Remember my excitement over the $0.99 boxes of sushi from Aldi? Well, put your jealousy to rest, beacuse that was about all they were worth. The rice was hard, and the fish texture was off. All in all, I was disappointed and glad I hadn't paid the original price of (gasp) $5.99 / box. With that said, I ate all the boxes I purchased and was glad I had them on hand for days when I didn't have leftovers for lunch. I'd say I was as happy with the frozen sushi as I'd be with a microwave meal.
This got me thinking about what Aldi items I do love. Things that came to mind:
Mama Casita Canned tomatoes with chilies, at $0.49 / 14.5 oz can these are a great value, plus the chilies are nice and spicy- unlike my store brand. The plain diced tomatoes are also a great value at $0.44 / 14.5 oz.
Block Cheese, $1.79 / 8 oz
Just Juice (a Juicy juice knock off), $1.89 / 64 oz
Millville Cereal (most are $1.69 / 16 oz. box and taste just like the name brand)
Millville Rolled Oats ($1.49 for a huge canister)
Fresh baby spinach, $1.39 / 9 oz bag. although the last time I was there it was close to expiration and on sale for $0.50!
Butter, $1.89 / pound.
Chicken Broth ($0.39 / 14.5 oz can)
I am disappointed with the Aldi shredded cheese. It has a lot of extra preservatives and it doesn't melt terribly well. Similar issues with Aldi's 100% Whole Wheat. It is 100% whole wheat but also has a laundry list of other ingredients, including high fructose corn syrup.
What Aldi items do you love? What are you disappointed with?
Aldi Love, Aldi Hate
February 5th, 2008 at 06:06 pm
February 5th, 2008 at 06:07 pm
February 5th, 2008 at 06:12 pm
For pantry items and meats, I prefer grocery store loss leaders. The Aldi prices are no longer as good a deal as they have been, especially when I can get higher quality brand names on sale for even less.
February 5th, 2008 at 06:19 pm
I love the cans of cashews, bags of pecans and walnuts. Good price.
I love the romaine hearts, 2 lb. bags of carrots, fresh mushrooms, 3 lb. bags of apples, roma tomatoes and other veggies. I like the 29-cent/lb bananas. I like the avocados and mangos. I pass on the grapes/strawberries/and other delicate fruits.
I like the canned tomatoes with chiles too. Definitely they are half the price of the Ro Tel brand.
Marshmallows, vanilla, sugar, other baking supplies.
I do not buy any of the meat there but sometimes I will pick up prosciutto for a treat.
I pass on a lot of the Aldi offerings. I wouldn't be able to get my whole week's worth of groceries from Aldi alone. Nonetheless, I do like Aldi.
February 5th, 2008 at 06:24 pm
February 5th, 2008 at 06:26 pm
February 5th, 2008 at 07:56 pm
February 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Their "Cheetos" were grade A nasty as was their bratwurst. Their fresh (as opposed to frozen) meats are great. Their ground chuck usually renders very little fat/grease. Makes me wonder if they are accidentally marking the ground sirloin as ground chuck.
I love, love, love their $2.99 floral bouquets. Especially the rose ones. You get 1/2 dozen roses w/greenery for that price! And it has always been their price on Mother's Day as well.
Speaking solely from a retail perspective, VERY hard to beat a dozen roses on Mother's Day for $5.98 plus tax. :-)
February 19th, 2008 at 07:44 am
February 25th, 2008 at 03:14 pm