New to Trader Joe’s? Here are 20 fan favorites to try at the Myrtle Beach store

For Trader Joe’s fans around the Myrtle Beach area, the wait is almost over. The Grand Strand’s first Trader Joe’s store will open its doors to the public on Sept. 30.

Trader Joe’s has been a hot topic among local shoppers for years. Part of the grocery chain’s mass appeal is its unique selection of specialty products, from easy frozen meals to snacks with a twist.

“If you love Trader Joe’s, you love Trader Joe’s,” said new store manager, or “captain,” MaryJoy Marino.

Some devoted customers have gone as far as Wilmington, North Carolina, to get their Trader Joe’s fix, but for the uninitiated, the new store brings dozens of signature products with cult followings.

“Once it’s in the Trader Joe’s label, you can trust the ingredients and the quality and the value that comes with it, and we have a lot of cool things,” Marino said.

If you’re planning your first Trader Joe’s shopping trip and don’t know where to start, we’ve put together a list of wildly popular products inducted into the official Trader Joe’s Product Hall of Fame, voted best by shoppers in the annual Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards or displayed in the new store’s “Customer Favorites” section.

Trader Joe’s refrigerated and frozen favorites

Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice - This year Trader Joe’s customers voted this tandoor-style single-serving entree the best lunch or dinner option in the store. The frozen meal sells for $4.49.

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip - Voted best appetizer in 2025 by Trader Joe’s customers, this popular dip can be bought frozen and reheated at home. You can score your own for $3.79 a container.

Hashbrowns - A bit simpler than other entries on the list, Trader Joe’s hashbrowns were voted the store’s best breakfast and brunch food. Pick up a pack of 10 for $2.99

Mandarin Orange Chicken - Winner of the “Favorite Overall” and “Best Entree” Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards, the Mandarin Orange Chicken is might be the store’s most popular frozen dish. A bag of the Hall of Fame frozen chicken, which Marino says has been a customer favorite for “many, many years,” sells for $5.49.

Unexpected Cheddar - Cheese fans looking for a new favorite should start with this “Best Cheese” Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Award winner in the Hall of Fame. Labeled a premium cheddar with hints of parmesan, a package of the popular cheese will run you $3.99.

Soy Chorizo - Whether you’re vegetarian or just interested in trying something new, this meatless sausage won the “Best Vegan/Vegetarian” customer choice award and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The spicy, Spanish-style chorizo costs $2.99.

Trader Joe’s most popular sweets and treats

Dark Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels - Satisfy sweet and salty cravings with these chocolate pretzels from the Myrtle Beach-area store’s “Customer Favorites” section. A bag of the chocolatey treats costs $4.29.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - After winning scores of fans and the Best “Desserts/Sweets” customer choice award, these candies earned a spot in the Hall of Fame. Customers can satisfy their sweet tooth with a container of these nutty dark chocolates for $5.99.

Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches - Voted the best sweet treat by Trader Joe’s customers this year, these ice cream sandwiches feature vanilla ice cream smushed between two chocolate chip cookies, lined with extra chocolate chips on the sides. A box of four sandwiches is $4.99.

Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers - The name bears an obvious resemblance to the gummy candy Swedish Fish, but these colorful, chewy sea creatures covered in sour sugar come in a variety of flavors. A bag of the gluten-free, kosher gummies earned a spot on the “Customer Favorites” display and will run you $3.79.

Triple Ginger Snaps - These popular cookies, which have inspired copycat recipes across the web, use fresh, crystallized and ground ginger for undeniable ginger flavor. You can grab a tub of cookies from the “Customer Favorites” display for $4.79.

Trader Joe’s fan favorite snacks

Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips - Since their 2018 debut, these spicy, tangy chips have won the “Favorite Snack” and “Favorite Overall” Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards. The chips, which were officially inducted into the Trader Joe’s Product Hall of Fame this year, sell for $2.99 a bag.

Fig & Olive Crisps - Described as “miniature, toasted bread slices” these crisps are perfect for a quick snack or an elaborate charcuterie board. Shoppers can find them for $3.99 on the “Customer Favorites” display in the new Myrtle Beach-area store.

Freeze Dried Strawberries - If you’re looking for a sweet, simple snack, these crunchy berries have no added sugar and earned a spot in the new store’s “Customer Favorites” section. Bags are $2.99.

Organic Corn Chip Dippers - These simple corn chips are the perfect shape for scooping dips and were voted the second runner-up for the best snack in the store by Trader Joe’s shoppers. They run for $2.79 a bag and took a spot on the Grand Strand store’s “Customer Favorites” shelf.

Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets - Another Hall of Fame favorite, the wildly popular peanut butter pretzels have been a staple at Trader Joe’s for more than 30 years. For $2.69, you can get a bag of the Trader Joe’s Customer Choice “Best Snack” Award-winning pretzels at the new Grand Strand store.

Pita Bite Crackers - Trader Joe’s boasts that these crackers, which new shoppers can find on the “Customer Favorites” display, taste like pita with the crunch of a cracker. You can pick up a box of the crackers for $2.99.

Trader Joe’s cult classic condiments

Crunchy Chili Onion - This popular crunchy oil with dried garlic, onion, red bell pepper and chili flakes earned a spot on a “Customer Favorites’ shelf in the new Grand Strand Trader Joe’s store. Fans can pick up a jar for $4.49.

Speculoos Cookie Butter - Made with crushed Belgian cookies, this dessert spread has garnered a cult following of devoted fans. A jar from the “Customer Favorites” section costs $3.99 a tub.

Sweet Chili Sauce - Sweet and spicy, this Thai-inspired condiment is a fan favorite for stir fry, dipping or even grilling. Grab a bottle from the “Customer Favorite” display for $1.79.

NOTE: cost estimates were taken from the Trader Joe’s website. Actual in-store prices may vary.

This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM.