Calling all Aldi's shoppers!

[WholeLottaNothin]

I have recently started shopping there and would like some guidance.

What things do you recommend buying? Or what stuff is best to be avoided?

[busymom]

I've had good luck with their baking mixes.

But their salsa. Yuk!

[Happy prose]

I love Aldi! I make a weekly trip. I buy the Greek yogurt cups, cottage cheese, salsa, hamburger buns, their brand of Laughing Cow cheese wedges (jalpeno flavor is great), their brand Trisquets, sometimes they have frozen black bean burgers that are delicious, their version of Pam, stevia, and most trips the produce that is on sale. 

Give it a few trips...my first visit I thought it was one big junk store. It is next door to my husband's gym, so I stopped in a few times and discovered items I love, way cheaper than the grocery store. Report back on what you buy! 

[Happy prose]

Jul 8, 2015 19:03:00 GMT -5 busymom said:

I've had good luck with their baking mixes.

But their salsa. Yuk!

Which salsa did you buy? I love the one I get. It's sold in a tub, and I get mild, but it's a little spicey.

[andi9899]

Only things you really need to stay away from are the frozen pizzas, they taste like cardboard with canned tomato sauce on it. And the off brand soda, but that's true no matter what store you go to. I buy most of my groceries from there.

[andi9899]

Oh yeah. And the fake doritos. Not good.

[Sam_2.0]

I buy 90% of our groceries there. Probably Aldis biggest fan here they have a double guarantee, so anything you don't like can be returned for a refund.

[busymom]

Jul 8, 2015 19:05:08 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Jul 8, 2015 19:03:00 GMT -5 busymom said:

I've had good luck with their baking mixes.

But their salsa. Yuk!

Which salsa did you buy? I love the one I get. It's sold in a tub, and I get mild, but it's a little spicey.

  I can't recall the name brand (all of Aldi's brands are names I've never heard of.)  I just recall the salsa was in a jar, & tasted like unsalted tomato sauce...

[Peace Of Mind]

I highly recommend their chocolate butter cookies.  They are to die for IMO!   I've never been to Aldi's yet but she said that's where she got them (the lady that brought them to a party).  That's all I know about but it's really all you need to know for good mental health.     I think these are it:

 

[Deleted]

Here is the list of what I buy from Aldi's.

Watermelons. Strawberries. Frozen shrimp. Dried jar seasonings.

[Happy prose]

Jul 8, 2015 20:00:21 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Oh yeah. And the fake doritos. Not good.

Try the tortilla chips. They have restaurant style, scoops, etc. Sold for like $1.30, as opposed to Shoprite where they are $4.

[marvholly]

I have shopped a Aldi for a LOOONG ime - since before DD1 was born & she is 40 next month.

I do like most of their stuff, predominantly those items tha have to meet a basic standard.  Will try to list.

tortilla chips

potato chips

pretzels

salad dressing

milk, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, bar & shred cheese, margerine

fresh fruit specials

balogna

juices, lemonade

ice cream

can tuna

shrimp

boxed fit & active chicken broth

mahed potatoes

au gratin & scalloped potatoes

noodle rice mixes

bread, english muffins

jared spices

pasta sometimes (white & whole wheat)

rice

pesto (just started buying this year)

stuffing mix (but doctor it)

coffee(ground for my Mr. Coffee)

I have tried a few meat items & been ok w/them but usually buy cheaper elsewhere.  Same for fish filets.

I am sure there are other things but cannot think right now.

used to buy paper goods  & cereal but am finding better $$ elsewhere.

I do NOT like pasta sauce, marinades, taco seasoning mix...................

[alabamagal]

I moved in Jan and have an Aldi 3 blocks from me. I love shopping there.

Dairy and fruits and vegetables seem to be the best value. Gallon of milk is $2.99 there close to $4 everywhere else.

We did not are for frozen pizza.

I do not get drinks there.

[Happy prose]

And I love all the stuff in the middle aisle. It changes every week. I once got kettle bell weights really cheap. 

