Does anybody else like Aldi's?

Ah, thanks.

There's a location near my house:

4301 Bardstown Road.


Before Buechel (sp).

I don't agree that they carry "off" brands. These really are Aldi brands. And some Bheuler brands. I've heard Aldi described as the Walmart of Europe. They are big enough to negotiate huge deals directly with farmers, canners, packagers and such, that they control their distribution channels.

The dairy products, eggs, milk, cheeses are very good. We don't eat a lot of canned goods, but the tomatoes and beans are great.

I can buy sugar there cheaper than through a bakery wholesaler.

The bonus at the Indiana store is that they carry wines. OK, not fine wines, but certainly in the everyday-quite-drinkable category. We served an $8 bottle of red to some guests a couple of weeks ago and they were raving about it.

I don't agree that they carry "off" brands. These really are Aldi brands.

I didn't mean "off" in a bad way, just brands you've never heard of. Welch's grape juice vs Bubba's grape juice or at least that is how it was 10 years ago. I never remember seeing any product with Aldi on it, like Sam's Choice or Private Selection, but I guess things have changed.

I can buy sugar there cheaper than through a bakery wholesaler.

I bake a whole lot more in colder months than i do in the summer (and i bake a lot in the summer )..... sugar being cheaper is definitely something i have to check out.

Do they carry flour there? I wonder if it can beat Meijers, i buy a 5lb bag of unbleached flour for 1.28? Havent found anyone with cheap WW flour though.

I really like Aldi - I don't go there as often as I hit the Kroger, but probably 2-3 times a month.
They have chorizo and different types of cheese (melting/crumble) when I'm in the mood, at the lowest prices. I like the chips they carry (Clancy's?) great prices on those, too. They always have at least one brand of bacon for $1.99 - $2.25/lb. Love the stuffed pasta (rigatoni) - I just find things there that I never see anywhere else and similar items for very good prices!

Yes, Aldi's carries flour. They seem to carry *most* basics.

Yes, Aldi's carries flour. They seem to carry *most* basics.

thanks Ronnie, i might have to go check it out this weekend.

As a manufacturer we would make products for them. They would have us take a popular name brand, study the ingredients and then reproduce at a substantially lower cost. They were sticklers for quality. In the last few years they have been trying to elevate their product offerings from a discount grocery store chain to something a little more upscale. They are owned by a private German company run by two brothers. One of them purchased Trader Joe's, out of California, and the other brother went for strictly no frills approach with the Aldi store chain.

I am surprised Trader Joe's is not here in Louisville. I so miss that store!

There is one a block away from me but I only go there if I need something quick...well..kinda quick.
I think it's the line that keeps me away from doing my major shopping there and I've never, ever liked their produce. Occasionally someone will have pity on me and let me thru before them with a item or two.

There is one a block away from me but I only go there if I need something quick...well..kinda quick.
I think it's the line that keeps me away from doing my major shopping there and I've never, ever liked their produce. Occasionally someone will have pity on me and let me thru before them with a item or two.

what do you mean the line? too long?

I find it interesting that Aldi manages not to arouse the same kind of ire as Wallyworld, given that they engage in the same sort of business practices (generally considered overly aggressive, predatory, anti-union etc).

There are actually two Aldis although they are "joined at the hip" so to speak. Karl has Aldi North plus most of NW Europe and Trader Joes in the States. Theo, who died this Summer, had Aldi South plus Alpine countries plus the English speaking World. Karl is the richest man in Germany and both brothers were Howard Hughes style recluses.

Anyway, I never shop there even though I have one four km from home. Produce section is crap, even compared to other German discounters. What I find cool is that the U.S. stores are clones of the German stores. Same tiles, same ceilings, same coolers, carts, cash registers. They seriously don't muck about with their concept.

Aldi's is also owned by the same family that owns Trader Joe's. I've been shopping there for years.. They have a lot of seasonal specialties.. one of them being a spiral sliced ham that I would put up against a name brand anytime. We hit the one on Btown Rd. several times a month.

what do you mean the line? too long?

Yes...I do my best to avoid crowds and lines if at all possible.

Oh, yeah! That spiral sliced ham is awesome. Is "Appleton's" the name?

Aldi's has some excellent cheeses. We buy lots of frozen chicken parts there. Leg and thigh quarters that I cook up to make huge batches of "mix-ins" for our dogs ("homemade dog food"). Hubby and I prefer white meat, so we buy breasts and wings at Aldi's. The Natural Trail Mix (raw mixed nuts, no peanuts, raisins and cranberries) is a big favorite of ours. We pick up a lot of our everyday staples at Aldi's.