Aldi and Save-a-Lot?

[dyna]

Never been to Aldi's no other reason than I'd have to go out of my way to shop there.

Save A Lot most of the things I buy there are name brand the 1 exception is we love their chips. You do have to know your prices somethings not a deal at all. Once again you do have to take your own bags or they usually got an empty box or 2 layin around tt you can use.

 

[Jenny3]

I'm a huge Aldi's fan; I've been very happy with the majority of their food and it saves us quite a bit too.

The Food Network show Unwrapped did a feature on Aldi's once; they said about 80% of Aldi's food is made by major name brand companies, just repackaged in a different brand specifically for Aldi's. I also read the owners of Aldi's are the same as Trader Joes and many of the foods are the same, just different packaging.

 

[ElenaRN]

You can't beat the lg cheese pizza

Went to Aldi's for the first time recently. This pizza was a great deal. I think it was $5.99 for a large 3 cheese pizza. That and a salad was a quick, easy and cheap meal. Plus we had left over slices for lunch the next day!

Other great buys I found were on cereal and juice. Juice has become so expensive. They had a container of blueberry pomegranate juice for around $2. It was 100% juice.

I was actually going to ask what products people like from Aldi's so I can try them next time I go, so I love this thread!

 

[C_leen]

With grocery prices soaring, I have been trying to go to Aldi's about two times a month. They have been steadily opening stores all over town while I was persistently being a snob. We have been mostly focused on snacks. I got a great price on raw almonds there! The package fit perfectly in my screw top Archer Farm container I keep at work. I also liked the cranberry dark chocolate trail mix. It was overly generous on the berries and chocolate, so I actually had to put more almonds in the container and it lasted a LOT longer than most trail mixes. I devoured the sweet potato chips and the veggie chips. Both were great to the point I have to pass them up so I don't overeat. DH and DS had no complaints over the 'Fritos', 'Doritos' or pretzels I bought there either. DS likes those tasteless sugar cookies mobbed with icing and they are definitely cheaper there. He also liked the mini chocolate chip muffins.

I bought a gallon of milk there this past week and have bought half and half twice. No complaints from anyone here. I also made rice krispie treats from Aldi ingredients and they tasted identical to the usual ones I make.

This past week I did buy the maple syrup! Have not tried it yet. Also bought fire roasted corn in the freezer section which is something I really like from TJ!

We also liked their 'skinny cow' ice cream sandwiches and the strawberry fruit frozen bars.

I saw this week the flyer had some imported german beer and wine for Octoberfest deals. Definitely going to investigate those offerings!

The produce has looked picked over and a little worn out when I get there. That could be my timing as I usually shop late in the day after work or it could be due to the drought. I have not tried much meat either.

I agree it is NICE to have a small store. I whip in and whip out...

 

[englishteacha]

We don't have Aldis, but we have a Save-a-lot. I get most of my staples there, and they have a good meat department. Everything I've ever gotten there has been pretty good, and the prices are better than anywhere else around here.

 

[hearts8701]

not a aldi regular shopper more like a pick-up store for me i buy milk laundry soap the laundry soap works as good as tide for half the price

 

[Srbright]

As many people have mentioned, Aldi is the parent company of Trader Joes and has been since 1976. Aldi is a German owned company and Aldi is one of the number one stores in Europe.

Basically when you shop in Aldi you are shopping the way 80% of European people do.

And having worked in food manufacturing I can tell you that their food is the same quality as national brands. When we manufacture a lot of foods for different brands we literally take off the name brand box off the packing line and stick the Aldi brand box in. It often is the exact same food.

Stacy

 

[usd2bmd]

We shop there in conjunction with our trips to Walmart and Wegman's. When we were first married we shopped solely at Wegman's, but our food budget has simply not increases the way food prices have, so we make our rounds when buy groceries.

My daughter loves the shells and cheese from Aldi's and perfers it to Velveeta. We also buy the Alfredo sauce my daughter likes and I have to use milk to thin it because it is too thick.

Like with anything it is trial and error; some things you will like and some you will find are not as good as others.

But the same can be said for the grocery store brands.

 

[pk1959]

I miss the Waffernusse! It was a candy with wafers and hazelnut cream in between and covered in chocolate. So sad when they stopped making it.

I just learned about this product this week! Someone was telling me how good it was, so I asked at my Aldi's when I went in and was told that although our Aldi's (small town) stopped carrying the product to check at other Aldi's in larger towns and they may still stock it. So either she didn't know that they stopped making it or it is still available at other places?!

 

[lilmrsellis]

Like with anything it is trial and error; some things you will like and some you will find are not as good as others.

But the same can be said for the grocery store brands.

So true!!! Pretty much anything Kroger brand is great. Great Value (Walmart) is VERY hit or miss!

 

[smcabee]

Love Aldis soups and fruits and veggies.

 

[Pigeon]

No. I went to my local Aldi hoping to pick up a few cans of beans but when I read the label and saw what was in them I turned around and walked out, haven't been back since.