[Sam_2.0]

Here's what I buy most of the time for my diet:

Baking Supplies
Coconut oil
splenda baking blend (sucralose)
stevia sweetner
Spices

Snacks
Beef jerky
raw whole almonds
cocktail peanuts
unsalted dry roasted peanuts
chia seeds
whole grain or blue corn tortilla chips
corn & black bean salsa
85% dark chocolate bars
popcorn - salt and oil only

Cereals
old fashioned oats
steel cut oats

Dairy
eggs 2-3 dozen per week
almond milk
sliced pepper jack and cheddar
1% cottage cheese
plain greek yogurt
unsalted butter

Deli / Meats
shredded cheddar and mozarella
turkey
pepperoni
cheese sticks
frozen wild-caught salmon

Produce
Spinach
carrots
tomatoes
yellow squash
zucchini
bell peppers
lettuce
avocados
berries
apples
frozen berries
frozen broccoli
frozen green beans
mushrooms


Dry goods
Natural peanut butter
low-calorie wraps
45 calorie bread
Progresso-type soups - Chicken & rice or lentil
Simply Nature marinara or tomato basil sauce
quinoa and brown rice sides
quinoa
flavored tuna packets
Mayo
mustard
pickles
blue cheese and ranch dressings
brown rice
Endulge coconut treat bars

We also get regular milk, chips, pizzas, cereals for the kiddos, etc. Basically, if they sell it at Aldi we at least try it I like most of their products as well or better than the name brands. Their penguin (goldfish) crackers aren't as good as goldfish, but I've yet to find an off-brand that is even close.

[Sam_2.0]

Take N Bake pizzas or the fancier pizzas are better than the plain ones, but we still eat the plain ones (esp the kiddo). For some reason DH really likes that kind, haha!

What I love is that I can get out of there with a FULL cart for under $150. At every other store that same stuff would be at least $80 more. Seriously.

[Value Buy]

Jul 9, 2015 7:29:15 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

I moved in Jan and have an Aldi 3 blocks from me. I love shopping there.

Dairy and fruits and vegetables seem to be the best value. Gallon of milk is $2.99 there close to $4 everywhere else.

We did not are for frozen pizza.

I do not get drinks there.

Amazing.
Our Aldi's had milk for $1.69 a gallon, limit six gallons for two weeks. Advertised the first week, unadvertised the second week.
$1.79 a gallon yesterday.
Grocery stores and Wal Mart about $2.79 a gallon, unless on sale.
Heads of lettuce always $.99 each, compared to $1.39 and up anywhere else.

[The Captain]

Their pot stickers and caramel ice cream topping have actually won blind taste tests.

I know a lot of people on here hate canned cream of soups, but theirs IMHO taste better and generally have less sodium. 

Their meat ravioli in a can also tastes better than the national brand IMHO.

I don't do well with milk at mine because the cartons always leak.

Produce is hit and miss at mine, sometimes you get great quality at screaming deals, sometimes it's ready for the compost heap.

We're blessed to have an Italian produce/market by us and I do the bulk of my shopping there for the produce.

[andi9899]

Jul 9, 2015 9:31:28 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Their pot stickers and caramel ice cream topping have actually won blind taste tests.

So going to have to look for this. I got some caramel and sea salt gelato at Sam's. It was good, but it was $7. Surely it would be cheaper at Aldi. Are the pot stickers frozen and you either steam or fry them yourself?

[Peace77]

We do the most of our shopping at Aldi.  It's owned by the same company as Trader Joes and some of the products are the same.

We buy:
European chocolate
chips
crackers
cookies
Wafers
graham crackers
cereal and granola
iced coffee
summer sausage
Tuna
chicken / veggie broth
milk / almond milk
eggs

Turkey sausage /turkey bacon / turkey ham
lunchmeat
Cheese
bread, tortillas, sandwich thins
pasta. Mac & cheese 
cinnamon rolls
Pizza
bananas / fruit
Potatoes / onions
chicken / meat / hamburger

Frozen vegetables 
meatballs 
Chicken nuggets
chicken cordon bleu
chicken stuffed with broccoli
pizza
ground turkey
turkey burgers
Hamburger
fish
tater tots
 And more.

[Sam_2.0]

Jul 9, 2015 9:13:01 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Jul 9, 2015 7:29:15 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

I moved in Jan and have an Aldi 3 blocks from me. I love shopping there.

Dairy and fruits and vegetables seem to be the best value. Gallon of milk is $2.99 there close to $4 everywhere else.

We did not are for frozen pizza.

I do not get drinks there.

Amazing.
Our Aldi's had milk for $1.69 a gallon, limit six gallons for two weeks. Advertised the first week, unadvertised the second week.
$1.79 a gallon yesterday.
Grocery stores and Wal Mart about $2.79 a gallon, unless on sale.
Heads of lettuce always $.99 each, compared to $1.39 and up anywhere else.

Illegal to have milk sales here. Its about $3.50 at Aldi vs. $3.75 at the other stores. Funny how states are so different.

[Value Buy]

Jul 9, 2015 9:38:45 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

We do the most of our shopping at Aldi.  It's owned by the same company as Trader Joes and some of the products are the same.

