Re: Aldi's

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

@kaydee50 no fish market. I have had 50/50 luck with their prepackaged fish. I only buy salmon. I cannot recommend it due to freshness and quality concerns. I have had to return at least 30% of my purchases, They have a Twice As Nice gaurantee on many fresh items, fish is returnable for a replacement plus money back. the whole salmon filet seems fresher for some reason v. the filet cuts of 1lb size. If you try the fish, don't select the packages where they stack two filets to the pkg.

Sometimes they have frozen Sablefish aka Black Cod. Limited time , was very tasty. The frozen salmon gave me a bad stomachache.

The cut up stew beef is really good. I stopped buying chuck London Broil to cut up for stew meat becasue ALDI meat is decent, the chuck roast is good too.

Shop a few times to get an idea of the offerings. I've shopped there for years and TBH only had to return fish.

If you do charcuterie boards theres a section for charcuterie fixings. Chrustmas time I love the pecan meltaways! sooo good.

Aisle of Shame, always find some good stuff. On Youtube, The Deal Guy has monthly videos covering ALDI items, he is funny and entertaining.

FLGranny · ‎07-22-2012

We have shopped Aldis between NY and FL for at least 20 years. Basically you have to be careful. You can find really good deals there but their inventory is inconsistent. They can have something one week and not the next. It’s great for the holidays for selection of cheese, dips, specialty items. Produce is hit or miss. Baked goods like cakes, pies, etc aren’t carried. The stores have cleaned up and they’re reorganizing their aisles. Definitely worth going!

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

@Pink123 wrote:

@rockygems123 wrote:
@Sapphiregal wrote:
I have 2 that are within 30 minutes from where I live. I've only stopped in a few times and usually had a certain item on my mind to pick up and it was usually something they didn't have, so, I can't say I have been very impressed. Nor have I really paid much attention to their prices. Didn't even know about the "surprise" isle several have mentioned.

However, after reading these comments, I may have to give them another chance as some of you seen to love ALDI!!😁
@Sapphiregal

Sounds like with your experience - and as you say you may be expanding that - that Aldi's is a step below Trader Joe'?
@rockygems123 If you look upthread I explained the history.

There are two brothers the Albrecht family. One wanted cigarettes in the store and the other refused, hated having any cigarettes in the store.

So they split it between the two brothers. Aldi North and South.

I believe they are franchised out. One owns Trader Joes and the other brother does not. So right there you might have your differences. Some are clean, well stocked and some not.

@Pink123 not a franchise, privately held company - the home Office is in Batavia, Illinois. I think US based ALDI stores started in the midwest. I only knew of them when I was in Germany in the late '90s we went to one, it was all goods stacked on top of other stuff, it looked really cheezy like a Job LOt store.

Pink123 · ‎07-10-2019

@foxywoods abolutely agree with you. They were probably getting ready to move on at that point. I'm talking about a child at age 11 or 12 in the 1960's. It was wonderful.

However, The Albrecht family chose to make I don't know of it except for the two brothers with the cigarette dispute after the war.

Different minds, different outcomes.

However it turned out I don't care but I love history and it is good for you all to know it between these two.

I will remember the old Aldi as a young kid in Europe.

Sunshine Kate · ‎03-10-2010

I've been to an Aldi's and some of the products are mediocre at best.

However, they have one cashier and no self service checkouts. The line with one cashier is long as some shoppers have their carts overflowing.

I was told the one employee is a cashier that also stocks, cleans and anything else the store needs done. Yes, one employee. (It's all about $). There's probably someone in the back that never comes out unless emergency.

I'm not a fan of self checkouts. I avoid at all costs, unless I only have one item, I'll check out myself. (No worries here though as the cash registers are there, but no self checkouts or additional cashiers.)

There's just something about it, I don't see the hype. For those that like -- happy shopping to you.

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

@Pink123 wrote:
@foxywoods abolutely agree with you. They were probably getting ready to move on at that point. I'm talking about a child at age 11 or 12 in the 1960's. It was wonderful.

