Aldi's

[Texasgal]

Looks like they are getting ready to open one in Austin and I am curious. I've heard others rave about Aldi's... what's the scoop?

We just recently got a Trader Joe's but I was only really impressed with the wine selection. Everything else I was able to find at my neighborhood HEB for about the same price.

[Thomas Hurt]

1. Trader's Joe's is great, been in an Aldi's not so much, don't see the appeal.

[Thor_MN]

7. Trader Joe's IS Aldi. Aldi Sud, that is. Aldi Nord is Aldi in the US.

The parent company split when the two brothers couldn't agree on several things, one of them being alcohol.

[elleng]

10. It's not apparent;

the 2 look completely different, and appear to offer different products. (Only been to Aldi's twice; TJ's about 6 times.)

[Thor_MN]

11. Yes, Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord are different, because the brothers could not agree

on how Aldi should operate. They still share some principles, but they are quite different.

What is not apparent in the US is that Trader Joe's is Aldi Sud.

[Major Nikon]

15. Trader Joe's is more about processed foods

Aldi's reminds me more of what you might find in European open markets. The prices are good, which seems to be the main appeal, but the selection is limited. I'd probably shop there more if there was one close to my house, but otherwise it just isn't worth the trip for me.

[democratisphere]

2. Good to great products with reasonable prices. Bare bones operation.

[snowybirdie]

3. Actually

Aldi's has some interesting small winery selections for a good price. Produce is good and cheaper. Regular buys are a good price too. Different brands and try and see for yourself. I like them. Bagging yourself is sometimes a pain, though.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Almost everything is the Aldi house brand, the selection is limited, and the prices are outstanding.

One opened near me in August 2016. Now it gets nearly all my grocery money. What I didn't like about Aldi was that the vegetables were prepackaged. There were no scales in the store. They added scales about a month ago. I suspect that a state law compels that.

The food is fresh. Some items vary in consistency. For example, bags of chips. The house brand version of Doritos, "Clancy's," can be really great or just so-so, depending on when they were bought. I think they have multiple suppliers making that item for them, and you can't predict what they will taste like from week to week. Doritos, on the other hand, have a consistent taste. You know what they're going to taste like before you open the bag.

Oranges, carrots, potatoes -- no problem. Perfectly good, and going for a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere. Dirt cheap eggs and milk, butter priced well below the butter in other stores.

Baked goods are prepackaged. The twelve-grain bread is a bargain, but it's still sliced bread in a polyethylene bag. For baked goods, I hit the day-old shelf at the Giant and buy it half-price. It costs more, but it tastes much better.

I like Aldi. It's not for gourmets; you won't find 200 different kinds of cheese. The neighbors flock to it.

You will have to find a way to carry your food around the store and to take it home. There will be a cage with empty boxes you can use, or you can bring your own bag, or you can pay a refundable fee to use a grocery cart to carry things around.

Two thumbs up.

I'm in northern Virginia. I think another German store is headed our way. If I'm not mistaken, Trader Joe's and Aldi are owned by the same company.

[slumcamper]

5. Good god, I'm beginning to feel like Gumby.

Day after torturous day, my existential being is stretched to the edge of capacity.

Today, the orange one prevaricates wildly in an attempt to deflect implicit criticism for not having acknowledged the service Green Berets who died under his command...and repeatedly declared Obamacare "dead," and according to the New Yorker (not fake news) was reportedly joking about Pence wishing LGBTQ citizens were hanged...

And you ask about Aldis? Although frazzled and flummoxed, perhaps this is the grounding I need at the moment, for Aldi happens to be part of the miniscule slice of the world I know and can effect in some small way as a consumer.

Iowa City...Aldi's. It's akin to a multicultural marketplace. Culturally and socioeconomically, the people who are there at any given time are a microcosm of the planet. The products are solid quality in all categories. And affordable--you will save $. I especially like the produce. Things fly off the shelf amid constant restocking, so it's fresh. Competitive. No frills. Take your own bags and be ready to bag your own stuff at checkout. Shopping at Aldi's is a humanizing experience. I believe Trader Joe's is it's parent company--or vice versa.

Peace & love to all.

[Lars39]

12. Thanks for pointing out the diversity!

I've observed the same at my local store.

[GentryDixon]

6. Aldi's & Trader Joe's are related.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/12/02/aldi_grocery_store_best_in_america_related_to_trader_joe_s.html

[HopeAgain]

8. We go to Aldi's

For some great prices on staples including basic vegitables. But because we are vegetarian and selection is limited, we also swing by Trader Joe's. Your not going to find things like tofu or tempeh at Aldi's.

[Texasgal]

9. Thank you everyone!!!

I was seriously curious!

[Phentex]

13. My son loves Aldi for the low prices

I do not have one near me but I've been to one. It's okay if you are getting a few things. My son likes the selection of breads and rolls but they do run out of stuff by the end of the day. I guess that keeps it fresh.

[demmiblue]

14. I go every once in a blue moon. Meh.

I am a vegetarian who rarely buys dairy products, so there is not much there for me (I get my fruit/veg at a different place for much cheaper than Aldi's). I tried some of their chip/cracker selections, but was not impressed. They are cheaper for staples like beans and rice, but I usually score those when they are marked down at Kroger. Trader's Joe's is loads better. The first couple of times I went there, I didn't understand what the fuss was all about. Now it is a must for numerous items.

P.S. I DID score two huge pumpkins for $1.29 each, though!

[littlewolf]

16. I drive to VA to go there

love it ...