ALDI

I’ll admit that I’m spoiled by Publix. I wandered in here since I heard good things about their meat prices and read they are really trying to get more organic and natural items. It was a mini adventure in Grocery Store Land but not without its quirks.
First, you gotta pay a quarter to use the shopping cart but you get it back when you’re through. I didn’t really need a whole cart so I walked in to see if they had baskets. Nope, they didn’t. I didn’t have a long list so I managed to carry everything in my arms.
It was kinda small and hard to locate things. Everything was kinda jammed in together. They had some name brands but most of it were off brands. I read that some of the items are Trader Joe items but under a different label. Indeed, I saw the chocolate chip cookie «Dunkers» like at TJ and some of the snack mixes looked like TJ. Found a jar of organic coconut oil for only $ 4.99, about a buck less than TJ and a heck of a lot cheaper than anywhere else.
I went in looking for baby carrots, celery, Brussel sprouts fresh or frozen, pork chops. They had just ran out of celery, no Brussel sprouts but I got a good deal on a bag of organic baby carrots and a bag of organic apples that are exactly like the ones I buy at Publix with same brand and everything but at least a buck or two less. I got two center cut meaty pork chops for just $ 2.54.
So yeah, it’s a little chaotic and didn’t have everything I was looking for but this location is probably the cleanest one. The employees are nice. They also don’t supply free bags but have some you can buy like 6 cents for a plastic bag but you can of course bring in reusable bags. I’ll be back to buy meat and organic items. I think it’s worth a slightly different way home from work to save money on those things.

This is the largest grocery chain in the world for good reason. Spoiled Americans who are upset that they have to rent a cart for a quarter which gets returned when it cart is returned just don’t realize that is how they keep their prices so low. The quality is very good and always fresh. Their double money guarantee is better than any other store. Great value.

Since I don’t carry change with me I was unable to obtain a shopping cart, so right off the bat I was a little set off. I had never been to an Aldi before so I decided to go in and check it out… I did a walk through of the store, did not purchase anything and walked right back out. If you are used to shopping at Publix (or other mainstream grocers) you will be in for a… shock. Just about everything in this store is off brand, many of the products are close to the expiration date, and low quality. All of the meat here was frozen past the date, and cost just as much as it would if it were fresh. This is one of those cases where you get what you pay for. Not saying there is anything wrong with shopping here, just not for me, I would rather pay a little more for food that is fresh and of a higher quality.

If this is your first time visiting Aldi, like it was ours, there are two things you should be aware of:
1. Bring change. I hadn’t brought my purse and my boyfriend doesn’t carry change. We needed some in order to get a grocery cart. This is common up north, but I’ve never seen a grocery store in Florida do this.
2. Bring reusable shopping bags. Aldi does not provide plastic grocery bags. You can buy a bag for a small fee. Otherwise, you can look like a crazy person without a cart or bags trying to juggle all of the groceries you are buying. just take my word on this one.
Aldi is a bargain grocery store chain. There are not many name brand items sold here, but rather a generic store brand. There isn’t a great selection there, but you can find good deals on meat and produce. It was well-​stocked and fairly clean for a Sunday in the midst of weekend shoppers.

Also provides a low cost, no frills grocery shopping with high quality products. As others have mentioned Also is part of the same German company that runs Trader Joe’s and carries the same products in slightly different packaging.
Aldi has a few quirks such as needing a quarter to get a shopping cart, buying bags (unless you bring your own), and having most items sold from their shipping cartons instead of being displayed. It is intersting to see the mark up for all that when you see how much more expensive the exact same items are at Trader Joe’s.
Becuase of the German background Aldi gets a regular rotation of high quality European cheeses, breads, desserts, and frozen good. The September items for Oktoberfest are a particular favorite of mine.
One word of caution I got from a former employee. Aldi only takes cash and debit cards. EBT cards count as debit, so avoid shopping here on the 1^st of each month if at all possible. I made the mistake once, and ended up 8 people deep at checkout, and was literally the only one in the three lanes open not paying with government handouts. Skip that monthly timeframe and you should be good.

When I read that Aldi is the parent company of Trader Joe’s, I decided to give it a try. The Aldi-​branded grocery is the low-​cost side of the company. It’s a little different, in that you need to use a quarter to get access to a shopping cart, or you can simply grab any cardboard box off the shelf (the whole box/​case of items is put out rather than stocking shelves) or bring in cloth bags and fill them up and carry them to checkout. I do the latter, and I always fill up whatever bags I bring in!
If you shop at both Trader Joe’s and Aldi, you will begin to notice that many of the same products are stocked at each, but in slightly different looking packages. For example, the same pumpkin spice pancake mix was at both stores but in differently colored boxes. The box at Aldi’s was much cheaper but the same ingredients. You will notice the packaging on their items remind you of a product with a big name brand. This is because big brands also make many of their items (as noted in the article I read). You will also find European-​made cookies, crackers, chocolates, and speciality groceries like German bread.
I have been pleasantly surprised to find organic produce items, as well as frozen organic fruit, vegetables and vegetarian cheeses (no rennet) there. Items can change from week-​to-​week, but about 75% of the items, staples, are there all the time.
When you leave the store you will notice that there are no carts in the parking lot, so you don’t have to worry about getting dinged by one. Amazing how hard we shoppers will work to get a quarter back! Be aware that you will need to pay with cash or a debit card. You can also get cash back with your debit card. Once you shop at Aldi’s a few times, you may be hooked!

Highly recommend. The prices are all significantly lower than anywhere else. Not a huge selection, but definitely all the basics are well covered. As others have mentioned payment should only be cash or debit no credit, carts require a .25 deposit and there are no bags provided.
The produce varies week to week, but zucchini, peppers, onions, carrots, and potatoes are always available. Meat and produce after a quick check while shopping are just as good or better than big name stores.
Extensive frozen food selection. Cheap wine. European chocolate. Nice variety of cheese and crackers. Even a limited selection of organic products. Lots of healthy kid friendly snacks and lunch items. The shopping experience is no frills, but you will love all the money you save.

I’ve never been a «loyal» grocery chain shopper. Here in Florida Publix is one of our biggest chain grocers, and although I do love shopping there (it is a pleasure, after all), it’s not always kind to my wallet. I typically do my shopping on Sunday mornings and will browse the ads to see who’s got the best deals. I’m totally ok with store brands, so couponing has never been my priority as I think many times you can save more money by going generic on most items, receiving equal quality and taste. Now, in a moment, I may lose brand-​loyal Unilocalers, but I want to introduce you to a little store called Aldi.
Ever heard of Trader Joe’s? (oh, I bet I just got a few swoons and oooo’s and ahhh’s). Well Aldi is their discount chain and parent company. (Yes, it’s true!). When Tampa first got an Aldi, I decided to check it out. I had heard about it’s popularity over in Europe, so I figured I would see what all of the trans-​Atlantic hype was about.
I have been HOOKED on Aldi ever since. Calling it a «discount» store is like putting it in the same category as a dollar store and that should be a crime. Aldi is in a different league all on it’s own.
With clean stores, specialty items and some of the freshest produce around, there is no doubt that Aldi is in the same family as the infamous Trader Joe’s. If you’re living on a budget (like me), then you should check out Aldi for all of your healthy meal planning needs.
They have a wide variety of gourmet cheese, fresh meats, many certified organic products, frozen foods, baked goods, hummus, deli meats, baking necessities, and so much more! In addition to grocery items, you’ll find things like home goods, seasonal items, soaps, shampoos, paper goods, cleaning supplies and even items for the yard!
Have you ever tried Aldi? Give it a shot. You may be very surprised! :)

The Aldi that we go to the most. Wish there was one closer to New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. One Day. This location is very clean. Easy to find stuff, close to other stores that I go to like Ross and Big Lots. It’s a good place to get some bargain groceries. Wish I had one closer.

Cleanest, most organized, best-​stocked and friendliest of the 4 local Aldi stores I’ve visisted in the Tampa area. If it weren’t so damn far from me, or in an area that’s quicker to get to, I’d shop here exclusively. Instead, I hit up the Clearwater store, which isn’t as well-​stocked, but equally clean and orderly.