I have to say, Trader Joe's is my favorite grocery store, by far. But I understand those of you who find it hard to get into. I would never have gotten the Trader bug if I hadn't lived right near one.
At first going into a TJ's is like shopping in a different county. They have different brands and a different way of doing things. But in general, nobody can touch their prices...and I live in the land of plenty (California, plenty of freaks too I'll admit.)
MMM himself even tips his hat to wine prices at TJ's and he's right. I buy a ton of wine there in the mostly 7.99 and under price category. Most bottles I buy are $5 or less, and at that price point no national chain can touch the quality (I abhor 2 buck chuck BTW....it's alwful.) Total Wine is close, but in that price range TJ's is best. Can't have Harlan every night.
Other areas of huge savings with TJ's:
-nuts (any kind...nuts or sun seeds at a Safeway will put you in the poor house.)
-oils (olive oil, grapeseed, coconut, canola...all very cheap. The only place cheaper is Costco but you have to buy a large amount.)
-raisins
-organic anything (basmati rice, bell peppers...they're small because they are not engineered by monsatan....tomatoes, raisins, etc. etc.)
-chocolate candy (variety)
-cereal/oats
-tomato sauce/pasta sauce
-dog treats
-spices
-flowers
-ketchup (TJ's was the only ketchup a few years ago that did NOT have high fructose corn syrup in it.)
-bread (check out the sliced sourdough rounds!)
-coffee (again, only costco is cheaper and not by much.)
I could go on, but I hope you get the idea.
True, you cannot buy everything there. I have always supplemented my shopping there. For example I buy meat only from Whole Paycheck (they are the only store that sells grass FINISHED beef. All beef is grass fed, it's the final three months of their lives that they are fed grain.)
Anyway....TJ's is awesome if you're cool with the limitations. That's my $0.02.