Grew up in SoCal, so TJs is definitely a friend of mine. In recent times though I have cracked down in certain health areas of my life - getting all the preservatives out, higher high quality fat, low carb (no carbage), more paleo style, and TJs is slowly phasing out of my rotation as I begin to focus more on quality and not quantity. Many items promise a great price but are not particularly local (I don't mean to split hairs here, but there is some killer great organic produce to be had here in Idaho) or fresh. TJs was my go-to when I was working full time and needed decent quality meals on the go and basic household staples, but my focus has since sharpened and I still find it lacking (though it has significantly improved over the years!) What to get at TJs: - Kerrygold butter (best deal by far) - Olives (OMG they have these giant greek ones now that are to die!) - Avocado oil - yes they have that here!!! Great for making your own dressings! - Coconut oil - killer deal! (pro tip: look on the bottom of the glass jar - if its turning yellowish that means the c. oil is starting to go bad). - Olive oil - but always investigate your brands first, make sure its REAL olive oil before buying. - Frozen organic berries - Kombucha - Nuts, including almond meal, and shredded unsweetened coconut. - Organic red salsa. Love to keep this stuff around to put on top of eggs. - Applegate uncured grassfed hotdogs (ya, I know they were bought out by Hormel, but they are still a decent choice in a pinch) - Red Boat fish sauce - the good stuff. - Laundry soap, Dr. Bronners, and that French hand soap - Wine or beer (if you can tolerate it. TJs has killer prices on that stuff) What NOT to get a TJs: - Produce - don't know why but it has ALWAYS been MEH here and in Cali (my TJs lovers know what I'm talking about). Not always local, and not always fresh. - Ghee - it's not pastured so its still questionable - Chocolate - TJs!!! Hear my cry! Get some good quality 80%+ dark chocolate that is soy free! - Meat - it's hit or miss. But I have been burned before with the grody slimey meat that I thought was fresh many times before. Yes, even at the Boise location. Everything else is in-between IMHO. I will always love you, TJs! Keep bringing awesome choices to the masses!! read more

The music in this store is SO LOUD it literally HURTS MY EARS. On top of that, many of their commercial refrigerators make these horrible, high pitched squealing sounds - especially over in the ready-to-eat/kombucha area and by the cheeses. I have to wear earplugs every time I shop here and even then, everything is still too loud. My eardrums start to pulse and it feels like someone is stabbing them with a needle. I can't get out of here fast enough. My boyfriend went with me on my last shopping trip here and he said the music/squealing was really hurting his ears too. My only other complaint is that all of the refrigerated organic fruit is usually half decomposed. It's very rare to find a decent container of organic berries, grapes, figs etc. I wanted berries the other day but they all looked terrible so I decided I would settle for grapes... lucky me, the grapes were all squishy and decaying too! Tried to look at other fruit in the same section but literally all of it was either slightly moldy or starting to rot... this happens 9/10 visits here. I continue to come back for some of the frozen foods, sourdough bread, soup, etc. That is the only reason I gave two stars rather than one. read more

Very expensive store. There's a neat variety of specialty foods, but this isn't a store you simply grocery shop at. The closest comparison is World Market. Extremely friendly employees and very clean. If you like to try new foods or specialty brands this is the place to go. read more

Thank you to the staff in Boise for being positive, happy and helpful with customers. They have the power to change the world. They markedly improved my entire day today. read more

I love going to Trader Joe's because of all their seasonal fruit they're yummy treats their wonderful meet there friendly staff it's just always pleasant to go in there plus we love their $.99 cards just wish there was one in Meridian also you rock Trader Joe's read more

I moved to Boise from North Carolina a little over two years ago. I used to have two Trader Joe's in NC close by and shopped there every one-two weeks. Here in Boise I went there twice and have no desire to return unless they will built a new store somewhere in Meridian some day. The reason? Many people already mentioned it - horrible location and parking. Very disappointing, dear former favorite store...((( read more

Trader Joe's must want to be like the NYSE they even have the bells, except these bells don't ring just to open and close the market they ring ALL DAY. As soon as I arrived the atmosphere was cramped, packed, frustrating and that was just the PARKING! I soon calmed down entering the store it was bustling with people and the formentioned bells, each register has a bell hanging and when they need attention or next person in line the bells ring. The service of the store is something to be desired as the employees are hard to find on the sales floor, they do a good job of hiding. Usually I come herE for only a few things as I don't really see the HYPE on this store, it tends to draw what I call the "Healthier Than Thou" type of crowd. The people who can never allow you to just eat healthy, you need to eat healthier like them. Yet I wake at dawn and lick the drops of dew from the base of a mountain it is STILL not organic enough for them. Okay I'm exaggerating a bit but you know what I am talking about. I love how people go to TJ'S for organic, non gmo, and also buy frozen tv dinners there too. Mmk? So why on God's green organic earth do I come through the doors? It's all about herbs! Fresh thyme, basil, parsley, I love that you can buy the whole plant. For what you spend on a tiny case of fresh herb at other stores you can get the plant here for the same price. $1.99. These you water, put in the window sill, and they keep growing. Those other ones last a few days turning brown and become garbage along with the money you wasted. Like they say Thyme is Money (get it?) Lol read more

