shop at Aldi's?

[Anonymous]

I was looking at an article about how to cut grocery bills and it mentioned Aldi's as a good source for inexpensive groceries. Do any of you shop there?
What's it like? We are in Dc and wondering if the drive to Langley Park is worth it. Thanks very much.

[Anonymous]

I've never been to Aldi in the US. In Germany it is disgusting. Lots of off brand, subpar products. However, it is owned by Trader Joe's, so occasionally there is a TJ product there. I say not worth the trip, but no first hand experience with the ones here.

[Anonymous]

There was one out in Front Royal and it was gross.

[Anonymous]

I loved mine in another state. I am not close enough now to one.

[Anonymous]

I used to shop at Aldi in NC. Aldi owns Trader Joe's, but IMO their products are not as good as TJ's with one exception - frozen fish. Fresh fruit and veg at Aldi is also very cheap and the quality is good, but they only usually have the basics. Otherwise I don't think it's worth the trip unless you just want to satisfy your curiosity.

[Anonymous]

Well, as an on-and-off broke person, I am glad they're around.

Good for stuff like canned goods that you can fill your pantry with.

[Anonymous]

I like Costco better. Aldi's milk costs the same and isn't as fresh. I've bought canned fruit at Aldi's and it was rotten. Not everything is a great deal at Costco but the quality is excellent.

For really cheap canned goods, try Saves-A-Lot. There's one near the Walmart in Landover. They charge for plastic bags so be sure to bring your own.

[Anonymous]

Never tried it in the U.S., but in Germany we called it scheisse Aldi's.

[Anonymous]

There's one within walking distance of our house in Alexandria, and we shop there all the time. The milk is cheaper than anywhere else, and it's perfectly fine. They also have excellent prices on baking ingredients, canned goods, toiletries, deli items, other milk products, etc. The only things I don't buy there are bread and cereal. They have limited produce, so you'll probably need to supplement from somewhere else. Check it out and see what you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never tried it in the U.S., but in Germany we called it scheisse Aldi's.

LOL!!! I lived in Germany, too. Between Aldi, Lidl and Penny Markt it was hard to find ANY decent food.

[Anonymous]

I shop at Aldi's. I have never had any problems with the milk not being fresh -- but we usually drink it in the first 2 or 3 days. Their refrigerator dairy products like butter, cheese, cottage cheese, etc seem about the same as generics at a place like Safeway or Giant, but cheaper. It's not a store for gourmet items, but I get basics for kid lunches and to stock up the kitchen. I've never had a problem with the canned fruit or beans. Pantry staples like flour, sugar, honey and spices are very cheap there. I buy the frozen waffles and mini-pizzas. I seldom buy the meat. Produce is hit or miss -- things like potatoes or bags of lemons are fine. We use their diapers and some of the toiletries like kid shampoo; also the paper products seem fine, and again, quite inexpensive.

[Anonymous]

We shop at the Aldi in Manassas City. It's pretty cheap for the basic necessities. Not the highest quality of foods, but not bad. Good prices on their steaks, milk, other diary. The fresh produce is hit/miss, but really cheap. You can really save a lot by shopping there. Just remember to bring your quarter to "rent" the shopping cart (you get it back if returned), and bring bags too. Or buy them there, but regardless you get to bag your groceries yourself!

[Anonymous]

There's an Aldi's off Queens' Chapel Road in Hyattsville. Michigan Avenue turns into Queen's Chapel Road once you leave DC.

Aldi is a European grocery store, once you enter it there's no denying it, it feels different -> the height of the shelves, the lack of ad's on the walls. The food stock is so-so, you get decent quality when you buy non-perishables. good luck.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't replace your weekly shopping trip to a more conventional grocery store, but I do get really good deals on certain things.

[Anonymous]

Bump. With recently increased food prices, I've gone back to Aldi. Loving some stuff from there: Fit & Active ice cream sandwiches (skinny cow knockoff), specialty meatbals, goat cheese, Moser Roth European chocolate - plus basics like grape tomatoes, bananas, OJ, etc.