Gotta love Midtown Trader Joe's! Trader Joe's doesn't get enough hype in the real world honestly. Almost everything they sell is their "house brand". But that doesn't mean it's any less delicious. I love the fresh fruits and vegetables here - they certainly pay more mind to it than most other stores. I'm also in love with the assault of pleasant scents that greets you from their huge selection of fresh flowers and herbs.
Seems like they always have free samples of something that makes you absolutely want to buy it including the occasional in-store wine tastings. I am practically in love with their pre-made, bagged pizza doughs. There is regular bread, whole wheat and a garlic herb kind which is sure to make your kitchen smell like it came right out of Italy. There are lots of unique frozen foods to choose from, trail mixes and nuts, cheeses and meats and even beer both from Trader Joe's and from other breweries. You can mix and match bottles to build your own six-pack.
The check outs are anything but modern and ordinary. Which is certainly not a bad thing! It's basically an experience to ring up here. The staff has a completely different, friendly demeanor about them which makes for a more homegrown kind of experience. Want to chat about what you're buying, what reusable bags you brought or even what you're wearing? Seems like someone's always ready to talk. Trader Joe's, despite being a national chain, does a good job of making itself feel local wherever you may find a store.