I love this TJ's! Every time I've come in here, I've been able to get what I needed quickly and the folks at the checkout have always had a warm and friendly atti And even though I can walk here from my new place, I've noticed that the parking lot is never full. Now that's saying something for a TJ's! read more

We love this store particularly,the people that work there are great"super nice guy called Scott at checkout.Gave me some solid advice on how to calm my baby's tooth ace.....also the lay out of this Trader Joe's is the best!!!! read more

Great store and location that lived up to the brand name. I prefer this location over lake merit and university ave locations because I find it easier and quicker to park read more

What can I say? I'm biased. This is my local TJs and I love it. It's got everything I want.. from food to produce to even toiletries like bathroom tissue, shampoo and conditioner. Tip #1: Parking can be a hassle. Yes, I know. I drive and hate parking issues. However, there's extra parking towards the back of the store (near the BART station). I also sometimes park at Rockridge BART and walk over. I know, that's cheating. Tip#2: Do not come during after work rush hour. Like an smart grocery consumer, it's not a good idea to come between 5-7 pm. There will be a line and you'll be upset waiting. Tip#3: Bring your own bag. Be green. Recycle! read more

In general, this particular location is fine and I don't have problems with overall stock and employees. However, I find myself going to a farther location at times just to avoid the Overly "helpful" employee who runs around the store Constantly asking if you need help. Sure, it's nice to ask if you need help, but she seems quite over-zealous in this dept and honestly, it makes the shopping experience more difficult! When you're invisibly disabled and overwhelmed by things as it is, you want to be left to calmly search, read, think about what you're doing. If I have a question, I'll ask! She seems to Attack every time I'm having a personal moment of rest, which makes it even harder. You might think this is a silly review and maybe my own issue, but honestly I've witnessed her interrupting other employees (in order to take over) who were doing a decent job already helping customers find things. Customers at times look perplexed by her intrusion, but guilty to say anything since she's on the surface being "nice" and "helping". This has been a problem for years. read more

Very helpful and pleasant staff. The bathrooms are always clean and the shelves stocked with all of my favorite vegan food.

Went to check it out on opening weekend. Pretty similar to the Emeryville location, with all my usual favourites and the normal sad produce section. The usual TJ's tips hold: the best deals are either store brand (like $6 olive oil), store-exclusive (2$ Chuck), or European ($1.50 Bela sardines). Products imported from outside Europe won't be that deeply discounted - maybe lower than standard retail but easy enough to find at that price elsewhere (c. $14 Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc). I don't find the non-exclusive domestic products worthwhile. I left without buying anything, but happy that there was a TJ's within walking distance of my house. Then I did my shopping at Yasai Market. read more

I'm a fan, but a patient advocate for change at Trader Joe's. On the plus side, they offer just about everything I need (produce excluded -- see below), and in reasonable quantities at an excellent price. They also make it easy to experiment: lots of little goodies representing foods from different regions of the world. On the negative side, their produce is overpackaged, and often shipped from far away places. It's also not particularly flavorful as a result. It's the opposite of what the "locavore" movement is all about, and it's pretty silly in the Bay Area where we have such great access to great local food. Ok, sermon over. read more

The best people!! In the world. OH and free coffee!!! They are the only location I know of that uses dried spaghetti as a coffee stir sticks, genius!! Great people, coffee, saving the world. Doesn't get much better than that. read more

Look...I love Trader Joe's. I've been shopping at TJs for about 20 years (starting in SoCal). I'd been waiting feverishly for the Rockridge location to open. And, after half a dozen visits, I'm diappointed and find myself going to other TJ locations. A lot of the problem is the people. Not the staff (who seem great and quite attractive), but the shoppers. So much weird attitude. They just stand there in the aisles like they are tranquilized. Lots and lots of self-importance. Really, people, snap out of it and get your shopping done. It feels like the Quad back in high school, but with Rockridge mommies. And, they drive like idiots in the parking lot. I'd feel safer walking in the middle of the freeway blindfolded and drunk. But the selection is still mind-blowing. I just get my TJ fix at other TJs. If you must go to this location, I recommend weekdays in the early afternoon. read more

