The REAL Oscars: Trader Joe's reveals the results of its annual Customer Choice Awards - so is YOUR favorite product a winner this year?
- The Trader Joe's annual Customer Choice Awards revealed some unexpected first-time winners in the 15th annual competition
- The chili & lime flavored rolled corn tortilla chips won the best overall Trader Joe's item for the second year in a row
- The widely popular mandarin orange chicken did not secure the top spot
The results for the Trader Joe's annual Customer Choice Awards are finally in - revealing some unexpected first-time winners.
For the past 15 years, the California-based grocery chain has called on its shoppers to vote for their favorite Trader Joe's products across various categories.
Surprisingly, the widely popular mandarin orange chicken did not secure the top spot in any category.
That's because Trader Joe's decided to exclude its five extremely popular products, which had won numerous times in past years, making them ineligible for consideration staring from last year.
Here are the top winners in this year's vote:
Top Overall
The standout winner of the 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards was the chili & lime flavored rolled corn tortilla chips, triumphing over other beloved products of the year.
The iconic tortilla chips secured the top spot overall for the second year in a row and claimed victory in the snack category as well.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/17/80369173-12996703-image-a-3_1706031451630.jpg)
![The standout winner of the 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards was the chili & lime flavored rolled corn tortilla chips, triumphing over other beloved products of the year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/67078493-12996703-The_standout_winner_of_the_15th_Annual_Customer_Choice_Awards_wa-a-97_1706038130176.jpg)
The standout winner of the 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards was the chili & lime flavored rolled corn tortilla chips, triumphing over other beloved products of the year
![It beat out other fan favorites including steamed chicken soup dumplings, kimbap, steamed pork & ginger soup dumplings and butternut squash mac & cheese](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/80365255-12996703-It_beat_out_other_fan_favorites_including_steamed_chicken_soup_d-a-96_1706038130094.jpg)
It beat out other fan favorites including steamed chicken soup dumplings, kimbap, steamed pork & ginger soup dumplings and butternut squash mac & cheese
Devoted Trader Joe's customers just can't resist this fun (and spicy) twist on the traditional corn chip as it is dusted with hot chili & lime-flavored seasoning.
'Trader Joe's chili lime flavored rolled corn tortilla chips with their guacamole is a revelation. my obsession with Trader Joe's continues,' X user @laurenbacalls once wrote.
It beat out other fan favorites including steamed chicken soup dumplings, kimbap, steamed pork & ginger soup dumplings and butternut squash mac & cheese.
The tortilla chips also finished as the winner in the top snack category.
Top Beverage
Brewed with spices such as cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, the seasonal Apple Cider emerged as the winner in the beverage category.
This fall-season tradition from Trader Joe's outshone other beloved beverages like sparkling peach black tea with peach juice and sparkling cranberry & ginger beverage.
![Brewed with spices such as cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, the seasonal apple cider emerged as the winner in the beverage category](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/80365251-12996703-Brewed_with_spices_such_as_cinnamon_allspice_and_cloves_the_seas-a-98_1706038130183.jpg)
Brewed with spices such as cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, the seasonal apple cider emerged as the winner in the beverage category
The company wrote: 'We’ve been selling orchards full of Trader Joe’s spiced cider for more than 20 years, and we anxiously anticipate its return, year after year. It’s delicious hot or cold, day or night. It’s refreshing and relaxing at the same time.'
Top Cheese
Goat cheese, in all its variations, emerged victorious in the battle of the cheeses this year.
Customers showed their love for options like chevre with honey and crumbled, among others, when it comes to cheese.
![Goat cheese, in all its variations, emerged victorious in the battle of the cheeses this year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/80365245-12996703-Goat_cheese_in_all_its_variations_emerged_victorious_in_the_batt-a-94_1706038129965.jpg)
Goat cheese, in all its variations, emerged victorious in the battle of the cheeses this year
The runners-up in this cheesy competition include Syrah soaked Toscano cheese spread & dip, burrata, Toscano cheese with black pepper, and English farmhouse cheddar with caramelized onions.
Top Produce
Bananas priced at 19 cents have made them an unbeatable option in the favorite produce category.
![Bananas priced at 19¢ have made them an unbeatable option in the favorite produce category](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/67078481-12996703-Bananas_priced_at_19_have_made_them_an_unbeatable_option_in_the_-a-101_1706038130264.jpg)
Bananas priced at 19¢ have made them an unbeatable option in the favorite produce category
The organic option of bananas has secured the top spot for the fifth time, so don't be surprised if you see them in Trader Joe's Hall of Fame next year.
It beat out teeny tiny avocados, Honeycrisp apples, Persian cucumbers and lemony arugula basil complete salad kit.
Top Appetizer
Looking for a good dip?
Trader Joe's shoppers listed the company's creamy spinach & artichoke dip as the best app in the store.
