Has anyone ever shopped at Aldi before?

[Dr.Girlfriend]

We've had 2 of them open up in the area in the last year and this is the first time I've ever seen them. Worth it?

 

[LuvOrlando]

I love to buy my flowers from Aldi. $4 for either 1/2 dozen of beautiful roses or a beautiful bouquet totally cheers my mood during a long cold ugly winter.

Also, their prices for nuts can't be beat. DH is a health food fan but we were going through tons of $$ on Cashews, Almonds and Pistachios, that is until I discovered Aldi had them at dollars less then other places so now that's where I go to buy his supplies for his granola raisin nut health mix.

I have friends who do lots more of their shopping there but I don't, I'm a creature of habit and have my favorite brands but I think it's worth looking at.

 

[tazdev3225]

We have had one in our area for years. They are really cheap for staples. If you like no name brands then they are for most everything else also. The only thing I don't like is their produce. That can be very hit or miss. If I am using it immediately it's OK. I go there for things like eggs and baking supplies. They are definitely worth the trip for most things.

 

[iwrbnd]

Sooo worth it for milk! We go through gallons and gallons a week so it saves us money. Also, their spaghetti sauce (in a jar) is our family's very favorite! You've got to have a quarter for their carts, though, which is a pain.

 

[dizluvah]

if you ask this on the budget board - you will get tons of responses....

 

[korzmom]

i love it, and i think their products are just as good as name brands. the only thing i wont buy there again is the frozen chicken drums,they were very fatty. we buy alot of things there,we even bought a computer and a laptop from them,they dont always have those though. and i disagree about their produce,the pineapples are great and you cant beat the 1.99 price.

 

[Planogirl]

We are getting one of these later this week. I'm curious about them too.

Those of you who go to them, do you find them truly less expensive than "regular" grocery stores? How are they when it comes to things like meat and 'natural' products such as free range eggs and hormone free milk and so on?

 

[PebblesMK]

Aldi has really good prices on a lot of things. Bananas here are 19 cents a pound, pineapples 1.99, green/red/orange/yellow peppers are 50 cents each...That alone is enough reason for me to go. As a PP said, if you want to use a cart, you need a quarter which is refundable and they also don't give you bags to put your groceries in. You can buy them or use empty boxes you find in the store or bring your own bags. It's worth a visit if you're budget-minded.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

We are getting one of these later this week. I'm curious about them too.

Those of you who go to them, do you find them truly less expensive than "regular" grocery stores? How are they when it comes to things like meat and 'natural' products such as free range eggs and hormone free milk and so on?

You won't find free range eggs and hormone free milk at Aldi. They are less expensive but they do that by mostly carrying only their brand products. Imagine your local grocery store if they only carried their store brand....that's what Aldi is like. Yes, they do occasionally have a name brand procuct but only for a special buy.

Personally, I do some of my shopping at Aldi, some at Walmart, and meats and things that we use alot of that won't spoil at Sam's Club. I also pay attention to local grocery stores for sale items. Obviously, not everyone has that kind of time.

 

[mamajoan]

Aldi's is a great no nonsense store. It is basics at great prices. Most of the time nothing fancy. My pantry is now full of Aldi brand foods. Now what you need to know is that I was a high end grocery store shopper. I love the variety at the high end store. I still do. but my check book does not.......
I still run over to that store when I want organic, out of the ordinary, service oriented products. I like Aldi basic produce selection, our local store must have a great supplier as it beats everyone in price and quality except the fresh market folks. They do not take coupons. You have to bag your own groceries and purchase/bring your own bags. This wkd I had a St. Patrick's party... every thing was from Aldi's except the Guinness and the corn beef. However I have purchased Corn beef from Aldi's before and it was very good.
Another store had a better price on the corn beef and since I served 30#... I chose that brand.

 

[daughtersrus]

I've been shopping at Aldi for years and love it. Pretty much everything that you find there will be "no name" but it's made by a major company packaged with the Aldi brands.

For example, all of the frozen meat (chicken, beef...) is made by Tyson, the chips are Vitners, the ketchup is Heinz...

I've never had a problem with anything that I've bought, including produce but if you do, they also have a double guarantee. They will replace a product and give you your money back if you are not satisfied.

My family recently discovered the fresh pizza and it's now the favorite!

 

[dislal]

I love aldi's I buy all my produce, milk, eggs, cheese, paper products (never used their toilet paper though), I also love their baking supplies sugar, flour, nuts, and powdered sugar.

I would at least give them a try, and if you go in one week and they don't have what you are looking for go back often, they are always getting neat new things in.

 

[1stluvispooh]

This is so funny! My SIL moved and the closet Aldis is 45 minutes away. They are big Aldis shoppers. Yesterday we were at a family birthday party and they were leaving the party and going to Aldis before heading home.

I'm just laughing because it was a real big deal to them.

 

[pooh4evr]

we love Aldi as well they have a line of stuff called "Fit Active" and it is their lower calorie/fat /diet brand- it is grrat and they are always introducing new things. another FYI=- they take cash or debit cards- and you need to bring your own bags/boxes like at Sams. Their frersh meats are really good too (steaks, ground beef/turkey, pork..) and fresh guacamole (in the little bags like wholly guacamole)