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Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: FuckfaceNorm ()
Date: October 10, 2015 01:34PM

Anyone shop at ALDI? Does it really meet the hype I hear from people that shop there?

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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.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: The deal....... ()
Date: October 10, 2015 02:52PM

And you show up knowing all of this and start complaining or making a scene, the customers will just laugh you right out of the store. We love the place.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: U get what U pay 4 ()
Date: October 10, 2015 04:06PM

It's a real shit hole and I hate it. Go to a real Grocery store!

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Donkey Dong ()
Date: October 10, 2015 05:29PM

The reason it's so cheap is because most of the products are from China and those filthy gooks.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Cheap Ass Gourmet ()
Date: October 10, 2015 06:45PM

ALDI fills a need, and if you want to save some cash give it a try.

It is not Wegmans, so don't expect that that sort of experience.

You can get a pound of REAL American cheese for less than 4 bucks.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Made In China ()
Date: October 10, 2015 08:41PM

That shits not safe. Wegmans or Whole Foods.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: he was born a factoid ()
Date: October 10, 2015 08:50PM

You can buy store brand items at any chain.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Date: October 10, 2015 09:28PM

Aldi is a great store. Clean well stocked cheap prices with all kinds of Bogus Brand names great for laughs. I shop there once in a blue moon. Too much salt for me, most items are canned or boxed. They do have fresh veggies, fresh meats, eggs and milk , cheese and cheap. I looked today at a Italian Meat Pizza with thin crust that was 5.99 and they are very good, but today I passed as it had something like 800 mg salt in 1/6 the pizza. I could have taken some items off it and lowered the salt but I let it ride and came out empty.

So I had a pack of chicken drummete wings dusted in Washington Salty Seafood Breading mix deep fried and slathered with the Real Thing Franks Red Hot Salty Sauce with a 1/4 stick of salty melted butter (The Real Original Buffalo Wings) and dipped um in Old Salty Lighthouse (The Best) Blue Cheese dressing for a "healthy meal". Probably as much salt as that Pizza..

Dammn I would like to start a "What Did You Eat Today" Thread, but we know what would happen to that. But One Must Be Brave! So i'll do It, It wont last long...

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: I believe ()
Date: October 10, 2015 09:32PM

he was born a factoid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can buy store brand items at any chain.


Their brand sells for far less than any store brand. They are the supplier/distributor etc. They do it all.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Don't believe ()
Date: October 11, 2015 07:15AM

Cheap Ass Gourmet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ALDI fills a need, and if you want to save some
> cash give it a try.
>
> It is not Wegmans, so don't expect that that sort
> of experience.
>
> You can get a pound of REAL American cheese for
> less than 4 bucks.

American cheese isn't real cheese.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: 3dEE9 ()
Date: October 11, 2015 07:30AM

Double Action Jackson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Aldi is a great store. Clean well stocked cheap
> prices with all kinds of Bogus Brand names great
> for laughs. I shop there once in a blue moon. Too
> much salt for me, most items are canned or boxed.
> They do have fresh veggies, fresh meats, eggs and
> milk , cheese and cheap. I looked today at a
> Italian Meat Pizza with thin crust that was 5.99
> and they are very good, but today I passed as it
> had something like 800 mg salt in 1/6 the pizza. I
> could have taken some items off it and lowered the
> salt but I let it ride and came out empty.
>
> So I had a pack of chicken drummete wings dusted
> in Washington Salty Seafood Breading mix deep
> fried and slathered with the Real Thing Franks Red
> Hot Salty Sauce with a 1/4 stick of salty melted
> butter (The Real Original Buffalo Wings) and
> dipped um in Old Salty Lighthouse (The Best) Blue
> Cheese dressing for a "healthy meal". Probably as
> much salt as that Pizza..
>
> Dammn I would like to start a "What Did You Eat
> Today" Thread, but we know what would happen to
> that. But One Must Be Brave! So i'll do It, It
> wont last long...


You were right. It went by the wayside pretty-fast.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: hustlenomics ()
Date: October 11, 2015 10:43AM

You can get a good 6-7 bags of groceries for the same price you get 3 bags at giant. (Say you want to spend $100 to fill your fridge/pantry for the week).

