We just got an Aldi's in town. What is good and what isn't?

[mommyrants]

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Don't be turned off by that one incident.. My late DH worked for a very large, well known supermarket chain for 38 years - as well as my aunt who worked 40 years for the other large well known supermarket in our area - and they had similar incidents and worse (I won't elaborate because I don't what to scare you about the endless possibilities when it comes to your food supply - LOL).. If it makes you that uncomfortable, carefully examine the packaging on any items you're interested in - no matter where you shop..

I'll concur with this. One of the Whole Foods here has been shut down twice for bug issues. (And the store is immaculate)

I will say, I have dry food meallie bugs in a box of Au Gratin Potatoes from Aldi once. I saw them immediately. they were contained IN the bag - nothing else in our pantry was affected. it happens.

 

[lisam427]

we pretty much do the majority of our grocery shopping there even meats. i cant think of one thing i dont like there.

 

[StephMK]

Robin....have you had the soymilk lately. My youngest DD has only drank vanilla soy milk her entire life and doesn't think it tastes any different and trust me...she would tell me. It may be that the vanilla kind is better. Actually it is organic also.

Thanks for that tip! DD9 is the same way & won't even drink the Silk plain now. I'll have to sneak this to her & see if she notices. Anyone know the price of the vanilla soy? I usually buy the 2 pk & today spent just under $5 but had a $1.50 coupon too.

We have an Aldi's near us and everyone here has convinced me I need to take a look. I like most Kroger & Hyvee generic brands but unknown name generics weird me out. We're on a big push to save, save, save so I will give it a try.

 

[daly7o9]

I shop there sporadically and have found:

LIKES
Spaghetti sauce
vanilla yogurt
half & half
ground beef
their version of "Manwich"
milk
eggs
tortilla chips
cranberry juice
extra virgin olive oil
men's stick deodorant
boneless skinless chicken breasts
fresh produce
yellow rice
spices
got a great set of sheets (but that was probably one of their "available one time only" things)
frozen tilapia
their brand of liquid laundry detergent (I believe its called "Alta" or something like that)

DISLIKES
light & fit vanilla soy milk
most of their beef steaks
their brand of paper products (clarissa)

All in all, I find that I save a great deal of money shopping there.

 

[emmababy]

I have recently become an Aldi-aholic!

I won't get their red meat products, we buy freezer beef.

The only thing I don't like from there is their toilet paper, it is HORRIBLE- commercial public bathroom quality, yuck!!

Everything else has been great! I have always hated going to 2 grocery stores. Up until I fell in love with Aldi's, I would refuse to do it. I do a good bit of our shopping there now, but they don't ever have everything we need.

 

[stazmatic]

I posted earlier on this thread, but I just discovered another item that we really, really like.

Kirkwood Southern Style Chicken Breasts

These are frozen, and come in a 2 lb plastic bag for $4.99. They are "real" chicken breasts...not chopped up with fillers added (the patties and nuggets have fillers). To cook, you just pop them in the oven for 24 minutes, flipping them during the middle of the cooking time. There are also microwave instructions, but I haven't tried that.

These remind me a lot of the chicken at Chick-fil-a...very similar breading and taste.

My DH also said they tasted like Chick-fil-a! They are very good!

 

[D&DDisney]

The only things at Aldi I have not had good luck with are...

Meat
Some produce (it is hit and miss. When its good - great When its bad - awful)
Cereals
Cheese
Wheat Crackers

 

[sherry7]

My DH also said they tasted like Chick-fil-a! They are very good!

We had them for dinner again tonight! These are so easy to make and taste good...they're definitely becoming a regular item around here.

 

[johde]

I'll need to try those chicken breasts. I have found I like most of the stuff I buy at Aldi's. We just had the canned mix vegetables and didn't care for those. But the corn, beets, green beans, etc have all been good.

 

[kidsicet]

I shop at Aldi fairly frequently. The only things I haven't been fond of are the canned vegetables (opened a can of green beans, and there were about 12 beans in the entire can!!), the ketchup (DD can tell the difference and knows it's not Heinz), and some of the produce.

