Aldi?

lalee115 wrote: »

I have seen a lot of people mention shopping at Aldi, and some of my friends' diaries has some Aldi foods in it. So, I'm wondering... what is it that you find so great about Aldi? And, no, I don't mean that in a smarty pants kinda way. I really want to know what you go to Aldi for that you consider must-haves or staples in your food life?

I have an Aldi relatively sorta close to my house but never go there because, well, traffic. Just trying to see if it's a place I gotta get to!

Ok, so three years ago, our Aldi was generally considered a "low rent" kind of store. Off-brand stuff at lower prices, bag-your-own groceries. I was hesitant to shop there.

Not now. Their stuff isn't just inexpensive, some of it is better quality than you can get anywhere else in town.

There are great deals every week on fresh produce--and sometimes it's even national brands (last week I bought a pint of fresh Dole blueberries for 99 cents, when across town they were $2.99). Staples are a steal, as others have pointed out, but they offer some more unusual pantry items, too: canned wild-caught salmon for under $3, and organic quinoa at less than half what I would spend at our regional chain grocery.

I will say that not every Aldi-branded item has been great, but at those prices, it doesn't cost much to try something to see if you like it. Our store is also really expanding their organic and gluten free offerings if that's important to you.

You should be able to check them out at aldi.com. There's usually a sale flyer and some other information about their brands and products.

If you decide to go check it out, take a quarter to "rent" a cart and a shopping bag or two. Also, you may want to find out if your store takes credit cards in addition to debit cards and cash. The one near me just started accepting credit this year; before that, some folks were caught short of cash in the check-out line.

Charis50 wrote: »

lalee115 wrote: »

I have seen a lot of people mention shopping at Aldi, and some of my friends' diaries has some Aldi foods in it. So, I'm wondering... what is it that you find so great about Aldi? And, no, I don't mean that in a smarty pants kinda way. I really want to know what you go to Aldi for that you consider must-haves or staples in your food life?

I have an Aldi relatively sorta close to my house but never go there because, well, traffic. Just trying to see if it's a place I gotta get to!

Ok, so three years ago, our Aldi was generally considered a "low rent" kind of store. Off-brand stuff at lower prices, bag-your-own groceries. I was hesitant to shop there.

Not now. Their stuff isn't just inexpensive, some of it is better quality than you can get anywhere else in town.

There are great deals every week on fresh produce--and sometimes it's even national brands (last week I bought a pint of fresh Dole blueberries for 99 cents, when across town they were $2.99). Staples are a steal, as others have pointed out, but they offer some more unusual pantry items, too: canned wild-caught salmon for under $3, and organic quinoa at less than half what I would spend at our regional chain grocery.

I will say that not every Aldi-branded item has been great, but at those prices, it doesn't cost much to try something to see if you like it. Our store is also really expanding their organic and gluten free offerings if that's important to you.

You should be able to check them out at aldi.com. There's usually a sale flyer and some other information about their brands and products.

If you decide to go check it out, take a quarter to "rent" a cart and a shopping bag or two. Also, you may want to find out if your store takes credit cards in addition to debit cards and cash. The one near me just started accepting credit this year; before that, some folks were caught short of cash in the check-out line.

Maybe this explains some things. I responded earlier, and said I was immediately turned off by Aldi when I walked in. But that was almost 10 years ago. I guess it is time to give it another try, as long as they accept debit cards.

The only other thing that gives me pause is that it is owned by the same people running Trader Joes. I don't hate Trader Joe's, but I have never figured out why people love it so much. I've been several times, and I have some times found some neat things. But the store is always crowded and cramped, and it has never seemed worth it to go back often. Maybe I am just a standard grocery store person .

I usually go to Aldi for meat, much cheaper than Sainsburys, and never had a bad experience. Blue Stilton half the price. But, some of the veg doesn't last very long. I won't buy peppers or broccoli there, and I have had trouble with cherry tomaytoes going "hairy". Chorizo is good, and cheap. Lidl's greek yoghurt tastes better, and comes in a 1kg pot for £1.39. But I can't do a full shop in either.

I like Aldi. The fruit and veg is good quality and much cheaper than other local supermarkets (I live in South-West England). You can get big packs of chicken, beef and fish for a good price, and I like their chocolate and fruit & nut mixes.

Only thing which puts me off is the lack of lactose/dairy free stuff, but I definitely save money by using Aldi for fresh food.

SmartAlec03211988 wrote: »

1. It's cheap.

It's cheap because you bring your own bags, bag your own food, and you pay a quarter to use the carts. Also, no credit cards.

They take credit cards... I use them there all the time cuz I never carry cash...

ETA -oops just saw someone else mentioned this... disregard.

Dnarules wrote: »

Charis50 wrote: »

lalee115 wrote: »

I have seen a lot of people mention shopping at Aldi, and some of my friends' diaries has some Aldi foods in it. So, I'm wondering... what is it that you find so great about Aldi? And, no, I don't mean that in a smarty pants kinda way. I really want to know what you go to Aldi for that you consider must-haves or staples in your food life?

I have an Aldi relatively sorta close to my house but never go there because, well, traffic. Just trying to see if it's a place I gotta get to!

