ALDI Food Market

[dynaflow]

as much baking as i do during the holidays

i stock up on flour sugar cream cheese butter just makes sense when u r on a budget like i am

 

[dustin92]

We have an Aldi in Jackson, and they have a decent selection and pretty decent prices, I prefer to shop at Walmart or Meijer. It is easier to go to one store for everything and be finished with it. I suppose we could survive on Aldi's offerings, but prefer a larger selection.

 

[NYCWriter]

Hey Louie ...

... where is there an Aldi in New York City??

My parents shop at their local Aldi in suburban Pittsburgh all the time. Like I mentioned earlier, I like that the private labels tend to be healthier than the giant brands.

But Allen really nailed it in describing it as shopping at a public assistance food pantry. My parents' location is nice, but it feels like a tired 1970s supermarket that's been abandoned by virtually the entire town, which is now shopping someplace else. And I get that my parents (and the rest of my family) need to save money so that's why they shop there, but it's an uphill battle trying to get them to all eat healthier when so much of what Aldi sells is mass-produced crap infused with chemicals. SOME stuff is good, but you have to really know how to read the ingredient labels.

My mom came home one day when I was visiting and proudly pulled out a jar of coconut oil, after I'd been urging them to try to include it in their diets. She did all the right things ... made sure the label read "all natural" and that the ingredient list said ONLY "coconut oil". Unfortunately, it was REFINED coconut oil (which is not required to be on the label). "Refining" coconut oil is akin to taking what used to be a wonderfully healthy piece of fruit and reducing it down and sugaring it up, slapping on a crust, and calling it pie. Now it's not healthy in the least anymore. So we took it back, got our money back, and I drove her to Whole Foods, which is virtually the only place there where one can get all-natural ORGANIC VIRGIN coconut oil (now Mom knows what to look for).

Here in America, unfortunately, trying to eat healthy almost requires a Ph.D. in chemistry, and a J.D. to cut through the legalese on the labels. It's like the food companies are purposely trying to poison us by slipping crap in and doing everything they can to avoid telling us. Actually, it's not "like" that, that's how it actually IS.

So it's a process. Aldi is good for SOME things, but certainly not all.

 

[arbilab]

We have one nearby. RENT a shopping cart? No deal. Sticking with Kroger. Known good store brands, competitive pricing, 10% off for being old.

 

[NYCWriter]

You don't actually RENT the shopping carts ...

... it's actually an ingenious way to keep the carts from disappearing -- or at the very least, keep from devoting one employee full-time to chasing down those carts from all corners of the parking lot left behind by shoppers too lazy to return them.

Here's how it works: The carts are all locked together by a chain system, with each cart having its own lock. You slip a quarter into the lock to free the cart. When you return the cart to re-lock it, you get your quarter back.

Say what you will, but as a result, there is NEVER a stray Aldi shopping cart in the parking lot.

 

[polkanut]

West and northwest of Wausau we have a large Amish and Mennonite population, and they actually come to the Aldi store here and in Marshfield, WI in caravans.  They love shopping at these 2 stores because Wal-Mart is across the street from both of them too.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">Hi Matt, I drive to the one at the Rego Park Center. 61-11 Junction Blvd, Rego Park,  Queens. I have to hop on the BQE, takes me about 15 minutes, if there is no traffic. You do have to pay for parking, but it's cheap. </span>

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">A few years ago, they actually wouldn't let you take the cart back to the garage, even though you but the damn quarter in the cart. They actually expected you to teleport a shopping cart full of groceries back to your vehicle. I complained rather loudly about how ridiculous this policy was and I was let to take the cart out to my truck. BUT I had to leave my drivers license as collateral while I brought the cart back.  Don't you just LOVE it? I guess they dropped that policy since you do see Aldi carts in the garage now. </span>

 

<span><span style="font-size: medium;">So now I use only Costco carts, and Aldi can kiss my hairy butt. </span></span>

 

[NYCWriter]

Oh well that explains it ...

... since I don't have a vehicle.

But I did hear they were going to open an Aldi in East Harlem.

For most of us in Manhattan, though, that might as well be New Haven.

So ... I'll stick with my Fresh Direct and Whole Foods.

 

[foraloysius]

The shopping cart system with chains and locks for a coin is very common overhere in Europe. I can't think of a supermarket that doesn't have it. Parking spaces are indeed very tidy that way. I guess Aldi exported that to the other side of the big pond.

Aldi overhere in the Netherlands is a very basic store with less products than they have in Germany. I hate going to several stores and because Aldi doesn't sell everything I want, I don't shop there.

 

[launderess]

Aldi In East (Spanish) Harlem

In the same complex as Costco.

Persons go to both from all over Manhattan via public transportation, foot, private vehicle, and or leave by the same. Don't know about your Manhattan crowd NYCWriter, but plenty of others seem to go, including residents of UWS, UES. Harlem (both east and west), etc... Since the place is just off the FDR there is easy access to those whom happen to have transport be they from 185th street, or merely the UES stopping in before going to the country.

