And the winner is …
Not the usual super-popular Trader Joe’s products like Mandarin Orange Chicken. Before voting commenced earlier this month, the SoCal-based grocery store group put five perennial favorites in the Hall of Fame. The idea was to freshen up the list of winners and spark customer interest in products they may have never tried.
And freshen up the list it did.
On Monday, the 14th Annual Customer Choice Awards were announced via podcast on the Trader Joe’s website. They are:
Favorite overall: Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, Chile-Lime flavor. (Trader Joe’s announcers said a rumor last year that this product had been discontinued caused a stir on social media. Not to worry, they said. This winner is here to stay. In second place were the Hash Brown Patties.)
Favorite beverage: Sparkling Honey Crisp Apple Juice. (Customers may still find some of this seasonal product at their local store, TJ’s said. If not, it will be back this autumn. Coming in second was the Triple Ginger Brew, a non-alcoholic refresher.)
Favorite cheese: English Cheddar with Caramelized Onions. (The announcers noted that these onions have a sweet, French onion soup-like flavor.)
Favorite sweets/dessert: Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones. (“Every time we bring in a new flavor, it disappears,” a TJ’s announcer said. These cones also won the category in 2022.)
Favorite entree: Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice. (Coming in second was Tikka Masala Chicken.)
Favorite produce: Bananas. (Teeny Tiny Avocados took second place.)
Favorite snack: Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, Chile-Lime flavor.
Favorite vegan/vegetarian product: Vegan Kale, Cashew and Basil Pesto.
Favorite health/beauty aid/household product: Scented candles. (Coming in second was one of last year’s new products, the Daily Facial Sunscreen.)