?'s Aldi grocery store

[Judique]

Things may have changed but years ago we camped with a family that shopped there and we checked out some of their packages of hot dogs and the ingredient list was less than desirable.

I bought desirable hot dogs for $2 each at Wholefoods ($7.99 for a 4 pack) and just threw 3 of 4 out. No one wanted to eat them. They preferred Nathan's or Ballpark's.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

We like Aldis but it took me a while to learn how to shop there.... I like to for staples and the fact that I'm less tempted to by other stuff (movies, clothes, etc like I am at a Superstore).
Our Aldi's Must Haves that we don't like to by elsewhere are:
eggs
orange juice (DH drinks tons and he loves this kind and it's cheaper)
milk
marinara sauce
slider type storage bags
Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake (in the freezer dept & so good)

Other things are good too and I also like the fact that I get "wants" for a lot less money.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I have a similar list of staples when I shop there, but I have to always shop somewhere else, too - I am the reverse of most folks - I go 2-3/month when I run out of the staples and shop a regular grocery 1/week.

I buy (when I run out)...
Milk
Eggs
Butter
Olive Oil
Flour
Sugar
Salt
Whole grain white bread
Cheeses of 4-5 types (shredded, sliced, fresh mozza, etc)
Lebanon Bologna (a family member loves this)
Baking Powder/Soda
Pretzel Rods (a family member loves these)
Graham Crackers (another family member loves these)
Marshmallows
Muffin Mix
Canned Pumpkin
Whipped Cream / Half and Half
Tortillas/Taco Shells/Taco Seasoning (or discount name brand packs) - family loves their seasoning mix
Frozen Cheese Ravioli
85% all beef frozen burgers
The produce picks - all that are still there (since they sell out quickly some days) - ALWAYS get these if you're there!

I stay away from all the beverages, paper products/toiletries, meats, frozen (other than the burgers and ravioli), cereals, bakery, etc since I routinely get better deals at my local store every week...

 

[Dakota731]

They also don't take credit cards.

My clerk said they will start taking credit cards in October so I'm glad for that. I don't usually carry cash so that works for me unless they raise the prices!

 

[Dakota731]

but years ago we camped with a family that shopped there and we checked out some of their packages of hot dogs and the ingredient list was less than desirable.

I find the opposite of that to be true - I get lunchmeat, bacon and hot dogs at Aldi that are natural with no Nitrites or additives, and I can't find those at my regular chain grocery store. Like anywhere, you just have to read your labels.

 

[domesticking]

They also have some fun frozen foods that you can't find elsewhere. We like the cinnamon french toast sticks. There are also some German specialty products that are good. It's an interesting place to shop.

 

[lvillotta1]

I love my Aldi. It is in my backyard so very convenient. I do all my grocery shopping there. I love all their speciality items esp in the back of the store with all the cheeses etc. Our fruit is hit or miss at times. I spent $120 yesterday for about 3-4 weeks of food. I do go to other local stores for whatever fruit is on sale for the week etc.

 

[PracticallyPerfect2015]

I have been to Aldi about three times. The last time was based on a video I saw on YouTube of a haul that someone did that I found interesting. On my last trip, a week ago, I purchased some gluten-free pretzels, a bag of tortilla rounds (for 79 cents!), a loaf of split-top wheat bread (99 cents!), and I think that was it for that trip. I can usually get really good deals at my local Publix using coupons for name brand items (like peanut butter, jelly, etc.), and at BJ's or Costco for bulk items (like paper products).((NOTE: We do not pay for a membership, and feel lucky to have friends and family with memberships that we can join in on the savings with!))

 

[kidshop]

I have tried pretty much everything at aldi, and there isn't much we didn't like. Pickles were not good for some reason. I do read every label to make sure it is a not a product of China; there are some still around, but they are getting fewer and fewer.

Milk has been 1.39 a gallon lately! We go through less than a gallon a week, but my word that is cheap! I buy soymilk, almond milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, fruit/veggies, bread, hummus, snacky foods (chips, pretzels), cereal. Their specialty items are usually exceptional....cheeses, special desserts and the hams are very good.

I have not lived near aldi until 2 years ago, and now I would cry to not have access. I save a ton of money.

 

[aprilchem]

My clerk said they will start taking credit cards in October so I'm glad for that. I don't usually carry cash so that works for me unless they raise the prices!

I hope that's not the case. If they did I'd bet they'll be raising their prices 5-10% to cover credit card processing fees.

