Anyone shop at Aldi? (bumped bc now the Patchogue one is opened).

I just realized there is an Aldi by the SmithHaven Mall. What kind of supermarket is this? Is it like TJ or Whole Foods, or a regular supermarket like Stop & Shop?

Anything there that's worth going for?

TIA.

Message edited 4/21/2014 10:08:38 AM.

Anyone shop at Aldi?

I went in there once and didn't care for it. It's all off-brands (which is fine) but it just didn't seem like a really clean store, so I didn't know if I could trust the food. I'm probably just silly LOL

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

It is unlike any supermarket I have ever been to. I've shopped at the Bay Shore store. Some things to know before you go- bring a quarter for the cart- you need one to get it to move, and you get it back when you return it. They don't supply bags and you need to bag your own stuff- the cashier just rings you up. Mostly everything is their own brands. I don't think you can really count on buying meat, dairy, produce there- although sometimes they have decent stuff at decent prices. But it is great for stocking up on pantry staples, cereals, snacks- that type of thing. As long as you don't mind generic, you can save a lot on that stuff.

Anyone shop at Aldi?

I have once or twice. My cousin shops there all the time.
If you are ok with the limited selection, then it is fine.
A lot of times you can get toys and home decor at great prices. Milk and yogurt is cheap too. I would shop there more often if it was closer to my house.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

I used to shop there a lot. It's almost all their brand (I forget the name), but most of it was pretty good. Things I would buy were pretzels, cereal bars (like knock off Nutri-grain, Nature Valley or Quaker), bread, pancake mix, crackers (think Ritz), canned veggies, string cheese, milk, eggs, shredded cheese, fake Cheerios. Also baking supplies, cooking oil, spices, etc.

Basically anything I'm not brand-particular with. Never had a problem with the quality at all. And you can get $70 worth of groceries for $30-35. They also occasionally have name brands on sale as well. If it's close by, it might be worth checking out. It's definitely not much to look at, but if you want to save some money, you could do worse, I think.

Anyone shop at Aldi?

One is coming to Riverhead. Aldi has a website explaining what their all about (basically keeping costs down by limited employees & their own brands).

Anyone shop at Aldi?

We mainly now shop there with the exception of fresh meat because we find it's still less expensive to get it at waldbaums or stop and shop. We saved on average $50 per week by switching to it. The one in LIndenhurst is clean, very organized all the stuff we basically need. Cheese/yogurt/milk/canned veggies/frozen veggies/frozen meats/pasta/sauces/some fresh veg/snacks. plus they have a lot of german specialties which hubby and i love.

Message edited 12/5/2013 1:38:34 PM.

Anyone shop at Aldi?

We shop there often. They are very good prices for most of our staples we want in the house. I have had their beef, chicken, milk its all the same stuff you would get in S&S. If you don't like what you have bring it back and I think they reimburse you 2 times the prices.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

My Mom shops there sometimes. I have to say, they have the BEST chocolate / chocolate bars. They are all international brands, and they are soooo good.

Message edited 12/5/2013 2:52:06 PM.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

I have been going for some items (mainly snacks for my kid and cereal) and saving a TON of money.

Anyone shop at Aldi?

I love this store. I agree with the comment on the chocolate, too. It's European and tastes like the Dutch chocolate we bring home from Aruba every year. Also if you try a product and don't like it they offer a money back guarantee. I also agree that the meat is usually cheaper at other stores. Most other products are a huge bargain though and really good, even though they are an off brand.

Message edited 12/5/2013 4:07:34 PM.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

If I'm near one sometimes I'll go in an pick up a few things. I don't go there often because I just don't like the fact that I have to have the quarter for the cart, pay or bring my own bags and they only take cash or debit.

There are just some items that I prefer brand names, the stuff I've tried from there have been good. Their produce is almost always cheaper, decent meat selection and frozen items are good price.

Anyone shop at Aldi?

Having an Aldi open 2 blocks away has totally changed my life... I'm saving so much money on regular grocery items, I can afford to buy organic meat and produce elsewhere. I have NOT been impressed with their produce or meat, but everything else has been great so far.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

Thanks everyone! I'll have to check it out one day. Glad I posted this bc now I know I'll need a quarter, my own bags, and my debit card!!! Can't wait to try the chocolate!!

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

I have never been in one, but from what I understand, the same family that owns Trader Joe's owns Aldi too.

This is one of my theories on why TJ's will not open up in a lot of the south shore towns.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

Someone told me that Aldis is owned by Trader joes..and its all private label trader joes brands.

I have one near me in PA. I dont go often, but I hear good things. they have some national name brands. The store is small and Im not sure how people do full food shopping there, but they do.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

We shop there, but only for dry goods. Im sure its fine, but I can't bring myself to buy dairy, meat or produce from there.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

I dunno then.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

I went there for the first time last weekend in search of gingerbread house kits. I heard they had cheap ones and we're having a gingerbread decorating party. I definitely scored in that department. Their kits were $6.99.

I do agree their chocolate was really good. They had a few different Christmas sets that were really cute and very delicious. They also had some German items that were interesting.

I had heard good things about their produce such as a 3lb bag of onions for 99 cents. I have to say I wasn't impressed. Their produce did not look good to me at all.

It's definitely a no frills experience (paying for cart, no bags or bagging, no credit cards). But I would go back and give it another shot. I just wouldn't rely on it for regular shopping.

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

I've passed one in my travels and it turns out there is a fairly new one in Danbury, not far from where I live. I'm going to check it out. I am glad I read the no ccs and byo bags!

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

OMG yea that would of helped if i gave that info out. (shopping cart, cash/debit and bags)

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?

They also have great specialty items there. Over the summer I bought my boys Puddle Jumpers for $8. They are $20 everywhere else. They should also have some good Christmas type stuff now. We dont use a lot of packaged foods so I dont shop there for much

Re: Anyone shop at Aldi?