Trying new items at Trader Joe's in Paramus.

Trader Joe's encourages customers to try new items in Fearless Flyer, a publication sent to homes with detailed descriptions of fresh, frozen and prepared food, much of it organic or naturally raised.

By Victor E. Sasson
Editor

Sliced yogurt cheese with jalapeños. Check. Antibiotic- and preservative-free hot dogs. Check. Sweet potatoes. Organic or conventional? Check.

My Trader Joe's shopping list hardly varied, and I'd return time and again for a handful of items I couldn't find in other food stores.

Costco Wholesale, for example, has better prices on just about everything, but only carries sweet potatoes at holiday time and doesn't stock the organic kind.

Trader Joe's in Paramus has both year-round.

Then, I got Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer in the mail, read through it and took it with me on Thursday after I met a friend for lunch at a diner near the Route 17 store.

Steaks, juice, pasta

I picked up frozen Grass-Fed Angus Strip Loin Steaks from New Zealand ($10.99 a pound); a 4-pack of canned, not-from-concentrate Pineapple Juice, each one about 8.5 ounces ($2.99); a 16-ounce package of 8 chopped vegetables ($2.99); and a 16-ounce package of frozen Tropical Blend Organic Fruit ($2.99).

I also picked up more 1-pound packages of Trader Joe's Organic Whole Wheat Fusilli Pasta ($1.39 each); a 3-pound bag of Organic Sweet Potatoes ($3.69); and naturally raised Applegate Sliced Roast Beef ($3.99 for 7 ounces), $2 less than at the ShopRite in Englewood.

I also picked up packages of antibiotic- and hormone-free Trader Joe's Bacon and Beef Hot Dogs ($4.49 each).

Trader Joe's prices don't vary, unlike the fluctuating prices at Costco Wholesale.

Trader Joe's produce section.
 

Mold problem

At the Hackensack Costco last Tuesday, I bought a 5-pound tray of Sunset Beefsteak Tomatoes, put them on my counter to ripen and was surprised to see mold growing out of the stem end of two or three of them only 2 days later.

My wife took them back for a full refund of $6.39, which is about 40 cents higher than before.

I also saw mold growing on one of the fresh California Black Figs I picked up at Trader Joe's (2 pounds for $4.99), and I'm monitoring them.

Luckily, I can substitute tomatoes and black figs from my garden.

Trader Joe's, 404 Route 17 north; 201-265-9624. Open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A large, deep bowl of split-pea soup at the Suburban Diner in Paramus.

Soup for lunch

At lunch on Thursday, I ordered a bowl of split-pea soup -- a Greek-diner classic -- at the remodeled Suburban Diner in Paramus, and, well, I was bowled over by the portion size ($3.95).

Even without croutons, the serving filled me. I also ordered Earl Grey Tea, and was told all teas are organic ($2.25).

The same whole-leaf bag yielded 3 strong cups of tea.

The lunch menu also lists wine by the glass for $4.95.

The Suburban Diner's new look.

Suburban Diner, 172 Route 17 north; 201-261-2605.

Update: Coffee with free parking in Manhattan

A mug of strong coffee is only $1.50 before 11 a.m. at the Market Diner in Manhattan.

A breakfast bowl of minestrone.

The Market Diner on 11th Avenue and 43rd Street is probably the only Greek diner in Manhattan with free parking.

A mug of strong black coffee costs $1.50, with at least one free refill. The brew is made from beans roasted in Brooklyn.

Before 10 a.m. today, I was able to order a large bowl of minestrone soup with far more vegetables than elbow macaroni ($4.25).

The diner also serves wine and beer.

The entrance to the parking lot, which accommodates six vehicles, is on 43rd Street. The diner is open 24 hours.

The lot was closed on Tuesday, when a TV production crew for "Elementary" was using the diner.

The 11th Avenue view from the Market Diner.

Update

The day after I posted this, I returned for another bowl of soup, this time a thick, vegetarian split-pea soup ($4.25), and another cup of coffee.

When the check came, I saw I was charged $2 for the mug of coffee and refill, and asked about it at the register.

The woman said coffee is $1.50 before 11 a.m. and $2 after.  

I also received a comment that a McDonald's at 34th Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan is open 24 hours and also has free parking.

Of course, you can't compare the quality of the food to the diner.