ALDI Food store

We just had Aldi's open in Knoxville.  I have never shopped there but it appears that it is a definate no frills store.  They have eggs at $0.49 per dozen and milk at $1.99 per gallon.
 
You pay a nominal charge for carts and bags and you bag yourself.
 
I have never been there.  Anyone have any experience?
 
Thanks
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Aldi's have been around for ages, in fact the town I live in is their US Corporate headquarters. They started in Germany and are quite common there. Their new stores are pretty nice but many years ago they were considered "slum" stores. Aldi's is run by the Albrecht family, a branch of which owns Trader Joe's. No frills, good prices but hit and miss on what's in stock, they buy in huge bulk so you never know what finds you may get.

Paul,

They opened here in St Pete a few months ago.  Worth the trip once in a while-----they do have some good prices on certain items, but a lot of brand names you have never heard of.  As Kland said it is hit and miss-----don't bring your grocery list. 

Carts are 25 cents but you get your quarter back ---- bring your own bags and don't look for help.  Just shop til ya drop !!!!!

 
Paul--I can verify the preceding posts.  Aldi is filled with bargains, but you never really know exactly what you will find there.   Most of the goods are their own private label products, but occasionally you will see some name-brand items.   Their own label goods are of decent quality, but overall, you can't necessarily count on finding even some fairly "standard" supermarket items, simply because of the changing mix of products. 
 
In essence,  it is sort of like a treasure hunt.   Yes, you should bring your own bags, unless you want to pay for bags, but as was already stated, the 25 cent shopping cart charge is, in essence, a rental fee to ensure that you put the cart back in the cart corral.  And, they don't take credit cards.  I rarely use cash, but Aldi is one place where I make an exception, simply because there is no alternative and because I do like their prices.
 
In NJ, Aldi--unfortunately--has the aura of a Ghetto store, as they tend to be located in...not the best neighborhoods.  However, the prices are so good that I do drive to one every couple of months to restock some of my dependable Aldi favorites.  Among these items are their version of A-1 Sauce (indistinguishable from the genuine article), and their German dark chocolate, which is excellent quality at an amazing price.  They also carry imported German stollen and some other baked goods that are far cheaper than what you would find in a regular supermarket.
 
One of the items that I found recently was their version of Ro-Tel canned tomatoes with green chilies.  I have not yet opened any of the cans, so I cannot report on the quality, but if their other products are any indication, these should prove to be as good as the genuine Ro-Tel brand.
 
So, I would suggest an expedition to check out the place.  However, just be aware that the location could be a bit dicey.  If I recall, you own a Caddy and a Corvette, so you might want to hitch a ride there with a neighbor who drives a Hyundai Accent, or something else that is  less tempting to potential car thieves!
 
 

We have 3 Aldis in our area.  Most of their brands are their own private label; some are as good as national brands, some not as good. (I don't care too much for their "Clancy" brand stuff.)  A lot of their specials that they run in their ad are very good (and good price) and some are a once-a-year or a once-in-a-lifetime special.  (I liked their various oriental vegetables in glass jars very much, since you could use just the quantity you wanted and refrigerate the rest.)  The produce they run in their ad seems to be good quality also, like good solid heads of lettuce.  Some of the non-food items they run in their ads are OK, but most of it is "dollar store quality" merchandise.
 
With Wally World jacking up a lot of their food prices, I think Aldis are getting a lot more business.

i really like Aldi, but it's usually a supplemental shopping destination, not a primary one. if i plan accordingly, every other week or two i can get away with shopping only at Aldi and the local farmer's market. i like feeling like Shoprite/Stop and Shop/A & P are not my only overpriced options, and as others have siad there are alot of Aldi-brand items that are excellent. Tedbear - i found their version of Rotel tomatoes and chilis to be fine. i also like their dried fruits, dry roasted peanuts, and baking ingredients.

I have been shopping at Aldi's for years.  Mostly I get staples there- flour, sugar, salt, cooking oil, eggs, milk, half & half, sour cream, butter,cream cheese thick sliced bacon, center cut ham slices, cheese,cold cuts, ground beef, wheat bread, hamburger & hotdog buns canned tomatoes, green beans,chili beans, frozen veggies & friuts.  I like their produce-  head & romaine lettuce, green-yellow-red peppers, mushrooms, zuchinni, grape tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower.
 
I like their jams- orange marmalade, black raspberry, strawberry.  I don't buy any meats or pountry other than ground beef & center cut ham slices. 
 
