Shopping at Aldi

[SM101]

Unfortunately no store is a one stop shop for me.....but Aldi IS in "rotation" for me. We have a Produce Junction that I go to every week, then I bounce back and forth between Aldi, Trader Joe's, Wegman's and Giant. Each of them has products that I like and consider to be well priced. It's not a perfect system but I think overall, I do save money.

Aldi is definitely worth checking out. You won't like everything you buy there but you don't like everything you buy at the regular grocery store either, and the goodies you do like will be well priced.

If you have a Produce Junction or other produce type store locally, those are definitely worth checking out. We avoid processed foods and eat a lot of fresh veggies, fruits and PJ's is much cheaper than grocery store produce.

 

[EMode]

I went earlier today for some basics, milk, bread and produce. The iceberg lettuce and cucumbers didn't look so good so I passed on those. I got tons of other stuff that looked great.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

They seem to have good quality stuff. I really like their baked potato chips, their other snack foods are remarkably good. It IS a bit of a hassle to shop there. It is just kind of an "experience".

 

[crisi]

I went earlier today for some basics, milk, bread and produce. The iceberg lettuce and cucumbers didn't look so good so I passed on those. I got tons of other stuff that looked great.

To me, that's a fairly normal part of Aldi's shopping. There will be something I want - but the Aldi's version of it "doesn't look so good." Which is a good way of putting it. So if I Aldi's shop, I plan on doing subsequent shopping at another store - ESPECIALLY if its produce. Then again, I'm really spoiled by co-op shopping - which is the affordable version of Whole Foods with a ton of selection.

Also, selection is very limited at Aldis. But their tortilla chips ARE cheap (and with a teenage boy I can go through bags and bags of chips) and most of their housebrand boxed stuff is pretty good.

 

[hsmamato2]

IMHO i think Aldi has a lot of superior products....they are technically Trader Joes....but i've noticed 'label consious' people don't recognize the same products in both stores.... i don't much like Aldi meats (any meat with15% stuff added is not good) but everything else,there is virtually no difference,in some cases,Aldi brand is better than average.they have a large and growing organics line, ditto for gf items,and their prices are rock bottom. I love the international deli section,with cheeses from all over the world(good ones) for cheap....The produce is the same as I buy anywhere,and if a tomato lasts too long,i get suspicious anyway.... My only thing i don't like.....i can't use a cc to pay.....

 

[hsmamato2]

Oh,the large,plain greek yogurt,aldi brand,is SO good.....its either that,or chobani (plain) for me every morning....

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I drive down from Ottawa, ON, to go shopping at Aldi's.
I'm particularly fond of picking up a big jug of Airzona Ice Tea, if they're currently selling it. At 2.60 for a huge jug, it's a pretty good deal.

I do love their "Fit & Active" brand, which is the equivalent to Special K. It tastes just as good, if not better sometimes (I prefer their cereal bars).

I don't normally buy produce or dairy, but my mother lives across the border to NY state, and she'll hop on over from time to time to pick those items up.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

i don't much like Aldi meats (any meat with15% stuff added is not good)

Can somebody explain this to me, please. The Aldi as shows USDA Choice which is the same sold at publix. Does allow choice meat allow for 15% filler or are they lying about that?

Others have mentioned off texture in the meat. I wonder then if they are cheating the system. I don't believe any government agency has my interests in mind but I do think the USDA standard at publix and Aldi and anywhere else would be the same...

As I said I do try to alternate commercial farm and grass fed because of cost. When buying "regular" I buy choice meat from publix. I would hope my steaks don't have 15% filler and it's certainly not listed

 

[MissVeronica]

I love buying my basics at Aldi. I'm not crazy about their meat. They do sometimes have grassfed organic beef for a great price though.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I guess I want to know what is it about the meat that people don't like?

I thought, until I saw the ad that it was lower quality meat which according to as it isn't

 

[MOpGrad2013]

I guess I want to know what is it about the meat that people don't like?

I thought, until I saw the ad that it was lower quality meat which according to as it isn't

I'm not too sure about store 15% added, but we get our meat from the slaughter house. Some of there's says added fat. I was told it's animal fat...I dont think about parts. :-[

Our Aldi meat has shorter shelf life. I asked about this and it's because the meat may have been previously frozen, but not always. They also bring in smaller amounts so they want it moved.

I purchase some meats from them and have had no problems. Of course ours goes straight into deep freeze.

Another discount chain always seems to have green meat in with expired dates...no way that 5 for $25 is a good deal. But I do purchase the shelf staples there.

Try some discounted item next to brand name. Blind test. If there's not a large and negative difference...Go for discount. I prefer stouffers lasagna over aldi lasagna, but it's a spices thing for me. Meanwhile we prefer the aldi brick oven mushroom pizza $4 over the california kitchen similar.

Good luck finding your niche!

 

[cmac609]

An Aldi opened only a mile from my house a few months ago and I was skeptical at first but do like it now. I go there about twice a month. The things I always get there are: the brand of fruit loops, rick krispies, pancake mix (my kids love it) and their syrup, yogurt tubes, milk, chips, tortilla chips, produce (they have 1 lb bags of baby carrots on sale alot for $.50), bananas, grapes, strawberries and some other fruits sometimes, can fruit and beans, hummus, rice, chicken broth, bread, and there cases of water. Definitely cheaper than buying at shop rite however I still get my sales and certain things there. Never one stop shopping anywhere.

 

[FoxyGranny]

I go to Aldi's for basics. I love the produce, milk basics. Close to holidays I find Goodies too!

Still use Publix for BOGO items, or things I can't find elsewhere.

Aldi's certainly helps my budget.

 

[disney1990]

Another yes vote for Aldi. We find that some of the items we buy at Trader Joe's are repackaged for Aldi.

 

[AndrewBarnard]

you guys are right online money helps to save money and time because most of the time they offer different kind of discounts and packages to attract the consumers toward themselves.

 

[Melany502]

They are building an Aldi's two miles away. I was not happy but after reading this thread, I'm looking forward to it! Has anyone had experience with gluten free products at Aldi?

Yes!!! It's great! I've gotten the pasta, pretzels, cookies, pancakes, and Mac and cheese. They have some other stuff too. Cake and cookie mixes, frozen entrees and Chex cereal.

 

[robinb]

Another yes vote for Aldi. We find that some of the items we buy at Trader Joe's are repackaged for Aldi.

Can you
tell me which items those are?

 

[crisi]

I guess I want to know what is it about the meat that people don't like?

I thought, until I saw the ad that it was lower quality meat which according to as it isn't

The beef I've gotten from Aldi's has been tough and grizzly - like it came from a cow that had been running races. Now, I don't usually buy kobe beef or anything, but I do expect to be able to chew and swallow my meat.

I've tried it twice now and am pretty much done with beef fro Aldis.

 

[girli565]

I agree about the beef, tough and had awful fat running through it.

Now the pork loin roasts they sell are AMAZING! They're so tender and the price can't be beat. We get a 2.5lb pork loin for under $6, and it's trimmed of all visible grisle and ready to just be seasoned and thrown into the oven. One we got was even trussed.

 

[EMode]

Has anyone tried their chicken breasts? They are on special next week for $1.99 lb and I was thinking of picking some up. I don't consider myself a meat snob but I hate my grocery stores chicken breasts they seem so stringy and I'm wondering if the ones at Aldi's are the same.