However, The Albrecht family chose to make I don't know of it except for the two brothers with the cigarette dispute after the war.
Different minds, different outcomes.

However it turned out I don't care but I love history and it is good for you all to know it between these two.

I will remember the old Aldi as a young kid in Europe.

@Pink123 I was in ALDI in Munich in 2018 and there was a bakery kiosk where you pshed a button and get toasted croissant. Also the wine selection. We loved it because we got AIRb&Bs where we had a kitchen. In vIenna we had SPAR market with the most amazing variety of foods. Oh I could have LIVED there! the freah food selection out of this world! " Hofer" is Austria's version of ALDI.

Skyegirl21 · ‎03-20-2010

@bargainsgirl wrote:
@Skyegirl21 wrote:
I know a lot of people who like it there and I agree, some things are a good deal-
But I disliked it. I'll never shop there. It was dirty, disorganized and kinda creepy. My opinion.
Why creepy? Ours is clean, well organized and stocked and not over crowded with stuff. Very polite staff and patrons!!
----------

It was very crowded (a weekday around 11am) and chaotic in there, and I just got an unsafe gut feeling-

The cans were dusty, and looked old, all brands that Ive never seen. The floors were dirty and every aisle was blocked with restocking carts.

My friend told me they had many European types of cookies, but I found nothing like that (I was not in the wrong section)- It's about 25 minutes away and not near anywhere else Ifrquent. No interest in going back.

Pink123 · ‎07-10-2019

Thanks @foxywoods interesting. I was in Munich mid 2023 to see it once more along with Vienna and Salzburg and Heidelberg. Thank you for the memories!

PS. We stayed in a hotel at Frankfurt International which is the biggest airport in the EU to avoid running around like idiots but relaxing.

In my mind though it was a mere 9 kilometers to the home town out of Frankfurt by train or Uber, but kept my mouth shut. I do wish I could have driven there somehow that afternoon one more time because I was oh so close. It's ok.... No one can take memories.

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

I think the condition of each store depends on its manager and employees. Some are neater and cleaner than others.

Plentiful self service is the best thing that ever happened to the store. Gone are the days of waiting in line with five items when there are overflowing carts ahead of you.

To me Aldi is where you go to supplement your weekly shopping. Somethings are worth stopping for, especially the reasonably priced produce and the selection of cheese. Bread goods are hit and miss. My area now also carries some items from a local bread company. Their own brand brioche hot dog buns seem identical to the ones from Whole Foods and are literally half the price.

Many items are one time only or are seasonal. They do feature items from different nationalities throughout the year.

I've been unimpressed with most of their frozen pizzas, and their Clancy snacks. Occasionally they do carry small cakes and pies. Nothing elaborate.

Their Aldi Finds aisle, which I don't understand is refered to as the aisle of shame, carries a variety of seasonal, household, kitchen, some clothing and accessories. Items can vary in quality and are limited in quantity.

They have a weekly ad which is good to check before shopping. They also do a sneak peek ad which can be found on your way out the door. I find both on the Flipp app.

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

@Pink123 wrote:
Thanks @foxywoods interesting. I was in Munich mid 2023 to see it once more along with Vienna and Salzburg and Heidelberg. Thank you for the memories!

PS. We stayed in a hotel at Frankfurt International which is the biggest airport in the EU to avoid running around like idiots but relaxing.

In my mind though it was a mere 9 kilometers to the home town out of Frankfurt by train or Uber, but kept my mouth shut. I do wish I could have driven there somehow that afternoon one more time because I was oh so close. It's ok.... No one can take memories.

@Pink123 we stayed at another B&B our last week. Herrieden close to Ansbach . we got up super early on our last day and found the host had shut off the hot water and we had to scramble to the airport to get our flight and it was hair-raising drive even on the Auto-Bahn - very busy - so many tandem tractor trailers and very slow traffic ! so being right at the airport hotel is a good idea!

we made it in time for our flight but the airports there are really packed, long lines and I needed mobility assistance .I hate that feeling of being rushed!