I bougt a can of black beans in Aldis today, and compared it to the brand name of the same thing in my pantry. The ingredients are identical.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Aldi is a German owned company. There are so many uality items there and great buys. You can't beat the lg cheese pizza, cookies, cream cheese, Arizona tea is 25%cheaper. There are some things I won't buy, like the one pk of hot dogs I tried, but tools, bread, bagels, pittas, sandwich grain rounds, have been inexpensive and great.

My son works as security there and this is one of he greatest money maker stores in the franchise. Things I swear by, like pizza, and some things I don't. Flyer has a great section in the center isle for bargin buys!

I have found storage shelves, generators, even my folding cane for$9.99

We got one of those large cheese pizzas at Aldi a while back and I agree, it was very good and pretty cheap! Can't beat that!

 

[BeachLove]

I know one person who shops at Aldi. He only goes when money is tight and he seems to still be around. He does say to check expiration dates really carefully Now me, I don't shop at Aldi. I guess I don't like saving money on food and just go the the nearest, cleanest grocery store. I've got a whole foods and Harris Teeter within walking distance. Along with a farmers market on weekends. Works for me.


I've never seen a save-a-lot.

 

[Soben]

I just learned about this product this week! Someone was telling me how good it was, so I asked at my Aldi's when I went in and was told that although our Aldi's (small town) stopped carrying the product to check at other Aldi's in larger towns and they may still stock it. So either she didn't know that they stopped making it or it is still available at other places?!

It's been gone here for almost a year I would guess. If you find something like it, let me know!

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I love Aldi! I buy most of my staples there. I am also a couponer, but I live in the land of no double coupons, so sometimes Aldi is still cheaper. Some things I can usually get cheaper with stacking coupons and comparing sales at Publix (such as name brand cereal or crackers).

I just shopped at Aldi today. I like their "Light and Fit" (or whatever it's called) healthy selection. Here's some of the stuff I got that I like:

- Chicken breasts (1.99 lb at Aldi, 2.99 or more at Publix)
- 93/7 ground turkey
- canned beans, diced tomatoes, cream of chicken/mushroom soups (the healthy versions of these at Aldi are great. Low fat/lower sodium. They are 49 or 59c/can vs. 99c at Publix)
- frozen vegetables
- canned chicken breast
- tortilla chips and pretzels
- some produce (huge bags of potatoes, onions, and apples for cheap! Quality has always been good). Today I got potatoes, onions, kiwi, celery, tomatoes, apples, green pepper, spinach, romaine salad
- whole grain bread (if bread isn't on sale at Publix that week)
- Shredded and sliced cheese (sometimes I can get it cheaper at Publix with stacking coupons)
- Big bag of prewashed spinach leaves
- Popsicles (not the greatest but ok when there is not a sale at Publix)
- refried beans, Rotel (Aldi brand of course)
- taco shells and tortillas

We have found the quality of the food to be excellent. Like any store brand anywhere, some things may not be to everyone's taste. We have had good experiences with the meat and produce in terms of quality. Our Publix stores' produce and meat is incredibly expensive, and the produce quality there is not very good. The only thing at Aldi we tried and didn't love was the ice cream.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I absolutely love Aldi! I've just recently gotten hooked on that store and DH makes fun of me because everytime we have something new he asks where it's from and the answer is always the same...Aldi!

Here are a couple favorites of mine:

Lunch Mate Oven Roasted Turkey Breast - THICK sliced is only 10% sodium!
Greek Yogurt - Pineapple - I always buy at least a dozen when I go - LOVE it!
Egg Whites
Oven Roasted Unsalted Whole Almonds

I could go on and on...I feel like I get a good deal without having to use coupons which take too much time for me. And it's convenient to go there from work for me.

 

[msmama]

I happened to run out of all baking supplies at the same time (flour, sugar, oil, baking soda/powder, etc). I thought it would be a great idea to stock up at Aldi's!!

VERY WRONG!!!

I spent probably double what I would at the normal grocery story (a 5 lb bag of flour was $5). There's also only one size of everything, so no comparison shopping.

It's good for some stuff, not others, is what I've found. Because it's not as convenient as my regular grocery store, it's not worth it to me.

Long story short (too late) - it depends on what kind of shopper you are. I also think it vary's greatly by location. That said, I think it's worth checking out a time or two!

 

[mrsklamc]

I think costco is the best place to buy flour and sugar. I was shocked at how cheap it was. Of course, that only works if you have room to store/freeze a costco size package.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

In our area, and for what I regularly purchase, Wegman's has always been my go-to store. I started last year getting just a few items at Aldi's, and every week the amount increases as I try more of their stuff! Now I am at around 75% Aldi and 25% Wegmans and saving like crazy.
A few months ago Aldi's had newspaper coupons--I think it was get $10 off a $50 purchase or something. I filled up my cart (easily over $100 at Wegs), got to checkout, and it had only come to $49! I grabbed another item at checkout and redeemed my coupon...