Large and in charge!!!! Finally a trader joes I can get my cart through without an anxiety attack. I'm happy to give up my emeryville location for this new bigger and better Oakland store. *happy dance* read more

Def. the nicest trader joe's in the east bay, next to this one is alameda. Always friendly service, always have a free sample of something in the back (along with a free small coffee or tea) wide isles and almost have everything you want....no matter which TJ's it is, they are usually out of something, but I wont dock a point for that, since they usually have it the next time. Once upon a time other locations started carrying this AMAZING ginger brew in a 1 liter container, organic and only like 99cents. then POOF, gone, no word, never saw that again..oh how you disapointed me TJ's and none of your managers knew when it would be back... Also, the parking here can be a bit odd, esp right at lunch time or at peak dinner hours...so I try and make it a day trip if possible (just like Berkeley Bowl! ha!) read more

Back in my old stomping grounds, I simply bought the conventional wisdom: there were Whole Foodies, Trader Joesters, farmer marketeers, and the take-ousters,-- along with the rare few border crossing souls who either boldly carried whatever bag from wherever they shopped into whichever establishment they pleased or those who simply mooched from everyone. Never biting the Trader Joe's bug back home, I avoided the funny shirts, party cruise atmosphere, weird newsletters, and dreaded the food you knew your friends were passing off as cocktails at parties along with everything else associated with them. So I finally stopped into the Rockridge location out of curious necessity-- my first Trader Joe's visit-- just as "Werewolves of London" played on my mix and the line, "I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's" streams out. I thought this was kind of weird to be coincidentally strange, even for NoCal, right. Guess what? Turns out there's a connection (albeit a shaky one) after all. The guy behind the Trader Vic's tiki lounge chain from back before there was a day grew up in Oakland, where his family used to own a grocery store on San Pablo. Go figure. So anyway, my take.. . Great everyday prices on many to most basics and packaged convenience things, which are better for you than not, in a relatively varied selection. Balance between parking and public transportation (though you're better off not driving if you can manage). Very much like the handwarming rails along the frozen food aisle. Still dig the reaction to someone who thought it was a faulty electrical current... Courteous staff beyond bounds of courtesy and ample-spaced simple interior helps move the shopping experience along (unlike you know what you know where not to far away). Understanding TJ's philosophy and ability to maintain low costs by continually restocking shelves throughout the day, but if only it could reconsider the hours (either open earlier and/or close later). Caveats: This is not your produce or bulk in a discount place, so balance out a carefully planned trip here with a run to produce stand/farmers market and you'll shave serious $$$ of your food costs. The cheap stuff served at bad parties, however, still continues to suck here as it always did, so continue to avoid at all costs. Also size up packages before purchase, particularly produce, refrigerated, and frozen items (good idea from *any* grocery store), as some of the thinner/flimsier wrapping gets torn among more excitable/hurried shoppers (though the staff is quick to remove questionable stuff when you call their attention to it). Fair numbers of customers do indeed seem dazed and bemused by the surroundings, comings and goings, and people watching here more than the products but at least it's not as bad as that other non-chain center of foodie self-absorption nearby on College. And true, not everything will be as "green" or healthy as it may seem, since TJ's sources widely from a mix of vendors and distributors, but they do better than most chains, so look and read carefully for what's important to you, and enjoy an interesting scene that beats the competition on most fronts. read more

I love Trader Joes. If they carried a few of the things I have to trek to Whole Foods for, it would be a marriage made in heaven. The store is clean, the people who work here are friendly, and the prices good. They have at least one item to sell from every possible category of food. If you are attached to a particular brand for say "bread" you're out of luck. But if you are open to trying new brands, Trader Joe's makes just just about everything under their own brand name (either Trader Joe's or Trader Vics). My guess is that most of these items are made by the big companies anyways but just private labeled for Trader Joe's. The only reason this location does not get a full 5 stars is because the parking situation. The parking lot here is tiny and shared by TJ's and Pharmaca (and Zachary's is across the street too). There is a parking lot in the rear of the building, but I hate parking there. I usually circle in the front area until I get a spot. My favorite things to buy at TJ's: 1) Sprouted Bread 2) Organic Avocados 3) Sprouted Tortillas 4) Organic Red Bells 5) Tempeh (cheap here) 6) Brown rice 7) Spices 8) Shredded Cabbage 9) Organic Bananas During the holidays they have some great decor items and holiday food packs at great prices. read more

