Aldi

K., I shop at Aldi every week. I am married with two young children and I average $70 a week in groceries from aldi. I am very happy with the quality of the food. Most of the food tastes just like the name brands. The sugary cereals taste just like the name brands, the more healthy ones not so much. Every once in a while i stop at Food Basic to pick up something Aldi doesn't have but that is pretty rare. They do not have baby food or formula. I really like Aldi, each week they have something new or different.
A.

I've heard nothing but good things. I've never personally shopped there because I hear it's cash only and we NEVER have cash. Maybe I should start working in a trip to the bank every now and then...

Another positive vote for Aldi. Their "Granger" beef filet of sirlion is some of the best steak I've ever had!! :)

I don't have experience with Aldi, but there is a chain called the Sharp Shopper which sounds familiar. My only warning if you try the SS is to watch your expiration dates. They seem to carry newly introduced items, or ones that were in a test market and didn't make the cut. But SS does carry a lot of brand names. I've gotten Tropicana OJ for $1.49 1/2 Gal. And brand name cereal is never more than $1.99 a box. But you can't get everything on your list there, so like someone else pointed out, it's a good place to start, but you might have to finish up at another store.

Just because they don't sell organic doesn't mean it's junk. They have a lot of good quality items there. They actually use alot of the same big names to make some of their things. They have some of the best European chocolate as well! It's definitely a great place to shop

Aldi's great! Everything is good quality, similar to what you'd get anywhere else, and often for great savings. I've gotten produce, frozen food, dairy, and all is excellent. You have to take your own grocery bags (but who doesn't have tons of plastic grocery bags stuffed under under their sink?) and a quarter for the cart, and bag your own stuff, but it's worth it.

I've gotta say that my first reaction to it was, "Not for me!" but once I got over that, I found good quality for a good price.
Best of luck,
L.

i buy vegetable cans, yogurts, frozen individual pizza's 12 oz 99 cents, bagels are huge bread, to name a few. You can do great savings. I also go to Wegmans which actually does have some great prices as well. Vegetable cans 39 cents.

I know about savings i have 5 kids.

Hi! I am a mom of two, so I understand how you feel about wanting to save money. I have shopped at Aldi for years now, and have been quite impressed with the quality of the food. My husband was always the "brand name" type of person when it came to food, so I was worried that he wouldn't like the food. After trying it though, he was impressed with it as well. And the savings are amazing! A food shopping trip that would cost me at LEAST $350 - $400 only costs me about $200 at Aldi. There are some things that you may not like as much as name brand products, but everyone has their own preferences. One thing I have to say is that the quality of their meat (I don't know if all Aldi stores carry meat)is 10 times better than anything I have had from big name stores. And their mini eclairs are AMAZING!!!! Hope this helps!

I love Aldi. You can't get everything there, but most staples are available. Quality is very good. It is an easy, fast shopping trip, which I appreciate -- I can drive there, shop, return and put away all in an hour.

You can supplement by playing the "drugstore" game. There are lots of websites out there that match weekly sales fliers with coupons from the Sunday paper. coupon.mom is a big one, been on KDKA a few times. You have to start keeping all the coupons that you get. You can get a lot of items free or very low cost. It takes some time and organization, but I think with a family your size, might be worth it.

You can't always find everything on your list, but it's worth it. The produce is the best and the prices on produce are great! ex: Cawliflower: G.E.: 3.99 a head, Aldi: 1.99 a head.......bag of garden salad: G.E.: 2.50 Aldi: .99!! See and they do have weekly specials......

You can't get organics there so I wouldn't consider the quality good. But yes it is uber cheap!

Alid is great and you do save alot of money. I buy most of my son's school snacks there for 1/3 of what I would pay at the supermarket. I shop there for everything from tin foil to meats. I have NEVER had a single problem with the place.

I sometimes shop at Aldi and have never had a problem with the quality or products.

Hi K.. I have been shopping at Aldi for a little under a year now. Most of the products my family have tried taste identical to their brand name counterparts at the other grocery stores. I haven't had any instances where I said I would never buy this product again. The store is always clean and well stocked. I go there for my basic staples as well as baking supplies, and fruits and vegetables. I have a large family so at birthday parties and barbeques there's always a lot of people, and I stock up at Aldi for snacks, chips, salsa, and sour cream for dips. My last receipt was almost $30 less than if I shopped at other discount superstores, and I had 5 bags of food for only $45.

