Aldi Grocery

I really like this place. For me a grocery store needs 5 things: stocked shelves, clean floors, uncluttered aisles, variety of fresh goods and friendly staff. Aldis has all of these things. The fruits and veggies are not abundant but you get a good variety of seasonal items that is not already going bad this is important to me. Shelves are stocked and the place is clean and uncluttered another must. The prices are low and which helps in this economy. I go on a regular basis. The downside of this place is that a shopping cart cost a quarter (which you get back upon returning the cart) and you either bring own bags or purchase them at the counter (sometimes there are boxes up front to carry groceries in). I don’t really think these are a downside. Try this place at least once bet you will be back.

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 Saturday 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 readers, but I want to introduce you to a little store called Aldi.
Ever hear 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. With impeccably 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 offer a variety of both fresh and packaged foods (all Aldi brand, but some specialty name brand items as well), dairy products, gourmet cheese, meats, wine (try their Winking Owl!), paper goods, snacks, frozen treats and even cleaning products. Each week they also offer a variety of home goods. You’ll find sheets, kitchen appliances, toys and more.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to break your piggy bank. Give Aldi a chance and see what you think!

For those who have visited or yearned to try Trader Joes… you do not have to go to Sarasota or California to get a sample. Aldi is owned by the same German family (Albrecht) as Trader Joes, and both rely heavily on house brands… albeit different house names… but I strongly suspect similar if not identical sources. I developed this suspicion decades ago when I worked a tuition-​paying job at Continental Can here in Tampa. We manufactured the old steel soft drink cans and sent daily truckloads to a single generic bottler, but the cans were labelled for Publix, Winn Dixie, Ritz and a number of other generic names… so the colas taste remarkably similar. The main change has been the shift to plastic bottles and aluminum cans.
Aldi is one of the largest grocery chains in Europe, and cheapest in the USA. I have confirmed price comparisons, even with Save-​A-​Lot and Walmart. In order to keep costs down, the store has only generic/​house brands… even for wine, such as Reisling. Selection is limited but all the staples are there, plus dairy, produce, frozen, some non-​food items and specialty items (e.g. Fresh flowers, and frozen strudel sometimes) Having to use a quarter for using a cart and bringing my own bags/​boxes is no big burden. Fewer sales or BOGOs, but base prices are lower than sales elsewhere. Since this store is not near my home, I plan visits and bring a list. Just wish they opened another closer to central Tampa.
I have not noticed any marked difference in quality between Aldi generics and name brands… slight differences occasionally, but sometimes prefer the house brand.