Firstly, I bought a bag of cheese about a week ago from trader joes. The expiration date was July 10th, I found mold at the bottom of the bag, but had used most of it so did not make a big deal. Yesterday I bought some brand new parmesan cheese (same brand). I opened the bag and it was filled with mold! I came in the next day to exchange it for money and to inform them that they may have a problem with that particular brand of cheese. They barely listened to my concerns, just handed me to the money and did not listen to what I had to say. I doubt they even checked the rest of the cheeses, I feel that they should have listened to customer concerns and input, before entirely brushing me off and serving old food. psshhh - unsatisfied customer read more

So i really love trader joe's and this location is my favorite. i have about two others that are equidistant to my house, the Lakeshore location and the Emeryville one. I love the layout of this store, which i find to be the most logical and easily navigated, and most importantly time efficient, i never have to backtrack through any aisles. Yes the parking isn't that great, but if you park on the street down the way, you often save more time than you would spending time in the parking lot waiting for people to clear out spots. The staff here i have only had relatively good to great experiences with. Most of the time they seem like chill, down to earth people that i sometimes think to myself about, "i could get a beer with this person!" They seem like they're happy to have their jobs, and i think that often lacks in people who work at other grocery stores, which effects how i view the store as an institution. read more

Oh, Trader Jose's of my heart, thank you for being the Prince Charming wrapped in lemon grass chicken stix, hummus and assortment of cheeses that I need. I needed you to be nearer to me. You are so dear to me. With your wide, open aisles, corner pocket sampling station and continuously handsome and amiable cashiers, you have won my heart again. I can ride my bike, take BART one stop, or simply roll around Rockridge for a day and pick up dinner for that night. I don't have to elbow old women? I don't have to fear getting my purse caught on a college kid's piercing? I can actually pick up an item and look at it before buying--eradicating the need to "grab and go!" bc 15 people want the very same space I'm standing in? Get outta heah! My only peeve was that they ran out of Prosecco in one day. ONE DAY people! Stocking may be an issue, but that doesn't mean I don't love you. I wouldn't trade you for the world, Joe. This romance of an organic dance will live on. read more

Yippee! I can almost walk, I certainly can bike to Trader Joe's!! It is a little more spacious than Emeryville (ugg, I won't miss going over there at all!). It was too crowded for me to venture in on openning weekend, but now that the crazy rush of the first weekend is over I tried it out. I'm sold, no more hustling over to E-ville to get my T.J's fix. read more

This Trader Joe's rules! I mean, ALL Trader Joe's are awesome for their low prices and great products, but sometimes the individual stores aren't so great. But this one sure is! First off, let's go over why Trader Joe's stores are incredible. Their prices are soooooo loooooooow. 19 cents for a banana?! YES PLEASE! 49 cents for an apple?? Are you kidding me? And we're not talking crappy produce that fell off the back of a truck. These are EXTREMELY good quality fruits and veggies for their prices. Of course the apples at Whole Foods are of slightly better quality, but also cost more. I'm just saying these are more than decent (better than safeway, and often better than the stuff at farmer's markets...) and are so cheap! Not to mention the plethora of frozen and prepared foods that are super duper inexpensive. Every time I check out at a Trader Joe's, I'm astounded by how low the total is and how much food I've gotten. And their sample station rules too. Now, this store in particular. It's on the bigger side, and usually has a great selection of produce. They carry all the usual Trader Joe's stuff and then some, since they have so much space. Their beer/wine section is huge too (and cheap!). It can get stressful when it's really crowded, but even the long lines tend to move fast and you don't feel nearly as frustrated as in Whole Foods when it's really busy. This place rules and everyone should shop there always. What would we do if Trader Joe's went out of business?!?! read more

All I can say is that I was in the store the other day and I saw the (very young) girl that was apparently a manager or the manager in training? Very unclear, either way she was crying. Yes. Crying. In the store. Where customers very uncomfortably could see her. Miss, whatever your problem was I wish you the best but at work is neither the time nor that place to start the water works. Especially when it's crazy busy and customers (and employees!) need your help. read more

