LikestoEatout wrote:

Artie wrote:

toria wrote:I agree. Even though I have been shopping at Aldi for over a year now I still learned some things.

A little known fact:
Bloggers often get invited to Aldi Headquarters and get an intricate tour of of their business model and facilities. They then post their experiences on their blogs. Another really smart business tactic of theirs. A great way to get free publicity and promote tremendous good will in the process.
You can read some of their reports Here

I live basically down the street from the headquarters, maybe I need to do this.

Hi,

Is Aldi USA headquartered in this area?

Toria - thanks for highlighting this series on buying at Aldi. I go there from time to time and usually felt like a fish-out-of-water or as a food-tourist. This article was quite helpful to me.

Regards,

I think their HQ is in Batavia, IL. You're welcome about the articles they were very helpful.

We were recently taking our coonhound to a shy dog class (ah yes, how we live these days) and they told us to come up with a particularly special treat to bring along for the classes. They recommended freeze-dried duck breast chewies. $3.40 per ounce on Amazon, probably more if we bought them at the classes, which of course we could have done.

Aldi has a 12 ounce package of hot dogs for 75 cents. That would be six cents an ounce. We chopped them up and stuck them in the freezer. Dog will do anything for them. (Well, almost anything. He still wouldn't jump through the hula hoop.) Highly recommended.

I am generally very impressed with Aldi products. One of my favorites is the Woven Wheat Crackers, a knock-off of Triscuits.

I bought a box last week. The crackers were stale and they were unsalted. They will be going back tomorrow.

They ran a seasonal special through the Super Bowl on those woven wheat crackers with a roasted garlic flavor. Holy mackerel were those good! I'm still finishing off the last box and hoping they run the special again.

Highly recommended!

Buddy

German week is now starting at Aldi.

The red cabbage and apples I had last year were to great. And .29 bannas are great. The pork loin I had at 2.49 was great.

I just came back from Aldi. Yes they did have German week...lots of the white kind of Brats. I got some small ones called Nurenburger brats. Curious as to what they are like. Will eat them with some German fried potatoes and red cabbage this week. Got the swabian egg noodles aka Spaetzle noodles...they always have these. One thing I saw was goat cheese. They seem to have several kinds, plain, and garllic in little logs also in a cup type thing cranberry and one with red pepper I got that one. Also they are doing a sale of garden stuff. I got a small hand shovel and a hand cultivator for my son...a bag of hostas I thought was one and find its size plants. Bulbs but still cheap. They even had rose buses there. They also had small yellow potatoes which are hard to find there.

I just had the goat cheese for lunch and pronounce it good. I spread it on olive oil and black pepper triscuits with a slice of campari tomato and cucumber. Hit the spot.

I went back to 2 Aldis today. I got some cranberry goat cheese and some different pastas that I have not seen before. I saw white jarred asparagus there. Also red cabbage and sauerkraut due to German week. I read on another blog that for Easter people had purchased a spiral ham at Aldi and it was good. I also read that the Target Archer Farm or is it Market place whatever hams were good. They had red pepper hummus and several kinds of Brats, the white kind. I hated these as a child when my grandmother made them and I referred to them as "dead people's fingers". Guess what I am eating them tonight. (don't spin in your grave, nana)

On another note, I see Aldi has a variety of plants and even bushes and trees. Okay they may or may not be good but they are cheap and easy to carry. I bought a variety of hostas as well as a Japanese maple. Also an elephant leaf plant. They have garden tools too and a bunch of other stuff. Storage plastics, etc.

The Glen Ellyn store which is not too far east of me on Roosevelt is bigger than the Wheaton Aldi but they seem to have about the same things just more of them and wider aisles. Maybe more meat. I saw vacuum packed pork ribs and I think baby backs there too so maybe its a more premium store. Jenni O turkey stuff quite a lot of it.

I'm finally starting to warm to Aldi. There's one literally a two minute walk from my house, and in the nine years I've been here, I've maybe been in it a total of six or seven times. (If my Aldi sold wine, I'd be there more often, for sure.) I just never find anything I want there, and the prices aren't as competitive for groceries and meats as other stores in my area.

One thing I found yesterday that I really like is the Deutsche Küche Nuremburg bratwurst. These are breakfast-link-sized brats. There is also a Bavarian bratwurst under the same label I haven't tried yet. These brats are finally the ones I've been searching for, that actually remind me of the type of bratwurst in Germany I really enjoyed, with nice flavor of mace and marjoram. They are the closest to my homemade brat recipe which I've been tweaking over the years. I'll have to see if the Bavarian bratwurst (which are of the larger size) are spiced similarly. The only downside is these are precooked sausages, which I generally don't prefer, but their flavor is spot-on. I suppose they should be, as they're made in Germany.

toria wrote:German week is now starting at Aldi.

Does this mean those brats are a specialty item that will be going away soon? I guess I should stock up, then.

Yes, the brats are a temporary item, but they're available several times a year. I just defrosted and broke open a package I'd bought the last time they were at ALDI. I had no reason, other than their small size, to think they were breakfast sausages, but in fact, that is how we served them and they did not disappoint. The Nuremberg Brats are on the milder side with a nice sage overtone. They browned up nicely and were a very good compliment to the birthday pancakes my wife made this morning.

Buddy

Yeah, I just bought the bigger Bavarian ones, and they're good, too, but I prefer the Nuremberg ones. The Bavarian ones seem a bit milder. You're the second person who mentioned sage in the flavor. I'm not picking up sage, but I swear I taste marjoram. And mace is definitely there. They are delicious.

I had the small Nurenberg ones last night for dinner. Sauteed some sweet onions, then added some sliced potatoes and fried them....I then moved the potatoes over and added the sausages and browned them. Served with the red cabbage in the jar that Aldi sells. The sausages are improved if you serve with brown mustard. Frankly I prefer american pork sausages links for some reason...its the spicing. I love kielbasa. Not as fond of the brats but that is personal taste.

Yep, depends on what you're used to. The main thing that I'm not fond of with these is the texture. They're emulsified sausages (ETA: on second taste, I'm not sure if they're emulsified or just really, really finely ground) like hot dogs, whereas the brats I like have a bit more texture to them. But the spicing is dead-on for that style of brat, and this is the first time I've found brats like that outside Germany, besides in my kitchen. I bought up another four packages of these today to tide me over until I can get around to my next sausage making day. I am so happy I found these, as I've never been very happy with most American-style brats. I just love that mace & marjoram flavor, and they don't seem to do marjoram much around here.

My mother has decided that she's addicted to the Clancy's Sweet Potato Chips from Aldi. Nice bonus, they are half the price of the ones she usually buys at Wegmans. She's decided to raid my Aldi chocolate supply too, she likes the Choceur dark hazelnut creme sticks in particular.

I did a comparison of a few prices which just came today in the flyers.

Aldi asparagus 99 cents per pound package
Jewel price 2.99 lb.

Aldi strawberries 99 cents per pound package
Jewel price 1.99

I honestly do not know of a store with cheaper prces than Aldi at least around me. I have Jewel, Dominicks, Ultra and Whole Foods and Aldi is vastly cheaper than any of them. The link I provided further up the threads about Aldi is very helpful for those wondering how to shop there. Aldi is not one stop shopping for everything you need but most things there are just fine.

P.S. They are also promoting warm water lobster tails two tail package for 12.99. Nows the time to make mac and cheese with lobster.

toria wrote:I did a comparison of a few prices which just came today in the flyers.

Aldi asparagus 99 cents per pound package
Jewel price 2.99 lb.

Aldi strawberries 99 cents per pound package
Jewel price 1.99

I honestly do not know of a store with cheaper prces than Aldi at least around me. I have Jewel, Dominicks, Ultra and Whole Foods and Aldi is vastly cheaper than any of them. The link I provided further up the threads about Aldi is very helpful for those wondering how to shop there. Aldi is not one stop shopping for everything you need but most things there are just fine.

P.S. They are also promoting warm water lobster tails two tail package for 12.99. Nows the time to make mac and cheese with lobster.

On produce, some of the local independents - Joe Caputo's, Eurofresh, etc. - can be cheaper and have a bit better quality.

I have no reservations with the Aldi produce other than the selection is very limited and you often need to buy more than you need.

jlawrence01 wrote:

toria wrote:I did a comparison of a few prices which just came today in the flyers.

Aldi asparagus 99 cents per pound package
Jewel price 2.99 lb.

Aldi strawberries 99 cents per pound package
Jewel price 1.99

I honestly do not know of a store with cheaper prces than Aldi at least around me. I have Jewel, Dominicks, Ultra and Whole Foods and Aldi is vastly cheaper than any of them. The link I provided further up the threads about Aldi is very helpful for those wondering how to shop there. Aldi is not one stop shopping for everything you need but most things there are just fine.

P.S. They are also promoting warm water lobster tails two tail package for 12.99. Nows the time to make mac and cheese with lobster.

And it depends on your timing. Last week, for the first time in probably close to ever, Jewel had the cheapest asparagus @ 0.99 a pound, while Aldi had it at $1.49/lb. I'll have to check my local Aldi today to see if it's down to $0.99/lb, because I love asparagus and I consider $1.49 or lower a great price. Pete's Market, a short walk from my house, too, is almost always as cheap or cheaper than Aldi on produce, with a better selection. Asparagus, though, usually hovers at $1.99/lb there, although last week or two weeks ago it was at $1.49. Meats are generally more expensive at Aldi than at Pete's, although Pete's has raised its prices a good bit over the last year. Eggs are more expensive at Aldi (they were $1.49 for the cheapest large I could find, and usually I could find large for $1.29 or lower). Of groceries I normally buy, the best buys I've been able to find are nuts, though. Nuts are much less expensive at Aldi than at the nearby Pete's or Target. The Shep wet dog food at $0.59 is great for mixing in with the dry food and the poochie loves it. And I do like their fiber bars and various crackers and things. For me, from what I've seen so far, certain staples and speciality items like those brats are the main reason for me to shop at Aldi. But it hasn't struck me as being much cheaper than other options in town. It's like Costco for me that way. Most of the stuff in Costco I can find cheaper elsewhere, but there are a couple things I can't, and they have a couple items I like nobody else has, so I go (or, rather, started going) for those reasons.

Hi- Aldi's does have cheap produce prices, but I don't buy shipped in asparagus. I am spoiled by the Michigan asparagus I get at the farmer's market, and there is no comparison. Yes, it is going to cost you more than $.99 a pound, but I would rather eat less meat and junk food, so I have more money to spend on produce. You should be able to get fresh asparagus starting around the beginning of May. If you want to drive to Michigan, you can get it relatively cheap, and it is even fresher. I used to go home for Mother's Day when my mother was still living, and I could get fresh picked asparagus for $1 a pound, and I would buy a bunch of it and freeze some. The asparagus that you get at the farmer's market is usually grown with less pesticides than what you get in the grocery store. Hope this helps, Nancy

Yes there is no comparison of Aldis to farmers market or "artisan crafted" type food. If the latter is what you are after you will not find it there. I am comparing it to major food store chains. No I do not want to drive to Michigan for asparagus but if I was going there I would try to get some.

The asparagus Jewel had last week was thin and spindly and I prefer something thicker.

And perhaps some of the independent markets might have some cheaper prices...problem is I do not have any immediately around me to shop at so I am stuck with the major chains.

NFriday wrote:Hi- Aldi's does have cheap produce prices, but I don't buy shipped in asparagus. I am spoiled by the Michigan asparagus I get at the farmer's market, and there is no comparison. Yes, it is going to cost you more than $.99 a pound, but I would rather eat less meat and junk food, so I have more money to spend on produce. You should be able to get fresh asparagus starting around the beginning of May. If you want to drive to Michigan, you can get it relatively cheap, and it is even fresher. I used to go home for Mother's Day when my mother was still living, and I could get fresh picked asparagus for $1 a pound, and I would buy a bunch of it and freeze some. The asparagus that you get at the farmer's market is usually grown with less pesticides than what you get in the grocery store. Hope this helps, Nancy

How well does asparagus freeze? I've never tried it, but I would guess it'd be no good for anything but soup. Regardless, I think a field trip is in order. Any recommendations as to where?

The asparagus Jewel had last week was thin and spindly and I prefer something thicker.

The ones at my Jewel were on the thick side. Pete's, though, usually always has the thinner spindly kind (which I prefer for stir-fries.) Aldi always has the thicker kinds, as far as I've seen (which is great for roasting and grilling, and I prefer in general.) I also tried Aldi's Deutsche Kuche jarred white asparagus. They were okay. Very mild in flavor, but worth trying. Not sure I'd buy them again, though.

Aldi's large dark chocolate bar is my favorite chocolate, so I thought I'd try the kind that is five small bars instead of one large one. I was disappointed to find that it is very different, and inferior IMO. It's still pretty good - I wouldn't turn my nose up at it - but it is nowhere near as tasty as the larger bar.

Binko wrote:How well does asparagus freeze? I've never tried it, but I would guess it'd be no good for anything but soup. Regardless, I think a field trip is in order. Any recommendations as to where?

If you blanch it and its the thicker variety, it freezes halfway decent. I've done it and then charred it a bit under the broiler. You won't get that crisp tender texture but it still tastes pretty good. I'll also try to mix it in with some other frozen veggies, like Aldi's frozen green beans, then add a vinagrette.

Thanks for the tip. Even if the texture doesn't work out for me, asparagus soup or some sort of dip is reason enough to stock up.

Hi- It is not worth your while to drive to Michigan just to get asparagus. Since my mother died in 1997, I have been back to Michigan twice during asparagus season, and both times, I had another reason to be there. Asparagus is probably going to be $2 a pound at a farm next month. I have not gone that route in a while. I think the last place I got asparagus there was a farm down the road from my sister, that was selling asparagus from the Michigan State experiment farm, and I probably paid $1.50 a pound, but it has been a while. I used to buy it from a couple that went to our church, and used to sell at the Oak Park farmer's market, and their farm is where I got it for $1 a pound, but the husband died two years ago, and I heard that the wife is not farming now. They called themselves Double J Farm.

Like somebody else said asparagus freezes fairly well. You might be able to use frozen asparagus in quiche, but I have never tried it in that. I primarily used it in pasta primavera, which I make probably once a week. It is a good way to use up a whole hodgepodge of vegetables you have in your fridge. I love asparagus, and when I can get it fresh at the farmers market, I buy two bunches on a Saturday, and finish the last of it on Monday. I pig out on it for a month to six weeks, and then I don't buy it until it is in season again. My favorite way to use fresh asparagus is to cook it in a microwave, and then use it in a salad which also contains a blend of lettuces, some cut up grapefruit, some chopped walnuts, and a dressing. The recipe is in one of Jane Brody's cookbooks. I also prepare it with a tahini sauce sometimes.

NFriday wrote:Hi- It is not worth your while to drive to Michigan just to get asparagus. Since my mother died in 1997, I have been back to Michigan twice during asparagus season, and both times, I had another reason to be there.

Oh, I just need an excuse to go on a road trip. Plus there's Stop 50 pizza and Three Floyd's somewhat along the way

toria wrote:Yes there is no comparison of Aldis to farmers market or "artisan crafted" type food. If the latter is what you are after you will not find it there. I am comparing it to major food store chains. No I do not want to drive to Michigan for asparagus but if I was going there I would try to get some.

The asparagus Jewel had last week was thin and spindly and I prefer something thicker.

And perhaps some of the independent markets might have some cheaper prices...problem is I do not have any immediately around me to shop at so I am stuck with the major chains.

You will have Marianno's soon.

Yes! That will be a good thing. I can not imagine it will be cheap though.

toria wrote:Yes! That will be a good thing. I can not imagine it will be cheap though.

My sister got white asparagus for .99 cents last year for my class at the DANK Haus.