Aldi

This ³⁄₅ star review is assuming they get their debit card system back in running order by my next visit.
So, my Aunt is always talking up Aldi’s as so wonderful but somehow I never seem to make it there. Recently I decided I wanted to buy a frozen dessert machine that you can turn bananas into softserve «yonanas», after some research I found out Aldi’s sells their version for $ 30. I figured it was worth a shot and a good excuse to finally see what Aldi was all about.
I got on their website and was surprised to find that there were quite a few locations within 10 miles of my home, so I picked the Clawson location because Clawson over Waterford anyday of the week.
After a short drive I arrive and park my car. After walking 50 feet I remember that I need a quarter for the cart rental so I went back to retrieve one… but as fate would have it I then saw the paper sign tapped to the door that read «Cash only today, debit system down» or something to that effect. Ugh.
That was a huge bummer because I had no cash in my wallet. I knew I needed atleast $ 33 for the item I came there for. I thought about finding a ATM or getting cashback from a drug store but decided it wasn’t worth the additional cost and hassle.
I did give the store a walk through and the prices did seem pretty good on a lot of items but mostly packaged processed foods that my Wife and I wouldn’t buy anyways. The produce was alright though and a lot of our weekly purchases were available so I will most likely be back in the future if I’m ever in the area.
The Beer wasn’t exactly cheep enough for me to normally take a gamble on but the German pilsner looked interesting, I’ll have to read some reviews.
My Mom claims they get fresh produce in on Wednesdays but I didn’t confirm that.

This is a bizarre operation if I’ve ever seen one. Darkly lit with oddball brand name knock-​offs that are disorienting at first. The prices are great but corners are cut and the portions can be trimmed in every conceivable way leaving you second guessing yourself at breakfast as your freshly cooked turkey sausage vanished in a half bite. It’s a trade off because most everything tastes damn good and they specialize in must have items. This location has beer/​wine so I bought a double sized bottle of 13% alc Cabernet Sauvignon for $ 7.99 and it passed the bang for the buck test with flying colors.
High fructose corn syrup and friends are omnipresent in their junk food but if you’re a health conscious shopper, you’ll find spectacular prices on everything from avacados, almonds, blueberrys, greek yogurt, gluten free pasta, certain meats and popular veggies. I dropped $ 120 this week here which would have cost $ 160-​$ 175 at Meijer or $ 200+ at Whole Paycheck. But at Meijer or WF, you’re not dealing with worries about horse meat labeled as beef or how the hell you’re going to load and drive your car home with four dozen loose grocery items in makeshift cardboard boxes because puchasing grocery bags is a foreign concept to you.
Better to shop fairly light here and grab the essentials to accentuate your shopping from your favorite grocer unless you’re like me where NOTHING GETS IN THE WAY OF A GOOD DEAL.

I’m a regular at this Aldi because it’s near just about everything we do but the Highland Park Aldi is my home store. This Aldi is NEVER busy and I don’t know why.
The two employees on duty are always friendly and the place, especially the bathrooms, are super clean. Parking lot is spacious.
With Gordon Food Service just around the corner, I can get the bulk of my shopping done.

This place creeps me out a little. It was my first time here, about a month ago, and there’s no music playing or anything. Seems a little like a tiny warehouse store.
Despite all the latest headlines decrying Aldi’s for horse meat in their frozen meals (yikes …), I was there to buy snacks for an upcoming trip. Their prices were pretty good, I noticed they had gallons of milk for $ 1.99 too. I bought some chocolate-​covered pretzels and other snacks.
The cart thing is kind of confusing but I had researched it online beforehand. You need a quarter to get a cart, which you will get back at the end when you leave. When you arrive, the carts are all locked together, and putting a quarter in your cart unlocks it. When you leave, you put the cart back with the other carts, and the quarter pops out. There was a customer who actually helped me both times with this, and then thanked me for shopping at Aldi’s (jokingly) which was funny.
Oh, and bags are 5 cents each, so bring your own reusable bags, too.

