I went to a bunch of Trader Joe's when I was in Seattle simply because as a family on vacation we needed to pick up lunch on the cheap and Trader Joe's seemed to fulfill our need for cheap and healthy. This location is great and they seemed to have everything I was looking for, except for the pesto and quinoa, I love that stuff. Parking here is really easy. there is some street parking. but there is also a big three level garage. I mean how much easier can it get?! The store is nice and clean and after visiting 5 Trader Joe's it's all meshed together and everything is the same. I love Trader Joe's simple as that, once you've seen 1, 2, 3...you've seen them all. Well there is one difference I usually shop in Bellingham and the TJ's here charge .50 more for their relaxation tea and .50 less for a bag of inner peas....weird. read more

I drive from Bellevue to this Trader Joe's so I can remember I have a soul. Staff- always engaging and helpful. Layout of the store is the new trend of wider aisles. Sort of sad about that because I felt like I was in a mom and pop store in the older TJ locations. Parking is great- how can you complain about it? read more

Be very careful to check the expiration date on packaged produce. TJ's often sets out produce that has a sell-by date within a day or two, and I've also seen sell-by dates that have already passed. I bought a pound of ground beef last week and when I cooked it 1/2-1 cup of water was produced -- no wonder their beef is so cheap, you're paying for water, not beef. There is no other grocery store I've ever been to that has such poor, slow check-out. Good grief! This is not the time or place to have a lengthy discussion with customers about the book you're reading (the other customers in line presumably are trying to buy groceries not join a book club). The other thing that annoys me about this store is that the checkers always ring up the item, place it on the counter, and then at the end go back and bag everything. Most other stores bag as they ring up, which is quite a bit more efficient (though I can see how that would distract from the book discussions). The only reason I go to this store is because I haven't been able to find the chopped vegetables at other stores. read more

Possibly the best Trader Joes I've been too and I am a big fan of TJs in general. This one seemed larger than most, has super easy parking and although busy it was easy to maneuver around inside. Lots of checkers were present so there were virtually no lines at all. I was in and out in a jiff!! read more

As I do love ALL TJ's! This location feels very open compared to other TJ's. Everyone here are super friendly! Everything is always stocked and fresh. I really enjoy some of the knowledges that the employees possess about their produce. Definitely something I can relate to their excitement of healthy produce. Love that it's next to my gym as well! read more

Everyone is always helpful but parking sucks! There are douches that park too close to you so you can't even back out your car. But that's okay as long as you have a passenger whos willing to have some great convo time with you read more

Best TJ's in town. Spacious, friendly employees and good parking!

Free samples of coffee and kind respectful people on a rainy Seattle day....I'm about it. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍peace and blessings.

I won't bother commenting on their products as they are the same at all stores. This store is in a great location, big, and not usually all that crowded. While you are there, walk around the south side of the building check out the little house the owner refused to sell when they built the complex. Definitely a quirky Seattle oddity! read more

TJ's is my all time favorite grocery store...Ok, I now this might sound wierd, but I LOVE grocery shopping....I love slowly walking through the aisles, picking up bags and bottles of stuff, reading labels and trying samples. This location has good sized aisles, always has great samples and the most unique products--I almost always go home trying something new and quirky. Love, love, love TJ's! read more

Free garage parking with ample space, lots of friendly and helpful staff, sample booth, and right next to LA fitness.

Compared to the majority of Trader Joe's locations in Seattle, the Ballard location is top notch. They almost always have every item that i'm looking for and are constantly sampling new items that I probably wouldn't have considered otherwise. There ARE peak hours where you'll be inundated with families and their kids (weekends are high traffic times) but they always have plenty of friendly and helpful cashiers that will get you through checkout quickly. Small anecdote, I handed over a reusable bag that ended up having one of those huge brown Seattle spiders in it. Rather than freak out, the cashier calmly killed the spider and even cleaned out the bag for me. Just another example of the level of customer service. I like TJ's however I like the Ballard TJ's a lot. read more

Trader Joe's is awesome they have great food and way better prices than whole foods. They also have a cool tropical boating vibe and the employees are always very nice. Did I mention their store brand items are pretty good compared to other generic brands. If you're wondering what I'm talking about try their naan, generic wine or liquor. I like this Trader Joes because it has a great parking lot and never super busy. The location is easy to get to if you're using 15th. Just hope the drawbridge doesn't go up while you're here or you be stuck in traffic. read more