Personally only went once after the opening (friends dragged me), and even then it was only Costco. IMHO groceries and such even in bulk are cheaper in NJ, and if one is going to drive that is where one goes.

There is also a new Aldi in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn somewhere in a space that used to be a Pathmark.

Discount Grocer Aldi Opens First Manhattan Store in East Harlem

The German retailer known for low prices is the latest tenant at East River Plaza.

www.dnainfo.com

 

[arbilab]

Not to argue, but the Kroger carpark is orderly without the coin/lock cart system. Yes employees have to return the carts from their stations to the foyer. Myself, I take a cart from the station in with me. Even Walmart, the pinchpennyest chain in the US, has employees returning carts.

I pay with plastic and NEVER have a quarter in my pocket. And at my age I don't need any more brickwall aggravations, specially not on a grocery gather. So no, I won't be visiting Aldi, no matter what they sell or for what price.

 

[NYCWriter]

Launderess ...

... getting to that complex by foot or public transportation is a pain in the a** when you're NOT carrying anything, let alone leaving the store with bulk goods -- which defeats the purpose of buying in bulk if you can buy only as much as you can comfortably carry in your own two hands for God knows how many blocks, onto the bus, and then onto the subway. And a $30 cab ride back to wherever you live would also defeat the purpose of going there to *save* money.

And most people in Manhattan who would be inclined to try to save money by buying in bulk also don't have the space to store items bought in bulk. Those who DO have the space are living in eight-figure apartments, carry around $5,000 as pocket change, and would think it absurd to make a special trip to East Harlem just to save 38 cents on toilet paper.[this post was last edited: 10/8/2013-04:30]

 

[retromania]

Aldi

We have one out near the interstate which is not really convenient for me. If I am up on that end I will stop in and stock up on a few things.

 

[launderess]

@NYCWritter

Listen Bub,

Am not going to start my day by letting you and the devil take me to the outhouse.

Both Costco and now Aldi have been in that area for awhile now and neither seem short of customers. Since we happen to live closer to the place than you are a bit more inclined to notice persons along the avenues or whatever carrying bags from either shop. Then there are of course the online reviews for either (Costco SP Harlem numbers >100 alone) for whatever you might think that is worth.

Is the place a raving success? No, even Costco admits as much and recently laid off staff. Never the less persons do go, maybe not in numbers *YOU* or even the company wished, but never the less....

That UES wife and mother that was severely injured last year when a group of children threw a shopping cart of Costco's roof onto her was not there for the view.

Oh yes, Costco at least does offer delivery, not sure about Aldi.

Finally not everyone whom purchases bulk goods at Costco or even the K-Mart on Astor place keep the lot for themselves; but split things between themselves and others.

Oh and there is a car service which operates out of that mall: http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-york-city/1172332-car-service-costco-uws.html

http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2010/03/03/the-number-at-noon-470/

 

[NYCWriter]

Seems like ...

... a lot of work, effort, and extra expense to save 38 cents on toilet paper.

 

[tolivac]

There is an Aldi in Greenville,NC-don't use it becuase its in an inconvenient location.Sams Club is just across the street.Its a little easier to get to.Have used Sams club more than Aldi-never been to the store.A neighbor uses Aldi and loves it just as he likes Wal Mart.I don't like Sams Club high membership fees-its ridiculous to pay that just to have the priveledge to buy a pallot load of potty roll,paper towels, or paper napkins.Otherwise its cheaper to go to Wal Mart.

 

[NYCWriter]

Sort of like ...

... paying $175 for a book of COUPONS.

 

[frigilux]

There is an ALDI in Mankato, MN, a city I get to at least once or twice a month. I've often been tempted, but so far have driven by.

Several ALDI shoppers have mentioned some products are quite good, while others are best left on the shelves.

If you have a moment, name a few ALDI-branded products you like and a few you don't recommend. If I'm to give the place a try, I'd rather not go in completely blind.

Thanks!

 

[lavamat_jon]

Aldi here in the UK has been a huge success, unfortunately since I've moved from having one (and a Lidl) on my doorstep, to a fairly remote Cotswold town where the nearest one is 25 miles away, I very rarely go.

 

The nearest to me are Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose (or the local Co-Op Supermarket if we're desperate), and still miss the quality (not to mention value) of Aldi's products.  Unfortunately in our situation what you would save at Aldi would be negated by the extra fuel costs involved in getting there.

 

I would give my right leg for an Aldi to be built nearby!

 

Jon

 

PS. I'm quite fascinated by the fact that nowhere else in the US has coin-operated trolleys, they are the norm here to the point where you can even get tokens the same size as a £1 coin to put on your keyring.  Only Asda/Tesco here have "free" trolleys, and they tend to be the ones you see wandering from the car parks, let alone put back in the bays where they should be!!  I certainly wouldn't not shop anywhere just because of that reason...

 

[ozzie908]

I would give my right leg for an Aldi to be built nearby!

Oh Jon be careful what you wish for you know these Germans have a knack of building in unlikely places and just think how difficult it will be to shop on one leg !!!

Austin