I’m a convert. They save me a ton of money every week, and their weekly deals on produce are untouchable. (today — 25 cents a pound for bananas. Are you kidding me? Who else does 25 cents a pound for bananas?)
I’ve shopped all the high end places in the area. If you want an esoteric cheese, or a high end bottle of wine, this is not the place for you. And when I want those things, I head to Holiday. But Aldi will save you a ton of money on staples (mustard, rice, pasta, yogurt, half-​n-​half, bananas…) Since discovering this place, I’ve saved so much money that I’ve let my Costco membership lapse.

Aldi is a place you have to get used to. But it is worth the effort. Yes, the quarter for a cart is revolting, almost enough to make me never come back. But I did try it again. I went there because it is the same company as Trader Joe’s. At first It is a borderline unpleasant experience if you compare it to TJ’s but if you need to save money and don’t care about GMO’s this is your place. The Clancy salty snacks are good. The cheese is good and like 50% of what it costs elsewhere. I bought the Jenny O ground turkey and mixed it with their sloppy joe sauce in a can. A new guilty pleasure. The produce I might pass on — I prefer organic. I bought soaps and garbage bags. The big payoff is the bill. It is INCREDIBLY CHEAP. This particular location is clean and pleasant. I have put Aldi’s into my shopping mix.

I tried this place a few months ago and thought I had just been there on a «bad day»…sort of like the Tuesday Morning for Food… hit or miss. Went back — bags and quarter in tow on a weekday. The discounts are not at all worth what the quality of the food actually is. EVERYTHING is over processed. Read just a few of the ingredients on their «fresh fish» if you dare. The fruits and vegetables are a whole other story… what on earth are they spraying on that crap to preserve it while it sits in the store??? The moment — MOMENT — you get it home, the fruits and vegetables start turining before your eyes, Aweful.
The Aldi brand cheese is not cheese at all. Not sure what it is. The trip to Aldi on the second time cost $ 80.00 — 3 bags of groceries. Seems like a good deal right?
90% of the items were tossed in the trash. Not food at all.

I know I know! I’ve just discovered that their butter is the same as the Meijer brand butter, but it’s cheaper and has different packaging at Aldi. I love this place because I can get some really good deals here and still have pretty great quality. Not everything is cheaper than other places, but basic groceries are great to buy here. Most places you are paying for packaging, however not at Aldi.
They even sell Fage greek yogurt, which is my favorite. Also, the staff is pretty nice too.
Tips–
Cash or Debit Cards only.
Bring your on bags.
Bring change if you need a cart.
Secret: Aldi’s owns Trader Joe’s

My first experience with an Aldi was in Germany. In a foreign country, you don’t necessarily know what is a name brand. But 20 year later, there was an Aldi in town. I like shopping at Aldi for my basics. Have you opened a can of corn lately, and there is an inch of water on top. The Aldi version is full with corn. Their Honey Nut Cheerios — tasty. Canned tomato juice — not reconstituted. Is everything great — no. New artisan container of lettuces — $ 4 at Hollywood, $ 2 at Aldi. I took a star off because they do not buy as much local.
As for those who think Aldi isn’t quality… Costco Brand is Kirkland… Aldi’s if Kirkwood. And as the other poster said — Aldi and Trader Joes are owned by the same parent company. I was in Trader Joes today, laughing at a couple new «specialty“items — that are the same as Aldi. I think they all use some of the same suppliers.
One of the best things… in and out in 30 minutes! When the store isn’t the size of a football field — it really is a quick run to the store. Once you know what they have, it is easier. I go to Aldi ever week for the basics — but one other store every couple weeks. It is also like roulette to see what is new each week — not always stuff I want, but it makes it interesting.