Best grocery store around. I usually am just buying for myself so prices seem decent. They always have something new every time I go to the sample station. Lots of tasty looking stuff I havent tried yet because of my diet but will get to it soon. Staff has always been friendly. read more

The best grocery store all the way around. I live next to a different store, but drive out of my way to got to Trader Joe's. They definitely have a great buyer who selects the healthiest foods and they have a ton of options for quick healthy meals--even if you haven't studied nutrition yourself, someone's done the work for you and the prices are surprisingly great as well. read more

The prices are great and so is their selection. I don't mind making a special trip here because it's always worth it. We love their Bolivian coffee so much that we have stopped going out and buying coffee from cafe's. Their spicy spinach pizza crust is delicious and same with their frozen butter chicken entrees. read more

Joe, my one true love. How did I ever survive without you? I LOVE their new Ballard location! The parking lot always has lots of space, the store is spacious and clean. Let me say outright that I love all Trader Joe's locations equally, but this one is the closest to our house in Fremont. We used to go to the one in the U District, but that one is usually teeming with people and their parking lot is just a mess! I think TJ's food and other products speak for themselves. I've never bought anything from there that I've disliked, but I'm told that when that happens to bring back the packaging and they'll refund or exchange. What grocery store does that??!! Their prices are always low, their produce is always fresh and delicious and their frozen food section is the best ever!! As a general rule we tend to avoid frozen foods for several reasons, among them being that they are usually packed full of unhealthy preservatives, are way too salty and simply aren't fresh. But TJ's carries delicious, minimally-processed frozen food that comes in a wide selection. read more

Best place to buy groceries in Seattle. Great parking situation, unique and tasty food and beverage items, wider aisles than most places. It gets busy in here, but it's worth navigating around all the people. read more

This location is pretty nice! Spacious and all. I always end up buying more stuff than what is on my list *LoL*

One of my favorite grocery stores, I was thrilled when it was announced they were coming to Ballard. The location is convenient, there's a ton of free parking, and the store is huge and bright. I'm a big fan of their frozen food options. read more

Tj's is my favorite place to shop. One thing I have come across is the popcorn you pop on the stove does not pop. You get a few kernels and the rest just burns. Diappointed; but it is only popcorn and just won't buy it again. I still love TJ's and shop there everyweek. read more

Good location and product selection. Staff are friendly. Midweek visit gave me no parking hassles or crowded aisles.

We just started going here last month, it's great! Friendly staff, great food, great wine, nice neighborhood to park in, glad we don't have to go to Queen Anne anymore. read more

I like the Ballard TJ's the best of the ones in the city of Seattle. It is the roomiest, cleanest, has the least weird parking situation (which doesn't mean it is perfect, just the least awkward), and the hottest guys working! Bonus! (Also, none of them have bled onto my groceries, like one checker at the U-District TJs did.) But why do I get one weird product... maybe unfresh cheese, stale cereal, bitter celery, etc., almost every time I go to any TJs? At least they are nice about returns/exchanges. I'd probably give TJ's 3.4 stars, if such decimal arrangements were allowed. read more

I love this supermarket. They manage to carry great items at what, in my opinion, are fair and reasonable prices. I especially prefer this locations because of, as a few other reviewers have already stated, the accessibility. read more

I've been a Trader Joes fan/customer for several years. I used to shop with them in California and would go to the U Dist one occasionally until I was delighted to find out that they opened a store near me in Ballard. I've always had nothing but friendly service at this store! The employees at this store are always so friendly and upbeat! The quality and prices are outstanding as always. read more

Always friendly, awesome staff. Great selection of local organic stuff. Good beer and wine selection.

Great selections and great prices! A great place to shop for healthy items for the family and throw in a few goodies while your at it!

The best place for cheap but good wine. And I really like how such a high percentage of their products are simply great. This doesn't help my diet and tendency to overindulge but the cheap prices they have make it kinda sorta affordable. I wish there were a trader joes closer to my home and not only my temporary work place. read more

Yes to Trader Joe's. Especially the prices on wine and cheese. Actually I am always surprised just how many of the items I like at these stores. I like almost everything about Joe's although I do wonder about the weird history of those German billionaire brothers who own it. I asked a few of the employees about ownership and they had no idea. I guess for them it is just a pretty good job. read more

Great place to get my salads for lunch, and if your into the whole health foods type thing. I usually go here once a week to load up on groceries. A great thing about them is that they usually have free samples and coffee in the corner. read more

Just as most other Trader Joe's I've been to: great, simple selections; friendly employees; very clean facility.