I totally agree with Nancy-- most of the food at Aldi's is cheap for a reason. That having been said, if you are going to buy "junky" food, it is often cheaper at Aldi's I eat bacon (even though I know I shouldn't!) and have been very happy with thiers. I figure if you are already going to eat something that is factory farmed, then you might as well save money on it so you have more to buy the "good stuff" somewhere else.

Just as an FYI, most Aldi's do not take credit cards, and you have to put a quarter into the shopping cart to borrow it (you get the quarter back when you return the cart to the proper place). Also, you'll have to bag your own groceries. It is definitely a "no-frills" shopping experience.

Never been but I hear good things. I see that you are from Pitt. and wanted to make sure that you know there is a nice, new, stand-alone one on McKnight Rd-in the Northway Mall Parking lot. I keep meaning to check it out.

Yes! Shopping at Aldi will save you alot. You might not be able to get everything on your list, but it is defianetly worth trying. The quality is good. You need to bring your own bags, and you need a quarter to get the shopping cart, but you get it back when you return it. Also you bag your own stuff. The cashier puts everything in your cart and then you move to the side and bag it.

I think I heard that Aldi is owned by the same company as Trader Joes. Not sure if that is true or not....

I have been shopping at Aldi for almost a year and have found that all of the items I've gotten have been great. The only thing that sometimes goes bad is the produce (only because I don't have six mouths to feed, but 3). ;o)

They have just about everything I've needed. One thing I didn't find the other day was heavy whipping cream, but they did have whipped cream and other types of cream. If you are picky about brand names, you won't find many there, so just prepare yourself for that. In addition, you'll need to bring bags, boxes or use the ones from the store. Have a quarter ready for your cart- you'll get it back when the cart is returned. Finally, they do not take credit cards- just debit and cash. Enjoy- it's a nice store and easy to get through quickly (also a plus with a toddler).

Hi K.!

I LOVE ALDI!!!!! They cannot be beat for buying fresh fruits and veggies, as well as baking products, canned goods, etc. Their quality is excellent!!! The only thing that I do not buy there is prepackaged products (mac n cheese, etc.), but I must say that I don't buy that stuff ANYWHERE because I simply do not use those things. I make everything from scratch for my family so that I can control the salt, fat and preservatives. I have been touting ALDI to everyone I know for years and have converted many of my friends into ALDI shoppers! Here's what I get there:

Fresh fruits and veggies (FRESH and cannot be beat!)
Whole wheat bread
OJ
Canola Oil
Unsalted peanuts
All baking products (flour, sugars, choc.chips, etc.)
Canned pineapples, canned diced tomatoes
Toilet paper
Paper Towels
Plastic storage bags and sandwich bags (like Ziploc)
Fresh salsa (in their refrigerated section--the artichoke garlic is EXCELLENT)
Syrup
Old fashioned oats
Pre-cooked bacon slices
Animal crackers (big box and they are YUMMY)
Marshmallows
Crispy rice (like rice crispies--for making treats)
Frozen thin green beans (gourmet like--long, thin beans)
Chicken breasts (Tyson brand) always $2.99/lb. I get them there when they are not on sale anywhere else

That's just what I can think of. I know there is more that I buy there. My advice is to give it a try! You will be amazed!!!

BRING YOUR QUARTER FOR YOUR SHOPPING CART, SOME BAGS FROM HOME TO PACKAGE EVERYTHING (you have to bag your own groceries) AND HAVE FUN!!!

Their selection is limited, but we find that we can get a lot of groceries for a lot less there! Just remember that you need to bring a quarter to unlock a shopping cart and your own bags to bag your groceries. =)

I like the one on Trooper Rd. in E. Norriton the best!

K. N I shop at aldi's all the time.Their food is good. Sometimes you can get great deals. I use a lot of their chicken. They now have fresh meats also. imitation crab meat is good. their block cheese have good taste. Cereals are no different in taste from the other stores just cheaper. Eggs are much cheaper. We use their sour cream and cottage cheese alot. Egg noodles are good. My husband likes the ice tea mix but it has sugar in it. My children love the flavored waters 0 calories black cherry is a good flavor but hard to get sometimes. they also have regular soda but the carbonated waters with 0 calories are great. they have a noodle soup 12 packs in a box for like $1.98. They have canned goods and fruit in a jar in syrup, but it is really good. They also just started to carry their brand of egg beaters. they have something like the kool aid packets with and without sugar. Peanut butter is good so is the jelly. catsup, mustard and salad dressing are fine, they even carry lite dressings. The salsa is delicious and the chips are good. i used the instant rice and mashed potatoes and they are good. They have a rice a roni type thing in 3 flavors, hamberger helper dishes. Their jared sauces are good when you are in a pinch. I have even used their frozen meatballs for us at home and they are not bad. I would suggest you give it a try for some basic staples and see what you think and then go from there. Today is all about saving money so if you can save at the food store that can be a wonderful thing. I am sorry I babbled on but you asked and as you can see I do shop there. Good Luck I forgot to say they carry fit and active products and I have a son who counts every calorie he puts in his mouth and he is very please with a lot of those products, like the smoothie yogurts, the cereal and fruit bars and things like that.

