Trader Joe's vs. the Real Deal: Here's Who Makes Your Favorite Foods Best

Uh-Oh! Pepperidge Farm is suing the discount grocer over knocking off their Milano cookies

By Dominique Haikel Dec 09, 2015 2:00 PMTags
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Those sneaky little devils over at Trader Joe's made a suspiciously similar cookie to the infamous Milano recently, and now they're in hot water. Pepperidge Farm, the maker of the Milano cookie, is suing Joe's over their "Crispy Cookies." Ouch! Can't we all get along? If you haven't noticed, Trader Joe's has a lot of foods that are eerily similar to some big brands we all know and love.

We decided to compare a handful of our favorite foods with their TJ's version, and some of the results may seriously surprise you! There's a reason Stacy's Pita Chips taste dangerously similar to TJ's. Find out why before you spend all that hard earned cash on your big brand faves. 

1. Annie's Shells and White Cheddar vs. TJ's Shells and White Cheddar. Yes, even as a full-grown adult, we still consume these. Don't even front like you don't either. Both of these are undoubtedly delicious and, therefore, we cannot decide the winner. Or is that really why? According to Groundswell, Annie's low-key sells their products to Trader Joe's who packs and sells them (for cheap) under their own label. Technically this isn't even a knock-off; it's the same dang thing. Who knew!? 

2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups vs. TJ's Peanut Butter Cups. We've been laughing at Reese's a lot lately for their shabby holiday chocolates. We, however, are done poking fun because they have won this battle. There's just something about eating a peanut butter cup that isn't a Reese's that feels scary and wrong, you know? Sorry TJ's, no hard feelings. 

3. Stacy's Pita Chips vs. TJ's Pita Chips. Technically there cannot be a clear winner here either because, surprise, surprise, they are the exact same product. Just like the boxed shells and white cheddar, Stacy's and TJ's pita chips are no different. In this case, we're giving the top spot to Trader Joes simply because who doesn't want brand name pita chips for a fraction of the cost?!

4. Cheerios vs. Joe's O's. Similar to Reese's and their peanut butter cups, we've got to give it to Cheerios simply because certain classics are just not meant to be messed with.

5. Stonyfield Yogurt vs. TJ's Yogurt. Gasp! Another undercover operation has been revealed. Storebrandsdecisions.com, notes TJ's yogurt is supplied by Stonyfield. Say what!? They're sure making it hard for us to pick faves! Well played, you two. 

6. Pacific Organic Creamy Tomato Soup vs. TJ's Organic Creamy Tomato Soup. We don't even care if these are secretly the same item because Pacific's version is the bees tomato-flavored knees. We stand by that statement no matter what. TJ's, our inner 20-something loves you and your deliciously low prices, but our inner Anthony Bourdain goes gaga for a box of Pacific.

7. Blue Diamond Nut Thins Crackers vs. Trader Joes Original Savory Thin Mini Crackers. Taste wise we have to give it to the name-brand Nut Thins. There's something a little weird and greasy about the TJ's kind. Not to mention they'll probably be more likely to get stuck in between your car seats because they are so teeny-tiny. Pass. 

How do you feel about our picks? Sound off in the comments! 

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