and the copper penny next door are FXXXin' pathetic.
But I think it's better than 9th and Bryant.
I always find a parking on the Street.
People are nice.
But I see more old hippie-type women here these days. EWWWW!
I hate to see the ugly bunions w/ birkenstock.
I go to TJ on Bay Street more often these days because easier parking, safeway, more hot girls w/ sweat pants and a peep-show near by on Bay Street.
My 1st review was,
I go here to watch hot girls. 8/31/2006
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If you must drive here, come on a weekday at 7:45 AM. This location opens at 8 AM, rather than the standard 9 AM. You'll get parking easily, you'll have free reign of the store, and you'll get your lovely TJ's freebie coffee all fresh and fine.
I live 1 mile away and am happy to walk here 1-2 times per week to get my weekly goods. Although parking might be easier at the SOMA TJ's and is certainly easier at the Bay Street TJ's, I find that the group of folks here at the Masonic location is the friendliest and the best. In fact, I seriously question the mental abilities of a few of the staff at the other locations (based on how poorly they bag items and fail to engage in light conversation), but I digress.
Selection here is much better than the other two stores, and generally, weekend selection anywhere is going to be bad. But it's not as bad here. And the parking attendant guy always compliments my hoodies.
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Good:
Very good product
Affordable product
The best Costumer Service (always helpful)
Bad:
Small Parking Lot (at least they have it :) )
I have been to lots of Trader Joe's and I have to say that this location might be the best out of all. It has a huge selection of about everything and the food is top quality. Nice wine selection as well as snacks such as those delicious Espresso Chocolate chip cookies, MMMM! I love the location since it is near USF and a major bus line you don't have to bring a car unless you plan on buying a lot which most people do anyway. It is the best choice for a supermarket that has top quality organic food choices that won't break your wallet (like those fucks at Whole Foods).
Get over the parking situation. It doesn't take that long. Pansies. And the parking attendant man is two times out of three a really cute boy.
In fact, that's my favorite part about Trader Joe's. Sure, I love the samples and the cheapness and the fresh flowers everywhere, and I really loved winning one of those bring-your-own-bags raffles. But what I love most of all are the Trader Joe's boys.
Walking around in their colorful t-shirts, recommending $4 bottles of wine to my roommates and me, giving me little plates of tasty garlic fries... and always mocking us at length when we get to check-out and they realize that under all our food are two cases of wine with no bottle over $7. "Stocking up for a party?" "No...(gigglegiggle)."
Trader Joe's boys, you are all so cute. I love each and every one of you, and I know you love me. Let's have a picnic sometime. I'll bring the two-buck Chuck, you bring the cat cookies and the tzatziki.
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This is one of the biggest Trader Joe's I've ever been to. and I used to live right next to Monrovia down south where their head quarter's at. So for SF this is a big up. Big ass isles and big ass parking for SF.
Funny store. They play hip-hop outside and have a water fountain by the entrance. Never seen that before either. Also funny because they were missing alot of stuff that I always find and buy i.e. cous cous and spaghetti....
Request to the TJ: please carry more fish and meat. I only find salmon and other stuffed crappy white fish. Not so much beef, except very pretty lean super expensive ground beef. Then I will love you even more.
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Trader Joe's is Trader Joe's.....the difference is location.....and this one sucks. Be prepared to wait in line on the street, before you even park, just to get into the parking lot.
Once inside you had better have your shopping planned because if you think you can stop in any aisle and ponder anything for more than one second you are sadly mistaken. You will be run down by the crazy hippies and glared at by the super shoppers. Seriously, it's like going in a thrill ride where you want to see some of the scenery that is going by but the g-forces just won't let you turn your head. Very scary.
Those that work there are really nice and very helpful but those that shop there generally suck. Except for me of course.
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How can you not love Trader Joe's and its amazing selection of goodies? Yes, do expect to pay more than you would elsewhere, but nothing will ever replace the greatness of Trader Joe's!
For the most part most of the employees here are so friggin' helpful and pleasant, its hard to believe you are in a hip-ish grocery store in San Francisco. Sure there are a few semi bad seeds here, but usually I leave with my bag fulla groceries, a happy camper who has restored faith in customer service oriented employees.
The store is clean, almost always crowded but you can easily find what you need. This is probably the best location in SF. We need more, preferably one across the street from my building...
