What do you think of Aldi?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am one of those out of area (Houston) people who stumbled upon this site and enjoy the Forum. I heard of Aldi from here, and now we have one in our area. This did surprise me as we have plenty of grocery chains - H-E-B, Randall's, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, etc.

My sister went over the weekend and said it was odd. She said to use a cart there was a charge (just .25) and that the store didn't carry any grocery bags, like Sam's Club. Sam's Club though, offers bulk items so I can see why. Of course she knows if she wants to go there again she will need to bring reusable bags.

I'm guessing that to people that go to Aldi on a regular basis, this is very normal so no one probably thinks it's an inconvenience, right?

[Anonymous]

I don't know about Aldi's because we don't have one in the city, but we never use store grocery bags anymore. They are bad for the environment.

[Anonymous]

yes, you have to pay for the cart (a quarter), but you get your money back when you return it.

The one near my house in Chantilly sells bags for fairly cheap - 5 or 10 cents? We had to buy a couple because we forgot our reusable bags when we went.

You also can't use a credit card there - but I did find out you can use a debit card, which is fine since my bank card is both.

I can't do all my shopping there, but I walked out of there with a shitload of stuff for less than $30. Milk is half the price as at the grocery store up the street. I am going to stock up there on snacks for my kid's lunchbox for camp.

Don't go there expecting great selection, but if you just want decent staple items for cheap, it is worth the trip.

[Anonymous]

Me no likely the Aldi.

[Anonymous]

I think it's touch and go. You do get the quarter back when you return the cart. They definitely encourage you to bring your own bag. There are mixed reviews on the meat. I bought one pack and have been eh about it. Things like shredded cheese are half what they are at a major chain. I hear their dry goods, like crackers, cereal, etc are fairly decent although I haven't tried many. They keep their prices down by having a limited variety of inventory and not having the perks of other grocery store chains. I walked out of there a couple weeks ago with a ton of stuff for less than $20. I believe they're owned by Trader Joes.

[Anonymous]

Sorry - Aldi owns Trader Joes. Other way around.

[Anonymous]

Since OP is from Houston, just wanted to chime in and say in DC and Montgomery County, MD you have to pay for plastic grocery store bags so Aldi not having bags would not phase most residents here who are using to either bringing their own or paying extra for them.

I don't live near an Aldi but have shopped at one before. The food was good, selection limited, prices great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am one of those out of area (Houston) people who stumbled upon this site and enjoy the Forum. I heard of Aldi from here, and now we have one in our area. This did surprise me as we have plenty of grocery chains - H-E-B, Randall's, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, etc.

My sister went over the weekend and said it was odd. She said to use a cart there was a charge (just .25) and that the store didn't carry any grocery bags, like Sam's Club. Sam's Club though, offers bulk items so I can see why. Of course she knows if she wants to go there again she will need to bring reusable bags.

I'm guessing that to people that go to Aldi on a regular basis, this is very normal so no one probably thinks it's an inconvenience, right?

You get your quarter back so no biggie there. Probably cuts down on people not returning the carts to their proper place so maybe the incentive to get their quarter back? The store is a no frills place. No frills = cheaper pricing. I have shopped there for years with no problem.

They sell bags there. Cant remember how much as it has been a while since I have been but I think paper bags are like 3c each and plastic bags maybe 5c? I use paper bags so I can reuse the paper bags (the kids like to draw on it, I can use for packing paper in packages or to wrap a gift/package to mail, etc). Also they will tell you to look for boxes as you shop and you can reuse the boxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Me no likely the Aldi.

Did your 3 yo just answer for you?

[Anonymous]

Aldi is originally a German budget grocery store. THat's where the deposit your quarter thing comes in. Common in all stores in Germany, most of northern Europe. It's a 1 Euro charge there, but you get it back when you return the cart.

THey have great bargains/deals on a lot of items, and do tend to stock a lot of German food items, so seasonal. You can't do all shopping there, but many items are VERY cheap. THey're chocoalte, btw, is great.

[Anonymous]

Unlike Sam's Club, you don't have to pay a membership fee for really inexpensive groceries. Will not buy meat there (too many additive) and don't use much frozen prepared foods, but have bought and enjoyed produce and dry goods. Quality is great.

[Anonymous]

They have Haribo gummy bears.

[Anonymous]

I subscribe to a meal planning service that emails me a weekly Aldi meal plan with a shopping list and prices. I spend usually 50-60% less than a corresponding trip to Safeway. I have found everything from there to be universally fine. I don't have time to coupon.

[Anonymous]

I have come to love Aldi. Some of their stuff sells at Trader Joe's too since as mentioned they are owned by Aldi - an example - those frozen French green beans.

It's a great way to cut your food bill significantly. We are mainly vegetarian in our house lately but their premium lunch meat is good quality - meat is the one thing I wouldn't buy there.

Here's what I generally buy: Great seasonal items from Germany and Italy, chocolate, bread items, fruit and veggies, dairy, specialty cheeses and other stuff, popsicles, german jams, hazelnut spread, deserts like cream puffs, canned beans, tomatoes, ziploc type bags, foil, plastic wrap, cookies, premium chips, many great crackers - pita, cheezit type crackers, cracker assortment, premium cookies, nuts, chocolate and butterscotch baking chips.

I give most stuff a try and if we like it, I keep buying it.

Avoid: canned fruit from China, some frozen foods - too processed, peanut butter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aldi is originally a German budget grocery store. THat's where the deposit your quarter thing comes in. Common in all stores in Germany, most of northern Europe. It's a 1 Euro charge there, but you get it back when you return the cart.

THey have great bargains/deals on a lot of items, and do tend to stock a lot of German food items, so seasonal. You can't do all shopping there, but many items are VERY cheap. THey're chocoalte, btw, is great.

Do they have Kinder chocolates there?