Aldi Supermarkets: Anyone been to one? Happy? Not?

[mcscajun]

One is coming to my neighborhood, and frankly, I'd never heard of them before. The concept is interesting, emphasis on 'being green at low prices', particularly the emphasis in their fresh produce department of ONLY stocking what's in season.

The entire store is run on a small selection of in-house brands, with only occasional specials on national brands.

I'm certainly curious, but it's not open yet, and I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with this quite different supermarket chain.

http://www.aldifoods.com/index_ENU_HTML.htm

[hippywife]

1. I go there for staple items

like olive and canola oil, dried fruits, butter(sometimes), a few other things. Really good prices. Really cheap but decent dark chocolate at the check-out, Moser Roth. Can't get everything there because it is small. They specialize mostly in brands few have heard of, with a few nationally recognized names, but quality seems okay. I'm not sure because usually I'm just buying staples.

Ours only has two people working there at a time so go on off times so the cashier line won't be so long. They do kind of rush you through once your turn comes. Instead of doing the returnable quarter thing for a cart, I look for a box that is almost empty (most everything is stacked in boxes and cardboard trays) and move the product down to the next box of the same and use it as my shopping basket. They don't mind you doing this at all and almost encourage it. You can buy bags or take your own. I just carry everything out in the box.

Have to have either cash or a debit card. No checks or credit cards accepted. Prices on staples are so good I rarely get out without spending around $25.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. Aldi

is European. German I believe. Aldi is named for the founding family the Albrechts. If memory serves me right several decades ago a family member was kidnapped and ransomed. I believe he was held for an extended period of time.

As for the store, I like it ok. But you can't do all your shopping there. Small selection. Seasonal. Most of what I've bought there has been average or better quality. Prices seem to be fairly good. THe one nearest me isn't particularly convenient so I don't get there often. BUt I do like to stock up on some things when I'm there.

[hippywife]

3. I think it was two German brothers

who split up the country (Germany) as far as territory for their stores, if I remember correctly. Not sure what the arrangement in this country is or if they still do the split territory thing. I do my stocking up there on staples, too, which is why I always end up spending the amount I do. I go about every couple of weeks on my way home from work.

[NashVegas]

4. I Wasn't Too Impressed

If I were shopping for a family, I may feel differently.

[mcscajun]

6. Aha! That was something I was thinking about. As a single, many times

what's a bargain for a family, is a disaster for a single.

[Nite Owl]

5. Some things are very good

like the veggies. Off brands on a lot of stuff which I haven't tried. Desserts are good (frozen) and good deals on things like turkeys and hams. Bring your own bags, cash only.

[mcscajun]

7. I think I may check it out if only for the fresh veggies.

It's on a different route home than I take from work, but might more often if I can get truly fresh stuff at good prices, to cook once I get there. :D

[hippywife]

9. The produce selection there

is mostly small and basic. It's no fresher than any other grocery store but is less expensive in most cases. Most is pre-packaged and not sold by the pound/piece, tho.

The only produce I buy there are the whole pineapples which they sell consistently for $2 less than the other stores and it's been very good and sweet. The husband eats that pineapple and a banana every single day in his lunch. Giving those up when we start buying only local produce is going to be our biggest adjustment. Oy!

For a single person (or couple) who likes to cook, the best prices are really on the staples. I'm sure that prices vary by region but to give you an idea, I buy a pretty good quality extra virgin olive oil for $3.99 for a 16.9 oz. bottle, can't touch any brand in the grocery for less that $6.99. I bought butter for $1.89/lb all through the holiday baking season and it is always less expensive at regular price, usually just about $2.19, other stores closer to $2.75-3.00. Brown sugar is only $.99/lb, compared to $1.19-1.39. Cream cheese and Neufchatel are always $.99, sometimes on sale for $.89, compared to $1.29-1.39. I buy 12-grain sandwich bread for $1.49/loaf and have gotten it for as low as $.75 when it was getting close to out of date or day old, and freeze it and we all know how ridiculous bread costs are these days on anything but plain old white bread. They have dried cranberries and apricots for $1.99 and I bought sliced almonds all through the holiday for the same price and pecan halves for $2.49.

It's on my way home so no big deal to stop every couple weeks or so to save on things that I use all the time anyway.

[mcscajun]

11. Thanks for the tips.

Pre-packaged produce in volumes I can't use are no bargain. I'll have to see it.

The staples prices look very interesting, though.

[hippywife]

14. It's not that they're in

huge quantities so much as it's like I don't want 4 zucchini this week or 4 green peppers. I like to pick over and select my own produce when I buy it.

[mcscajun]

15. Exactly. Huge is relative. When I just want One really good pepper, four is WAY too many

no matter the cost.

Sure, I could seed, strip and freeze the rest, but I generally prefer fresh to even the cheapest frozen. That may change if my circumstances get tighter, but for now, I'll stick with fresh. :hi:

[pipoman]

8. We don't have one any more

but my mom shops at one a lot. She buys produce and staples there. She doesn't like the meat selection though. In her town Aldi is the only choice beside Dillion's (now owned by Kroger) and Wal-Mart.

[livetohike]

10. I love ALDI. It is owned by the same family that owns Trader Joe's

I don't know what I would do if not for ALDI where I live now. You have to pack your own groceries, so bring some bags along. Also, you put a quarter into this mechanism on the shopping cart to release it from the rest (you get the quarter back when you take it to the stall).

I am a vegetarian so I can't speak for the quality of their meats. Their produce is always fresh at my local store and cheap compared to other places. Their "fit and active" brand products are all good. I'm always trying something new when I shop there.

You may not find everything you need there, but it's a good economical place to start shopping and I have find the quality of their products to be very good.

They don't sell beer or wine here in PA but I know from my sister that they do in other states.

[mcscajun]

12. The "quarter" thing is familiar. Shop-Rite did it for a while, but for

SOME strange reason has abandoned it :wtf:

[hippywife]

13. Fit and Active is the brand

on the dried fruit I buy and I've bought their strawberry preserves, too. No HFCS!! Yaaaa!

[mcscajun]

16. Are Aldi's Other preserves in-house also without HFCS?

This would be Great. :D

Or am I off-base and is this a Trader Joe's product?

[hippywife]

17. We don't have TJ's so that's one

I'm not familiar with. But the Fit & Active is at Aldi's. Unfortunately not all of Aldi's stock is HFCS-free. They may sell smaller house brands but still gotta read labels.

[XanaDUer]

18. Good prices, great coffee

Bring your own bags, or you have to buy them. I stock up there on essentials.

[hippywife]

19. When is yours supposed to open?

Have they started building it yet or have they just announced?

[mcscajun]

20. Sorry for the late response. It's under construction, fairly well along...

...but no sign yet as to opening date.