Parking hassle isnt that bad. Its well organized and never more than a 5-7 minute line. Go midday or in the morning and there is no wait. Best store for groceries. Great service. Total cult experience. Glad im now part of the TJ tribe.
Oh Trader Joe! Thank you for the sweet relief.
Your bathrooms on Masonic Ave are awesome.
I wanted to stay there for a long time
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Part of the ever expanding TJ empire, there are no surprises when it comes to this particular location, except for the line up of cars waiting to use the parking lot. If you need a car to shop, just go to the Westlake one in Daly City so you can actually PARK.
Food, service, etc. always top notch, no complaints here.
I don't think I can stress enough my love for TJ's. When I don't live in a dorm and actually have money for real food, I will shopping exclusively here. Love their wheat pasta, fruit leathers, and Parmesan artichoke dip. Parking is a mess, I thank my lucky stars I can walk here. Oh, and don't bother with the bananas. They always go bad before they're ripe. Still, love you Joe!
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Trader Joe's will always get 5 stars from me.
I like the food there. I like the people shopping there. I like the people working there.
The parking issue doesn't concern me because I can walk to it (yeah burn!). But if you do have to drive, you're obviously driving from SOMEWHERE or to SOMEWHERE...so just drive your complaining butt to another Trader Joe's. Either that or park over at Mervyn's and walk your arse across the street!
Only beef is they discontinued those triple shot espresso drinks in the cans! Boo!
But 2 frozen chicken enchilada's for $1.49? The only frozen pizza that is worth eating? Mochi ice cream? Cottage cheese that is *better* than Knudsen? Yay for TJ's!!!
I have nothing more to add. The biggest draw back is the parking. It is crazy and causes untold issues in the neighborhood. I'm surprised no ones been killed. Have they? WHY can't they move to the closed former Albertson's store on 32nd and California? Why can they work some contract/lease out? I just don't get it. They need to move that store over there NOW.
It's a trader joe's so I assume everyone knows about what to expect inside. That said, I drive to the one in SOMA rather than go to this location one solely because I don't want to be stuck waiting on Masonic for 10 minutes waiting for a parking spot.. If you are walking from nearby this isn't a problem but that doesn't apply to me so I have to lower the rating.
I love TJ's....I'm here at least twice a week to stock up
Parking though...is a disaster which is why I sometimes just end up going to the Daly City one.
The people are always so nice and friendly, food is fresh....and did I mention good?
I love their nuts.........MAN. I LOVE NUTS. As dirty as that may sound, it's nice that you can find the raw/unsalted ones in HUGE bags. Can't live without them. I am obsessed with their Zen Bakery Fiber Cakes. Not only do they taste YuMmMm...........but it packs like 1/2 of your daily fiber intake into that one puny thing. Eat two and you're good! OH hell yeah, intestinal health in a muffin! *NOTE* Don't get me wrong, I am not suffering from constipation. Watch out though because they go bad soon.....freeze em. I was devastated one morning to find some of them molded over because I didn't eat them quick enough
Can't live without their hummus, chocolates, COOKIES .........mmmmmmmm the DUNKERS...pecan cookies....lemon crisps...AND the triple ginger snaps are to die for. Did I mention that they have freeze dried fruit?
Where is the real TJ? I would totally marry him.
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Should TJs ever really receive less than 5 stars? Yes, but only because I have two very specific beefs (forgive the pun you're about to see): I hate the quality of the meat here, it never looks pretty, and the line of cars going up masonic at random non rush hour times of day is a hazard, really.
I've recently entered a healthy phase, so after being appalled by the high prices at Bristol Farms, I set foot into Trader Joe's. WOW. Everything is ridiculously cheap here! Luna Bars are $1 each, compared to $1.50 at Walgreens. Almonds are only $4 a pound, and a bag of soy tortilla chips was $2. They also have a small section dedicated solely to organic food bars (Luna, Kashi, etc).
I am a 40-minute bus ride away from TJ, but the trip is well worth it. If there was one qualm I had about this grocery store, it is the lack of chocolate. They have the store-brand chocolate, but not Dagoba, which is something I've been hunting for for awhile. This is a minor, minor fault, however, especially if you're not even a fan of chocolate. TJ has easily become my favorite health food store. A wider selection of dark chocolate would earn the store 6 stars.
The staff is amazing. I, for one, know that if I had to bag groceries for hours on end, I would be cranky as heck. And yet, the grocers here always seem so energetic and enthusiastic. Where else can you get cheap, healthy food and great service, other than Trader Joe's?
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