I loved coming here after my internship on Broadway/Grand: the 51 bus would drop me off at Rockridge BART and I'd go shop for snacks, frozen foods, or groceries. This was a good alternative to going to Safeway, which was always packed with students. I love getting coffee samples and looking at all the variety they have. The workers are also very nice here! :D read more

This Trader Joe's is MUCH bigger than the one I went to when I lived in DC. Finding parking in the lot is not a problem. Only downside is that the staff did not seem to move the line as efficiently as the staff in DC did. Maybe quick lines is an advantage of a smaller location or I just happened to be there on a Sunday afternoon? Anyhow, I'm coming back when I'm in the area, maybe just not on a Sunday. read more

I shop here regularly as it's the closest TJs to my house, and the store itself is great. No complaints there. My issue is with the people who work there. Now, I know this is California and some of you probably love the sincere and chatty approach to customer service. I find it invasive. There is such a thing as being TOO FRIENDLY. After a long day at work, I don't want a stranger asking me what I've been up to that day or what's for dinner when I get home. A simple and largely rhetorical "how's it going?" is JUST FINE. It's extremely pleasant, and way more than you'll get at Safeway. Be careful asking me what I've been up to that day, you might get an earful. And every time they ask me what I'm having for dinner I can't help but think of all the eating disordered folks I've known for whom that is the single question they dread most. Which brings me to my second gripe. Perhaps it's the chattiness, but these cashiers move sloooooowwwww. When the store is busy and I'm waiting in a long express line to pay for my toilet paper and frozen bibimbop, I want efficiency. I know I'm being a jerk, but I've also worked many years as a grocery store cashier so cut me some slack. Speed is about the best thing you can strive for. It's reassuring. You don't want a line of people wondering if they should just drop their sushi on the juice shelf and head home empty-handed, do you? read more

The TJ employees here are friendly and helpful. The lines moves quickly. There is adequate parking during off hours. Food seems the same all TJ's. I go here for my cereal, yogurt, and toothpaste. On a rare occasion, I'll get more than this. It's the perfect get-in/get-out TJ's experience that we've always longed for. I love the very roomy feel of the place. Just wish TJ's would stop trying to pretend they do good for the world by selling organic produce that's been shipped from halfway around the world. (minus two stars) read more

Ordinary folks like us don't need ultra fancy, unnecessarily upscale, annoyingly pretentious, and mega expensive Whole Foods. But more and more ordinary folks are not entirely satisfied with the cheaper, corporate, mass-produced Safeway. We want good quality. We want organic. We want healthy food. That's where Trader Joe's comes in. To me, it stands right between Whole Foods and Safeway, offering both reasonable price and fantastic quality. Although it still loses out to Berkeley Bowl (my absolute favorite!), it is fantastic in its own ways: All products are very reasonably priced. The staff are always friendly and warm. The space is clean and well-organized. The brochure and flyers are really cute and well-designed. The quality of the food is just superb. And I love their copper bells! :) The products I like the from Trader Joe's are: Organic lemons, eggplants, zucchini, cage-free chicken, and especially Tofu! Compared to Berkeley Bowl and 99 Ranch, Trader Joe's Tofu is the best by far. Price and quality wise, there is no equal. They offer at least five varieties of olive oil. They also offer interesting brands of their own cereal. Their flour, sugar, olive oil and nuts (pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, hazlenuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts, peanuts) are all priced lower than you would expect for their great quality. The only bad thing about it is their price of tomatoes. Besides that, I have no complains. Trader Joe's is the One-Stop place for me to buy just about anything I need to create most of the recipes that are stored in my head. Great place for grocery shopping! read more

Part 2 of my inner east bay TJ's reviews. The horrible Emeryville TJ now has some competition, and TJ's has more of my business! This is the closest one to my house, so it gets 4 stars, but the shelves can be pretty empty. It really is a fantastic location, though - serves North Oakland, and close to Rockridge BART. Minus one star for the stocking issues, though. Before this and the Lakeshore one opened up, I dared not share my favorites, for fear of getting grocery-ganked, but now i'ma let loose: What else can I say about the food and value? I know, I'll just give a random sampling of the goodies I get there: sesame whole grain pretzel nugs, diet hansen's soda, vegetarian chili, organic 1% milk, organic omega-3 eggs, GREAT trail mix selection - I love the walnut-cranberry-almond-etc Omega 3 mix, the vegetable shu mai, the potato medley, the cheese mix, the teriyaki marinated tofu, cheap and good chocolate, the list goes on. And wine, too, of course. And their sometimes-inspired beer collection. I want to try the dry irish stout. Trader Joe's in Oakland, you been a long time comin'. read more

I rate all TJ's an instant 4 stars because the shopping experience is generally the same at each. Of course some stores manage to work their way down from there based on limited selection or poor customer service. On the other hand, they can gain a star for the exact opposite reason. I would rate this one slightly higher than the average TJ's. Unfortunately Yelp doesn't do half stars so 4 it is. The store is fairly large, at least bigger than the ones in the extremely-East Bay. I found every item I was looking for and then some. So I would have to say they're well stocked. The customer service is average at best. But I can't really complain since the college hotties and yoga chicks grazing the produce section kept me distracted. After visiting both Berkeley Bowl (garbage!) and the local Whole Foods, I really appreciate the value you get @ TJ's where the store brand is usually the best and only option. read more

The long-awaited College Ave location is here! You can't beat the convenient location right by the Rockridge BART in the space that was formerly the Albertsons. There's also a good chance that this store will drive down prices in the nearby, yummy but overpriced Market Hall. This new store is much like the new guy at work. He's shiny new, enthusiastic and very eager to help, but isn't quite up to speed yet. Similarly, this store is big and spacious, but often missing many items I'm used to buying. Staff is friendly and helpful, but not yet swift at getting the checkout line moving. Still, location, location, location and I'm sure this newbie will be a smokin' veteran before long. read more

I am sooo happy that this location has opened!!! so very very happy... The wide aisles...the nice space in the back where the sample space stands all uncrowded and friendly...the casual yet efficient lay out.... the not having to push through a ton of people to grab cheese/salads/premade stuff/anything else in the entire store (even when it is crowded!!!!) and also the music...so far on each of my visits to the new location- delighting with awesome music-making my trip as close to a pleasure as shopping can be. cheap delicious food, tons of healthy and affordable organic items, good bread and cheese selection, really really delicious junk food, AND BART access... I totally love you. read more

I heard this place was not too well stocked when it first opened but I went the other day and it was GREEATT. Bigger and hence better selection than both the Emeryville and El Cerrito stores. I got suckered into buying all these things I don't normally see at Trader Joes. I splurged on $5 boxed grapes because they packaged three different types together-- green, purple, and midnight purple--genius marketing!!! I don't know if it was the spaciousness of it all, the selection, or the lighting, but I was definitely digging the food and bought more stuff than usual. read more

This is the closest Trader Joe's to my apartment in Berkeley and I am so, so happy it's very nearby for my convenience! The boyfriend and I decided to change our eating habits and lifestyle, therefore the first thing to do was start grocery shopping at Trader Joe's on a weekly-basis. This location pretty much has everything for a reasonable decent price. It's a grocery store packed with healthy food, what more can you need? If you're the kind of person who cares about what you are eating, then you most likely already know the deal with Trader Joe's and this location is not far fetched from what you shall expect from this grocery chain. What really brings me to Trader Joe's are their EXTREMELY cheap sprouted breads! After doing some research I discovered that sprouted and spelt breads are basically the only healthy breads for you. I went to Whole Foods and found that their sprouted bread loafs were very pricey in comparison to Trader Joe's. Thank you Trader joe's for being so easily available to me.. It has truly helped me lead a healthier and "skinnier" lifestyle. It makes going out to eat a waste of money when considering your amazing prices for pretty much everything I need in my fridge! read more

My boyfriend spent months trying to get me to move into his Rockridge apartment. I love him to pieces, but I have to admit that what cinched the deal was when the Trader Joes opened near the BART station. I'm more of a city shopper anyway (one bag of fresh veggies 2-3 times a week), so this location was perfect for my pedestrian lifestyle. I have to say, the layout of this store is by far the best. I feel like the designers took all the worst situations from their other local stores (too narrow aisles, not enough room for checkout lines, entrance/exits from the same doors, more room around the "sample" area) and finally made it work. The flow here is pretty good and I rarely need to backtrack. Parking is still a nightmare. Maybe Trader Joes should invest in a shuttle service? In addition to my TJ cheesy popcorn addiction, I made a new discovery---eco-friendly toothbrushes for about $2.50 each. The handles are made from recycled yogurt containers and they come with a postage paid envelope for returning both the toothbrush and case to the manufacturer to recycle again- brilliant! read more

The opening date of this Trader Joe's (which replaced a bottom-of-the-barrel Albertson's) was a day of rejoicing for TJ aficionados across Berkeley and Oakland. Enough has been said about how good TJ's is overall, but I have noticed this location is sometimes blissfully uncrowded, while Emeryville and El Cerrito always have good-sized lines. I'm not sure why this is, as every TJ's seems to have the same layout. Maybe the smaller parking lot here results in a little crowd control? It's too bad Berkeley couldn't get its act together and open Trader Joe's downtown, but this will do quite nicely until then. read more

Best place for a single working girl that doesn't like to cook. Enough said. Large selection of well-priced salads, pre-cut and washed and even cooked foods, that kind of thing. And I'm never afraid to try a Trader Joe's item. Nothing like those questionable store brand something or another items elsewhere. Clerks are friendly and while the produce section is small, it's actually not badly priced to my surprise. All in all, Trader Joe's is a wonderful little place to fulfill your... I need food fast and now and fresh too. Especially if you don't want to have to cook it. Also totally random but I discovered that TJs sells toothpaste without sodium-lauryl sulfate that won't break your bank. Great for those of us who suffer cankersores. read more

This is my fav Trader's. It's the biggest one I've been to, really well laid out and has great stock. I love this chain. The have so many amazing organic options, the pricing is really reasonable and it kind of feels like I can have the 'American' supermarket experience without dying from chemical overload. :0) read more

I have waited too long to put in my official two cents..... The College ave. TJ's is the best!! I was just there today (yes, xmas eve!) and it was a breeze. It's going to be a Trader Joe's Christams kids--and I love that. I found everything that I wanted for reasonable prices and this store has plenty of aisle space--and parking is not so bad (unlike Berkeley Bowl). read more

Cleanest Bathrooms in town. Convenient if you find yourself crossed legged at Rockridge BART. Matt, the employee takes special pride in keeping these bathrooms clean and open to the public. You don't even have to be a paying customer to use these sterile beauties. read more

I just fell in love with this place and Trader Joes for that matter. If you go here then you know what to expect. Small(er) and cozier store compared to other chained grocery stores. Great friendly knowledgeable staff. Always open to help and with a friendly conversation - as advertised. Ha. I love it. I was in here for a quick bit. Bought some strawberries, blue berries, granola, vanilla yogurt, and some fruit juices. All for under $20.00. Not bad. Cool thing was, as I was entering the store there were these two cute girls that had just bought a "veggie platter" and they were eating it on their way out of the store. And one of the girls offered me some of her yummy carrots and tossed me a few. Cute interaction. Never would this happen at Safeway or Raleys. Maybe at Costco. ;-) Enjoy! read more

One of the worst TJ's as of date. Layout is horrendous. The drinks are all over the place , not in one section but spread out. There is no method to the madness. Not even their workers know where products are located. I was sent to three different corners of the store looking for the Hansen's carbonated beverage. Forth person at the register was the only person that knew and directed me in the right direction. As I carried my purchases in my hand I pulled up to the fast lane placed my items down, glanced down at my wet shirt to discover the boxed lemonade was opened! Too many fails! The attendant was nice to point out where I can get napkins to dry myself off but it was a silk outfit that now needs dry cleaning. read more

Trader Joe's - Trader Joe's: Frozen Food - Grocery Near Me - Oakland, California

Holy crap!!! A TJ's where you can actually take a cart down the aisle without a second thought? No effing way. But dude, WAY. I still don't know where anything is in this new and foreign wonderland, but I'll find the beef jerky in due time, and all will be right with the world. read more