Back from Aldi - thank you

My first port of call is the Friday market, then Lidl (just got a super new one) or Aldi, now 4yrs old. I like Aldi dog bix because a packet lasts a week and their tonic is less sweet than any others. Also their cereal bread is yummy.

I recently went to the huge new Aldi inTonbidge. Couldn't believe how much we bought for so little cost.

I get whatever is left in places like Leclerc, Carrefour, Inter marched or SuperU. All good, the last a bit pricier and Carrefour do own brand Ryvita!

I’m giving it a go this week. Not sure whether to go to Lidl or Aldi

I find Aldi has more choice but most Lidls have in store bakeries with lots of lovely freshly baked cakes, rolls and bread. Lidl has more loose fruit and veg whereas Aldi's is (mostly) packaged).

annifrance. You say that you like Aldi dog bix - what do they taste like - I might get some

I 'pop into' Aldi about once a week - usually on behalf of my daughter - but I find that I'm unable to get 'a full week's/month's shopping in there.

One of my problems is that I'm Coeliac and, although BOTH stores claim to sell Gluten Free Products, neither of them has them reliabily enough for me to find exactly what I want. Lidl is slightly the better of the two, as they have a 'GF Bread/Biscuits/Cereal' section, but neither of them have any 'Ready Meals' or speciality items.

One other thing regarding Aldi - I noticed that my dil needed some more pegs when I was staying with her .................... the young assistant looked at me as if I had two heads! They just don't sell them - had to make a trip to Home Bargains instead ;-).

oliebeak clothes pegs would be in the aisle of wonderment only if they are having a laundry special week. But don't bother because my husband bought some and they split easily. Now he knows I do know best when I say don't bother about something. ;)

As most people, my time is very precious to me, and I always find the checkouts at both Lidl and Aldi very slow, and so the queues are very long, so really can’t be bothered to shop at either.

Busy shops are usually busy for a reason , empty shops are the same , just different reason

I rarely shop in either Aldi or Lidl, as despite living in a large town, we don't have either of these shops, so have to drive about 20mins to get to one, which probably means we wouldn't save much money.
However we now have a Lidl store being built about a mile away, also the old ToysRUs has signage saying they are going to reopen as Aldi, so really looking forward to that as they will both be close to each other.
We currently shop at Tesco, which is also within walking distance of where the new Aldi and Lidl are going, so it will be interesting to see if has any impact on Tesco.

Aepgirl, you must be unfortunate in finding long queues in Aldi. In our local Aldi, new checkouts are frequently opened if queues are getting too long. Yesterday, my experience in M&S was awful. The queues for the self-checkouts were enormous as were the queues at checkouts. Perhaps they were short-staffed because it was Sunday, in which case they needed to think again as it seems to be the day when customers by the thousand fill their trolleys to the maximum. I should have gone the Aldi - even Waitrose.

Saturday tea is often steaks from Aldi. Ribeye for DH and fillet for me. DH marinates them for a couple of hours, with olive oil, garlic and oxo, scrapes marinade off and throws them on the griddle. Sounds a bit cheffy but really delish. Wouldn't buy a steak anywhere else. Just bought a portable single gas ring with gas canister for £9.99 from Aldi so DH can do his sea bass [also from Aldi] with chilli, ginger and garlic, outside. Stinks the house out usually. DH doesn't have many dishes but they usually include garlic in some form.

Mercedes55. Do you live in Stockport? Your mapping of ToysRU and Tesco seem familiar to me.

Had the salmon wellington this evening - absolutely delicious. Pastry perfect, sauce excellent and plenty of salmon. Re discussion over its size - we had a piece each with asparagus and potatoes and will have the rest tomorrow for lunch with salad. Still can’t believe only £3.99. Thanks

I will ask the dogs Granless!!

I too use Aldi sun cream and it is not expensive. Perfect for keeping in car for grandchildren. When in Brittany I also shop at Aldi and also Casino which is also good VfM and in summer if you spend 50 euros they give you a 6 euro off next shop voucher.