One of the managers was very rude I was legitimately in the bathroom for no more then 2 minutes, trying to rinse out some dirt or whatever that got in my eye! I work at a recycling plant so I get dust, drit, and sliver like wood chips all over me by the end of the day. But almost immediately entering the bathroom I hear someone banging on the door saying "sir you need to go" I thought he said "I need to go" So I proceed to try and buy a drink and some water too finish rinsing my eye. This man gets in my face and demands I leave very loudly, since now for some reason I can't be there with no explanation as for why or what I did wrong. This managers name is Steve I think.. The lady and the older gentleman with white/grey hair auctly listened to me and tried to help when I came back for info for this review, they are also managers to the store apparently. So I am giving it 2 stars. I wish I cought the females name so I could give her the credit she deserves for being a 5/5 star employee and role model to her co-workers, for offering to assist me when I came back to retrieve information and asking if I still need water. Clearly listening to what I said, instead of passing judgment and being very unprofessional and rude. read more

Do NOT buy meats at the Trader Joe's! I bought angus beef flank steak ($11.65) and it was spoiled, stinky, and stale! This could have been led to a serious health issue! I purchased the meat well before its "freeze-by" date, like 10 days before. When I opened the package, I still had several days before 7/17/2018. The horrible smell emanates from the meat. I decided to grill it just to make sure it REALLY was spoiled, and it REALLY was. I spit out immediately the moment I put the piece in my mouth. I called a store and talked to a person who claimed himself a manager. He was super nonchalant about it and said "well, this thing happens. If you bring a receipt or a label, we'll refund it for you." I didn't get a refund, because I didn't want to be seen as someone, who apparently do not have a tangible proof of the stale meat, that takes advantage of the refund. I thought of it as I just threw away my 12 dollars to the trash can. The conversation I've had with him gave me a cue that this kind of thing may have happened more often at this store. Otherwise, it is hard to believe how the store manager could be this nonchalant about product complaint from a customer. I'm surely going to be missing their frozen meal products, but hell no I will not be your customer again. NOPE. read more

the PROS: - wider aisles than most TJs - clean public restroom - free coffee - vast wine section - great food, good prices - typically friendly and fast service - almost endless free supply of boxes for moving the CONS: - yes, parking is free in the concrete jungle called the Ballard Blocks. Where the spaces are teeny-tiny and huge concrete pillars eye all corners of your car with glee. Yes, I drive a compact. It's still dicey. - should you attempt to park on the street, you'll have to vie for a spot with the neighboring Mars Hill Church crowd. Oh and don't ignore the time restrictions on the diagonal spots - it's frequently policed by parking enforcement. - if you're the lucky winner of a parking spot across the street good luck as you dodge the road rage 40 mph traffic. - Is it only me that thinks there's a crosswalk missing here? I mean, lots and lots of patrons going back and forth across this busy side street ... ya would think .... - haughty passive-aggressive patrons who WILL run your toes over with their cart or slam their little red baskets into your shins. Beware. Or just don't go at peak hours. read more

As an update to my first review, the produce is still MOLDY all the time and they were out of the soy creamer AGAIN! I just want to scream. Don't they read these yelp reviews. They could learn a lot from them. My latest gripe is about this flyer they put out all the time. Why would they circulate an ad about something and not even have ample supply to have it on the shelf? Poor planning Trader Joe's. Perhaps there needs to be training offered to the management of the company. read more

so sad to say my daughter and me and a friend got food poisoning from the packaged grapes day before last. we puked for over 16 hours. a whole case of wine for $36 makes up for it though. moral of the story? do not eat the produce. read more

if you're into wine and willing to take some risks (1 of 5 bottles we bought for a party was corked, sometimes they taste *ahem* farty), this is a great place. but you knew that! read more

Love Trader Joes, wish there was one south of Seattle more. They always have interesting and different things, Although I don't agree that they are any cheaper then the regular grocery store but it's fun to see what they have and buy things you can't find at Freddy's and Safeway, etc. read more

I love this store and shop there often. More interesting than Fred Meyer and as much as I love PCC, TJs is more cost efficient. Wish they hadn't built the massive parking structure so more people would be encouraged to walk to the store. But overall, my first choice for groceries. read more