WATCH: Daytona super fan shares favorite items to buy at Trader Joe’s
Ormond Beach resident Jasmin Bedria shares images she took of Trader Joe’s-branded products she loves that can only be found at the chain’s stores.
There’s a reason why a slew of social media sites are devoted to fans begging Trader Joe’s to come to their community.
Sure, there are things you can only get there, like Everything But The Bagel Seasoning or Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
But the products are not the only reason local shoppers are positively giddy with the news that the national chain is coming to Tomoka Town Center in Daytona Beach, although no opening date has yet been announced.
There’s actually a term used to describe the Trader Joe’s experience — “adventure shopping” — because it’s fun and full of surprises with tasting booths, seasonal picks, and quirky items like butternut squash mac & cheese or crunchy chili onion peanuts. Add free coffee and a kid-friendly atmosphere and you can see how the brand has earned an almost cult-like following.
Some of the products highlighted below as “Trader Joe’s specialties” are taken from the company’s own “Hall of Fame” of best-selling private-label items; others were based on recommendations from The News-Journal staff.
Mandarin Orange Chicken
The favorite Trader Joe’s product of all time is the Mandarin Orange Chicken frozen entree. It’s a sweet-and-savory take on an American-Chinese classic that’s easy to prepare (some like to air fry the chicken pieces) before serving alongside rice and steamed vegetables.
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Did someone say chocolate? These Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are a perennial favorite at TJ’s. The “highly addictive” sweet treats could potentially be eaten at one sitting but if you want to parse them out, you can always throw some in the freezer to enjoy later.
Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
Of all Trader Joe’s line of cheeses, this one earns top fan status. The aged white cheddar with an “unexpected” hint of Parmesan and a crumbly texture and mild, nutty bite is at home on a charcuterie platter or just with crackers for casual snacking.
Hold The Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
Is ice cream sweeter in a mini-sized portion? Trader Joe’s lovers think so.
These diminutive cones that come in a variety of flavors have been a favorite in the grocers’ freezer section for years. It should be mentioned, Mango and Cream bars also got a nod from The News-Journal staff.
Boatswain beers
Boatswain beers are brewed by Rhinelander Brewing Company specifically for Trader Joe’s. They get high marks for quality at a price point of under $10 per six-pack. Some varieties offered include ales, IPAs and stouts.
Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
Trader Joe’s may not have originated the PB-filled pretzel but they’ve definitely cornered the market for their rendition of this classic. Creamy and crunchy, salty and sweet — see if you can eat just a few.
Soy Chorizo
In the Trader Joe’s Hall of Fame vegetarian category: Soy Chorizo, a seasoned, slightly spicy meatless protein option that can easily be subbed for the real thing in Tex-Mex dishes without any notable difference. Introduced by the store about a decade ago, it’s still killing it in sales.
Scented Candle Tins
Proving TJ’s is known for more than just food, their tin-housed candles are long lasting and come in a variety of interesting scents like Peach Black Tea and Honeycrisp Apple.