Aldi Food Stores Review

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lisa-ann
Grand Rapids, MI

All the basics at lower prices.

on a budget, a person who likes a bargain, expecting good, fair service, a busy person, not rich, budget conscious, practical

Pros

cheap staples, cashiers are lightning quick, really inexpensive, great for those on a budget

Cons

Don't provide allergy information., lines can get long

DEC

2007

We're on a tight grocery budget, and Aldi has been a lifesaver. About 75% of what I need every week - dry goods, cereal, baking supplies, canned goods, frozen food, dairy, vegetables, etc. - is there, and all of it is less expensive that at a traditional supermarket. Every Saturday morning, I visit Aldi first for the basics. Then I go to a larger supermarket for the remaining items.

Biggest money savers: cereal, yogurt, pre-cooked sausage, canned chicken, canned tomatoes & tomato sauces.

Things Aldi lacks: most spices and sauces, exotic or local vegetables (they usually have carrots, celery, peppers, potatoes, onions, and a few other things), seasonal fruit (they always have apples, oranges, and bananas), low-fat or allergy-conscious items, most name-brand items.

Things I don't buy from Aldi because I don't like the quality: salsa, meat, dish liquid. I like to make things from scratch, so I can't give an opinion on the packaged dinners or most frozen foods.

In some ways, Aldi is more complicated. You need a quarter to use a cart (you get the quarter back). Aisles aren't marked. You have to pay for bags and then bag your own groceries.

Nevertheless, Aldi is faster and easier. I get 75% of the items on my list at Aldi, and the trip takes me about 20 minutes. I get the last 25% at a large chain grocery store, and it takes me about an hour. Why? Aldi has 3 aisles; the other store has 30. There's usually only 1 brand for each item, so you don't waste time deciding. Checking out at Aldi takes 1/3 of the time. Most importantly, if I need a tube of toothpaste and a gallon of milk, I get the items and be back in my car in 5 minutes. At a large store, it would take me 5 minutes to reach the store from the back of the crowded parking lot.

Aldi is great because they base their decisions on what will lower prices, not on what will make you linger in the store longer. That's my kind of grocery shopping.

Aldi Food Stores is recommended by lisa-ann

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Comments about lisa-ann’s Review

arsbadmojo wrote on Apr 1, 2008 at 6:43PM

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Excellent review, very well written. I actually enjoy a lot of Aldi meats. The stew beef is so cheap and excellent for crock-pot, all day cooked stew, and the pork chops are lean...about the only thing I don't care for as far as Aldi meats are the smoked pork chops.

bkovacs wrote on Dec 5, 2007 at 10:37PM

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Nice review... welcome to Viewpoints! --Bob

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Aldi Food Stores Review

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