I was so happy that we finally have a Trader Joes. Found everything I was looking for. The checkout lines were moving surprisingly quickly considering the amount of people in the store. Employees were very friendly. My only complaint was lack of parking. But that is not surprising considering it is a downtown location. I think it may have been better to locate the store near the mall or in that new shopping center in Meridian. read more

Right in the center of downtown Boise, I was delighted to have found a Trader Joe's. This beats the low priced leaders like Winco which lacks service, does not take credit cards and asks you to bag your own groceries. Thank you for being there for me TJ's to always provide a nice experience and great overall value read more

I went and it was super crowded but people weren't waiting long to check out. Prices are high but expected. Can hardly wait to go back. Nice sized store that has a lot of fresh and premade foods in reasonable portions. Glad to finally have a TJs here do I don't have to haul groceries every trip to CA. read more

I adore this place. I can get my shopping done so quickly because the store is small and not filled with WAY too much in WAY too many places. (Though there are times where I wish they had every tiny item on my grocery list, but I understand. Still worth it). Prices are good, products are amazing, and the employees are excellent. I LOVE this place! Whenever I shop at Fred Meyer or Winco I am filled with anxiety and just wish I'd have gone to Trader Joe's! read more

My favorite grocery store in Boise! Staff is always super friendly, the store is clean and always stocked. The people complaining of parking? Yes the lot is small but there are ALWAYS spaces. Like...tons. No clue why anyone has this issue. Maybe around their grand opening yes, but definitely the right size for normal flow of customers. read more

Our first stop in Boise was at this Trader Joes for the essentials that consisted of craft beer, kettle chips, multigrain bread, and other miscellaneous things. The store is huge. You can fit 2-3 of the ones here in L.A. into this one. The organization of the items is fairly efficient and easy to navigate through. As others have mentioned the parking is weirdly constructed. I believe we drove in from the Broadway side and ended up in their loading dock area. Awkward. Outside of that little fumble everything else was A-OK. read more

Not enough parking and I refuse to park elsewhere and walk just to shop there. Bad location planning. A bonus would be if they validate parking if you use the parking garage but I don't know if they do. Thank god for local shopping at the Co-Op, where I've always found a parking spot. read more

I agree with the other posts that parking is a nightmare... However it is downtown Boise and a newly opened store. I greatly appreciate affordable organic prices and for this I will continue to fight the parking lot war battle! :) read more

I love going to Trader Joes! They have every selection of snacks and trail mix possible. I find something new every time I go in there. The staff is very friendly and helpful they are honest about things they have tried and their opinions are always spot on! My favorite cashier is Peter! Will definitely continue shopping here. read more

Aaawwww Trader joes... This store is meat oganized and has the am traditional trader joes vibe. It is centrally located. My only draw back would be is I live in Nampa and it took me 30 mins to get there but hopefully they will be expanding please please please....maybe off Idaho center blvd read more

Great store but so far from my side of town that I only visit a few times, at best, a year. They need another location in Eagle! No one from that side of town wants to drive downtown to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods or drive down the horrible traffic congested Eagle Rd to go to the coop or the new Albertsons Market. Bring us a Trader Joe's to Eagle!!! Preferably in Lakemoor! read more

My husband and I recently moved to Boise and we were SO happy to see there was a Trader Joes downtown! The store itself didn't disappoint- super clean, amazing selection and the staff is always ON POINT. We love coming here, and will be loyal customers as long as we are living here! read more

Medium sized trader joe's. Staff was friendly and nice. They had a lot of ghost pepper in little grinders, that's pretty cool i guess.

My favorite store in Boise! They have the best selection of foods without the high prices. It's worth the drive from Nampa. Hopefully you open a location in Canyon County sooner than later read more

Great staff! They have a nice selection of organic and not common but very delicious food you don't typically find in your typical grocery store. Love the beer and wine selection read more

I Love this place! Great salads, cheeses, veggies anything a single gal might need. I work downtown so centrally located. Tight parking in the winter but I should be riding my bike or walking anyways. Great floral dept.! read more

Love Trader Joe's. Reasonable prices. Some prices are even extremely affordable. So much fun food and snacks. it's guilt-free because most are organic.... And healthy!? read more

I love this store. The employees are always super helpful and nice. They seem to really like their job. The prices are so affordable and I have never purchased anything I didn't like. My husband asked one of the employees if he had ever tried the Turkish honey. He hadn't but said if we ever purchase anything we don't like we can always return it. My only complaint is that there is not a Nampa location. read more