K.,
Your neighbor is smart and she's right!
All you need is a quarter (for a cart) and some empty bags (or you can buy them at the checkout for .05 paper or .10 plastic) to get ready to start saving! I love ALDI!!! The first time my husband & I ever went there, there was a guy checking out yelling "I LOVE THIS PLACE!" Very funny, but true. I think they have GREAT fresh produce at low prices. My mom just told me today she paid $1.29 for a pound of strawberries (you know the kind Giant Eagle offers for 2/$5.00 IF they're o sale?) The grapes are great, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, bags of apples, and DOLE pineapple for (I think 1.99 or 2.99 every day--I forget the exact price but I buy them all the time b/c they are SO good and less than HALF of GE prices. I also love the sea salt in a grinder, yogurt, cheese chunks, string cheese, ice cream....so much more.
The only thing I have not cared for there is their salsa. But the chips & snacks are great. Raisins, jello cups, granola bars are good. Paper products prices are awesome (paper plates, paper towels, Kleenex, ziplock bags, etc.). The brownie mix/cake mix/frosting/sugar/flour/salt/spices are all good.
I'm pretty picky about where I buy meat (usually go to a local farm) but when I have bought meat there, it's been good.
You can LOAD up a cart of groceries for about $75 at ALDI. Tho only "bad" news is you have to bag it yourself after you pay. Big deal.
I can't get everything there, but the stuff you CAN get really cuts down on what you have to buy elsewhere.
Get ready to NOT see name brands when you go. While they offer some name brands, the majority of the products are their own label. Not sure if it's true but I heard that the cereal is made by General Mills.
Go in and check it out. I doubt you'll be disappointed and if you ARE disappointed with a product, they will give you a %200 refund (double what you paid). That's a good enough reason to give it a try. Check it out!

Hi K.-
i am a nutritionist and so occassionally buy at ALDI. but it depends on what you want to get. some things (like processed foods) are just as unhealthy there as anywhere else. but i have found that fruits and vegetables are less expensive. and a bag of lettuce is $1.69 (where is on sale for $2.50 in regular stores) - same stuff! same with a bag of lemons for $1.69 and frozen wild salmon at $3.49 or $3.99 lb. Non-dairy creamer, like CoffeeMate, is $1.99 or so, which in stores it is over $3 even if on sale. so you can save $$ - just have to be picky about what you get. and they do have the best kithcen garbage bags!!

but they do nto have baggers and they charge you for bags, so if you have reusable bags, use them there!

J.
www.nutrition-in-motion.net

K.,
I have been shopping at Aldi's for at least 4+ years and find nothing wrong with their food.They even have a policy that doubles your money back and gives you the product free if you don't like it.Be careful on the produce though sometimes goes bad after 2 days.Not crazy about the meat either but things such as soups,cereals,spaghetti sauce,butter,chesse ,eggs,frozen veggies etc are fine.

Hi K.,

Aldi's is a good place to shop to save money on groceries. But keep in mind that about 50% of their items are not so familiar brand names. They do also have some brand name products and their prices are cheaper than some grocery stores. Also try Amelia's in Harrisburg or Sharp Shopper near Middletown for HUGE savings on food. Hope this helps. Take care and God Bless!!!

I absolutely LOVE Aldi's. It usually takes me an entire grocery cart completely loaded to spend $100. While they don't carry name brands on a regular basis, they do get the occasional special on things and the savings is fantastic. 99.9% of the brands they do carry is quality. My only complaints with them is that their mayo is supposed to be their version of Miracle Whip and I get a funny aftertaste with it, and my hubby claims their Frosted Flakes cereal has one as well. You can get canned veggies for $0.49 (here, anyway), a loaf of whole wheat bread for $0.79 (again, our pricing here), and their fresh fruits and veggies are ridiculously cheap compaired to our other grocery store in town.

You will need a quarter for the cart, and if you don't want to pay for your bags, you should take some with you or pick up some of the empty boxes as you're going through the store, and you will need to bag your own groceries. It's a small price to pay, though, for saving the money we do.