 

[bianca]

I've been shopping Aldi for about 15 years now. When people ask me how we can afford to go to Disney so often, I tell them that Aldi is part of the reason. Of course, most of those same people would never shop at Aldi.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I hope that's not the case. If they did I'd bet they'll be raising their prices 5-10% to cover credit card processing fees.

That's exactly what I was thinking. :/

 

[dja14]

Ours is 40 min away but worth the drive. I try and go twice a month. Milk and eggs alone save enough for me to go. Fresh fruit and vegetables are good. I think the turn over is so fast it stays fresh. Best prices are in season fruit and veg I think. A worker told me a lot of the items they carry are seasonal, for example-special baking products at Christmas, special ice cream in summer, special appetizers in January. I do buy meat there, what few local stores we have all closed their butcher dept so no difference for me there. However, everything I have bought has been fresh there. So far everything we have bought kids have liked. We buy a lot of generic though anyway. The one exception is my husband has not been crazy for most of their cookies or snack stuff. Kids are okay with it though LOL

 

[manning]

A friend of mine used to work at Aldi's, and she told me that it was really Tyson chicken, too. DH and I are VERY particular about our chicken. We tried it and buy it every time now. It's as good as Wegmans (and cleaned better!) and much better than Tops chicken!

Many of the store brands are made by well known brand named company right off the same production line.

 

[elgerber]

My clerk said they will start taking credit cards in October so I'm glad for that. I don't usually carry cash so that works for me unless they raise the prices!

The ones in MN have been taking credit cards for several months now. But I don't really shop there, so I am not sure if it affected prices at all.

 

[Egdisney]

Passing my cart on to another person, and saying "no thanks" when they offer a quarter, is my favorite little good deed.
Tiny investment = pixie dust for a stranger.

It's my favorite raok too so easy! Or I just leave my quarter in the cart when I take it back. It's the little things.

 

[manning]

I find the opposite of that to be true - I get lunchmeat, bacon and hot dogs at Aldi that are natural with no Nitrites or additives, and I can't find those at my regular chain grocery store. Like anywhere, you just have to read your labels.

wonder if they are made by Colman's. They don't use nitrate and nitrite.

http://colemannatural.com/about-us/

 

[madge]

Passing my cart on to another person, and saying "no thanks" when they offer a quarter, is my favorite little good deed.
Tiny investment = pixie dust for a stranger.

OMG. at my store, it's like a nice contest ... whenever you try to pass on the buggy to someone else, they're looking to be the one to pass it on to someone else and can't stand to not give a quarter to the next person. not sure if I'm describing it well, but it's so sweet and hysterical at the same time.

FYI, most Aldi stores will give you a quarter if you don't have one.

I'm a big fan of Aldi, but know I can't get everything there. I won't buy meat there, don't love their white/wheat bread, and we just don't care for their canned soups. With that said, I start there for produce, organics, maple syrup, spices, baking goods, special items (Kerrygold cheese, anyone?), and their organic frozen banana pops. They had an organic strawberry lemonade this summer that was as good as any we've tried. So sad when we ran out of our supply. That's the bad thing -- usually, when they're out, they're out.

Some weeks I spend $20, others $120. LOL

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Around here, there is no deli or bakery, YMMV. I never tried using coupons so I cannot say on that part.

Generally, most things are cheaper than anywhere else. Their stuff is good quality (from what I have seen). If you get in the right frame of mind, it is a fun experience shopping there. I have noticed that a lot of their stuff says that they don't add MSG which I like that too.

 

[KristinU]

Also a big Aldi fan here! In addition to the prices, I really love the simplicity of shopping there. I don't feel assaulted by so many choices and crazy packaging and gimmicks. Though it drives me crazy that they have an odd number of aisles and you end up having to double back down one...yes, I'm slightly ADD and OCD! (and short, I totally appreciate not having to climb on things to get to the top shelf like at the regular grocery store)

I get lunchmeat, bacon and hot dogs at Aldi that are natural with no Nitrites or additives, and I can't find those at my regular chain grocery store. Like anywhere, you just have to read your labels.

Right! They have that "Never Any" line that I like quite a bit. I wish they'd add frozen chicken breasts to the "Never Any" line! I still go to BJ's for my natural frozen chicken. They also have grass fed organic ground beef on a rotation. It seems to be available once a month-ish.

Produce at my local Aldi is hit or miss. They've added some organic selections, which I really appreciate, but some of it just isn't too fresh looking. It might be the days I shop not jiving with stock turnover days.