I just got back about 30 minutes ago. It wasn't at all what I thought (even though I looked at their website). I thought it would be bigger than what it was. However, the layout of the store was nice and easy to follow. I was amazed at the prices on some of their items--one in particular was their version of Sunny D. The large gallon size was only $1.39!! At the grocery store I shop at, it goes for over $2.00!!! (I really hope my kids like the way it tastes) I picked up several more items and it only came to $10.52. DH asked me sarcastically if anything was past the expiration date. (he's such a pain sometimes!) I told him no. He did grab one of the cans of Pringles I picked up for under $1 though and started stuffing his face!

Is it my top store to shop now? No, but at least I know that there are bargains to be had there, and I will go on a somewhat regular basis. While there wasn't a large selection of produce, the stuff that was there was a good price, especially onions and potatoes. (again, comparing it against my regular store)

All in all I'm glad I went. Thank you ladies for your help!

Hi...I'm rather new here...only posted a few times but I've also tried Aldi's because of this site. I've been there 3 times so far and have been pleased with most of what I've purchased. I was just layed off today so I'm sure I'll be there more often.

My kids are 2 and 5 and I got things like cereal (they don't care about name brands and eat it like snacks so 1/2 gets spilled anyways), also frozen apple juice (.89), milk, eggs, frozen chicken breasts, crackers, jelly, shredded cheese, cream cheese and bagels. I also got two canteloupes for 1.79 each...DH LOVED them....and they would have been 3.49 each at Shaws.

I will keep going for some things and supplement with sales from my regular stores and CVS as well. Of course I think everyone has some non negotiables...like Hellman's mayo in my house

Aldi's is great, especially when money is tight and you have not a whole lot of food! I love our local Aldi's but it is about a 30 minute drive with traffic so I only go there when I need to hit a few other stores near it!

I'm glad you discovered Aldi's. I just love it!!! One just opened a few months ago about 5 minutes from my house, and it has now become one of my main grocery stores, along with Kroger and Trader Joe's. there are certain things that they don't carry or I don't like their version of (their frozen pizzas are gross, IMO). Some things, though, I actually prefer their generic brand to the "real thing" - for example, I like their version of skinny cow bars better than the real thing. Overall, I think their prices are hard to beat, and I love it when they carry storebrands at a great discount. However, I do have to warn you to be sure to read labels. I have found two instances where the ingredients of the generic brand were less healthy than the namebrand (one had way too much sugar and the other had hydrogenated (trans) fat). But this can be true of any brand of food, generic or name brand or whatever.

Glad you found Aldi, I love them as well and try to make new converts. My friends are, sadly, though 'brand name' people, even though I try to tell them it's more than likely the same stuff. I will try anything generic - yes, sometimes I will go back to name brand (salsa for instance, I don't buy generic) but most times I like it just fine.

I do have to agree about the trans-fat, though. I think every cookie and cracker in Aldi's has trans fat and HFCS. I just don't buy anything with trans fat in it, sometimes I do have to buy stuff with HFCS in it, it is just in everything. It is a little disconcerting about the trans fat, though. All their cookies and crackers are such great buys, but I absolutely refuse to buy the trans fat items. We buy the brands without, or go without.

I do so agree you do have to read the labels very carefully there. I wanted to buy some dry roasted peanuts there and there was monosodium glutimate in them along with HFCS, and they were roasted in cottonseed oil. Yuck!

Aldi has been my store-of-choice for about 3 months now. I can find about 98% of what I need there. Since I started shopping there rather than Kroger or WM, we have saved about 1/2 of what we normally spent before. I wondered, since most of the stuff is Aldi brand, whether we'd like most of the stuff. I'm happy to report that we've liked everything we've tried (still haven't tried the hot dogs or bologna-we're pretty brand-loyal on those two things). The kids LOVE their version of Sunny D, and we actually prefer their brownie mix over the big brands. And right now, milk is only $1.99/gallon at our store, and the manager said it will be that price through the Fall!

check your meijer ad this week. mine has it for $1 this coming week. sunny D 4oz is part of that sale as well

Here's my list of Aldi's brand favorites...

pinwheel cookies.. yummy!
ritz crackers... can't tell a difference..
pickles & olives..
italian ice pops (the kind in a plastic bag).. Better than name brand.

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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

I went for the first time today too.

I wasn't overly impressed -- I thought there would be more there for some reason. BUT I bought a few things and I think I will go back again when I drive by. I will make a list of a few things I know they carry at a good price (Mustard, Pickles, Olives, frozen veggies, yogurt, eggs, and cheese) and pick them up when I am low.

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Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8.5), Hannah (7), and John(4.5)