Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by:
This is the deal......
()
Date: October 10, 2015 02:06PM
Initially I was very leery of this place. Seemed like shopping in a third world country. I read the other reviews, and decided to try it.
You have to bring your own bags to pack your groceries. I take some plastic boxes. You have to put in a quarter to get a cart, and when you insert the metal thing back in the cart at the end you get it back.
Almost everything is one size (normal, not Costco size) and one brand-theirs. They create and screen their own brands. I have mostly been buying Giant generics anyway, so after looking at the prices, I am a believer.
You aren't going to be able to buy everything there. I have tried their granola bars, canned beans, cheese, milk, eggs, cottage cheese, English muffins(plain old white, but all of $1), lunch meat, and select fresh produce. Everything was just like what I was buying at the Giant, Harris Teeter, etc., and just like name brand. If you want organic, etc. etc. you need to go somewhere else. They do have some organic stuff. Milk was $1.59 a gallon yesterday. There is a limited selection of meats. Bulk boneless skinless chicken breasts were $1.79 a pound. I could not find filet. I bought some creamy wine that was amazing and they had German Reisling for about $5 or $6. K cups were 37 cents each. They have some unusual items like specialty beer. The knockoff wheat thins, saltines, and triscuits are identical to brand name. Basic spices were $1.69 for a fairly large jar. Canned pumpkin is a seasonal item and it was on the shelf at about 80 or 90 cents.
They scan your groceries and place them in your cart, and you have to bag or box them up at a separate counter. They only take cash, debit, or EBT. Suck it up. I had to return something and got cash back. If you don't like something they will refund your money (similar to Trader Joe's).
My new plan is to swing through there on a regular basis to stay stocked up on the staples (flour, sugar, spices, milk, cheese, crackers, cereal, and whatever else looks good) and go to the Giant for everything else. Their stock is a little unpredictable and they will NOT have everything you want. If you are very picky, wanting certified this and that, you probably need to go somewhere else. Their prices are amazing. I am then going to go splurge on scallops, filet, etc. at Costco, Giant, whatever. I am the type that thinks Whole Foods is a joke. I could care less about any of that. This place was developed on the German model. It makes a lot of sense for certain things. These stores are wildly popular in Europe. I can see why.
I was at the Fairfax location and there were some nice cars in the parking lot.
Don't forget to get your quarter back.