The 3 Best and Worst Products I've Bought at Trader Joe's

I love my current city, but if I could change one thing about it, it would be to add a Trader Joe's location. Unfortunately, when I want to visit a Trader Joe's store, I have to drive 50 miles one way (or 90 miles the other way). This means I can't just visit on a whim -- I usually plan a trip ahead of time and bring along my cooler so I can get perishable items home safely.

This means it's all the more crucial that I get my money's worth out of purchases, since it could be a few months before I have the time to stop by again. To make the hit to my checking account really count, I've got a list of items I regard as TJ's best and buy regularly -- as well as a few I wouldn't purchase again.

1. Best: Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

Trader Joe's offerings from the freezer case are why I bring my big cooler on every trip I make. The Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches in particular are an absolute gem. Resist the urge to look at the nutrition facts, and note that they come just four to a box (and for only $4.99!), so you can absolutely make room in your freezer and stomach for one of these beauties on occasion.

2. Best: Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage

Sausage is a staple at my house because it freezes beautifully, thaws easily, and can be turned into a host of easy dinners. Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar is a common sight in the refrigerated section, and the retailer has also been putting it into other foods, including this sausage. It can be yours for $4.49 and is already cooked, so all you have to do is reheat. And it tastes really, really good.

3. Best: Jumbo Pitted Greek Kalamata Olives

Mediterranean food is forever and always my favorite cuisine, and Trader Joe's has my back with its variety of dishes and ingredients to make the perfect feast. These kalamata olives are one product I buy every time I set foot in the store, because I can keep extra jars in my pantry and crack them open as needed. Also, they're cheaper at TJ's than at my local grocery store, at just $2.99 for 12 ounces. I never mind using my favorite grocery rewards credit card to buy many jars of olives at once.

1. Worst: Cheesy Seasoning Blend

Unfortunately, not all Trader Joe's products are winners. I'm a big fan of the retailer's assorted spice concoctions, but I was disappointed by its Cheesy Seasoning Blend. This mix of powdered cheese, garlic powder, and other spices was on the bland side, and it clumped pretty much as soon as I opened the jar. I've got a fair amount of experience with cheese powder, and this is a known problem with using it -- if any moisture gets in, clump city. Perhaps this should be repackaged with a grinder attachment so it's easy to overcome clumps?

2. Worst: Argentinian Red Shrimp with Ginger Garlic Butter

This meal was a bummer from start to finish. The hard plastic packaging made it difficult to tell whether the shrimp were thawed enough to cook, and it was also a pain to get open. The garlic butter's flavor and texture left a lot to be desired, and I'm sad to report that I put half of the shrimp in the fridge for another meal, and then didn't end up eating them because I was so unenthused at the prospect (and I really hate wasting food). The $7.99 hit to my personal finances made this even more disappointing.

3. Worst: Southwest Style Chicken Quesadillas

These chicken quesadillas weren't awful, but $4.49 felt like a lot of money to pay for two relatively small frozen quesadillas. I could have made this dish at home (and used more spices, more chicken, and more cheese) for less money. Lesson learned -- I try not to buy ready-made versions of dishes that aren't hard to just whip up myself.

If you're a regular customer of any retailer, it'll save you money in the end if you keep track of which products are hits and which are misses. But don't pass up the opportunity to find new foods to add to your life. One of the best things about shopping at Trader Joe's in particular is getting to try its new products in addition to rebuying old favorites. Even disliking some of what I've bought in the past isn't enough to deter me from giving interesting new offerings a try as they arrive.