We buy:
European chocolate
chips
crackers
cookies
Wafers
graham crackers
cereal and granola
iced coffee
summer sausage
Tuna
chicken / veggie broth
milk / almond milk
eggs

Turkey sausage /turkey bacon / turkey ham
lunchmeat
Cheese
bread, tortillas, sandwich thins
pasta. Mac & cheese 
cinnamon rolls
Pizza
bananas / fruit
Potatoes / onions
chicken / meat / hamburger

Frozen vegetables 
meatballs 
Chicken nuggets
chicken cordon bleu
chicken stuffed with broccoli
pizza
ground turkey
turkey burgers
Hamburger
fish
tater tots
 And more.

If I remember Aldi's is owned by a European corporation.
I never knew Trader Joe's was also owned by a European corporation.

[The Captain]

Jul 9, 2015 9:37:18 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Jul 9, 2015 9:31:28 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Their pot stickers and caramel ice cream topping have actually won blind taste tests.

So going to have to look for this. I got some caramel and sea salt gelato at Sam's. It was good, but it was $7. Surely it would be cheaper at Aldi. Are the pot stickers frozen and you either steam or fry them yourself?

The pot stickers are frozen and yes you steam (microwave) or fry them yourself.

The caramel ice cream topping was a surprise because it won a taste test on America's test kitchen or cooks illustrated.  They almost never have an off brand product win.

I make a chocolate sheet cake that I poke holes in then drizzle the caramel topping on and top with heath crunch bits.  It's my go-to warm weather potluck dessert.  I can make it for half the chain grocery store cost with stuff I get from Aldi, and it tastes just as good! 

[Sam_2.0]

Jul 9, 2015 9:41:52 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Jul 9, 2015 9:38:45 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

We do the most of our shopping at Aldi.  It's owned by the same company as Trader Joes and some of the products are the same

If I remember Aldi's is owned by a European corporation.
I never knew Trader Joe's was also owned by a European corporation.

Aldi started out as a german company run by 2 brothers. They split up in the 60's and one did Aldi, one did TJs. They are two separate companies but have the same holding company, I believe. I know many of their products are the same.

[wvugurl26]

Jul 9, 2015 9:31:28 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Their pot stickers and caramel ice cream topping have actually won blind taste tests.

I know a lot of people on here hate canned cream of soups, but theirs IMHO taste better and generally have less sodium. 

Their meat ravioli in a can also tastes better than the national brand IMHO.

I don't do well with milk at mine because the cartons always leak.

Produce is hit and miss at mine, sometimes you get great quality at screaming deals, sometimes it's ready for the compost heap.

We're blessed to have an Italian produce/market by us and I do the bulk of my shopping there for the produce.

I wouldn't eat any other canned ravioli. I quit eating it all bc it's an ingredient list of everything WVU is allergic to basically.

When I was growing up my dad did a lot of shopping there. I have two bottomless pit brothers plus their friends.

Where I live now they are typically in less than desirable neighborhoods since real estate is so expensive. I just go to Wegman's. Gallon of milk is $2.29 and I seem to always have a $5 off $25 coupon. I've tried a lot of their generics. Some are a no go because they have fillers and junk in them that I'm allergic to. Low sodium chicken broth was one I put right back on the shelf.

If they were more convenient I might consider it.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I went to Aldi's today with baby D and he kept trying to play with the chain on the cart the whole time lol.

I got a bunch of stuff, can't remember it all. I got milk. A gallon there is $2.19. Also got half gallon chocolate milk and some lunch meat. Going to try the ground turkey too. My cousin shops there and she just said to watch out for their produce because it sometimes has mold on it. And to look at things to make sure it hasn't come from China (?). So far nothing I have seen has said that on it.

I got these dark chocolate caramel sea salt candies. OMG! I would go back again and again just for those!

They had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle kids table and chairs set on clearance marked down to $19.99 from $49.99. Christmas present for Roggie!
Even getting that, I ended up spending about 3/4 of what I would normally spend at the regular grocery store. I will be making this a regular stop. I just have to remember to keep a quarter in the car!

[Sam_2.0]

I need to punch a hole in a quarter & put it on my keyring. And I love that the carts keep the baby entertained, trying to get that darn chain off. Hahaha!!

[Shooby]

BTW, it is NOT Aldi's. It is simply ALDI as my 13 yr old DD decided to correct me on the other day, lol.

[wvugurl26]

I forgot about the non food stuff. Friends of mine got a nice outdoor umbrella canopy thing there this spring.

[CCL]

Jul 8, 2015 22:06:24 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

I highly recommend their chocolate butter cookies.  They are to die for IMO!   I've never been to Aldi's yet but she said that's where she got them (the lady that brought them to a party).  That's all I know about but it's really all you need to know for good mental health.     I think these are it:

 

You beat me to it! I love those cookies, especially the dark chocolate. They don't seem to stay fresh very long after open though.