Ok, so three years ago, our Aldi was generally considered a "low rent" kind of store. Off-brand stuff at lower prices, bag-your-own groceries. I was hesitant to shop there.

Not now. Their stuff isn't just inexpensive, some of it is better quality than you can get anywhere else in town.

There are great deals every week on fresh produce--and sometimes it's even national brands (last week I bought a pint of fresh Dole blueberries for 99 cents, when across town they were $2.99). Staples are a steal, as others have pointed out, but they offer some more unusual pantry items, too: canned wild-caught salmon for under $3, and organic quinoa at less than half what I would spend at our regional chain grocery.

I will say that not every Aldi-branded item has been great, but at those prices, it doesn't cost much to try something to see if you like it. Our store is also really expanding their organic and gluten free offerings if that's important to you.

You should be able to check them out at aldi.com. There's usually a sale flyer and some other information about their brands and products.

If you decide to go check it out, take a quarter to "rent" a cart and a shopping bag or two. Also, you may want to find out if your store takes credit cards in addition to debit cards and cash. The one near me just started accepting credit this year; before that, some folks were caught short of cash in the check-out line.

Maybe this explains some things. I responded earlier, and said I was immediately turned off by Aldi when I walked in. But that was almost 10 years ago. I guess it is time to give it another try, as long as they accept debit cards.

The only other thing that gives me pause is that it is owned by the same people running Trader Joes. I don't hate Trader Joe's, but I have never figured out why people love it so much. I've been several times, and I have some times found some neat things. But the store is always crowded and cramped, and it has never seemed worth it to go back often. Maybe I am just a standard grocery store person .

Actually, they are two different companies. Aldi was owned/founded by two brothers. One split from the Aldi and later founded Trader Joes.

Dnarules wrote: »

Charis50 wrote: »

lalee115 wrote: »

I have seen a lot of people mention shopping at Aldi, and some of my friends' diaries has some Aldi foods in it. So, I'm wondering... what is it that you find so great about Aldi? And, no, I don't mean that in a smarty pants kinda way. I really want to know what you go to Aldi for that you consider must-haves or staples in your food life?

I have an Aldi relatively sorta close to my house but never go there because, well, traffic. Just trying to see if it's a place I gotta get to!

Ok, so three years ago, our Aldi was generally considered a "low rent" kind of store. Off-brand stuff at lower prices, bag-your-own groceries. I was hesitant to shop there.

Not now. Their stuff isn't just inexpensive, some of it is better quality than you can get anywhere else in town.

There are great deals every week on fresh produce--and sometimes it's even national brands (last week I bought a pint of fresh Dole blueberries for 99 cents, when across town they were $2.99). Staples are a steal, as others have pointed out, but they offer some more unusual pantry items, too: canned wild-caught salmon for under $3, and organic quinoa at less than half what I would spend at our regional chain grocery.

I will say that not every Aldi-branded item has been great, but at those prices, it doesn't cost much to try something to see if you like it. Our store is also really expanding their organic and gluten free offerings if that's important to you.

You should be able to check them out at aldi.com. There's usually a sale flyer and some other information about their brands and products.

If you decide to go check it out, take a quarter to "rent" a cart and a shopping bag or two. Also, you may want to find out if your store takes credit cards in addition to debit cards and cash. The one near me just started accepting credit this year; before that, some folks were caught short of cash in the check-out line.

Maybe this explains some things. I responded earlier, and said I was immediately turned off by Aldi when I walked in. But that was almost 10 years ago. I guess it is time to give it another try, as long as they accept debit cards.

The only other thing that gives me pause is that it is owned by the same people running Trader Joes. I don't hate Trader Joe's, but I have never figured out why people love it so much. I've been several times, and I have some times found some neat things. But the store is always crowded and cramped, and it has never seemed worth it to go back often. Maybe I am just a standard grocery store person .

Aldis can be hit or miss. Some are pristine and you'll feel like you're in a high-end grocery, others can be a little scary. If the closest one doesn't cut it, it's worth the drive to get to a decent one.

I'm glad to hear they take credit cards *now* because before they did not.

I actually just went shopping at Aldi earlier today! Some highlights from my trip:
- pair of yoga pants
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Organic bananas
- Organic strawberries
- Organic packaged lettuce of various kinds
- Kefir
- Yogurt cheese (I'm going to try this tonight for the first time -- I hope that it's yummy!)
- Goat cheese
- Aged Vermont cheddar
- Organic red grapes
- Organic, grass-fed ground beef
- Uncured bacon
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Organic carrots
- Pork rinds
- Organic almond milk
- Gluten free pizza crust mix
- Gluten free animal cookies

...Among some other things. Everything came out to be about $93, which is great considering that that will pretty much feed my family of three for *most* of a week. The ground beef alone would have easily been +$3.00 a pound at any other store. I still wish that they carried organic chicken. If they did, I would hardly ever have to go to Kroger anymore.

I love Aldi's!

I do most of my grocery shopping there. The only problem I have with Aldi's is they are never seem to be consistent. I'm sure it's different everywhere, but it always seems once I find something I really like there and go back to buy the item it is no longer available or its months before they have it again. That is only seems to happen with snacky type foods or frozen foods, but they alway have your basics like milk, eggs, and produce and always seem to have the lowest prices in town. They also have a growing organic section too!