HI K.,

I shop at Aldi all the time. They don't always have everything I need, but it's a great start to get your basics. I have used just about everything they sell, and to be honest, some things I prefer their brand. There are also some things I don't buy a second time, like the frozen chicken....mostly water after cooked. So I totally recommend giving them a try, find out what you like and what you don't like and save some serious money!

I have 4 kids to feed too. I shop there all the time, so far so good !!!

Hello,
I just love the aldi store! A few years ago a friend told me about it but before then I was hesitant to try an "unknown"--and I was wrong to wait! What a great secret it is..I buy everything I can from them. They have their own brand but do not fear them. All quality is there. even better. and you cant go wrong becuase they guarantee it all for any reason. The only drawback is that not all of your groceries will be available and their meats are limited but great quality. Good frozen selection and especially love the green beans. Some specials are weekly. sometimes they have limited but good deals on special buys. some household items and toys. got a hannah montana doll for my grandchild last december at a good deal. they are increasing what they sell. the cereal is especially great for families. All the same types but much less costly and they all taste almost identical to the name brands. dairy and bakery items are great deals too. limited produce but popular things. they do not take credit cards. only cash and debit. VERY friendly staff and usually no lines at the cashier. this is a great place to save money. I go there every week. Go and save !!!

hi K.,
thanks for asking this question ... I lived in lehigh valley 55 years ... I never heard of Aldi..
I will certainly add this to my shopping day !!!!
what a find !
thanks
ps= back in the 1970's I worked @ JEWEL T .. It sounds the same !

You've already gotten plenty of positive responses, but just wanted to say that I love Aldis. Not only can you get a lot of food at low prices, but the check out clerks are the fastest in town. They don't sit around and gossip or scan as slow as molasses like some other grocery stores.

I am a frugal shopper. That said we have steak about every 2 weeks, tenderloin, chicken, side dishes... and all for about $60-80 a week. I shop Aldi's. The few items I can't get there I go to Shop and Save for. When I hear someone shops anywhere else my immediate thought isn't that they are well off but that they are not valuing the amount of work and hours it takes to buy that food. How many hours of your work week should go towards the food bill? Where would that money go if it wasn't spent there? You can eat healthy good, inexpensive food with a little imagination. Good luck and remember to take a quarter for the shopping cart (you get it back) and to bring bags or grab boxes. I have the Aldi's cloth bags and they are bigger and nicer than any other local store!

Hi K.,

I love aldis for certain things. I buy cereal, graham crackers, all my chips & snacks. Ive bought salsa, lettuce, all kinds of things. I always leave with 5+ bags for about 45.00. Watch out though for experation dates, MADE IN CHINA!!! I bought fruit cups and they came from china, I didn't realize it until I got home. I threw them out. Its well worth going, taking your time & reading labels before you buy. Be careful on soups too, calories, sodium vs name brands. Its fun & you might just love it!

I shop at Aldi EVERY week. Honestly, a lot of their products are name brand products in a different label. If you look at the packaging, you can tell what the real brand is. For example, they have laundry detergent in an orange bottle. It's Tide in their packaging. They also often carry different brands that were over stocked in regular stores like Arizona Iced Tea and Angel Soft bath tissue. Sometimes their produce isn't the greatest but if you ask the cashier what days they get their produce delivered, you can figure out when to go so you get the freshest produce. You'd be crazy not to give Aldi a try. You can get everything you could possibly need there very inexpensively as long as you aren't picky about brand names. And like I said, a lot of their products are really brand name with a different label. Just make sure you bring a quarter and your own bags. You can buy bags there but if you are like me, you probably have a good stockpile of grocery bags from other stores already. The quarter is for the shopping carts. You get your quarter back when you return the cart. It's their way of keeping them from being scattered around the parking lots and it keeps their cost down because they don't have to have an employee to go round them all up.

My main advice is to be a good label reader. A lot of their stuff is comparable to the generics in the grocery store but cheaper; however, so much of the boxed, canned, and even frozen food contains so many chemicals, sweeteners, fillers, and other additives, it's literally making us sick. "Cheap" food is cheap for a reason.(*More on this below.)

As far as the produce, I have found it to be hit or miss, in terms of both quality and price. I'd say know the prices in your local store well (better yet make a list) before you go. I have sometimes found the prices similar but the quality much better in one place or the other, or vice-versa; it's not consistent, in my experience. I have not bought meat there because I have a local market whose hormone/antibiotic free meat that is priced about the same as grocery store prices, at least for most of the cuts I buy.