If you don't care about name-brands, they are the bomb! I haven't met a BAD ALDI product, and if you find something you truly don't like they are happy to refund your money on the spot. Giant tries to get you to swap with another product off their shelf and hassle you "are you SURE you didn't like it?" before they refund it.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Love aldi ()
Date: October 11, 2015 10:48AM

hustlenomics Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can get a good 6-7 bags of groceries for the
> same price you get 3 bags at giant. (Say you want
> to spend $100 to fill your fridge/pantry for the
> week).
>
> If you don't care about name-brands, they are the
> bomb! I haven't met a BAD ALDI product, and if you
> find something you truly don't like they are happy
> to refund your money on the spot. Giant tries to
> get you to swap with another product off their
> shelf and hassle you "are you SURE you didn't like
> it?" before they refund it.

Just got back from the Aldi. Love that place.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: wino ()
Date: October 11, 2015 12:16PM

Aldi's has pretty good cheese and reasonably priced. Cheddar,Swiss,pepperjack, mozzarella, provolone, muenster, the shredded parmesan in a plastic tub, colbyjack swirl. And they have a variety of cheap and tasty crackers of many shapes, sizes,& flavors to put it on, too.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: blanche ()
Date: October 11, 2015 12:52PM

I've tried Aldi in Springfield twice -- was in the area to go to Trader Joe's. There is only one cashier open and a long line, my time is worth more than the amount I'd save by going there.

Let me know if they get any additional employees and I might try again.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: yMLGV ()
Date: October 11, 2015 01:00PM

blanche Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've tried Aldi in Springfield twice -- was in the
> area to go to Trader Joe's. There is only one
> cashier open and a long line, my time is worth
> more than the amount I'd save by going there.
>
> Let me know if they get any additional employees
> and I might try again.

That's kind of how I feel.

And the bag and "deposit" for a cart rubs me the wrong way. Wegman's is where it's at.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: I'm sold... ()
Date: October 11, 2015 01:24PM

Any line moves quickly. They have always called for backup when it is long in Fairfax. The quarter deal makes a lot of sense. It is a very simple incentive to get people to put carts back. It drives me crazy when people leave their carts all over the lots. If you don't want to put it back, somebody else will be glad to. Efficient system.

I have gotten used to bringing my own boxes and bags (hell, Costco does the same thing).

Gotta love the German mentality.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: German Food Invasion ()
Date: October 11, 2015 01:33PM

I'm sold... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any line moves quickly. They have always called
> for backup when it is long in Fairfax. The quarter
> deal makes a lot of sense. It is a very simple
> incentive to get people to put carts back. It
> drives me crazy when people leave their carts all
> over the lots. If you don't want to put it back,
> somebody else will be glad to. Efficient system.
>
> I have gotten used to bringing my own boxes and
> bags (hell, Costco does the same thing).
>
> Gotta love the German mentality.

Worth noting - supposedly another German chain, Lidl, is coming to the US and Virginia will get its first store. Forget where though.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: typical lib. ()
Date: October 11, 2015 01:44PM

ALDI is where the poor people shop and the people who have families and try to stay in a budget so they can take their family on vacations twice a year and maybe get in a cruise every year without the kids.

Fuck that, I'm a lib. I'm selfish, entitled, trendy and have abandoned my family or aborted my kids. Who needs that shit. I take, take, take and never give. Wegmans is the place for me.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Der Fuhrer would be pleased. ()
Date: October 11, 2015 02:08PM

I'm sold... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any line moves quickly. They have always called
> for backup when it is long in Fairfax. The quarter
> deal makes a lot of sense. It is a very simple
> incentive to get people to put carts back. It
> drives me crazy when people leave their carts all
> over the lots. If you don't want to put it back,
> somebody else will be glad to. Efficient system.
>
> I have gotten used to bringing my own boxes and
> bags (hell, Costco does the same thing).
>
> Gotta love the German mentality.


They blew 2 world wars, but can sell the hell out of off brand food products.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Lidl ()
Date: October 11, 2015 02:23PM

US headquarters will be in Potomac Yards. First distribution center will be in Spotsylvania. No stores announced yet.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Trader Joe ()
Date: October 17, 2015 12:16AM

ALDI is owned by the same group that owns Trader Joes. I suspect a lot of their house brands are the same product. As others have mentioned, it uses a German model of low display costs in order to keep prices down. No employees taking time to display products in a fancy way, they simply pull tops off boxes & put them on shelves.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Greybeard ()
Date: October 17, 2015 09:24PM

Trader Joe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ALDI is owned by the same group that owns Trader
> Joes. I suspect a lot of their house brands are
> the same product. As others have mentioned, it
> uses a German model of low display costs in order
> to keep prices down. No employees taking time to
> display products in a fancy way, they simply pull
> tops off boxes & put them on shelves.

