Trader Joe’s is perhaps the most beloved grocery store around. Their seemingly endless variety of unique foods has garnered quite the cult following, and superfans are always creating buzz online over brand new sweet treats or age-old fan-favorites. However, just as with many “greatest hits” out there, some fans think that a few of the most popular items are simply overrated.
One TJ’s lover recently made a post in the Trader Joe’s subreddit asking: “What do you think is the most overrated Trader Joe’s product?” and people had a lot to say. From Joe-Joe cookies to the ever-popular Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, some of their answers were quite surprising. Find a few of the most common ones below.
1. Joe-Joe Cookies
Joe-Joes are Trader Joe's take on Oreo cookies. The originals feature tasty cream filling sandwiched between two chocolate cookies. There are also tons of seasonal flavors, including Pumpkin Spice and Candy Cane. But according to some Reddit users, these Oreo taste-a-likes don't come close to the real deal.
"I love Oreos but for some reason Jo Jos were never nearly as good to me," one person wrote.
"They taste odd! Or maybe I just like Oreos. There's just something about Oreos," another agreed.
"Yes I just think the cookie gets stale too quickly with the joe-joe’s as well," someone pointed out.
(If my opinion is worth anything, I have to say that I agree with this one.)
2. Orange Chicken
Trader Joe's frozen Orange Chicken is one of the store's bestselling products of all time. It's an at-home, oven-baked alternative to your favorite Chinese takeout. I usually keep a bag in my freezer. But many comments on the Reddit thread called this product out as highly overrated.
"It used to be good but the quality has gone way down recently," someone speculated.
Another chimed in to describe the taste as "Gristle and toenails with a vague orange flavor." Yikes!
In general, many people seem to be less-than-pleased with TJ's frozen cuisines, including their Indian selections. However, these remain some of the store's most popular items.
3. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Pumpkin spice season at Trader Joe's usually goes hand-in-hand with butternut squash season. And the Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese has got to be one of the most popular seasonal items the store offers. Not everyone loves it, though.
"I love butternut squash. I love mac & cheese. I cannot understand why this makes me want to [vomit emoji]," one person commented. "It’s too heavy or something."
Others agreed: "Same, love squash, cheese and pasta! It was like airplane food quality. The lasagna was also so hyped up and so lackluster."
Someone complained that this frozen item is poorly packaged. "Frost-bitten pasta and a clump of the sauce that takes way longer to cook through than the instructions say," they wrote.
But if you love this one, you're definitely not alone. I do, too.
4. Anything "Truffle"
Truffle seems to be all the rage everywhere in recent years, and Trader Joe's has never been a company that goes easy on the food trends. They offer a whole range of truffle products throughout the year, from pesto to gnocchi to popcorn to hot sauce. Many people hate the taste of this flavor-packed fungi, though.
"Anything 'truffle'. There. I said it," someone admitted in the thread.
They weren't alone. "That’s what I came to say! I still have ptsd from the truffle picante pasta sauce," another person replied.
"That truffle hot sauce is an abomination," someone else chimed in.
"Tastes like sweaty armpit," one comment reads. Gross!
I think this simply comes down to whether or not you like the taste of truffle and may have little to do with the quality of the products themselves.
Ultimately, of course, this is all a matter of personal preference. If you love Joe-Joes and all things "truffle," more for you! And more power to you.
READ MORE: These Are The Best New Items On Trader Joe’s Shelves This Month
