Aldi Foods

On my first (and last) visit to the store I was surprised that I could t figure out how to get cart. It’s impossible to understand that you need 25 cents to unlock cart and you will get them back when you return it. Fine, but what if you don’t have quarter on you, did they even came up with that idea?
Then they have four or five rows. Prod its look like products from major brands, but only brand is different. Prices are lower. Now, final thing, checkout. They will sell you a bag for 10 cents. Why nobody told me when I was entering store, that I will need my own bags?
Oh, and rude checkout person who was very angry when I asked her to bag products for me.
Did I say I wouldn’t visit this store ever again? Yes, I won’t be. And you shouldn’t too.

If you shop at this store check the prices and your final receipt carefully — I have been overcharged at least three times in the past two months. I’ve gone back to the cashier about this who then called the manager who gave me an argument each time before finally checking the shelves and refunding the difference between the actual price and what was charged, When an item is clearly marked $ 1.25 you should not end up paying $ 1.89 for it.

Like the prices — HATE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE (or, dislike intensely).
RUDE!!! They throw your food in the carts like it’s garbage. And please manager — stop bringing plants/​flowers to your store. You NEVER water them and they croak! When I told you the mums needed water (half dead) you just stared at me. Not a nice woman…
Hate this place… but like saving money. Wish A&P had better prices. They have wonderful customer service.
HATE THIS PLACE!!!

This market prices their foods significantly less expensively than even discount grocers. The store has no amenities… everything is out in boxes, there are no shelves… but prices are generally unbeatable. My only gripe is that there are items you can’t get that force you to go to a regular market, so this store can only supplement your weekly shopping. For example, although they have great prices on apples and oranges, you can’t find a banana. It is mostly grab what you can. Oh, do bring your own bags.

Yay!
Aldi is my go-​to for cheap unrecognizable brands of chips and sodas which are perfect for big parties on a budget. It’s like Germany’s version of Trader Joe’s. I’ve never needed a shopping cart until the one time that my dad sent me to buy a stone fire pit (yes, they also sell random odds and ends) which was way too heavy for me to carry through the store. When I went to grab a cart, I discovered that it wants you to put in a quarter in order to borrow the cart. I’m not sure how great this quarter system is at making people return the carts considering you can’t even phone someone on a payphone for that much anymore. But in this economy, I guess every penny counts and I’m sure most people want that quarter back.
Another quirk is that they don’t provide free shopping bags so remember to bring your own or be prepared to pay for them. The grocery stores in DC do this and I actually appreciate that because I’d like to think of myself as somewhat green. I bring my own tote bags when I shop regardless.
My biggest complaint, and the reason this review won’t get more than 3 stars, is that this particular location always seems to be understaffed and there’s never anyone on the floor to help and usually just one cashier tending to a line of customers. When I was there to buy that fire pit, I had to lift this 100 lb package on my own — actually I’m exaggerating, it was probably 60 lbs at the most but it was awkward for me to lift because of my stature. They were laid out on the floor so I had to get it from the floor to my cart which was quite a workout.
OH! And don’t forget to bring cash or be prepared to use your debit card (make sure your accounts have enough money in them) because they do not accept credit cards here.

ALDI is a cost-​efficient alternative to most grocery stores. It is low-​frills and budget oriented. This store in Rockaway is one of the cleanest and newest ALDI stores that I have seen to date. ALDI carries mostly its own branded items with very funny names that you would expect from a non-​native English speaking German company that sells goods in an American market.
Italian Items: Priano, Grandessa
German Foods: Deutsche Kueche (I buy all of this)
Dairy Items: Happy Valley Farms
Healthy Items: Fit & Active™
Chocolate Items: Choceur (check the flag for country of origin)
Asian Items: Furia
Breads: L’oven/Bake House
Mexican Items: Benita, Casa Mamita
Frozen Items: Bremer Selects
Seafood: Sea Queen (I always think of Queen Ursula!)
Cosmetics: Lacura
Like Trader Joe’s, the food is sourced from vendors who produce, package and ship the products. It is unknown if the suppliers overlap, both companies do not make their supplier lists public. The food is generally cheaper than the «branded» names in the supermarkets due to (1) lower overhead and (2) less marketing.
ALDI is owned by the German ALDI Sud (South) Group and Trader Joe’s is owned by the ALDI Nord (North) group.
Many Aldi practices are common in German supermarkets but unique to Aldi in the US market. ALDI makes the shopper deposit a quarter in the shopping cart slot to dislodge the (two seater) shopping cart and ensure its return. ALDI also makes you either buy a shopping bag or utilize an existing bag that you bring with you. ALDI only accepts cash or debit cards. Items are displayed in boxes on top of boxes.
Sometimes I regard ALDI items with a bit of skepticism since they are sold/​marketed as the «absolute lowest price for the absolute lowest budget.» It is a good idea to check the ingredients listed for amounts of artificial coloring, flavoring, preservatives, etc. The imported products usually have less GMO than the domestic. Obviously, GMO amounts are not stated anywhere. ALDI has little to no organic products although I did find a fine organic tomato sauce once.
Many bargains are to be had, however. In the past three months I picked up fantastic chocolates (produced in Austria, Germany and Belgium), M&Ms for Valentine’s Day, a cross-​cut shredder, mini-​croissants (L’oven), Plastic garbage bags and freezer bags, Bel Gioso Fontina, Parmesean and Asiago cheeses, German (Deutsche Kueche) spaetzle, tortellini, pastas, CFR light bulbs, assorted spices, Cheez-​it™ type crackers in the shape of SHARKS (great for Shark Week!), tortillas and Arizona Iced Tea. This is not your main shop, but it is a good source to save on plastic bags (freezer and garbage), aluminum foil, light bulbs, as well as items that are usually overpriced or expensive due to marketing campaigns by Kraft, General Foods and the usual suspects. The household goods are usually manufactured in China, so examine pots and pans for PFOAs, plastic dish ware for BPAs, if you are so inclined.
ALDI changes its specials every week, sometimes the emphasis is on Italian, German (with imported foods, I clean out the store then), Asian, Mexican, Healthy, etc. ALDI has an iPad/​iPhone app that is incredibly convenient and highlights the weekly specials.
As an aside, Trader Joe’s, the more «modern» and «consumer oriented» chain refuses to make a TJ’s shopping app due to the concern of providing their «shoppers with the lowest prices.» Yah, really? When ALDI has a shopping app and Trader Joe’s does not, I start wondering what Trader’s Tech department is up to… Is Joey in produce also maintaining the web site? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised. Anyway, their sister company, ALDI, is thoroughly modernized in that regard.
ALDI also offers appliances (Crofton), medical equipment (Welby), lawn and garden (Gardenline), household goods (St. John/​Crofton), etc. on a weekly special basis. I love my cross-​cut shredder and have scored some lovely gardening equipment.