An Ode To Trader Joe: The famous Trader Joes Takis have been discontinued, breaking mine and the worlds heart

Upon entering my local Trader Joe’s I immediately find myself b-lining towards the back corner of the store. There, nestled in between the shelves are the Trader Joe’s Takis. Words can’t accurately describe the love that I share for these chips. 

They are famously known as the “Trader Joe’s Takis,” labeled as rolled corn tortilla chips but to me, they are much more than just a chip. Essentially, they are a dupe product for the name-brand Takis. Not in the way that Great Value creates a knock off version of an Oreo, but in a magnificent way that only Trader Joe himself can create. 

The first time that I was blessed to be in the presence of a Trader Joe’s Taki was during quarantine when a friend introduced them to me. From then on it seemed like one of the if you know you know snacks.

 Now I fear that know one will ever know. 

In the early weeks of August a dark cloud loomed over the franchise when a customer posted online a sign reading “soon to be discontinued.” If it’s socially acceptable to hold a funeral for an inanimate object, I’ll be planning one for my beloved snack. 

Trader Joe’s is constantly testing new seasonal products and only selling them for designated periods at a time. Never did I expect that I’d be deprived of these beautiful creations of chile lime flavored chips. When I heard this news I immediately ran to my local store to stock up and quickly felt a rush of relief by the amount of bags left. That was until I went back the next day and the shelf was vacant — not an off-brand Taki in sight. 

Now the fate of the beloved chip isn’t completely ruined. Some employees have been saying that they will be receiving new shipments soon. Each store has different times for discontinuation. However, knowing that it may all be over soon has left a massive whole in my heart that can only be filled by the crunch of the salty, tangy chips.

While some say that if you love something you must let it go and in time it will come back, I have never been one to trust that logic. Especially in these times of dire need, I had never expected myself to depend more on a chip than I do now. 

There’s something in the deliciously loud crunch of the first bite, that’s like church bells to my ears that I can still hear if I close my eyes. Something in the dusty, red residue left on my fingers that has never bothered me like a cheeto-adjacent chip normally would. Something in the sweet, spicy flavor that feels like a hug on my tongue every time I take a bite. 

I’ve witnessed the fall of many Trader Joe’s favorites,  like the cookie butter or citrus gum drops, but this is by far the worst tragedy. Not only my comfort snack, but what I consider to be one of life’s greatest treasures is leaving my life.

After reading Reddit thread after Reddit thread online, I have been hoping to find condolence somewhere, anywhere that this isn’t true. Sadly, for now I have to part with my beloved chile lime snack and begrudgingly settle for the boring name brand. Rest in pieces, Trader Joe’s Taki. I will never forget you.