Tell me about Aldi

[weltschmerz]

Dec 21, 2017 12:09:38 GMT -5 Tiny said:

weltschmerz thank you for the preserved lemon link... I printed out the info and added it to my "canning recipes" book. I will definitely be making them (the next time lemons are in season and on sale) . I have a couple of quart canning jars I was going to give away... gonna keep them now that I have a use for atleast one of them!

 

ADDED:  on the topic of homemade hummus:  Here's a link to a great list of variations (if you are avoiding ingredients in basic/traditional hummus) :

www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthey-recipes/13-different-ways-make-hummus

You're very welcome.
They're  quite versatile and I use them in so much of my cooking. I jam a piece into a roasting chicken. I add them to linguine with clam sauce or steamed mussels.
If you have a dish with cream or milk, and adding fresh lemon will curdle the dairy, they're perfect.

When I have people over, they say "This is really good.....there's something here...I can't quite put my finger on it...but it's delicious."
Just remember you can't use them for at least a month after you make them.

[toomuchreality]

Dec 19, 2017 18:30:24 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Dec 19, 2017 18:13:01 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Try it out.
Milk is usually under $2 a gallon, (month ago, $1.69 a gallon, large eggs anywhere from 69 cents, limit six, there breads are usually ok, bananas are cheap, head lettuce $.99 and lots of specialty salad lettuces, and any basic item is about as good flavor wise as your major brands.
They have started expanding their organic lines, and seem good also.
We seem to skip the cleaning supplies for whatever reason, so not sure about them.
Lots of non known six pk beers, some very good, and good cheap wines, if you are not a person who wants to spend $15 on a bottle.......
Our local newspaper in Indiana has even had a peel off $5 off coupon on a $30 purchase about every three weeks on the front page making them a real bargain.
We had one open in Cape Coral this year, and even Wal Mart had to lower their milk prices over a $1.50 a gallon
Checking out might be tight, but it goes a heck of a lot faster than at our local WMT or grocery stores.

Sadly, here in Maryland, grocery stores are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages.  The liquor stores maintain a stranglehold on the lucrative wine, beer, and spirits business and have many friends in the state government, so we doubt that we will ever be able to purchase the reasonably priced alcoholic beverages we hear other people can get at places like Trader Joe's, Costco, and now, apparently, Aldi.  This is a sad thing.  (Not as sad as cumin in hummus, but still sad.)  

I will definitely be checking out our new Aldi as soon as the holiday hysteria dies down. 

Really? I thought Utah was the only state that had control of these items.  I'm surprised. Sucks.

No ALDI stores in Utah.  

[Sam_2.0]

Kansas can't sell liquor in a grocery store either. Only a few varieties of watered down beer and wine coolers. You have to go to a separate liquor store. Just a few miles away here on the MO side we can have alcohol in the grocery stores. I pop over to Kansas to grab some NBPR rebates when I know they are out, and then go use them in my MO stores

ETA - it used to be that Aldi hadn't made it west of the Rockies. Not sure if that is still true or if they are slowly expanding out that way.

[andi9899]

Dec 22, 2017 14:31:42 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Kansas can't sell liquor in a grocery store either. Only a few varieties of watered down beer and wine coolers. You have to go to a separate liquor store. Just a few miles away here on the MO side we can have alcohol in the grocery stores. I pop over to Kansas to grab some NBPR rebates when I know they are out, and then go use them in my MO stores

ETA - it used to be that Aldi hadn't made it west of the Rockies. Not sure if that is still true or if they are slowly expanding out that way.

The joys of living on a state line. KS doesn't want to sell me liquor? Fine. I'll go to MO. Plus everything in MO is cheaper anyway. From my front porch I can see downtown KCMO, so I can go less than a mile from my house and be in MO.

[midjd]

I grew up on the IN/KY state line, and the KY side was a "dry" county. So everyone got their alcohol in IN and went to KY for their cigarettes. Not the healthiest part of the country, for sure.  

Anyway, Aldi--I've tried to get into it, but haven't been successful yet. I prefer to get all my shopping done in one stop and there are a lot of things we get that they don't carry (or that I don't really like their version), so I stick with Kroger. I also don't think ours sells beer or wine...my state sets a population-based limit on the number of grocery stores/drugstores that can sell alcohol in any incorporated city, I think 1 retailer per 6K population, and Aldi is one of our newer stores.

But maybe I'll give them a whirl again. Their prices were pretty good.

[dannylion]

Dec 22, 2017 14:31:42 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Kansas can't sell liquor in a grocery store either. Only a few varieties of watered down beer and wine coolers. You have to go to a separate liquor store. Just a few miles away here on the MO side we can have alcohol in the grocery stores. I pop over to Kansas to grab some NBPR rebates when I know they are out, and then go use them in my MO stores

ETA - it used to be that Aldi hadn't made it west of the Rockies. Not sure if that is still true or if they are slowly expanding out that way.

I'm always envious when I visit my MO relatives because their Costco has liquor and you can buy beer and wine in grocery stores. 

