Recently I have been doing some of my grocery shopping at ALDI. They have opened quite a few new stores in the Chicago area in the past year or two. I must say that I am very pleasantly surprised by the great pricing and the overall quality of most of their products. Chicago used to be dominated by Jewel (Albertson's) and Dominick's (now owned by Safeway). When ALDI first appeared many people who were used to paying high prices at Jewel or Dominick's did not take it seriously because their prices were much lower and they generally did not stock "name brand" products, but rather their own house brands. Most thought that these house brands must be inferior to the big name brands, but they are not. ALDI is not perfect; they do not carry many specialty and imported foods, but for basic stuff they are great. I figure I must save about 50% on the stuff I buy there. Their deli, meat and produce departments are pretty basic, but the rest of the store offers almost anything you might want. I was wondering if others here have had any experiences with this store?
ALDI
- Thread starter Cogito
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ALDI's is wonderful. I don't think I've found a 'house' brand there I didn't like. great no frills shopping.
Yes. The wife loves to shop there, I love the fact she doesn't spend too much on food that would otherwise cost more elsewhere. The meats are real good, too.
The prices are great for a college student like me, but some of the food aren't to my taste. I get the fruit gel cup snacks from there and there's always a plastic/strange taste to them. The size of the eggs aren't very consistent. They're labeled large but sometimes I wonder if pigeons laid some of them, but they're cheap so it doesn't matter too much. Milk is cheap. The few produce that they have at the one I go to aren't very fresh though. I love their white grain bread. It actually molds after leaving it for a couple weeks. The canned soup is cheap but really high in sodium. Real bacon bits are cheap there too. The orange juice is palatable but could be better (I'm talking about the not from concentrate stuff). Jarritos is priced the lowest there compared to Walmart and Publix (southern grocery chain). The diet soda is kinda nasty. Love the Austrian chocolate bars, kettle chips, and salsa. That's all I can think of right now
Yep, profits go out of the country.
I very very rarely use ALDI in this town, as they employ very few staff.
At least the supermarkets I see workmates children packing shelves, scanning groceries, taking money, progressing to low level management jobs etc.
I hope that they'll support my kids when they are starting work.
I very very rarely use ALDI in this town, as they employ very few staff.
At least the supermarkets I see workmates children packing shelves, scanning groceries, taking money, progressing to low level management jobs etc.
I hope that they'll support my kids when they are starting work.
I agree with their model being the reason for their lower prices.
It's my choice how I want to spend my money in my town, your choice yours...
No problems.
I choose to buy my meat at a butcher, and fruit and veg at the fruit shop being managed by a young couple.
It's my choice how I want to spend my money in my town, your choice yours...
No problems.
I choose to buy my meat at a butcher, and fruit and veg at the fruit shop being managed by a young couple.
We shop there a lot. Yes, some of their stuff we tried once and forgot it. Most of the rest is at least decent. If you are buying Super Tech filters, may as well buy your food at Aldi's'
Off topic. They were one of the toughtest places to get permission to take the puppies in that we raise for service dog schools. Most stores you can call, stop at the service desk, send the manager a letter, whatever. The manager at Aldi's never answer our letter. Finally, my wife caught him out stocking shelves one day. His boss was there too that day. So now we can take our puppies.
I love the story about a lady in our puppy group. She walked into a regional chain with her puppy. Somebody started giving her the health department, yaddda, yadda, yadda. She looked them in the eye, and said ''Honey, I am the health department.'' She happens to be the county health officer.
Off topic. They were one of the toughtest places to get permission to take the puppies in that we raise for service dog schools. Most stores you can call, stop at the service desk, send the manager a letter, whatever. The manager at Aldi's never answer our letter. Finally, my wife caught him out stocking shelves one day. His boss was there too that day. So now we can take our puppies.
I love the story about a lady in our puppy group. She walked into a regional chain with her puppy. Somebody started giving her the health department, yaddda, yadda, yadda. She looked them in the eye, and said ''Honey, I am the health department.'' She happens to be the county health officer.
ALDI have lot's of organic produce, some great quality beers and wines (magic Cab Sav), good electricals even BBQ's. A lot from Germany of course. Some nice pate's recently and occasionaly giant beans in sauce in jars. Keeping Coles on their toes who are right next door. We don't buy meat/veg their as they have dropped organic veg just now and never had organic meat.
The ALDI by me seems to have bulk stuff piled all over and not the greatest selection. Maybe good for certain deals, but wouldn't work for total shopping trip.
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