It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that I love Trader Joe’s. I get almost all of my groceries there and I buy an embarrassing amount of fiery chicken curry.
Every so often I’ll peruse through the snack isles, looking for new things to try. The only hit and miss options for me from Trader Joe’s have been the snacks. I’ve found some I really like and some that I would never imagine buying again. However, one of my favorite things about buying any food from Trader Joe’s is the name. The titles and packaging designs of their name brand products can be weird, wild and downright hilarious. I’ll be ranking some of my favorites here.
Trader Joe’s Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps (Pringles) – 7/10
I have to say, I like these knockoff Pringles more than the real thing. I am a big fan of Pringles-esque snacks, even the Aldi knockoffs. However, sometimes with real Pringles, you’ll get air bubbles in the chips, causing the whole chip to crumble when you bite into it. Trader Joe’s Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps don’t have that problem. They’re dense without being too thick; they’re simply perfectly salted little potato crisps. If I were to rate this snack just based on the name alone, I’d give it a 4/10; not too creative, but obscure enough that it’s slightly amusing. However, I have to take into account the packaging. There is the funniest little drawing of a cowboy riding a potato chip like a horse and that bumps my final rating up to a 7/10.
Trader Joe’s Joe Joes (Oreos) – 9/10
These are another popular knockoff snack from Trader Joe’s. Honestly, these off brand Oreos are pretty good. They’re a bit more sturdy than Oreos are and the creme feels a little less processed, which I like. I can even see the little dark speckles from the vanilla beans. These treats may be hard to say, but they’re easy to eat. Based on the name and the fun packaging, which includes a friendly toucan who gives you strangely detailed instructions on how to properly eat Trader Joe’s Joe Joes, I’d give these cookies a solid 9/10.
Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar (Cheese) – 6/10
Alright, this product isn’t necessarily a knockoff snack. In fact, it’s just cheese; a type of cheese that many who shop at Trader Joe’s regularly refer to as magical. According to Trader Joe’s own website, the cheese has been a staple product at their stores for over 10 years. The magic lies in the flavor-changing abilities the cheese holds. At first bite you taste a sharp cheddar, but as you continue to chew, it becomes even sharper and tastes more like a finely aged Parmesan. The real kicker for me lies in the name. I never would have thought that a cheese with the word “unexpected” in the name would sell so well, but Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar seems to have defied the odds. I’d give this magical cheese a 6/10.
