Do I sound like a broken record . . gushing about my love for Aldi? Of the comments you all write, the one that shocks me most is when people say they don’t like Aldi. I know . . we’re all different. You don’t have to love everything I love. And, probably there are good Aldi stores and bad Aldi stores . . but I hope I never visit a bad one. That would shatter my Aldi fairy tale! 🙂
The first time we went in one was in Pittsburg, KS and I think I remember leaving not terribly impressed but the more we shopped there, and then I found the one in Joplin, MO, the more I loved the stores. When we moved here almost five years ago (FIVE years . . can you believe it?), I missed Aldi so much that I would stop at the ones along the way in OK on my way back from visiting Chad and his family.
Fruit Cups
Almost every night, Vince and I have some kind of canned fruit. Often it’s something I’ve canned, peaches we grew, pears I picked from someone else’s tree, apricots a friend shared, and sometimes it’s storebought canned fruit. A while back we bought some of the little fruit cups, mostly for Vince to keep at work for the days he doesn’t remember to bring fresh fruit for snacking. We had bought a 12 or 16 cup package at another grocery store and then we found these at Aldi, though not a name brand, they were delicious and less than half what we had paid for the name brand at the other store. We bought just one box to make sure we liked them. We did and when we went back to get more, they were on sale for something like $3.49 for the 16 cups of fruit.
Sushi
A few weeks ago, we noticed frozen sushi. There are no sushi restaurants near here and the one Chinese restaurant that has “sushi” . . well, it’s not something I enjoy much. Aldi had two flavors — shrimp and something and California Rolls. I convinced my bargain loving husband that we should just get one of each and try them. We finally tried them and they were great! Not as good as the nice sushi restaurants but better than anything we can get within 3 hours of here. 15 pieces for $4.99. Makes me happy!
I love how shopping in Aldi is kind of an adventure. You never know what you’re going to find and on so many things, they may have them today and then you don’t see them again for months. The manager told me they get the sushi in every 3 or 4 months and it usually goes pretty fast.
You know how they say never go shopping when you’re hungry . . I didn’t listen. I was starving when I stopped in Aldi last and they had these chicken roll looking things . . about the size of a spring roll. I didn’t take a picture but the box said something like “chopped chicken formed around a jalapeno/cream cheese center”. My first thought was those gross chicken nuggets that’s mushed up chicken and re-shaped but . . did I say I was starving and everything looked good? I got one box to try and oh, my . . they were so good. It was like ground chicken . . nothing weird at all, and it did have yummy jalapeno cream cheese in the center. We’ll be getting more of those too!
We’ve been working on a list of things we want and don’t want in the town/house where we retire. Aldi is on the list of “wants” . . which, of course, means the Joplin area would be absolutely perfect . . for me! 🙂
Vivian Oaks says
I agree with you about Aldi. It’s like Christmas every time you go – there’s always something different, and where else can you find chocolate from Belgium at such an inexpensive cost?!! The fresh produce is a lot cheaper than any other grocery store in the area, and there are four of them within about 20 minutes of my house! No matter what direction I go, Aldi is there!!
Kathy C says
I was so excited when we started spending 1/2 our year in Nashville. Now I have 2 Aldi’s close by. On your recommendation I tried them and the are now on my 10 day shopping rotation. The prices on fresh fruits and vegetables can’t be beat and for the most part their quality is excellent. Their pasta is imported from Italy and is the best dried pasta I’ve ever used. Many of their store branded products have no artificial colors, gmo, and junk in them. Not to.mention their prices are usually 30% lower than the other grocers.
And I agree, it’s like a treasure hunt. Last week was medical device week with walkers and ambulatory aids. The week before I got heavy duty car mats for our Jeep. And being a German owned store, they have the best selection of Christmas cakes etc around.
Thanks for getting me to give them a try Judy.
JudyL says
You’re welcome. Glad you like them. They’re removed most of the bad stuff from 90% of their own brand products – http://tinyurl.com/z74g7mb
I’m sorry to say it but I think the Germans have a much higher standard when it comes to food production – taste, quality, etc. and it’s amazing that Aldi can sell their better quality and better tasting products at such reduced prices. I love that store!
Patti Tappel says
You know I LOVE Aldi’s. Two weeks ago I bought 8 bags of carrots at .49 cents each. I canned them. Got 15 pints. I also buy their cuties and can them. I have 8 pints in the pantry now. Which reminds me I need to get some more. We so love them when we have fresh garden lettuce.
