Ok, so moved to start a new thread in this format…
My 85 year old mom loves Aldi’s. So I’ve been taking her there lately since she is driving less. I know some people rave about Aldi’s. I’ve bought a few things there when I’m with her but really I’m just gambling not knowing if it’s a quality product or not.
We had one fairly close to us but it closed (it was SKETCHY). But there are others in town that are newer/nicer. I’d like some feedback on specific products that you have found to be outstanding there. I’ll then create myself a list and start trying some items when I’m with her.
Name/brand any details would be helpful. A post of “their cheese is excellent!” doesn’t help. A certain kind of wine that is worthwhile? Brand of bbq sauce? Snack item? Specific kind of chocolate?
I’ll also share my list with my kids who also wouldn’t mind saving a dime.
Well I am eating a butter cookie coated with milk chocolate right now that is delicious. There are tons of things I buy there regularly. Most of the things sold there are all Aldi brands, so I am not sure what you mean by telling you specific brands. If something looks good or interesting to you, try it! If you don’t like it you can get your money back.
All of their imported chocolate
white cheddar popcorn
tortilla chips
sour cream
cottage cheese
bacon (their cheap sliced package)
feta cheese
parmesan cheese
sliced sandwich cheeses
mozzarella cheese balls
roasted red pepper hummus
refrigerated deli pickles
pistachios
almonds
frozen stir fry veggies
Heck I buy a lot of stuff there, too many things to list. I don’t like their frozen meats. The wine I have gotten from there always gives me a headache, which seems odd.
I agree that brands are Aldi brands with few exceptions where they carry national brands. And ultimately whether you like any given product there (or anywhere else for that matter) is what matters. People here can tell you they love the shredded cheddar cheese or the pork tenderloin but if you don’t, you don’t. And if you really like something there (or anywhere else) that most people don’t, who cares as long as you like it.
I would suggest trying things that your mother likes. If they do not suit you, you can give them to your mother. Good thing is you won’t pay much for them. As noted you can return them if you don’t like them but I am not a big fan of doing that.
At this point, there are very few items we do not get at Aldi. I know some people who only get certain things there. And others who wouldn’t set foot in one. Get a chuckle when family/friends who wouldn’t set foot into one eat food at our house and really enjoy it.
I’m with @3js3ks on this. If it looks good, get it. If you don’t like it, return it or just don’t get it ever again. Aldi is my go-to for everyday stuff. Paper towels, toilet paper, generic ibuprofen, “baby” shampoo that my family likes, cold cuts, milk, eggs, bread, produce, etc. DH likes the hummus and the cashews in the large container. For everyday baking, I like the butter, baking chocolate, and chocolate chips. The Aldi near me has wonderful turbinado-style brown sugar that is excellent and even less expensive than the regular white sugar.
It’s not meant to be a full product line store in the US. 95% of what I look at is less expensive, same quality. Produce is increasingly organic.
Were you one of the posters uncertain about Trader Joe? If so, maybe go elsewhere.
Just to name a few, I go for the goat cheese and the cheddar, less $ unless on sale at my local small markets., coffee (I get coffee everywhere but like the German style,) and German foods. This is the only place I know where you can get the shorter, skinnier Nuremberg sausages. Lol, around here, they sell out fast. And we’re not a place with a lot of German heritage.
The cookies are great. Dried berries. It just goes on.
Any memories of older stores are before they became a national competitor. Aldi is national, in Germany.
At our Aldi most of the products are Aldi brand. And I believe what I’ve heard that many of the products are made at the same place as name brands but just packaged as Aldi brand. Then there’s two center aisles that have name brand products that I guess are surplus or whatever from other stores. Can get some good deals there but there’s usually only a small supply and it’s random what’s available. I’ve gone from occasional Aldi shopper to doing most of my shopping there except for a few things that I like the name brand and/or they don’t have at Aldi. I’m saving a good bit on my grocery bill, and buying more fruits and vegetables too because they look better than the ones at the grocery stores.