No, it isn't owned by the same folks. Related but not the same.

See http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/12/02/aldi_grocery_store_best_in_america_related_to_trader_joe_s.html

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: waffen ss ()
Date: October 17, 2015 11:12PM

Der Fuhrer would be pleased. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm sold... Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Any line moves quickly. They have always called
> > for backup when it is long in Fairfax. The
> quarter
> > deal makes a lot of sense. It is a very simple
> > incentive to get people to put carts back. It
> > drives me crazy when people leave their carts
> all
> > over the lots. If you don't want to put it
> back,
> > somebody else will be glad to. Efficient system.
>
> >
> > I have gotten used to bringing my own boxes and
> > bags (hell, Costco does the same thing).
> >
> > Gotta love the German mentality.
>
>
> They blew 2 world wars, but can sell the hell out
> of off brand food products.


But for the colossal blunder of trying to fight the Russians simultaneously, we would be speaking German now.

No way the Allied forces could have stopped the Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe in a one on one fight.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Silly rabbit ()
Date: October 18, 2015 12:11AM

waffen ss Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > But for the colossal blunder of trying to fight
> the Russians simultaneously, we would be speaking
> German now.
>
> No way the Allied forces could have stopped the
> Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe in a one on one fight.

Nonsense! You can't just tell an opposing force/nation to wait while you go after other lands. Russia wanted the Baltic countries all along.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Happy Halloween... ()
Date: October 18, 2015 12:38PM

Pumpkins $0.99 each right now. Seriously. Medium. Just got back from Aldi.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: More Aldi ()
Date: November 06, 2015 12:51PM

Aldi generally sells Lebkuchen (German style gingerbread) around the holidays. It's very good & much cheaper than the German Gourmet in Falls Church. The Gluhwein is ecent too.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: A thought ()
Date: November 06, 2015 01:01PM

More Aldi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Aldi generally sells Lebkuchen (German style
> gingerbread) around the holidays. It's very good &
> much cheaper than the German Gourmet in Falls
> Church. The Gluhwein is ecent too.


It's funny that I have never seen Jewish style rye bread there.....

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: flaky pastry sugarphile ()
Date: November 06, 2015 03:36PM

Baklava! Get baklava at aldi's. They are delicious

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Auntie Auschwitz ()
Date: November 06, 2015 07:15PM

I absolutely love the Hitler dolls that they sell there on Christmas. Made great stocking suffers for all of my blue eyed, blonde haired nephews and neices.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Bozodog ()
Date: November 06, 2015 07:19PM

It's funny that I have never seen Jewish style rye bread there.....

They sold it up to about a year or two ago at the Liberia Ave Store..

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: There are rules ()
Date: November 06, 2015 07:27PM

Bozodog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's funny that I have never seen Jewish style rye
> bread there.....
>
> They sold it up to about a year or two ago at the
> Liberia Ave Store..


That would be in Manassas. That is in Prince William County.


This forum is about Fairfax. If you want to talk about PW County take it to "Off Topic"

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Bozodog ()
Date: November 06, 2015 07:32PM

There are rules Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bozodog Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It's funny that I have never seen Jewish style
> rye
> > bread there.....
> >
> > They sold it up to about a year or two ago at
> the
> > Liberia Ave Store..
>
>
> That would be in Manassas. That is in Prince
> William County.
>
>
> This forum is about Fairfax. If you want to talk
> about PW County take it to "Off Topic"


How about you go fuck yourself.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Canable ()
Date: November 06, 2015 07:48PM

All I can say about Aldi is back in Ohio the Amish shop there . Draw your own conclusions.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: I love aldi ()
Date: November 06, 2015 07:49PM

Blackberries for a dollar right now. Lots of holiday stuff, German baked goods, etc. Got an Advent calendar for $1.

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: There are rules ()
Date: November 06, 2015 08:01PM

Bozodog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are rules Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Bozodog Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > It's funny that I have never seen Jewish
> style
> > rye
> > > bread there.....
> > >
> > > They sold it up to about a year or two ago at
> > the
> > > Liberia Ave Store..
> >
> >
> > That would be in Manassas. That is in Prince
> > William County.
> >
> >
> > This forum is about Fairfax. If you want to
> talk
> > about PW County take it to "Off Topic"
>
>
> How about you go fuck yourself.


Another internet cowboy has surfaced -

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Re: Thoughts on ALDI
Posted by: Ludwig ()
Date: November 06, 2015 08:03PM


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