I like the easy in /easy out of Aldi, I have these mega grocery stores where the dairy products are 1/2 mile from the front door.  I like saving money at Aldi's so I can afford  to shop at my other favorite stores- Trader Joe's & Fresh Market.  I also have a great local butcher that I can get custom orders-oxtail, bone in chuck roast, etc. 

Those prices quoted by Sundancer are no doubt grand opening loss leaders. However, even established stores sell those staples as well as baked goods at rock bottom prices. They resemble the ones I first visited in Germany. In fact, even that unique cashier station is just like in the German stores.
 
Their house brands are easy to spot. They all have an address of Batavia, Illinois on them.

There's an Aldi just a few blocks from me, so I do shop there from time to time. As others have mentioned, they are hit and miss on some things, but do have very good prices. I've had no problem with any dairy items, all of which are much less expensive than a chain grocery store (1 lb. butter for $1.99!); their baked goods are fine as well and yes I've gotten their stollen before and it's been tasty as well as cheaper than in a regular supermarket.  The fresh fruits and veggies you have to look at closely but they're usually a good choice and again less expensive.

I don't buy any meats there and lately they seem to be carrying more "name" brands, although that does not necessarily indicate the product will be good. I got some peanut butter crunch cereal once that I just did not like (their version of Capt. Crunch peanut butter), and then there was the time I got a box of frozen fruit bars that were horrendous tasting--so bad, I had to throw them all out after one bite! The hit-or-miss aspect. Yet, I get my canned milk there for my coffee because it is -much- cheaper ($.65 a can when it's $1.19 and higher in the Safeway!!). YMMV.

I've been shopping at Aldi's for 30+ years.

 At times its been well worth it to drive 35 miles one way to shop there.

 Now its just 20 miles and I have to be in that town  every week anyway.

 Start out small. There is some Aldi stuff we have tried once and never tried again.. but then again how far wrong can you go with name brand Klondike bars for 1/4 the price of regular grocery stores?


Kool Aid  type drink for about 1/3. Bread for far far less than  regular stores, milk at $1.69.   Dairy, eggs, produce all great prices. but again TRY it once...
 
the Aldis brand sliced american cheese slices  didnt melt well. And we wont use their  spaghetti sauce or their paper products or soaps.

We shop at Sav a Lot first, then our local TOPS because its just a mile away, then if we are already going to that town, Wegmans and Aldis.

We have had a local Aldi's for about a year.  While the selection is limited to primarily staples & typically varies day to day, they tend to have very good quality at rock bottom prices - typically better than Super Walmart & chain grocer sales.  Most items tend to be house brands,  but the quality is typically superior to other house brands.  It's unlikely you'll beat their milk & egg prices while their produce is typically quite good.  Snack items are well priced.  As a treat, I typically pick up their fresh flowers, also at a very good price which last as long as those at double the price elsewhere.

I have shopped at Aldis once, and would more often if it was closer.Excellent place for staples-if you dont mind generics. Milk and egg prices cant be beat.And the produce they carry( minimal variety) is fresh and inexpensive compared to the regular grocery.I would recommend a trip over there just to see what you think!

There are a few in Baltimroe, but I've never made it inside.

Out of curiosity, what do they charge for bags?

They charge a dime for a heavy duty plastic bag that over 2X the size of a grocery bag, plus theyre reusable.  Always rmrmber one thing-all items carry a money back satisfaction garrantee.
The meats arent too bad depending on what you get.  We buy the corned beef brisket for as low as $1.49/lb.  The produce is not refrigerated but keeps well as they go thru it so fast.  Mushrooms are usually .99/8ox.  The chickens are laways good as well.  Its up to .69/lb for whole chickens.
You can also get some odd bargins on special.  I bought a nice 8mg pixel camera, with batteries/charger, flash, 2 1/2" screen, usb cable and carry case and tripod for 49 bux.  The memory card was 9 bux extra.  It takes nice pictures.
Green bell peppers are .99/3pack and a mix of red, green and yellow is $1.39.
Its great to stock up on staples.

A number of years ago, I walked into an Aldi's store, intending to do my weekly grocery shopping. After seeing nothing but unfamiliar off-brands on the shelves, I walked out and have never been back. Call me old-fashioned ( and I am! ), but I like brand-name products.

nocarolina


A number of years ago, I walked into an Aldi's store, intending to do my weekly grocery shopping. After seeing nothing but unfamiliar off-brands on the shelves, I walked out and have never been back. Call me old-fashioned ( and I am! ), but I like brand-name products.

