The Copycat Snack Trader Joe's Customers Picked As Their Overall Favorite Item
Folks who regularly shop at Trader Joe's are passionate about the bounty of quality products the neighborhood grocer stocks on its shelves, but naturally some of those items are more popular than others. The retailer recently released its 16th Annual Customer Choice Awards, which highlights the best of the best according to loyal fans of TJ's. The overall winner is no stranger to being recognized as above average. With all votes accounted for, Trader Joe's Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips have secured the overall best item TJ's carries for the fourth consecutive year.
Like many other Trader Joe's products, the zesty tortilla chips are reminiscent of a similar brand-name merchandise: Takis Fuego snacks. Both share a radiant orange hue, but you can rest assured that no artificial flavorings are used to create TJ's snack chips — that's because artificial flavorings are one of the seven things Trader Joe's never adds to its products. Here, the color comes from paprika and turmeric extracts — along with vegetable juice — all of which contribute to the tangy and slightly spicy profile of this fried-to-perfection snack.
Other notable Trader Joe's fan favorites
While Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips remain the most appreciated product carried by Trader Joe's, there were some intriguing runners-up also worthy of mention. Coming in second overall were TJ's Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings — different from the Chicken Soup Dumplings that experienced a recall last year. In the appetizer category, Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip took the top spot. As for the newest products the retailer has on hand, fans have appointed Cashel Blue Cheese Irish Potato Chips as the best recent item to hit the shelves at TJ's.
The breakfast & brunch category saw Trader Joe's iconic hash browns win out over chocolate croissants, and the honor of number one lunch & dinner product was given to Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice. Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips may have taken the spotlight once again this year, but all of these other quality commodities gave them a run for their money. With the snack reigning supreme for four years running, it is a good bet you won't soon see it joining the ranks of the Trader Joe's products we are probably never getting back.