!['This warm, savory dip is incredibly versatile & easy to prepare. Could you even imagine vegetables being more appetizing? It¿s a winner, whether with tortilla chops, topping a burger, or tucked into a tortilla,' the company noted.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/80365291-12996703-_This_warm_savory_dip_is_incredibly_versatile_easy_to_prepare_Co-a-95_1706038129968.jpg)
'This warm, savory dip is incredibly versatile & easy to prepare. Could you even imagine vegetables being more appetizing? It’s a winner, whether with tortilla chops, topping a burger, or tucked into a tortilla,' the company noted.
'This warm, savory dip is incredibly versatile & easy to prepare. Could you even imagine vegetables being more appetizing? It’s a winner, whether with tortilla chops, topping a burger, or tucked into a tortilla,' the company noted.
The dip beat out mac and cheese bites, parmesan pastry pups, Greek spanakopita and vegetable bird's nest for the top spot.
Top Breakfast
Apparently, no one wants to deal with the hassle of washing, peeling, and shredding potatoes when they wake up, and Trader Joe's heat & eat hashbrowns are the crown jewel for breakfast or brunch.
![Apparently, no one wants to deal with the hassle of washing, peeling, and shredding potatoes when they wake up, and Trader Joe's heat & eat hashbrowns are the crown jewel for breakfast or brunch](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/17/80365239-12996703-Apparently_no_one_wants_to_deal_with_the_hassle_of_washing_peeli-a-66_1706029751676.jpg)
Apparently, no one wants to deal with the hassle of washing, peeling, and shredding potatoes when they wake up, and Trader Joe's heat & eat hashbrowns are the crown jewel for breakfast or brunch
The runners-up are chocolate croissants, almond croissants, double chocolate croissants (limited) and chicken sausage breakfast patties.
A Trader Joe's customer wrote on social media: 'yoh NEEEEEED to try trader joes hashbrowns itll change your life i swear.'
Even Trader Joe's seemed shocked by the side's top finish, writing: 'Could the humble Hashbrown be a winner? Survey says, “Yes!” No one wants to wash, peel, and shred potatoes when they wake. That's why TJ's heat & eat ‘browns are the crown on a complete breakfast.'
Top Lunch
Prepare to be surprised, Trader Joe's fans, as the butter chicken with basmati rice has just clinched its first-time victory.
The company wrote: 'First time at the top? And it belongs there, with chunks of tender, tandoor-style in a rich, tomato & onion-based sauce—along with authentic Indian spices, and fragrant rice.'
![Prepare to be surprised, Trader Joe's fans, as the butter chicken with basmati rice has just clinched its first-time victory](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/80365237-12996703-Prepare_to_be_surprised_Trader_Joe_s_fans_as_the_butter_chicken_-a-102_1706038130346.jpg)
Prepare to be surprised, Trader Joe's fans, as the butter chicken with basmati rice has just clinched its first-time victory
A social media user who tried the butter chicken for the first time, wrote: 'Little spicy but the flavor is really good!'
It beat out chicken tikka masala, steamed pork & ginger soup dumplings, vegetable fried rice and steamed chicken soup dumplings.
Top Sweet Treat
Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones faced tough competition and lost out to another frozen treat in this year's sweet category.
![The sublime ice cream sandwiches took the crown for the best dessert, featuring chocolate chip cookies sandwiching creamy vanilla ice cream, all rolled in even more chips](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/80365253-12996703-The_sublime_ice_cream_sandwiches_took_the_crown_for_the_best_des-a-100_1706038130261.jpg)
The sublime ice cream sandwiches took the crown for the best dessert, featuring chocolate chip cookies sandwiching creamy vanilla ice cream, all rolled in even more chips
The sublime ice cream sandwiches took the crown for the best dessert, featuring chocolate chip cookies sandwiching creamy vanilla ice cream, all rolled in even more chips.
A social media user agreed it's award-worthy: 'First thing I pick up in Trader Joe’s is always the ice cream sandwiches lol everything else can wait!'
Top Bath, Body & Home
Here's another seasonal delight that captured the fan's hearts...and their skin.
The Brazil nut body butter, exclusively available in summertime, emerged victorious as the best bath, body, and home product.
![The Brazil nut body butter, exclusively available in summertime, emerged victorious as the best bath, body, and home product](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/19/80369521-12996703-The_Brazil_nut_body_butter_exclusively_available_in_summertime_e-a-99_1706038130257.jpg)
The Brazil nut body butter, exclusively available in summertime, emerged victorious as the best bath, body, and home product
The company wrote: 'Its mega-moisturizing power and salted-caramel & pistachio scent have made it number one in our 'do-not-eat' category!'
Runners-up include daily facial sunscreen SPF 40, coconut body butter, lavender spray hand sanitizer and eight dripless candles.