Aldi's problem is that do not use their own name as a house brand. A lot of their house brands (with those joker brand names) are made by the same folks who make the same item under supermarket house brands. However, these private label makers often have two quality grades. Often Aldi buys the low grade. If you remember the generic and "No Frills" food kick from around 1980, that is what you often get at Aldi.

 Aldi stores in the Chucago area are everywhere- not just in the "bad" neighborhoods as someone suggested! Their house brand, Kirkwood, has buffalo wings that are great! They come mixed in a box of about 12-15 and are NOT breaded! They're uncooked so just a little while in the oven and you're good. I buy frozen shrimp there and a few other things. A couple months ago i bought a 4GB SD card there for $4.99! The place has some great stuff!

 If you like to clip coupons don't bother with Aldis, they do not accept them.

This has been an interesting thread. I've been seeing Aldi stores here and there in NJ for years but never thought to go in one. I just assumed it was some chain (think C-Town) that tends to locate in or near not-so-great neighborhoods. I never realized they were anything different from that.

Lo and behold after checking thier website, they have a location in South Plainfield, all of a 12 minute drive for me. So, it being a rainy Monday and having off today, I took a quick drive over there. It was pretty much as you all described, although this particular store seems pretty new and the neighborhood is lower middle class but not run down at all. I spent about $20 on various stuff, some of which seemed to be real good buys.

So, thanks, I now have another interesting food shopping option when I have an hour to kill, round trip including shopping.  

We have an Aldi's on the east side of Cincinnati in a middle class to upscale shopping area known as Eastgate and it is situated next to a Sam's and close to a Walmart - I have been there once upon a time and found it to be as mentioned here.

There is a new one that opened about a year ago in Reisterstown in the old Giant store off of Reisterstown Road just south of Franklin Blvd.

drpep


 If you like to clip coupons don't bother with Aldis, they do not accept them.

Mostly non brand-name products so coupons aren't available.

Just to clarify, Aldi started out some 25 years ago in the not so great neighborhoods to provide basic groceries at cheap prices. In the last 5 years or so there has been an expansion with new stores in more upscale areas while still keeping affordable prices. It's a hit or miss deal on what they have, once during the winter they were even selling chain saws! I know people who have bought cameras, computers and appliances from Aldi.

The new stores in the nicer areas are bigger & cleaner, but the prices are also higher.

Its been a while since I looked at Aldi's website. They improved it with features such as the weekly deals that they sell until they are gone:
http://www.aldi.us/

Also, a lot of Europeans put up humorous videos about Aldi on Youtube. A lot of these videos feature cellphone camera views inside Aldi stores. Note how similar they appear to the US stores. Just search for 'Aldi'

Aldi just recently opened in Lexington, KY, so far only one store. They have enough bargains on lunch meat, cheese, eggs, canned goods and produce that it pays me to drive across town to the store. Plus it is a completely new facility, from the foundation up, and it's spotless. The quarter deposit on the shopping cart (down south it's called a 'buggy') keeps the parking lot clear of obstacles so you don't have to play dodge 'em carts. Forget your shopping bags? Grab a box for free if available, or bite the bullet and buy a heavy duty paper bag for .06 or an  oversize plastic tote for a dime.
 
I've been pleased with the quality of Aldi's offerings and only wish they had everything I shop for so I wouldn't have to visit the other grocers I patronize.
 
Our Aldi is right off the Beltway behind a Chevy dealer, nothing wrong with the neighborhood.

It is interesting how something as small as a quarter makes people return their carts to the proper place or six cents makes people reuse plastic bags.  It goes to show how powerful monetary incentives can be even when the money involved would seem to be insignicant.

..I used to get 2 cents for pop bottle returns in the 50s..everything is relative..

I've been but won't return.   They sell mostly ALDI house brands (probably 80%), and I'd rather take a beating than buy them.   Also, paying extra for bags and deposits for shopping carts is a hassle I'd rather not go through.

I already have to stop at 2 or 3 different markets to get the brands I want, and I don't relish adding another one.

jimcor


Our Aldi is right off the Beltway behind a Chevy dealer, nothing wrong with the neighborhood.

Nothing wrong with that neighborhood?  Look at the daily police blotter and it's full of crimes committed in that area.  They put the Aldi in one of the highest crime areas of Lexington.  I sure wouldn't let my wife or daughter run over there to pick up milk and eggs, not even in the daytime, much less after dark. 

It may be clean now, but unless they employ a big janitorial staff, it won't stay that way.