I usually have a couple containers of their rice pudding too. It’s just me that likes it, and I can’t make a small batch just for myself.
Their artisan breads are delicious. I know you bake your own. I do too occasionally. Then there is their cheeses! Oh and have you tried their chicken salad with cranberries? Not to mention their German chocolates, Steele cut oats . . . and on and on.
JudyL says
I don’t always bake my own! Yesterday I grabbed an artisan bread and Vince couldn’t believe how good it was. He kept saying . . you got this at Aldi? Oh . . and they have a 7 grain or 12 grain loaf (sliced) bread and it is so good. I keep a bag or two in the freezer for those times when we run out of homemade or when we just want a good seeded bread.
Yes! I bought the chicken salad with cranberries and almonds a couple of weeks ago and we love it! I stood there and couldn’t decide between cranberries/almonds or the chipotle. Have you tried the chipotle? We love their steel cut oats, grits. Vince uses honey in his coffee and he buys it from Aldi.
Carolyn says
Just noticed there is a store in Wichita Falls and I have to be there Friday so will check it out. I hate grocery shopping so this needs to be something special. I only shop for groceries once a month if needed and like to do it every six weeks. My husband can think of more reasons to go and I think of all the gas he is wasting. We live on a fairly strict budget and a grocery store is another money trap.
JudyL says
I used to stop at the one in Lawton, OK but never stopped at the one in Wichita Falls.
You’re doing way better than I am. We eat salads usually twice a day and except for the few months when I have greens in the garden, going to the store once a week is necessary . . for lettuce alone! We eat a lot of fresh fruit and I’ve found that just doesn’t keep more than 7 – 10 days. I try to buy the fruits and veggies that are on sale but sometimes I have to have things that aren’t and those fruits and veggies cause that bill to skyrocket.
Dottie N. says
We go to the one in Wichita Falls about once a month – closed one to us and it’s 3 hours away, LOL…..we stop there once in awhile if we’ve gone to the Dallas area to visit family/friends. I’m always surprised at how inexpensive their avocados are and do love their multi-grain breads, cereals, etc.
Donna in KS says
We have Aldi stores here! You’re welcome. It is my grocery shopper’s favorite.
Theresa says
The closest Aldi to my house is on the wrong side of the Potomac. So at least 90 minutes away. We do have a Trader Joes about 10 miles from here.
Susan says
I love Aldi’s and feel so blessed there is one about 3 miles, not more than 4, from my house, and it’s on the way to the bank, or the circle around from the library and post office trips. I get all my basics there, and I bought a cast aluminum pot I use at least once a week since I bought it 3 years ago. Their brands are good, the prices are low, and everything I NEED is there. I get a couple of things, like Famous Dave’s pickles and Land o’Lakes butter, from other stores, but a lot of my groceries dollars go to Aldi.
Pam in KC says
I needed milk about the time you posted that you bought milk from Aldi’s for next to nothing (my words). Where I previously purchased milk it’s anywhere from $3.50 – $4 a gallon. So, I got myself over to Aldi’s and I think it’s $2.25 – more than you are paying but significantly less than I was paying. Of course now instead of WM and the grocery store I end up hitting 4 shops – WM, the grocery store, Aldi’s and a Save a Lot to get everything we want. But even with the extra gas, I think I’m saving money.
Sharon Downey says
I love Aldi’s. I always have a quarter in my jacket pocket for the shopping cart. It’s such an adventure. Last week I took my grocery list that I would have taken to Walmart and went shopping at Aldi’s. I was able to fill all of it but two items and that was just because I didn’t know where they were. Asked a friend and she told me where I could find them. My husband wanted a pizza and we found a thin crust pizza in frozen foods that was as good as any we’ve found before. Don’t expect to find all the name brands you want but as long as you are looking for an item (such as canned peaches and not a name brand you do great. I’ve also found things that are treats. Such as Choceur Dark or Milk Chocolate pieces in the Candies. Yum. As good as any Dove. Best of all I love the size the store. So many times in Walmart if I forget something I’ll just leave it till next trip. Aldi’s is not so big that you mind going back for it.
Theresa says
One of the ladies at the quilting guild tells me that Aldi just opened a store about seven miles from here. Can’t wait to check it out!
Nann says
Add me to the “love Aldi’s” list!