*Reading the labels holds true for any store, though. You would be stunned at the places high fructose corn syrup shows up - "whole wheat" bread, canned tomatoes, etc. And it is starting to be recognized as a serious health threat that too many people have written off thanks to the corn industry deceptively trying to convince people how "natural" it is.(NOT!) Having "corn" in the name does not make it healthy. MSG is another potentially dangerous one that is in so many things. A couple of other cautions: "Natural" on the label does not make it healthy. This word is largely unregulated. Don't believe the front of the box touting the product; if you have not already, do some research about ingredients of your favorite packaged foods, and then read the actual ingredient labels on other things and look for the same ones. Watch where it's coming from; many labels tell you the country of origin, but sometimes you have to hunt for it. I can tell you more about these concerns if you are interested; just send me a message.

Good luck, and good job for wanting to save and feed them well! God bless your family!

My family entire family shops there. We have found so many great deals. I have tryed or someone in my family have tried just aobut everything there. They have produce the only thing is that sometimes it is picked over and on sunday they have less as everyone has shopped. My children are grown and they shop there too. The only thing is you have to supply your own bags or buy theirs. If we forget our bags wqe usually find a box. You bag your own things but with the amount of money you save it is not hard to do. Good luck.
I have a special insulated bag that I put the frozen and diary in. I realy like it. They don't have as much as a grocery store but you can buy what else you need there.

its a great store, i get alot of their products and they are quality. some of the things that are great are syrup, salad dressing(i am picky with this and its really good), moo tubes(like gogurt), hot dogs, bread, produce, juice pouches(like capri suns), spagetti o's, pasta, plants, and flowers, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, waffles, cheese, steaks. i honestly have not found one of their products that i dont like. hope this helps

I love, love, love Aldi. You can save so much money there. It is not name brand items, although they do have some, but Aldi foods are just as good if not better than the name brands. You can't beat the prices they have for cereal, can goods, produce, frozen items, you name it. Like anything else, you have to know what you are buying. Sometimes you may find it cheaper somewhere else if they are having a sale. I recently moved to Delaware and was sad that there wasn't one but still drove to Edgewood. Now they are building one in Elkton...can't wait.
It is a little different than the normal grocery store experience..take your own bags or just buy one there and don't forget your quarter for the cart. You get that back..it keeps people from leaving them all over the parking lot. Hope this helps.

I have shopped at Aldi's before. My mothers shops there almost exclusively. There are good deals and some of the stuff is okay. Frozen Ground Turkey (something like $1.49/lb), milk, cheese, yogurt. But for me there are just some things that can't be bought generic. If you don't mind going to more than one store I would go to both. See what you like at Aldi's and then go to the regular grocery store for the items that matter on quality.

I love Aldi's! It was one of the store I looked for when we moved out here. They save you money by not having a fancy store or displays. They also don't provide bags for you so you must take your own or grab a good box while you are in the store. They also don't take credit cards, they do take debit cards, but you HAVE to use it as a debit. I have found very few things that I don't like there and there are a few items that they don't carry or only carry at certain times of the year. You can't find everything, but it I would definitely give it a try...it will save you a lot of money. If you are unsure, just go in and buy a few items to try.

I shop at Aldi's frequently. Some of their products are better than others. Here a short list of what I've purchased and really liked:

Frozen chicken tenders (the breaded kind....really good!)
Spaghetti sauce ( I always dr it up with some fresh garlic..but its good on its own)
Stuffing
Cereal
Shells N Cheese
Boxed au gratin potatoes

My mom swears by their fabric softener, but I have yet to try it. I don't buy all of my things there, but stock up once a month on the list above. Good luck...and if you try anything that I don't have listed, let me know..I'm always looking to save a buck! Happy Shopping!!

That the first store we do our food shopping at....then I go to another store to get whatever i want/need that they didn't have. Buy you really can save alot there, just take your own bags! I love it...can often get a full cart, including meats for under or around $100...at the reg grocery store its almost double that!

S.
Allentown, PA

I shop Aldi constantly. the only thing I don't buy there is their tubes Ground Beef - but that is just my personal choice. (gotta see what I'm buying). I haven't found anything not the same as the name brand. My teenager even likes the mac & cheese. My hubby and I do all the cooking for the National Pike Wagon Train, and yep - we buy in bulk from Aldi, as well as I am the Director of The Albert Gallatin Service Center of The Salvation Army, and when I do food baskets, I also usually buy from Aldi's. (I do price shop and buy what is on sale cheaper at Foodland, shop & Save & Save alot.)
Aldi brand hamberburger or Tuna helper style dinners are about half price there. works for me!!