It's the home of the pastel mini tote, a less expensive Takis 'dupe' and everything in between. 

For loyal Trader Joe's shoppers, navigating the famously cramped aisles to snatch up the next viral product can feel overwhelming. Now, employees and devoted customers have revealed the secret to avoiding the chaos – and it all comes down to timing.

A online debate has seen Trader Joe's crew members and shoppers alike share the best times to shop, with one employee revealing there are two clear winners during the week.

According to a Trader Joe's worker, Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the quietest shopping days, naming them the 'slowest days' overall. 

'Unless a storm is coming, those are the best days to avoid crowds,' the employee wrote.

'The other day the employees told me Tuesday morning,' another Reddit user chimed in. The worker added that late morning or early afternoon, before schools finish and commuters leave work, offers the best chance of strolling the aisles without battling crowds.

Another crew member told Eat This, Not That that shoppers should steer well clear of Sundays, describing them as the busiest day of the week.

'By far, Sunday is the busiest day - all day,' the employee said. 'Saturday is almost as busy as Sunday. Monday is even a busy day.'

As one of the most popular and trendy grocery stores, some customers say there's no best time to visit Trader Joe's. One Reddit user wrote, 'The one I went to in my college years sucked at pretty much all times.'

When it comes to loyal shoppers, though, there are two times of day that they suggest stopping by the store. 

'For less crowds, probably right before closing, but the shelves will be empty probably,' another Reddit user noted. 'The workers restock after the store closes. So if you want a chance at getting everything on your list: I recommend opening. Shelves are fully stocked.'

Another customers in the Los Angeles area said that Tuesday through Thursday mornings are 'pretty slow, deciding Wednesday would be their go-to day. 

'Also if you look up your Trader Joe's location on Google, and scroll down to 'Popular Times,' you can check the different days and times and maybe get a good sense of the least busy times,' another suggested. 

The worst times are unanimously weekend afternoons, when shoppers scramble to get their groceries for the week. One Reddit user added that it's 'jam packed, the aisles are impossible to navigate and the lines are crazy.'

And for those who still aren't sure, one customer suggests the best thing to do is just ask. 

'The crew members are very helpful and can give you more personalized information than us Reddit users,' they said. 'To echo other comments, it appears like the mornings on a weekday for easier parking and more chance of food being in stock.'

Trader Joe's, known for its quirky branding and private-label grocery items, first opened in Pasadena, California, in 1967. 

In recent years, the brand developed a cult following, with some social media users claiming it's their go-to spot for snacks, ready-made frozen meals -  and branded mini tote bags.

According to the company, it plans to continue opening new stores across the United States as demand continues to grow. 

Trader Joe's added 34 locations in 2024 and a further 43 in 2025, taking its nationwide footprint to more than 600 stores across 43 states.