Originally posted by wombat2go I am avid Aldi shopper too. (except for the coffee)
But around here, the main clients are old codgers like me, or single mothers.
Interesting. I was told a while back that Aldis is for the "lower classes". Surprisingly (or not?) it was a Church secretary that made that statement. She lives in an upper class neighborhood and said none of her friends do or would shop at Aldis.
Not surprisingly, I often run across the Pastors wife, who I know well, shopping....at Aldis! I also often run across one of my old customers there, perhaps the wealthiest woman in the entire county. Both love Aldis for the same reason...low prices and quality products. The rich lady told me she didn't get rich by being fashionable...or stupid.
There does seem to be a stigma attached to Aldis by a good number of the self-appointed "elite". Pretty ridiculous, but I'm not much interested in fashion or impressing anyone with my choice of grocery stores. Ours is a small store and I can walk it with ease, know where everything is at and purchase 90% of all I need there with ease in parking and shopping. Most of the time I can cut my grocery bill by at least 40-50% over the Big Box stores, get in and out fast and make delicious meals with the fresh fruit and veggies at very low prices.
Coffee....I like their Fair Trade Dark Roast. They often have seasonal blends at bargain prices and I try them. Got a German blend recently for $1.89 a pound and it was excellent. I do admit that I can drink almost any coffee as long as it is rich and dark. Potency is my main objective....I want something that will startle me in the early morning.
Yep, I am in Aldis at least 2-3 times a week...love it. I have no budget, can buy anything I want at any grocery in town, but Aldis hits the spot for me. There are a lot of "common people" shopping there...I suspect that they are just as good as my rich lady friend or the Pastor's wife....and just as smart with their cash!
I have some favorites there...the oven bake breaded shrimp are delicious, fast and easy to prepare and serve ($4.49 18oz) and you can get them at Kroger too... ($8.99 16oz) but the ones at Aldi are better tasting. Same with their Beer Breaded Fish Filets
($4.49 19oz) Kroger has them too ($9.99 18 oz) and they must use cheap beer, because they taste a little flat.
The cooked shrimp in three sizes are great for shrimp salads or shrimp soup. ($4.49 12 oz) They are ready to thaw and eat or use in your recipes and are top grade shrimp. I have a homemade shrimp recipe that is one of my favorites...Mrs Rupert's too!
All in all it is a great place to shop. Farm pants are welcome there and so are farm boots!
Checkout is fast and bagging your own groceries is not that big a deal for me.
Did I mention the unbelievable values in their wine dept? Winking Owl, the Aldi brand...$2.89 a bottle. They can barely keep it on the shelves, better than many at quadruple the price. All the Winking Owl wines will shine shoes as good as a $20 bottle of any other wine.
I'll print this and give it to one of my Aldi girlfriends and get me a free bottle of that Winking Owl! Did I mention their chocolates are the best too...and so cheap!