Sorry Trader Joe's....you've dropped the ball too many times for us over the past 3 yrs. Customer service is lacking, big time. Not the uplifting experience you try to portray with your arrogant "we're THE game in town" attitude because sadly, you are not. read more

Love this store and so glad we finally got one but dislike the location and parking lot is always full. They need to build one in Meridian and they would have tons more business. read more

I was the 2nd person in the door on opening day, and to me it was worth the wait! Not as big as some TJ's I've seen, and yes, parking CAN be a bit dicey, but if you are patient and perhaps plan to visit at non-peak times- its' quite doable. I will say, for anyone who has never been to Trader Joe's.. this is NOT a traditional grocery store. While some people DO completely stock their pantries at TJ, I personally would not. For beverages, snacks, great inexpensive wine, some wonderful freezer items and OMG the cheese section- Trader Joe's is a WIN WIN WIN. Be sure to go to the back left corner (as you enter the building) of the store to the 'tasting station' to sample some goods and get a quick snort of coffee. Be bold and find your own favorites. To quote another Yelper: " Reasonable prices, no artificial colors, flavors, GMO's, MSG, preservatives, or trans fat! Yes...to all of it! Yes, yes, yes! " (props Opehila!). Trader Joe's is a noshers dream.. snack on! read more

While shopping in the new tiny Trader Joe's, Boise, I saw a Trader Joe's employee rearranging some packaged raw chicken....and her very long hair was dangling free and sweeping across (and touching) the packages of meat...not briefly but for several minutes. I stood there in amazement, wondering what else she had swept her hair through during her shift. Broccoli? Fresh apples, anyone? Yikes. She was wearing a hat, as is likely required, but little good it does if her hair is all over the food. read more

Moved to Boise a few yrs. ago and was sad that there was not a T.J.'s in sight. I was used to going there on a weekly basis. Can hardly contain my excitement now! I almost wish they sold everything I need for my home :) Love the fact that there is no "bad stuff" in their products and that they have so many unusual items to choose from. It makes grocery shopping fun and I wouldn't say that about any other store of it's kind. Especially loving the vast array of cheeses (and bread) to go with their wonderful selection of good, inexpensive wine! For those of you who don't like the parking lot...I think some other T.J. locations have even smaller ones. I happen to live fairly close, but, perhaps when they see how well they'll do here, they'll open another store in Meridian :) read more

NOT a happy customer, very terrible experience at this location! Like all the other locals, I waited a long time for Boise to get a Trader Joe's! My family and I were very excited to finally get some of our favorite foods from this store again. I took my two children grocery shopping in September 2014 with me, and had a run in with a very rude and despicable employee. My daughter accidentally hit an employee in the leg with her fairy toy as it flew out of her hand, as children sometimes have accidents, and the way the employee handled her self was disgusting. She picked up my daughters toy and handed it to me, muttered "b****" under her breath, and then told me that I needed to "learn how to control my children"!! My children are very well behaved, it just so happened that my daughter lost control of a SMALL fairy toy. Later on before I checked out with my groceries, I overhead her talking to a male coworker about sexual topics. Just one more deplorable act by this girl in ONE shopping trip! I called the store about a week later after considering what I should do. I spoke with two managers, including the general manager, Scott. He assured me that the employee would be terminated because he does not condone his employees to speak to customers like that, and neither does the company. He assured me that the store would soon be safe for my to take my children to again, as I would not bring them around someone like that again. No child needs to be subject to hearing curse words and someone being demeaning and rude to their mother at a grocery store! I was so turned off by the experience that I stayed away from the store for awhile. I finally returned in the middle of January this year, only to find the SAME horrible girl checking customers out on the register!! I cannot believe that after such a horrible customer complaint that she is still allowed to work there! I emailed corporate about my experience, and my experience with the management, and the fact that no action had been taken to ensure the store be safe for families. No response. I emailed once again, and still to this day have gotten no response. I have looked for numbers to call, and the only way to get ahold of corporate it seems is through email. Trader Joe's In CA, where I grew up, had polite, caring, kind, and hard working employees. Apparently the standards are considerably lower here in Boise. I thought that they were a company that provided a great grocery store that was family friendly...but definitely not the case here!! I cannot believe that not one person from the company is not as disgusted as I am that my children and I were treated so poorly by an employee. I will NEVER at this location again, and neither will my family or friends. For being a store that seems to be struggling quite a bit, you'd think they would want to keep their very loyal customers happy and safe! I will also reconsider shopping at any other locations as well, seeing as their customer service in general seems to be going downhill!! read more

Trader Joe's is the best thing to happen to Boise. Yes the parking can be frustrating but if you have some patience you will find parking and its well worth it! read more

Trader joes has an awesome selection of products I especially love their frozen food and the employees are amazing