Trader Joe’s

I like Trader Joes in general but not this one. Once was enough. One checkout line snakes through half the store taking up entire aisles. I suppose if I shopped there regularly I would learn to strategize and reach right and left for what I wanted while in line. Better not remember something at the last minute ’cause you won’t want to go back and get it. There was also a customer in there with a dog, not a service animal, and she pretended not to notice me when I told her that was not a thing to do. If that can happen in a supermarket then something is amiss.

This is a very small Trader Joe’s. That means no, they may not have that item you always get at Trader Joe’s, and yes you’ll probably have to wait in line. Though despite this, I think this store is great, I’m always treated nicely by the staff here and they move the checkout line along pretty quickly. The checkout line will usually wrap around the sample booth, and the staff at the booth are normally very nice and like to joke and have fun with the customers who are standing in line, which give it a unique community feel for a grocery store. The other shoppers who cram themselves in this location tend to be very nice in my experience as well.
For food of any quality, this is probably the cheapest grocery store in the area, as Trader Joe’s doesn’t seem to adjust prices by area.

You can never go wrong shopping at any Trader Joe’s since the products there are great! My rating is based on the size of the store, customer service, and product availability.
Space: this Trader Joe’s is very small and it can get really crowded making shopping very difficult especially if the line is right in front of the product you need.
Customer Service: The service here is great! The employees are always helpful and they try to get you in and out as soon as possible.
Product Availability: There are some products that I love getting at Trader Joe’s that are not available here. For example, I love the brown rice medley and its not available there. So if there are specific products you love/​want/​need, definitely check if they’re available beforehand.

Yes, it’s small but it’s still Trader Joe’s! Their selection is smaller compared to the usual sized Trader Joe’s/supermarket, but has more variety than a convenience store.
Best part: their kitchen offering free samples! Got to try their awesome fall ice cream sandwich, which was heavenly.

Smallest TJ in the US of A
It’s true, the cashier told me and I also looked it up. Its kind of cute that its small and has just the quintessential necessities, but sometimes people want variety. This is the closest TJ location to me besides the huge on in Alston, that has basically everything you need from a TJ. Other downside from this Back Bay location, no alcohol, well downside for me. However, the upscale of this tiny TJ, they have wonderful customer service, they always cater to me ask if I need help finding anything!

Been coming here for years, as long as I worked in retail, and am honestly in shock at the way I was treated by staff today. Was the only person in line and stopped to answer a text since the cashiers were all busy, and an older woman who worked there yelled «EXCUSE ME» and proceeded to very rudely tell me that she was waiting for me, then walk over to a coworker and make fun of me while I was still standing there. Completely aghast. Have never had a bad experience there before. Will not return for a second one.

This place felt pretty small, as far as Trader Joe’s locations go, but it had everything we needed! Felt like a REALLY HUGE KITCHEN PANTRY.
Beats the hell out of the nearby Shaw’s, Star Market, and Whole Foods though…

Average trader joes here. It’s the only one in Boston and it’s so tiny! I miss the one I used to go to in NJ. Overall, this trader joes doesn’t jack up their prices but overall, it’s still expensive. I wish they had wine too. They have a small assortment of everything a full size trader joes has. Overall, I’ll come back for certain items that I love from trader joes.

As far as TJ’s go, this one is not the greatest. It’s so small so they can’t really provide a lot of the fun products that other TJs have.
No booze. And that is the biggest downside for me, besides their lack of produce and general lack of products.
Also, I can’t complain about lines because once you’ve stood in line at a TJs in NYC (see the Buzzfeed post) … you’ll appreciate the «lines» here.

No booze and very small but surprisingly manages to fit all your essentials — it is rare that I don’t find something I need. Definitely great for staples (and the TJ specific staples such as cheeses, frozen food) but not the most expansive veggie and fruit section. I’d recommend it if you live in Back Bay. Lines can be long especially in ”rush hour” but they move really quickly. Staff is very helpful and cooperative

Ok but this trader joes is a tiny basement ad doesn’t sell alcohol. Please be aware of this factoid before running in at 9:53 pm (they close at 10) because you need that alkie and the bars aren’t cutting it. You will do the walk of shame up the stairs with tears in your eyes. And resignedly drag your feet into one of the surrounding bars.

This is my local TJ’s and it’s definitely an adventure. During the busy hours, be prepared to just get in line while you do your shopping. It is tiny but they fit a ton of stuff in there and the staff is always helpful and efficient at moving things along. I am always amazed at the total I spend for the amount of food I get. My necessities here are pasta with the TJ’s brand tomato sauce, the frozen spinach and artichoke dip, and the breakfast hash browns that are just like McDonald’s.
They usually have good samples as well.
Had to take a star off because they don’t sell wine at this one which is really sad and inconvenient. There’s just no space for it. I’ve heard rumors that they want to add on… fingers crossed!

