Aldi

As a kid I’d always see Aldi but never ventured inside. Over the years, I’d heard great things about the company (they are unionized and pay their people REALLY well). Anyway, over the last few months my husband and I frequent this store. I absolutely love coming here.
What I like about the store is that you aren’t bombarded with a million different items from different makers. It really is super easy, basic grocery shopping. What I mostly come for is the produce and the pastas/​sauces. Produce prices are much cheaper here than Kroger (that’s my other fave place), but alot less variety. They have boxed foods, artisian cheeses, chocolates, international desserts (european), nuts, fresh produce, a freezer and bread section, household items section too amongst other things.
Oh, before I forget what REALLY stands out about Aldi is how they have their own brand name «Simply Nature». They’ve committed to no preservatives, no artificial flavors/​colors. This isn’t just for the organic stuff either.
I just read an article recently that said they are going to begin incorporating even more organic produce. Honestly, that’s the one flaw Aldi currently has with me. They usually have only 1 – 2 organic produce items (usually apples and banana) in the entire store. Once they make all their produce organic, geez GOODBYE KROGER!
*Tip* Bring your own quarter if you want to use a cart. You are given the quarter back once the cart is back in position. I have a cardboard box (actually from the Aldi produce section) that I use as my cart to carry everything I need.
*Tip* Be advised you cannot use a credit card here. You can only use your debit card/​checks/​cash here.
*Tip* Bring your own bags or buy some reusable ones they have there.

I live in Milford so to say I frequent this store often would not be true. But I am in the Beechmont area fairly often so when I am, I like to stop in. Of course, when I do, I never have a quarter:(I did not know that you could go inside and ask for one. I usually take my big 31 bag in with me to fill up. This store has the best prices on string cheese, block cheese and for sure, the best price on cheese hot dogs. My hubby loves cheese hot dogs to roast over the fire while camping and they can be quite expensive at your big chain grocers. Just make sure to byob (bags, not beer) and a quarter:)

Friends always ask me what I get here: milk, eggs (no growth hormones), string cheese, feta cheese crumbles, bread, produce, some frozen foods, pantry staples, brownie or cake mixes for pot lucks, dark chocolates, wine for sangria. There’s a general merchandise area that’s good for a few bargains.
The layout rarely changes so once you know where stuff is, you can zip through in no time. It’s a no-​nonsense approach to grocery shopping and not intended for the lolly-​gagging shopper you find at the big stores around this area.
True, you need to pay a quarter to use a cart, which you get back when you return it to the other carts. If you’re hard up for a quarter, go into the store and ask for one to use.
Bring your own bags or hope to find boxes as you shop through the store.
There’s usual only one cashier working who quickly puts your stuff in a cart, then you wheel it away from the check lane and bag or box your stuff. You don’t do this while standing there blocking the person behind you. Plan to pay with cash or debit card, no credit cards accepted.
If you’re a grocery snob and want to pay more for your groceries because you like name-​brand packaging, don’t come here.