Are people actually shopping around, or just assuming Aldi is cheaper because that’s what they’re «known» for?
My first issue with this store is the lack of stock. I have been to Aldi’s out west that have toiletries, tons of produce, household supplies — anything you need. You’re lucky to find anything at this store.
Recently I bought their house brand mac n’ cheese, $ 0.59/per box. Well, the Kroger house brand is $ 0.19 and tastes waaaaay better. The Aldi brand tasted like cement.
Milk? Over $ 2 a gallon. I have never paid over $ 2 a gallon for milk at Kroger or Meijer. Kroger and Meijer milk is also Michigan dairy — Aldi milk is not.
Fruit snacks, cookies, chips — all more expensive then name brands at Kroger and Meijer — especially if there is a sale.
Hamburger helper, pasta sauce, taco shells, peanut butter? All cheaper at Kroger.
THeir produce sucks. Typically they have lettuce, potatoes, oranges and bannanas — always higher than Kroger and Meijer. The produce usually looks pretty sketch too.
Also take into consideration the quality of the food as well. They are a prime example of what Food Inc was talking about. Their peanut butter has a laundry list of ingredients and they don’t offer an «all natural» option. Kroger All Natural = peanute butter, salt and is a $ 1.59 (not on sale).
Overall you don’t save at Aldi — at least not this one. You can’t use coupons, because nothing is name brand and you don’t earn any points for gas or additional discounts.
Sorry Aldi, but Kroger and Meijer both have you beat.

Okay. A few points to know about this company.
1. It does not carry name brand foods. They have their own brand names, because they act as their own «middle man» in order to save you, the consumer, money. The products are just as good, and delicious as the national brands, if not better. I promise.
2. You have to pay a quarter (which is refunded at the end of your transaction) to use carts. They do this so they don’t have to hire a person to get carts, also saving you money.
They also don’t accept credit cards, so as to avoid usage fees. They do however, accept debit cards.
Basically, everything this company does is, is to reduce prices on their products. I will admit that I don’t typically go here for produce, as it’s very limited, but I would say 95% of the rest of my shopping is done here.
If you come in with an open-​minded approach to shopping you will find yourself saving a heap of money on groceries. Reviewer Kelli A was right in saying that it’s sort of an «acquired taste» meaning you just have to get used to the way they run things. Seriously, just go there and save yourself some dough!

I’ve been an Aldi convert for years now. You can’t go wrong with buying your basics and staples there. Sure, some items are inferior, which I don’t buy and each location offers a slightly different experience. Overall, it’s the best deal around. I can always count on Aldi having the best prices (and great quality) on sugar, flour, saltines/​boxed crackers, canned goods, oatmeal, rice, sour cream, cream cheese, jams, nuts, cheapy buns and english muffins, butter, condiments, pepperoni, seasonal food items, half&half and the best deal is the tortilla chips. 99 cents a bag and they’re so flippin good! If you like Chex Mix, try Aldi’s. I picked up a silicone baking mat for five bucks and it’s no different than my Silpat, which cost thrice the price.
People turn their noses up at the mere mention of Aldi. Too bad. Shop at Trader Joe’s? Same owner. If you pay attention, you’ll notice lots of similarities. Marketing is everything, isn’t it?
I rate it a 4 star because not everything is wonderful. The cheeses are not the best deal, I don’t like their yogurts or peanut butter. I don’t buy meat and very little produce. Although, if you go on their restocking day, the produce is better. Cereals are hit-or-miss…most have been ok.
I didn’t care for the experience at first, perhaps it’s an acquired taste? You really have to figure out what YOU like and where you’ll save money. Don’t be put off by the lack of name brands. Many of Aldi’s brands are as good, if not better. The name brands, typically, aren’t a great deal there anyway.
Don’t be surprised to plop down less than $ 50 and walk away with a cart load of groceries. We’re always amazed! LOL

I’m not in love with Aldi. It’s kinda weird in there. First off, I do think it is kinda cool how you put a quarter into the mechanism on the shopping cart to release it for use. Your quarter is later returned to you when you snap it back into place. It surely saves cars from being rammed by errant carts in the lot!
The weird part (s). The store has only five, really wide aisles. What you see is what you get. They put out the thing they have in stock, so don’t ask if they have a certain flavor of something you bought on a previous trip. The brands are odd, no name products like, instead of Red Bull energy drink they have Red Thunder. In place of Gatorade you get Infuse.
My mom likes this place, but I couldn’t see shopping here for all your basic need, especially if you are a brand lover. Oh, they do have some brand name stuff. I bought a Sylvania energy efficient bulb for $ 2.39. But for my poor starving dog (so he acts) I was not going to buy some off brand treats. I got him some pepperoni flavored sausage bites meant for humans that look disgusting, but I know my little guy will love!
B.Y.O.B (ags). They save you money by keeping down their prices this way.