I love Trader Joe’s, I really do. This branch however only gets 3 stars from me. The place is tiny, especially compared to the other one in Coolidge Corner. Because of its size, the products here lack scope and the lines get dragged out very quickly. It doesn’t help either that the aisles are so small, filled with people who tend to leave their carts and obstruct your path. Every single time right before I descend from the narrow escalator, my heart would be beating with the anticipation that I’ll get to splurge on strange goodies that Trader Joe’s is often equipped with. Some people find grocery shopping a chore, but I think it’s ridiculously fun. As soon as I step into this store though, I become so underwhelmed by the selection.
That being said, this is still a Trader Joe’s, and I still enjoy the quality of whatever I buy here. They carry some obscure products that is difficult to find elsewhere. The other day, I was able to purchase a bag of chocolate covered potato chips after failing to do so at other stores and chocolate specialty shops. Location is also convenient for when I’m roaming around the area and happen to crave something from Trader Joe’s. If size permits one day, they should add a liquor section. In the meantime, I won’t be doing any real grocery shopping here. It’s much too inconvenient. Trying to find street parking here will give even the calmest person road rage. Other locations away from the center of Boston have private lots.

For the small size, Trader Joe’s packs a bunch! I think maybe the meat section could probably use some work, but any dry pantry/​produce that you might want, you’ll probably find here, as well as some favorites you can only find at Trader Joe’s.
Things I love from TJ:
–pumpkin cheesecake (seasonal, I usually devour the equivalent of 1.5 of these cakes alone every season)
–cheap bananas
–pesto gouda
–peach salsa
Another thing I love about TJ’s is that all the employees here are really friendly and try to help you if you look lost. Also, I love love love how they always pack things into my bag nicely, and always double bag without my asking. Never are my spinach and tomatoes under my carton of soymilk or squash. I always have to rearrange my groceries after I pay at Star Market.
If only this location had alcohol…

The worst lines of all time. Go here anytime except for maybe 8am on a Sunday and you will be totally fucked waiting in the basement of a grocery store for 20+ minuets simply to pay. Everything is crammed together, they do not carry alcohol or beer of any kind (or wine), and its a nightmare to get through the Berkeley College to simply get something.
I would love to never ever step foot in here again but until they open one in the South End we must resort this horrific location…

This is one of my favorite places to shop for groceries in all of Boston! I live nowhere near here, but I always try to stop by to grab some bananas or stock up on food whenever I’m in Back Bay — sometimes that means I have to be that annoying person carrying two large paper bags of food on the T. Oops.
Yes the store is small and the smallest branch of all Trader Joe’s in Boston, but they have everything from fresh produce, frozen meals, desserts, to flowers and thank you cards. The food is healthy, delicious, and reasonably priced — I would say less expensive than whole foods as well as other chain stores like Shaw’s and Hannaford. I also enjoy the free samples.
Like others mentioned, there is always a long line but it moves relatively quickly. Staff are so so so friendly and helpful. They are very efficient at what they do and talk to customers while they are waiting for everything to be packed. It’s a pleasant experience shopping here.

this store is a true treasure, especially if you are South End/​Back bay resident. I don’t mind local cute grocery stores, but often they are overpriced and so many times after spending $ 100 on groceries your fridge still pretty much empty (or look like that)
At TJ you can actually spend around $ 60 – 70 and have a little bit of everything in your fridge. I enjoy my every visit and shopping here. Employees are very helpful and nice. Never a problem to get some quarters for your laundry (most of the stores are not that cool about that).Its great that they are having a little chat with you while packing your groceries (Lilly is the best).Absolutely right attitude and professionalism. Great food quality, great prices, very convenient.

Been here plenty of times, but just went again today. Love everything here. It’s one of those few places were the price is justified by the high quality of the products. Despite being significantly smaller than the Shaw’s not too far away, it’s much better than it in my opinion. The free samples of their products are usually good, and with the cost of food continuously going up, it’s only a little bit more expensive than a regular supermarket. I do recommend going in just to look around, because pretty much all of their products are Trader Joe’s brand, meaning you won’t find them anywhere else.

I’ve noticed that their prices have gone up recently, which is disappointing because I actually liked doing my main food shopping here. I’m going to have to search for a different place now, because as it stands, getting food here now feels like luxury grocery shopping to me. My bank account is certainly not pleased :(haha.
Not all of their prices have gone up, though, so I’ll still get bananas (and a few other items) here at least lol.

I love this place. Has everything you’ll ever need and more! I’m a sucker for the corn salsa and chocolate covered everything! The free samples are nice too. Like Damien said below, it’s tiny but it’s chock full of so much! From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but hop on the escalator down into yumminess.
Best times for shopping here is at lunchtime or the weekends. :)