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Aldi have arrived in my town

(51 Posts)
TerriBull Fri 15-Nov-24 16:25:42

Yay! my town has a brand new Aldi, strategically sandwiched between Sainsbury's and Waitrose where I reckon my weekly grocery shop is split between those two on a 70/30 basis respectively. I've never lived near an Aldi before, so it's an all new experience for me. I wandered in there today, it's a lovely store all brand spanking new. I bought a few items, some strong cheddar, Double Gloucester, a wholemeal seeded loaf, Greek yogurt, baby tomatoes, all somewhat cheaper than Sainsbury's. The car park isn't that big, so I parked over the road in Sainsbury's and enquired of a manager what they intend to charge for parking, free for 90 mins! At both Waitrose and Sainsbury first half hour free, not always long enough, and then free for 2 hours after if you spend £10.

May I ask Aldi devotees, what products of theirs would you recommend and what wouldn't you buy?, I've read criticisms that their fruit. salad stuff doesn't keep particularly well.

MissInterpreted Fri 15-Nov-24 17:53:33

Oh, forgot to add - their special buys often include 'dupes' of well-known cosmetic brands, which are great buys. I love their version of the Sanctuary Spa range - I've currently got a stash of their shower gel - and any time they do the L'Occitane dupes, I stock up on those too.

MayBee70 Fri 15-Nov-24 17:55:07

I do get Aldi and Lidl mixed up. One of them has opened up in the next village and people have realised that if you park in the car park and then return to the car park later on you get fined. Quality and value wise they’re both amazing. We always have a ‘guess much this lot cost’ when one of us shops there and can’t believe how much we get for what we’ve spent.

BlueBelle Fri 15-Nov-24 17:56:34

I too like Aldi but it’s not as cheap as it used to be their butter is now 20p more than Asda s equivalent The prices have gone up and they don’t have a very large vegetarian section but I shop between the two Asda and Aldi
I ve never been tempted by the middle aisle although I m sure the stuff is nice they don’t do clothes in ours apart from things like pyjamas or thermal stuff in packets or workshops stuff like that in the middle aisle
Their wine and cider is cheap but Asda also has similar priced wine and cider
Their sourdough loaf is very nice however their mushrooms and grapes aren’t I ve tried them a number of times and not enjoyed either

Grandmadinosaur Fri 15-Nov-24 18:01:35

I’m a fan of the frozen lamb shanks too. I use Aldi own brand Magnum washing up liquid. It used to be a bargain at 42p but is creeping up in price now. Like everywhere!

Cabbie21 Fri 15-Nov-24 18:03:22

Aldi opened just over the road from my house so I now shop there, on foot, twice a week. I buy only what I can carry. I used to get an online delivery mainly for things Mr Cabbie liked but not any more. Just occasionally I buy meat from the local independent butcher, or from our Co-op or Sainsbury’s local, but Aldi is just as good, only cheaper. They have some great wine offers.
I went to a big supermarket a few weeks ago and was overwhelmed by too much choice. Who needs it?

I am rarely tempted by the middle aisle, especially now it is full of Christmas decorations and sweets and chocolates.

Redhead56 Fri 15-Nov-24 18:45:25

Most of items already mentioned are good. I don't rave on the fruit it is sometimes not fresh and tasteless. There teabags are good I buy their breakfast decaffeinated and green teas. Jam donuts and cinnamon buns are too nice! Frozen pizzas are good and fries popular with GC if they turn up unexpected.
I like the middle aisles I go home with allsorts.

growstuff Fri 15-Nov-24 19:15:09

Christmas biscuits.

We've had an Aldi for about five years. Tesco certainly had to up its game. Now we're getting a Lidl! Yay!

Salti Fri 15-Nov-24 19:21:54

Their frozen raw croissants ( 20 mins in the oven) are great.

gulligranny Fri 15-Nov-24 19:40:22

I went to a local Aldi, once ...

Grandmabatty Fri 15-Nov-24 19:45:23

As well as loads of things already mentioned, their chocolate is very nice.

silverlining48 Fri 15-Nov-24 19:48:43

The summer bedding plants are always very good value….i always get mine there.

Kate1949 Fri 15-Nov-24 20:07:29

We bought a microwave from there. It's great.

Salti Fri 15-Nov-24 20:16:40

Another amazing buy. Their toaster with the glass side. My husband never burns his toast now.

vegansrock Fri 15-Nov-24 20:23:56

Organic porridge oats
Vegan yoghurt
Face cream
Almond milk
Nuts
Beer n wine including no alcohol beer
Washing powder
Kids PJs
Dark chocolate

Oreo Fri 15-Nov-24 20:29:22

silverlining48

Havnt mentioned the middle aisle, it’s a cornucopia of things you never knew you needed.

Or wanted 😁

Oreo Fri 15-Nov-24 20:32:54

denbylover

I wish Aldi or ‘anyone’ would arrive in NZ to break up our current suffocating duopoly!! Tusue - astounded at the price of the salmon steaks you quoted. This country surrounded by water the price of fish is horrendous!

I always think that about the price of fresh fish in the UK.

Oreo Fri 15-Nov-24 20:33:56

Aldi is hit and miss with me, but we’re all different in what we like so it’s just a matter of trying things.

granfromafar Fri 15-Nov-24 21:04:34

My son tells me that they do a 'Wine of the week' every week which is always good and about a third or half off the normal price. I must go there more myself! Enjoy shopping there.

Pittcity Fri 15-Nov-24 21:14:10

I love Aldi.
Wine, meat (I agree that the frozen lamb shanks are lovely) , face cream, loo and kitchen roll.
Another favourite is the frozen bags of all in one meals like chorizo pasta and butter chicken and rice....easy and tasty.
Fruit and veg is hit and miss though and they seem to have discontinued my favourite Ancient Grains bread.

Pittcity Fri 15-Nov-24 21:15:53

Just remembered the chocolate that comes in small bars so that you can ration yourself....not!

silverlining48 Fri 15-Nov-24 21:16:54

We are having the lamb shanks on Sunday … delicious 😋

Autumncolours Fri 15-Nov-24 21:26:45

As veggies we eat a lot of dried fruit and nuts/seeds and they are a real bargain! This week I bought apricots, dates, prunes, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, walnuts, brazils, cashews, almonds and mixed. The cheese is very good value too and their Rosemary crackers are lovely to accompany it. I buy the extra virgin olive oil (the one in a glass bottle) too as it’s so much cheaper than other places. Re fruit and veg their small vine tomatoes are always nice. Enjoy your next trip!

Primrose53 Fri 15-Nov-24 21:49:05

I love their coconut crush liquid washing capsules.

Mt61 Fri 15-Nov-24 22:39:55

Their filtered milk
Fish fingers
Baked beans
Long red peppers

Mt61 Fri 15-Nov-24 22:40:30

Mt61

Their filtered milk
Fish fingers
Baked beans
Long red peppers

Oh & dark chocolate