Destination Chicago? Put Trader Joe's on Your Shopping List!

Lakeview is a district of Chicago home to the famous Trader Joe's Grocery Store. Those unfamiliar with Trader Joe's may dismiss it as yet another healthy-eating emporium, but Trader Joes has a few secrets in the beverage department that make it a worthwhile visit for locals and tourists alike. There are a couple thousand 'Trader Joe" brand items on sale here, and usually these are priced to move! Don't miss out on the excellent prices, and the TJ brand is quite good.

The sample stand should be your first stop. Depending on the day of the week, you may find mango tea, fresh blackberry juice cocktail or the outstanding lemon/limeade. The sample stand offers something different every time you stop in, be sure to check out the latest offerings. The sampled products are located right at the stand for shopping convenience.

Trader Joe's offers a vast array of excellent coffees-both whole bean and pre-ground. Good Kona, Italian roast and a wide variety of French roasts are on offer, but the real draw here is the Trader Joes brand Chai tea mixes. Available in both regular and decaf, the TJ Chai is superior to just about any other Chai tea out there, including Oregon Chai. The TJ mix is a powder and keeps forever, unlike the liquid pre-mixed brands offered in other stores.

Truly adventurous shoppers will pick up a good Kona roast from the coffee section, a can of Trader Joe's Chai, take them home and mix a scoopful of Chai into a hot steaming cup of Kona roast. It sounds quite strange, but the mix is a heady one, and quite tasty.

If coffee and tea isn't quite what you're looking for in the beverage department, take a wander through the Trader Joe's beer section, which features great Lambic ales for decent prices. Lambic ales are fruity and good, unlike any other brew you may have tried. Don't expect Guinness or Bass, the Lambic ale is sweet and makes a great dessert drink.