Top Ten

We've already covered 20 food words you need to stop mispronouncing. And then 20 more words after that, since apparently people still stumble over the fact that there is no "x" in espresso. And espresso is definitely one of those words that people — even people who work in coffee shops — misspell on a daily basis.

But there are far worse sins than putting an "x" in espresso. And there's one brilliant but under-the-radar Twitter account that's been compiling them all: @CheeseCasadia. Here are our favorites and a list of the ten words that you need to stop misspelling:

10. Casadia / Quesadilla

9. Pork shops / Pork chops

8. Jumbaliya / Jambalaya

7. Dognuts / Doughnuts (or just keep it simple with Donuts)

6. Orange jewce / Orange juice

5. Bowel / bowl

4. Pooping champagne / Popping Champagne

3. Umbeyonce / Ambience

2. Flaming young / Filet mignon

1. Lack toast and tolerant / Lactose intolerant
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Grocery Guide

A Stop at Trader Joe's
Texas's newest sensation hits Texas.

What do you get when you take a grocery store with a jazillion specialty products, organic produce and flavorful freezer food and intertwine it with low prices throughout, then sprinkle it with a laid-back Hawaiian vibe? Trader Joe's. The specialty store, whose roots lie in the small town of Monrovia, California — something I share with the booming national retailer — is Texas's newest sensation.

The trading at Joe's commenced with the opening of its Woodlands and Fort Worth locations on the same date, June 15. Not only did the opening of the two stores mark a milestone in its local communities, it marked the specialty grocery store's much-anticipated Lone Star State arrival. Lines that wrapped around the building, abuzz with excited chatter, characterized Trader Joe's debut.

If I were to take a wild guess, I would predict that the same excitement will surround the 2012 opening of Trader Joe's two Houston stores, along with its San Antonio, Dallas and Plano locations. Then there's the second Dallas store opening, slated for 2013, and the 2014 Austin opening (assuming the hipsters can wait that long).

Devoted fans of Trader Joe's, such as my dad, have been waiting years for it to make the move to Texas. Upon my family's relocation to Texas in 1997, one of the first things he did was call the Trader Joe's headquarters.

"When the heck are you opening up a Woodlands store?" he asked the employee who happened to take his call. "Your audience is here; this would be the perfect spot for you guys."

"Thank you for your suggestion," was the response from the Trader Joe's representative. "We have been conducting market research for expansion. We appreciate your call and your interest in having a Trader Joe's opened in your area."

Fifteen years later, now that Trader Joe's has expanded into the Texas market, my father is perhaps a bit resentful that it took them so long, but excited that it finally happened.

Truth be told, Trader Joe's is a sensation. What makes it so? Lots of things. Most prominently: its wide selection of unique edibles — many "ready-to-eat" or "ready-to-cook" — stamped with Trader Joe's private label.

Examples include cookie butter, s'more chocolate bars and ice cream sandwiches, chocolate-covered frozen bananas, and frozen mandarin orange chicken created by "the chef that originally created mandarin orange chicken," according to a Trader Joe's employee whom I chatted with. (That description was a little iffy, but we'll roll with it.) Best of all, every Trader Joe's-stamped product promises "no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, MSG, genetically modified ingredients or trans fats." Not too shabby, right?

For those looking for more traditional foods like produce, baked goods and meats, Trader Joe's offers all of this — for the most part at very reasonable prices and, many times, in organic varieties. Of course, pretty much any grocery store you walk into can offer such things. What sets Trader Joe's apart from the others is the quality of what they offer at the disproportionately good prices.

And let's not forget Trader Joe's adult beverage selection, most famously Charles Shaw's red blend, otherwise known as "Two Buck Chuck." The California red blend, originally priced at $2, now costs $2.99 due to inflation. Its quality is a tad questionable, but the product is perfect for putting into sangria or calimochos. You can also get a bottle of bubbly or Moscato for less than $6. Come on, don't even try to hide the fact that cheap alcohol is your guilty pleasure.

Finally, Trader Joe's is known for its excellent customer service. Upon entering the store, you'll be greeted by cheerful employees who actually seem to like their jobs. And that cheerfulness rubs off on you by the end of your grocery-shopping experience. BY CARLA SORIANO
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