The Maryland liquor stores aren't state stores, but the liquor lobby is very powerful here and has been successful in keeping grocery stores and Costco, etc., from siphoning off any of their lucrative business.

[MJ2.0]

Except Trader Joe's and Wegman's, grocery stores in NJ generally don't sell alcohol. Funny enough I used to live near a Rite Aid that sold liquor. Because what's better than liquor and prescription drugs?

[Sam_2.0]

mid - if you go to a remodeled store, they have changed to be more like Trader Joes. Including upgrading their product line.

[zibazinski]

Dec 21, 2017 17:35:54 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Dec 19, 2017 18:30:24 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Sadly, here in Maryland, grocery stores are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages.  The liquor stores maintain a stranglehold on the lucrative wine, beer, and spirits business and have many friends in the state government, so we doubt that we will ever be able to purchase the reasonably priced alcoholic beverages we hear other people can get at places like Trader Joe's, Costco, and now, apparently, Aldi.  This is a sad thing.  (Not as sad as cumin in hummus, but still sad.)  

I will definitely be checking out our new Aldi as soon as the holiday hysteria dies down. 

Really? I thought Utah was the only state that had control of these items.  I'm surprised. Sucks.

No ALDI stores in Utah.  

Oregon too

[Blonde Granny]

The nearest Aldi store to me is on the other side of town, or other side of the tracks as the old saying goes. I was there once and didn't feel very safe so never went back. Another Aldi is north and west of me in Rogers. It's too far to drive just to save a few nickels and dimes on groceries.....especially since the largest Walmart ever built @ 188K sf. is 1/4 mile from my house.

[Opti]

Dec 22, 2017 18:31:36 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Except Trader Joe's and Wegman's, grocery stores in NJ generally don't sell alcohol. Funny enough I used to live near a Rite Aid that sold liquor. Because what's better than liquor and prescription drugs?

Huh. I only know and shop one Wegman's and they do have a sizeable liquor dept. I know with Trader Joe's it depends, but many people go to the ones that do sell alcohol because they have cheap wine.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 22, 2017 18:31:36 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Except Trader Joe's and Wegman's, grocery stores in NJ generally don't sell alcohol. Funny enough I used to live near a Rite Aid that sold liquor. Because what's better than liquor and prescription drugs?

I am on ODS' bank accounts so that I can transfer money as he needs it. I noticed regularly weekly trips to "Rite-Aid" and figured he was loading up on snacks and toiletries. Then I spent some time in his college town. Nope. Not snacks and toiletries at all. 😜

[NastyWoman]

Dec 23, 2017 8:46:23 GMT -5 Opti said:

Dec 22, 2017 18:31:36 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Except Trader Joe's and Wegman's, grocery stores in NJ generally don't sell alcohol. Funny enough I used to live near a Rite Aid that sold liquor. Because what's better than liquor and prescription drugs?

Huh. I only know and shop one Wegman's and they do have a sizeable liquor dept. I know with Trader Joe's it depends, but many people go to the ones that do sell alcohol because they have cheap wine.

Are you saying there are TJ stores that don't sell alcohol? Weird. 

[milee]

Dec 23, 2017 9:21:23 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Dec 22, 2017 18:31:36 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Except Trader Joe's and Wegman's, grocery stores in NJ generally don't sell alcohol. Funny enough I used to live near a Rite Aid that sold liquor. Because what's better than liquor and prescription drugs?

I am on ODS' bank accounts so that I can transfer money as he needs it. I noticed regularly weekly trips to "Rite-Aid" and figured he was loading up on snacks and toiletries. Then I spent some time in his college town. Nope. Not snacks and toiletries at all. 😜

I have one that's going off to college this fall and can see this in his future.  Those smart ones are the worst!  They know us moms would never want to deprive them of the medical care or nourishment they need, so wouldn't question spending at the pharmacy...     I comfort myself with the idea that hopefully some day they will use these evil genius powers for good.  Or at least to work against their employers instead of me for a change.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 23, 2017 9:48:44 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Dec 23, 2017 8:46:23 GMT -5 Opti said:

Huh. I only know and shop one Wegman's and they do have a sizeable liquor dept. I know with Trader Joe's it depends, but many people go to the ones that do sell alcohol because they have cheap wine.

Are you saying there are TJ stores that don't sell alcohol? Weird. 

Massachusetts only started allowing grocery stores to sell beer and wine a few years ago, and only a few can/do:  each community issues its own liquor licenses and can limit the number of licenses issued at will.  I have yet to be able to buy 2 Buck Chuck -- or any wine or beer -- in a TJs near me.  

[saveinla]

Dec 22, 2017 18:31:36 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Except Trader Joe's and Wegman's, grocery stores in NJ generally don't sell alcohol. Funny enough I used to live near a Rite Aid that sold liquor. Because what's better than liquor and prescription drugs?

I don't think the people who buy the prescriptions are the ones buying the beer and alcohol. I live in the land of Rite Aids and they have a big market for alcohol - its usually the people finishing their work and stopping by to get their 18 pk of beer or whatnot. In my store, beer is placed very close to the front registers and the pharmacy is at the back. 

[Anne_in_VA]

We just went to the newest Lidl this afternoon and I was pleasantly surprised.  We have one that opened up closer to us, but the couple of times I visited, I wasn’t impressed.  The newest one is across town, but we were over there anyway, so we thought we’d stop in.  Spent almost $150!  Of course, about $70 of that was tools they had that DH wanted.  Sigh!  If only I could keep him away from the tools!

[chapeau]

Dec 23, 2017 9:48:44 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Dec 23, 2017 8:46:23 GMT -5 Opti said:

Huh. I only know and shop one Wegman's and they do have a sizeable liquor dept. I know with Trader Joe's it depends, but many people go to the ones that do sell alcohol because they have cheap wine.

Are you saying there are TJ stores that don't sell alcohol? Weird. 

Pennsylvania (unofficial nickname: "The Backward State") is finally starting to allow some grocery stores, convenience stores, etc to sell beer and wine. The grocery stores have to have a separate checkout area, completely negating the convenience of grabbing wine or beer while you're at the store. And no grocery stores near me have licenses yet, so I'm still out of luck. The closest TJ's is about an hour away, too. I get there when I can, but the last time I was there they didn't have beer or wine.

The only times I have ever been able to buy Two Buck Chuck is when I visited my sister in Illinois, where I bought it by the  case. Then I committed misdemeanors (or felonies, not sure) smuggling it across several state lines and into PA. I also used to buy Lienenkugel's in Chicago, before they became national. When my sister moved back to PA, there were multiple cases of Leinie's in the moving truck.

[Opti]

Dec 23, 2017 9:48:44 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Dec 23, 2017 8:46:23 GMT -5 Opti said:

Huh. I only know and shop one Wegman's and they do have a sizeable liquor dept. I know with Trader Joe's it depends, but many people go to the ones that do sell alcohol because they have cheap wine.

Are you saying there are TJ stores that don't sell alcohol? Weird. 

I know at least one or two that were on the small side, so no they did not. Not sure if that's changed or not. Haven't been by either one in a long time. My usual TJs for awhile was near my allergist and it did not have a liquor dept.

[Tiny]

I like the discussion about booze at Trader Joe's.... the one I go to about 50% of the 'sales floor' is allocated to Booze.     

[Anne_in_VA]

Yeah, our TJ’s is about 1/4th booze.  Well, just beer and wine.  We have state ABC stores in VA

[Deleted]

I have an Aldi about 5 blocks away.  I love their business model, especially the cart control, BYOBag, and self bagging.  They have some products I absolutely love (organic milk, egg substitute way better than Eggbeaters brand, some awesome spinach/feta chicken sausages, fresh mozzarella, an incredible red wine blend called Storm Chaser for $7.99, great pasta sauces from Italy, vacuum-packed tortellini from Italy, etc.) BUT I can't get many of my staples there such as sodium-free chicken broth. Occasionally they have great grass-fed ground beef for 5.49/lb but most of their meat offerings are full of added brine liquids.  My local store only has produce in bulk packs which doesn't work for a family of two. I've also had problems with the few single-pack produce items I've tried like avocados, butternut squash, etc. because they either go bad one day after purchase or are very weird on the inside when opened.  They are very busy with the local restaurants that stock up on the cheap eggs and produce in bulk.  

I've also been more than a little aggravated with this store not stocking the advertised specials.  When I called Aldi customer service to complain after my 5th trip to get stuff advertised in the local paper, the rep said not all stores get the advertised merchandise and you have to call the 1-800 number ahead of time to see if your store has it.  No, no, I really don't have to do that, I just go on down the road.  

My Aldi had some serious crime issues since their opening a year ago, but after a lot of negative publicity they figured out we aren't in Toto-land and added some parking light cameras.  You still have to be seriously heads-up because of the panhandlers and zero security personnel on site.  Most of the victims have been distracted what with trying to load kids and groceries into their cars, or elderly.  Since the parking lot is no longer easy pickings, I'm seeing more strange folks floating the aisles looking to grab a purse from the basket of the unwary shopper. But I see that at every grocery so I'm just hyper-aware and project a very strong negative attitude, aka give the fish eye to anyone cruising too close.  

[seriousthistime]

When I lived in the Midwest there was an Aldi on the wrong side of the tracks.  Literally.  There were tracks right next to the Aldi.  I was not impressed with either the variety or quality of the foods.  I went exactly once.  Aldi redid that store and added one or two more nearby over the years, but I never went back.

Now I live out west, and -- to answer Sam's question about whether there are Aldi stores west of the Rockies -- an Aldi opened right down the road from me.  Oddly, with Trader Joe's all over the place here, people were all excited that Aldi was opening up.  There was a picture in the newspaper of the crowds on opening day.   

During my Europe stint I shopped at some mega grocery stores.  If the new Aldi has typical European carts that wander all over the place, I won't be going for much of anything other than a small basket of stuff. I hate those carts.