So do you ever shop at Aldi?

[juliahenry]

I just looked at their flyer. Man, that stuff is cheap.

Is it any good? I've been in one once, like 4 years ago, and I remember not being impressed. But things change. And I like cheap. Worth a second look?

[takeonyou]

I like one Aldi by us and hate another. I do like the healthy line of food they have -- cheap + healthy = MM score. Their frozen seafood is really good too.

[Robot Jen]

I've bought things like crackers, chips, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, dried beans, and baking ingredients.

[my4girls]

Yes I love aldi. I was so excited to see they just opened a really nice one close to our new house.

[pitterwoo]

yes, we shop there regularly. Mostly our produce and canned beans/canned tomatoes.

[MadamePresident]

Sometimes. They are owned by the same company as TJs.

[Deleted]

I HATE them. It may have a lot to do with the fact that the one by my house has the RUDEST employees in the world though.

[geneg]

Dec 19, 2012 19:47:30 GMT -5 @kjewell said:

I HATE them. It may have a lot to do with the fact that the one by my house has the RUDEST employees in the world though.

LOVE the employees at mine. One had a baby a few weeks after mine and she shows me pics of her. They always talk to DD when she's with me. They've always been super nice.

[yellowbrkrd]

The one near us is kind of out of the way for everything else so I don't go there much anymore. I will buy anything but their produce. The produce (at least at the one we go to) is kind of crappy and goes bad quickly.

[Deleted]

No, ours is in the 'hood and MH refuses to go in with me.

[Deleted]

I buy 75% of our groceries there. I loooove their produce.

[lilibet]

Yep, I'm actually planning to go there tomorrow or Friday to get the stuff I need to make a couple cheesecakes for the holidays.

Ours has pretty good prices on stuff like crackers, nuts, canned goods but I don't buy the produce because it seems more expensive and goes bad really fast and I'm really, really picky about their meat because I got sick last year and the only different thing I had eaten recently was a pork chop from Aldis.

eta - they also have soy and almond milk for really great prices - even chocolate almond milk, yum!

[whiskeytails]

You can't beat 50 cent avocados and 79 cent pomegranates. Plus their dairy at mine is usually dated SO far out compared to the "regular" grocery stores near me. Love it. Wish it was closer to me though.

[mrsfarmer]

They are not the same company as TJs. They are owned by brothers but they have separate businesses.

[BNL2]

I grew up with 90% of our food coming from Aldi's. Now I rarely go there, but when I do I'm satisfied with their products. I actually prefer their produce section to my other options.

[arch01]

yep. we buy a lot of our produce and snack foods there.

[Deleted]

No but I did in the 1980s with my Grandma . She was a food stockpiler/organized hoarder.

[sawyerthedestroyer]

I buy about 90% of our groceries there. I've saved so much money since they opened here last year. Everything we've had is good and comparable to name brands and other store brand stuff. Their Herbs de Provence stuffing is my absolute favorite.

I also buy toys when they go on clearance and stash them away for holidays/birthdays. I got a table and chairs set for $12 that is currently retailing at Walmart for $30.

[Deleted]

I like Aldi. Most stuff is good, some isn't. Their tuna is gross. The flour is cheap and doesn't work well at all. I buy tomato sauce, fruits & veggies, pasta, oatmeal, etx.

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[ladybrettashley]

We used to shop at Aldi frequently but the only one near us is in a not great neighborhood and is always super crowded. I just got tired of dealing with it. I was usually pretty satisfied with their products and saved a ton of money. I agree the selection and quality of the produce sucked though.

I think we will start shopping at Aldi again in the new year as we try to get back on track with saving money.

[chessie]

I have gone to one a few times, its not near me or anything though, but their produce is awful, their meats are not very lean, I guess if you wanted lots of frozen stuff it be fine. But the one 40 minutes from me you could tell nothing was fresh and I felt you could get better prices elsewhere.

[chessie]

Dec 19, 2012 20:07:29 GMT -5 geneg said:

Dec 19, 2012 19:47:30 GMT -5 @kjewell said:

I HATE them. It may have a lot to do with the fact that the one by my house has the RUDEST employees in the world though.

LOVE the employees at mine. One had a baby a few weeks after mine and she shows me pics of her. They always talk to DD when she's with me. They've always been super nice.

Same thing about price rite, forget that, I will stick with my local grocery mart.

[Becca]

It seems like everyone buys canned tomatoes there.

TBH, I don't think I have eve bought a can of tomatoes. What would one use it for?

[Deleted]

Dec 20, 2012 8:02:38 GMT -5 Becca said:

It seems like everyone buys canned tomatoes there.

TBH, I don't think I have eve bought a can of tomatoes. What would one use it for?

I used canned tomatoes in chili, tortilla soup, quick marinara sauce, and to "bulk up" other dishes when needed, such as veggie enchiladas.

I don't buy them much anymore. Ever since they stopped using the BPA lining in canned foods everything tastes like metal.

[scout8]

We live about a 2 minute walk from one so we go there quite a bit. I don't do my main shopping there, but will pick up odds and ends. I am surprised every time by how cheap it is. We are addicted to their dark chocolate short bread cookies. They are so good. Yum!

[RitzyHeifer]

I do love me some Aldi, but our town has a nice one. There are some real skanky ones out there so it's very hit or miss.

They carry some organic dairy, but I don't think they have organic meat or produce. I don't buy produce at ours bc they get a truck only on Tuesdays, and I usually shop Saturday/Sunday so it's several days old when I get there. If it's on truck day or right after the produce is as good (and waaaay cheaper) as my other grocery.

They're not the same company as TJ's but there is a lot of crossover in business model and types of products - private label, limited selection - so for example, Peppermint JoJos are Benton brand at Aldi. I read here one time that TJ's had the best customer service and gave examples that are all the same at Aldi (at least my location).

[thumper55]

there is no Aldi where I live, but there was one near where I vacationed in FL.

I dont think any of their manufactured stuff is good. It's barebones and not tasty. (frozen food, bakery) blah


Prices are cheap though, and we went back to buy basic stuff like cheese, nuts, trail mix.

[perkyderky]

Whenever we host parties, I tend to do a trip to Aldi. The two in my town are NOT in good neighborhoods--having said that, though, the one I most frequent has TERRIFIC staff and good general upkeep so I don't mind going there.

Their cheese selection is usually good at ours and is incredibly affordable. (I don't really eat/buy cheese otherwise). I find that whenever I get my crunchy-salty cravings, their baked potato and vegetable chips are affordable and very good tasting--same with their nuts. Since we don't have TJ's, I like their chocolate (especially the "gourmet" dark chocolate) a LOT. Their wine options (though very limited) are good for the price as well. I do like the "random house goods" section too but it's hit or miss--their TP and tissues are just as good as most other "store" brands and are less $$. Their fresh mild onion flavor salsa is awesome. I do read labels, so there's a lot that I don't buy there, but also, especially when I'm looking to feed the masses, I'm willing to compromise my buying preferences (local, organic) to help out my wallet. I've never had any issue with their produce or their meats, but I usually plan my trips shortly before I know I'll be cooking.

One of my favorite things to do is grocery shop, and I will admit, that I like Aldi for it's "jolt" of savings. Unlike my normal grocery store (Earth Fare) and my local farmers market it's the one place I can shop and say "I got all of this for $__!" and my eyes are happy because it will be a lot of "stuff."