I like their spreadable butter and K-cups. I’ve gotten some really good canteloup there. I don’t know if they still do but they used to sell things with names almost like the brand names. Like “Aunt’s” pancake syrup or “Captain’s” cereal.
Our Aldi has very good inexpensive organic produce. There’s a whole grain bread similar to Dave’s Killer Bread only substantially less expensive. They have a layered Mexican dip that I love. I like the full sheet paper towels that are more and more difficult to find - Aldi has them and they are a good value. Cheeses are good. Our office uses their K-cups.
Here in southern CA Aldi is almost like a farmers market. They have whatever fresh local produce is in season, and it’s almost always better quality than the local chain and half the price. They have a decent variety of European imported foods, the types of products Trader Joe’s used to carry before they became over hyped and over rated. Their dried spaetzle noodles are very good. Bottled sour cherries, Gruyère cheese, chocolates-especially around the holidays. They often have an interesting beer assortment but it constantly varies so you can’t count on anything being in stock. I like that they put everything back in the basket and provide an area for self bagging, the lines move very fast.
My produce is fine. The only occasional issue is some produce is prepackaged, so you can’t buy just one.
I’m near a small WF and a really good local market. So I really use all three. No complaints.
I once bought tomatoes at BJ’s (like Cosco) and forgot them in a corner for nearly a month and they were as good as the first day. Now, that scared me. I check sodium content on packaged things and avoid high. But that’s same as anywhere.
I’m not in the same town as my mom so I’m not likely to give her my knockoffs that I don’t like…frankly, if I don’t like them she might not either. I also am not a fan of buying things with the thought that I can just take it back if I don’t like it - that’s more work and energy than I’m interested in (seeing that I’d also have to drive across town to get to a store locally).
SO…thanks for the advice of the more specific products. I also figure that if CC’ers echo each other on a few products they are bound to be good. Not to sound picky or anything but food quality and taste does matter quite a bit to me. I’m not satisfied with “one bbq sauce is just as good as the rest so why not buy the .69 cent bottle” mentality.
Without a doubt, my favorite items at Aldi are their steamed frozen vegetables. Their brand is called Season’s Choice. The price and quality is excellent, and I often make a stop there just to stock up on the frozen veggies. The broccoli florets and the baby brussel sprouts are my family’s favorites.
There are lots of other products I buy regularly there…ketchup, honey mustard dressing, sloppy joe sauce, ground turkey, dried onion soup mix, milk, whipped cream cheese, eggs, crunchy raisin bran, etc. Tons of great stuff at great prices.
Actually no! I love my mom but her tastes and mine (especially as she has gotten older) differ. She will buy an item just because it’s cheaper.
Why do we ask opinions of anyone here for anything?! Anyone here is not our own being? We ask because we can mull over the advice and decide what is best for us.
Geez, I think the changes here are making people edgy…
I am not edgy at all. I think the new site is fine. Gotten used to it at this point. Thought ultimately not a heavy user of much other than the Latest Posts link which is easy to find.
And FWIW, I have never understood asking opinions on anything on an anonymous site. People here don’t know me, my likes/dislikes, needs/wants, options. financial circumstances, etc. On what basis can they offer opinions that will be of any value to me? Even if their situation appears to be similar to mine, there may be unknown/unstated differences that are very significant.
And that seems to me to be particularly true when it comes to food. Tastes are very personal when it comes to food. I have several friends who ask the wait staff if X item is good or if Y or Z items on the menu are better. More often than not, they regret their decision. Its funny to watch actually.
I adore their Specially Selected Butter Cookies with Chocolate! Yum! I also really like their trail mix. I don’t know the brand but it doesn’t have chocolate in it. My neighbor loves their cashews with coconut. I have been happy with any of the cheeses I have bought and same with the fruit. I have only been going a short while so I am still exploring. I wasn’t crazy about the giant size pizza I bought. I thought it was so so.
A certain kind of wine that is worthwhile? Brand of bbq sauce? Snack item? Specific kind of chocolate?