You'd think that by being the technology center of the Southeast and having the world's busiest airport and, being a civil rights mecca for so many people, well, you'd think Atlanta would have nearly one of everything.
Granted, we have a lot. More than most - but until recently we were missing something I never even knew I was missing to begin with.
Trader Joe's, baby.
For those of you who know, Trader Joe's is like a hybrid specialty store where granola crunchy folks shop right along with suburban foodies and ANYONE who loves a decent, inexpensive wine.
And I've become hooked - the Joe's next to my apartment opened a few months ago and I thought well, it's yet another Whole Foods and why should I go anywhere BUT Whole Foods when I love WF (I'm tired of typing it) so much.
Joe's ain't the WF. By a LOOONG shot.
From breads to produce to exceptionally good prepared (read, frozen) meals, Trader Joe's has it. Just tonight, while watching a special on sun-spots and solar storms (fab Wednesday night at the Villa) I ate a frozen flatbread tarte with ham, caramelized onions and gruyere cheese. And it was good. Quite good.
But best of all, and I think this is the best of all things about Trader Joe's, it was cheap.
I'm not above spending a wad o' cash on a good meal, just ask anyone who has ever made the mistake of letting ME make dinner reservations ... Arby's and The Olive Garden I do not. But I'm also not above saving a little here and there.
The "Tarte d'Alsace" was really inexpensive - like less than 5.00 inexpensive. And so is everything else at TJ's.
I've had great sundries (nuts, dried fruits, fancy rice and black sea salt) and great cheeses (my friend Courtney LOVES TJs cheese selection) and some really great prepared meals.
I totally recommend Joe's to anyone who has one near. The quality is great, the selection is a little limited for "family" grocery shopping, but for those of us who frequently enjoy dinner at home, Trader Joe's is fantastic.
Here's the website link - they don't have all of their products online but you can certainly get an idea of what it is all about:
