You can never go wrong with a trip to Trader Joe's!! I have lived in the Shadyside area for three years and this is the ONLY grocery store that I will step foot in to shop. Whether the store is extremely crowded or completely empty, the trip goes by quickly. The store is the perfect size and laid out in an organized fashion that makes it easy to grab all of your groceries-from produce, to dairy, to snacks, to frozen foods, to international foods, to meat, to bread and then coffee and tea! You cannot beat TJs pricing either-TJ is owned by Aldi, which is apparent by their pricing structure and great produce. My absolute favorite part is checking out. You are always greeted by a friendly cashier who makes small talk about your plans for the day. They bag all of your groceries in an organized fashion and even unload your cart for you! I would definitely recommend this location and/or any TJs location to anyone looking to purchase groceries. read more

This is the smallest and most crowded Trader Joe's I have ever seen. They are also constantly out of things because it is always over-crowded, and it is so stressful to shop here with all the aisles constantly blocked by people. I imagine it is because of Pennsylvania's absurd liquor laws that they will not open another location and I will still shop here because it is the only option in the city of Pittsburgh! But it is a shame that Pennsylvania's ridiculous liquor laws mean that we all have to put up with second-rate grocery stores that are not as convenient or well-maintained than in any other state in the country. read more

Have you ever looked forward to grocery shopping? Have you ever squealed with delight thinking about pushing a shopping cart through congested aisles to stand in long lines after having fought to find a decent parking space? I swear, Trader Joe's makes me smile ear to ear and not find a glimmer of annoyance in any of these things that would typically make me fly off the handle. Why, you ask? Because Trader Joe's is a culinary wonderland, full of new and delicious possibilities, healthy and affordable deliciousness, with vegetarian friendly options a go-go. My life and my lunch are forever better for having a Trader Joe's in my life. This was the first Trader Joe's location I had ever visited and it's still my favorite. The staff is incredibly helpful and kind and I know where everything is. But I still linger. I don't want to miss any of the new goodies they tuck in with my old favorites. My list of regularly purchased items continues to grow and my small trips to pick up basics now usually end up costing me well over $100. But for that cash I walk out of there with a cart full of things I'm actually excited about preparing and eating. I used to think I couldn't do all of my shopping here and would supplement my TJ runs with obligatory trips to Giant Eagle. Now the only thing I go to Giant Eagle for is the pharmacy. Chances are if Trader Joe's doesn't have it, I'm not eating it. I'd rather eat that canned tofu chili than my mother's best homemade effort (sorry mom, but have you HAD it?), the prepared veggie wraps and pasta salads are outstanding to have on hand for a quick lunch, and for a few months when the kale chips were removed from the shelves my wife and I talked about how we missed them almost daily. Our pantry/freezer is nearly all TJ's brand and that's the way we like it. read more

I expected moving to Pittsburgh from the Bay Area would be a bit of a food culture shock, but lo and behold, my apartment sits smack in between a food coop and Trader Joe's. I love Trader Joe's. True, it doesn't have a huge produce selection, nor is it especially good for your basic loaf of wheat bread, but if you ever need frozen fruit, no salt peanut butter, lemon parpardelle, or flaxseed chips, you're in luck! And there's always fresh hot coffee and a little tester waiting for you in the back of the store. Everyone has their favorite Trader Joe's fare; mine consists of pumpkin butter, frozen edamame, low sugar jam, and pizza dough. I don't know what I'd do without them! read more

I have one complaint about TJ's and I've heard it from other shoppers too, please put one in the south hills. Sometimes Joe D. likes to stay home and create a meal, kick off my shoes and eat in front of the tube and just get lost in a movie. After a few hours at Trader Joe's I do get inspired. Today I found myself trying some new items, grilled chicken burgers, chili and lime chicken burgers, mahi mahi burgers (Joe D loves burgers!) and Latin black bean soup. I also bought green figs that were on sale and a little goat cheese for dessert. Other items I always have in my pantry are TJ's red curry sauce, chili lime cashews, a bevy of frozen vegetables, peanut satay sauce, and a few bottles of Tj's olive oils like the Spanish (tangy and peppery) and kalamata (fruity and full bodied) evoo. Also I keep on hand a few varieties of TJ's coffee like the dark roast and the diner roast. So tonight I had my mouth watering for a chicken burger. I bought a package of whole grain burger buns and Dijon mustard. I fried up the burger according to directions and slapped a slice of good ol' American cheese on it and chowed down. It was moist and juicy and tasted like it was right off a charcoal grill. For dessert I halved 3 of the figs and put a few crumbles of the goat cheese on them, drizzled them with honey and savored them with a hot cup of dark roast coffee. Try to duplicate that at Micky d's. Try shopping here, you'll love the prices and variety. read more

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I got maybe 10 items. 3 very good, 5 fine, and 2 not so great. Burritos were good, chocolate was fine, but the dessert was lacking and a few pasta meals were not very good. This place is fine, BUT if you have the money Whole Foods really is 2x better. It really is that much better. I would even try Giant Eagle across the Highland Park bridge before Trader Joe's. I would give this place a 3.5, but I will not round up to 4. I think it's a little overrated. read more

I WILL NEVER ENTER THIS STORE AGAIN!!! Running up to the door of the store 8:57 the worker saw me and rushed to the door and locked it. Asking to come in to purchase one item I was denied. This is not a way any business should be run and will never receive the cent for me again. read more

I discovered Trader Joe's in another state (that was able to sell wine within the grocery store... so sad that they can't in PA!) and was disappointed to live far away from this location for a couple years. Well, I recently moved, and this location is now only 15 minutes away! Trader Joe's is just fantastic all around. I recently purchased flowers from them that were half the price of Giant Eagle's and are still lasting weeks after purchase. I have liked all of the breads that I've tried, particularly the Challah and Naan, and often find myself eating the bread plain because it's so delicious. I like their Vegetable and Lobster Sushi and their deli meats and cheeses, including the Gouda and Ham with Rosemary. They have very tasty chips - love the Cheese Puffs and Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips. I always keep their breakfast bars at my desk at work and all the types that I've tried are very good. I've also kept their "Nutella" and Cookie Butter at my desk in the past, but warning, you will find yourself digging into these jars a couple times each day, so I recommend anticipating weight gain if you keep them at work! Finally, they have great quick meals, such as their Chicken or Shrimp Fried Rice, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Reduced Guilt Macaroni and Cheese. Don't forget to grab a chocolate bar when checking out! Don't go into Trader Joe's expecting to get every ingredient you'll need for cooking a meal. Instead, go into the grocery store with an open mind, willing to try lots of fun, new items at an affordable price. It's definitely one of my favorite shopping experiences! read more

A great alternative to the insanity that is Giant Eagle Market District in Shadyside. While the selection may not be as good, the quality and price of most items is pretty damn good. Parking is pretty good (much better than Giant Eagle), though the shopping center can get a little crazy during rush hour. Recently got some veggie burgers there that were amazing! read more

The best way to describe Trader Joe's is Whole Foods but way, way cheaper. Easy parking and lots of great stuff. I could spend hours there. This location is a lot smaller compared to other ones I've been to. read more

I mean if you are into the organic and green thing, then this place is for you. In my opinion, I found much greater satisfaction going to the Whole Foods Market down the street, but this place is pretty neat too. They had a place in the back where they were offering samples and stuff, but if I was comparing it to WFM, I would have to complain that Trader Joe's doesnt offer many other brands besides their own. So, if you are coming here expect to buy the Trader Joe's brand. read more

My favorite!!! Lots of unique food items and everything is very delicious and great quality. The staff is always very nice and helpful and it's always a very pleasant experience. I highly recommend going if you're looking for something a little different. read more

Well stocked grocery store. Lot of organic stuff and nice frozen meals. Helpful staff.

I can't believe they removed the nautical themes from the bathrooms! Perhaps it's a health code violation to have fun whilst visiting the toilet. Other than it now being slightly less fun to poop here, it's still a great store, given the competition. Awesome products, fair prices and cheerful staff all contribute to making Trader Joe's 100% better than nearby grocers. read more

I was a regular Trader Joe's customer in Seattle before moving to Pittsburgh and was very happy to find my favorite store just a bus ride away from my downtown apartment. Except for one unpleasant experience there shortly after I became a customer, I found most of the employees to be very helpful and pleasant. But that has changed in the last few months. Customer service for me has always been the biggest reason to be a loyal customer anywhere...unless I can save a lot of money. Then I will overlook some sullen behavior. But expensive prices plus lousy customer service is a guarantee I will not be returning. And I will not be returning to Trader Joe's. read more

Excellent place to buy snack foods, frozen meals, delicious frozen desserts, and a generally healthy food. Compared to the California Trader Joe's, I miss the wide selection of beer and wine and the cheap liquor, but that's a problem with Pennsylvania in general and not with Trader Joe's. I've also felt that the cashiers at this location were not as friendly as the ones I remember from California. read more

How have I avoided Trader Joe's for so long?!?! I don't know if I can ever shop anywhere else! Prices and selection are great. You can find all-natural and organic foods without paying the ridiculous Whole Foods prices. The fruits and veggies are cheap and fresh. They have a great selection of meats and cheeses and fresh flowers too. Oh and the best part-- free samples! They were giving out samples of their frozen chicken pot pies and it was delicious. A little free food goes a long way! Every staff member I saw was upbeat and very friendly with the customers. This is definitely my new grocery spot! read more

Great selection and reasonable prices. I also appreciate the fact that the majority of their products are organic.

Great grocery store. Always high quality. You get what you pay for so not the cheapest in town. Staff always cheerful and helpful. Parking can get tight on a weekend. read more

I am fortunate to work close-by to here. They have high quality food items and a lot of things you cannot get elsewhere. I especially enjoy the numerous varieties of hummus and breads. In addition they always have lots of fun fresh flowers to bring home to my wife! read more

I find going right when they open (8) on the weekend makes for a very calm grocery experience. I can tinker down the aisles with no claustrophobia or fear of a mother and her eight kids getting into a cart derby. The soups are my favorite. Regardless, for some reason the Husband finds this place "weird." read more

oh, man. just: oh, man. the best. i've been to countless trader joe'ses in my time, and i love them, one and all. trufax: there is always at least one prius in the tj's parking lot. the max i've ever spotted was five at one time. read more

I love Trader Joes anywhere. However my husband always complains that there are too many 'yuppies' here. I still love it though.

My visit to this trader joe's was perfect. It must be a nation wide thing at trader joe's to only have awesome employees but everyone was so nice and helpful. read more

I love Trader Joe's and this location is no exception. Clean, well-organized, well--stocked and a friendly staff makes shopping easy. Smaller than some locations that I'm used to in other states because they can't have alcohol, but that's a state issue and not a reflection of TJ's. The store can be really crowded and the parking lot is tight, but I like the store enough that it won't stop me from shopping here. read more

Friendly and helpful staff, great location, great food. It's a good alternative to Wholefoods, that's for sure. Very reasonably priced.

Ample parking. Brightly lit. Friendly staff. Love the cheese and salad selection. If you ever see the Chile Rellenos in the frozen section, grab a few. We usually buy all that they have they are so delicious. read more

Definitely not the best Trader Joe's. Upon arriving, I noticed lots of trash on the ground outside. Inside, it was hectic, just like other Trader Joe's, but it felt crazier, crying babies and parents yelling at kids. I bought a chicken caesar wrap that was terrible, mostly consisting of cheese. The prepackaged food was fine, and the prices were like other TJs. read more

I'd much rather waste hundreds of dollars extra / month on groceries to save $8.50 in gas - said no one ever. Trader Joe's is amazing. Fun, healthy food and easy meals without breaking the bank. The real prize here, though: the employees. I've shopped here 1000 times, and they are consistently happy, friendly, and helpful. Not a single bad experience. read more

Typical TJs, therefore 4 stars. Always seems to be busy here. Great offerings of prepared frozen foods. Most of the items are excellent, including but not limited: to the mini tacos; wild mushroom pizza; 4 cheese pizza; chocolate chip ice cream cookies; maple sandwich cookies; fettuccine with mushrooms, pasta arrabbiata; and many more. read more

The employees are so friendly, and as with all Trader Joe's, there's a great, quality selection of products.

I love this place to buy my cheese, bread, fruit, and nuts. They have a great selection, and an awesome variety.

We do the bulk of our grocery shopping here because of their low prices, but sometimes have to supplement with a trip to big ig for specialty foods joe's lacks. Produce is much cheaper than ig's, but careful what you buy - I've bought peppers that were rotten a day later and avocados that turned out to be hard as a rock. Like the people there even though they guilt trip me every time I forget my reusable bags. read more

I have been always shopping at Trader Joe's since I was living in CA and AZ. Comparing to Giant Eagle, Trader Joe is a lot reasonable. I only purchase fish and seafood from Trader Joe's. read more

Love to go here when we can. Made a recent visit for the first time in a long time. I really wish there was one in westmoreland county...I'd be one happy girl! The best prices Ive come across grocery shopping in a while. I spent just under 15$ on a nice selection of items, and they were healthy items too. Can't find prices like that at giant eagle . Oh, and the best hummus! read more

Happy find! Especially for someone that moved here from NorCal Just wish they had good old two buck chuck and many other good cheap wine.

One word: obsessed! I LOVE shopping at TJ! The selection is great, the gluten free selection is wonderful and I feel much healthier with the variety of foods that are both delicious, unique AND healthy. The employees are freakin awesome. They know you need help before you ask. And Chuck is the nicest, most upbeat person I've ever met in 28 years of being alive. I love shopping there and am now addicted to cookie butter. No one else makes anything like it and it is to die for! I only gave 4 stars because the store is smaller so it crows easy, but that wont deter me from going every weekend! read more

Most creative frozen prepared foods available. They make great starting platforms for family and even company dinners. Friendly staff and good prices. And you can easily park. read more

Just recently moved to Pittsburgh and stopped in to Trader Joes after hearing such great things about the store. I have blown away. It seems very difficult to eat healthy without paying high prices, but at TJs you can find an array of healthy options (organic, vegetarian, fresh produce, etc.) at reasonable to cheap prices. The store is small but I found everything I needed. The environment is relaxed and friendly and overall a really good grocery store. Will definitely be making TJs my regular place to shop at when preparing meals. read more

I love this place. Good food for less money. And, they have many German products. A plus when one is from Germany.