I bought a big bag of potatoes, and two days later opened the bag to use some. There was one rotten potato in the bag. The rest of them were find. Very weird! The same thing happened with a bag of carrots (regular ones, not baby).

I find the spice mixes (taco seasoning, chili seasoning) to be kind of salty. I usually try to get reduced sodium things, but they don't have that option at Aldi yet that I've found.

I used to be afraid of their meats, but have started buying them, and they've been just fine. My DH raved about the sirloin steak I bought there.

We like the coffee, cookies, milk, salad mixes, butter, margarine, eggs, cereal, frozen foods such as ice cream, chicken, potatoes, pizza, juice, juice boxes, soda, bread, baking mixes... I got an excellent deal on a wonderful ham there for Easter. It was not that expensive, and very good ham. And my most recent find is some of the make-up they started selling recently. I got a waterproof mascara for $1.99, and I love it!!

As time has gone on, the selection at Aldi has gotten much better. I feel that not only do I save money, I also save time. Aldi is considerably smaller than the "regular" grocery store I used to shop at exclusively, so I spend less time doing the shopping. I also feel I'm helping the environment by being "green" as far as the bags go. I purchased several of the big canvas Aldi bags, and reuse them every time. They are big, strong, and hold a lot! I love Aldi.

I have to admit the Aldi closest to my house is in a "poorer" neighborhood, and some of the people that are shopping there are from different cultures and may not speak English that well, but we're all aiming for the same goal - to try to save a little money on groceries. For anyone who hasn't tried Aldi, give it a try!

 

[YoTony2]

We use to go all the time then stopped for several years. Now I am back going again. We only stopped because the Walmart opened and it was closer, better stocked with cashiers and either the same in cost or just a few cents more.

I love their $4.99 wine. Not the winking owl wine. The other is better for just a few dollars more.

I also go to buy milk, some cheeses, potato chips, Frozen salmon, hotdogs, bread, snack foods, fresh produce is very nice. My kids like the popcorn chicken and the bagel bites.

Their meats look good but haven't tried them yet. I normally buy what is on sale at the grocery stores and plan my meals around that.

The cheese brauts are good. Not as chessy as some but I like that better.

May I ask, why are you going back?

Since, from your thread, the savings over Wal*Mart weren't significant. I have a new Aldi's and several Wal*Marts nearby, and I'm looking for the best value (Price & Quality). Also how does Aldi's compare to Costco?

Many Thanks!

 

[sherry7]

......And my most recent find is some of the make-up they started selling recently. I got a waterproof mascara for $1.99, and I love it!!...........

I was just looking at the mascara recently. Will it wash off with just soap & water, or do you have to use a makeup remover?

I bought a bottle of their Lacura foundation, and really like it. My skin is a bit oily, and it stays on all day. There are only a few shades available though. The Lacura lipbalm in the yellow tube (3 pack for $1.99), and Lacura day cream (light green lid, $5?) are very good as well.

 

[englishteacha]

We don't have an Aldi near here, but we have Save-a-Lot. It sounds similar.

 

[Jesussavedme]

Great discussion. We're moving in 2 weeks, to a town that has an Aldi's, so this was a good heads up. I made a list of all of your likes/dislikes - some of them are unanimous so I will most likely skip them!
Thank you!

 

[mjhd]

LOVE:
Spaghetti sauce

WILL NOT BUY:
produce (it always goes bad within the next day or two)

 

[pamrob]

We tried the Southern Style chicken patties that several people have suggested on this thread. All my girls liked them. They do remind me of the chicken in the biscuits at McDonalds - as far as seasoning.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I have to step in here and say a word for the coffee. We are Starbucks Verona ground only kind of people and we love Aldi's Kona coffee for $3.99.

I just don't get what the Kona is about. It says Kona and under that "100% Arabica". Who cares since it gives Starbucks a run for its money for under four bucks.

I bought some of this today. How much do you use when you brew? I have a basic 12 cup Mr. Coffee with a round (not cone) filter. I would like for it to taste as good as Verona.