What are your tips and tricks for an Aldi noob?
Posted by Jackomo@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 63 comments
Having never really shopped at Aldi, I now live next to a big one, so it’s going to be my default supermarket for the foreseeable. I’m after recommendations, such as must-buys and tries, and some direction on things that are best avoided.
Advice on own-brand stuff that’s on par or better than its branded counterpart and the stuff you absolutely swear by would be much appreciated. Anything totally life-changing?
Also, can you actually get some decent stuff in the magic middle aisle? Any other particular quirks that I should be aware of?
Thanks!
SomeHSomeE@reddit
The frikadellen and equivalent meatballs (pre cooked - kept by the ham, cold cut meats, etc( are delicious.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
You’re the second person to mention those specifically. What do you generally do with the frikadellen? I imagine potatoes, veg and sauerkraut would be a typical shout, but anything else?
SomeHSomeE@reddit
Literally just eat them from the packet
Burning_Ranger@reddit
What fucking tips and tricks? It's a shop, you buy stuff. There's not much more to it than that.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Another brain dead reply. Look at the rest of the thread to understand why this has been a useful exercise.
P2P-BSH@reddit
It's just a supermarket. Do what you do in supermarkets.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Incredible advice, thanks.
Burning_Ranger@reddit
Don't try to be cute with sarcastic comments, you're the one getting overexcited about a supermarket and gushing about it online. Dummy.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
I’ll do what I like, thanks. If you don’t like the thread, I suggest you exit and go about your day. Plenty of people have engaged with this topic in the spirit with which it was posted. I wasn’t overexcited and am still not. Just grateful to have the knowledge I now have about Aldi’s offerings. Sorry that’s such an issue for you.
josh5676543@reddit
They have their own brand bottled strong cider that tastes very close to Weston's vintage
Traditional-Win354@reddit
I'll trade you my Aldi tips if you drop your M&S and Waitrose tips first buddy.
But the only actual tip I have is go in the morning when all the good stuff is out because stuff like the Protein Yogurts sells out if you go in the afternoon.
Puzzled-Leading861@reddit
I really do no understand the question. It's just a normal supermarket. Basically all the food is good, subject to personal taste. It's not cheap due to poor quality, it's cheap because they run their stores way more efficiently in terms of staffing and stock organisation.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
I’ve already had responses that are in the spirit of the questions asked, e.g. recommendations on own-brand stuff, wine and confectionary. I honestly don’t know what is ambiguous about the specific questions I included in my post.
Puzzled-Leading861@reddit
Ok my recommendation is try it yourself and make up your own mind. You don't need reddit's advice to successfully go food shopping. You can do it, I believe in you <3
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
I know I don’t need advice, but it’s helpful to ask people who regularly shop somewhere about what’s good and what isn’t. The bemusement at someone seeking guidance about something on a subreddit that is entirely geared towards this kind of thing is… bemusing.
Puzzled-Leading861@reddit
What is the difference between advice and guidance? I don't understand how you could not need advice while seeking guidance, I thought they were synonyms.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
There isn't really a difference. My point was about not needing advice, but wanting it. For example, knowing that Aldi does good snacks isn't vital. It's just good to know.
BeenzandRice@reddit
Grow a set
ukbot-nicolabot@reddit
A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
A set of what? Petunias? Tomatoes?
MunkeeseeMonkeydoo@reddit
If you buy bananas from Aldi pay very close attention to them. They will be partially green and hard then when you are not looking they turn brown and mushy. The window of opportunity for eating them is very short.
AngryPandaz@reddit
I think a lot of Aldi's own brand stuff is really good and a worthy substitute for the original item it's mimicking. Their knock off chocolate hobnobs are great (as are a lot of their biscuits), their crisps are usually great (I actually prefer some of Aldi's versions to the original as they have more flavour), their nuts are all amazing and way cheaper than the big brands! Aldi's own brand chocolate 'Dairyfine' is also really good, they have a lot of different flavours now and I think it's really nice!
The one thing I'd say about Aldi is don't get too attached to anything they sell - regardless of how popular something is or how well it sells Aldi have a really bad habit of just randomly no longer stocking things. Me and my partner have been shopping at Aldi for a few years now and I can't even count the number of times we've found something we really like only to have it completely disappear randomly at some point never to be seen again. It's become a bit of a running joke but it's actually quite frustrating!
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Great tips, thank you! Based on your advice, and that of others in this thread, it sounds like Aldi has a particularly strong snack game, e.g. crisps, nuts, biscuits and chocolate.
Any items you’re really desperate to see back in stock? I can totally understand the heartbreak at losing a regular favourite.
AngryPandaz@reddit
Yeah Aldi have a very strong snack game, especially this time of year with all the Xmas stuff! They used to do a Ginger Parkin which was lovely, not seen that in ages! Cookie crunch and cinnamon churro cereals are favourites that they’ve not stocked in a while. I was extremely fond of their version of Popchips called ‘Pop Outs’, they’re better than the name brand imo as they have so much more flavour, they disappeared for a few months but they seem to have them back in now which is great!
alloitacash@reddit
Does initially sound like a silly question, but reckon it’s better than it seems. Never go to Aldi, but the bakery in Lidl is far better than you’d expect so I’d go there for sure.
CuntyMcFartflaps@reddit
Yeah, quite a few smarmy responses here that aren't warranted. Given the rotating nature of the international middle aisle specials at Lidl, I came here genuinely interested to see if there'd be any useful tips for a supermarket that is obviously very similar but has some key differences - when to look out for different things, what sort of deals to expect, etc.
Frankly, given the way different supermarkets have embraced their loyalty schemes, and the different ways they approach end-of-day discounts, it'd be easy to source sincere and useful tips for most UK supermarkets.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
This is so spot on I could have written it myself. It’s ironic because the smarmy commenters clearly don’t understand the many factors that differentiate brands and are therefore the kinds of people might actually benefit from the pearls of wisdom now being shared in good faith. Anyway, thanks CuntyMcFartflaps, you get it.
alloitacash@reddit
It’s Reddit so I’d expect nothing less.
SingerFirm1090@reddit
Both Aldi & Lidl have a surprising amount of branded goods these days.
I find most product's good, Aldi's fresh meat and veg selection is good and reasonably priced.
My only caveat is that most have fewer tills than in a Tesco of the same size, but Aldi are starting to introduce self-scanning checkouts.
The 'middle aisles' are generally good value, though if you have the nerve, wait, the 'middle aisle' stuff gets drastically reduced when they want to clear the stocks. I got a nice power drill for £15 instead of £40 earlier this year.
Vectis01983@reddit
My main problem with Aldi, and Lidl for that matter, is that they don't always stock everything you need if you're doing a big shop for a large family. They just don't have the choice that a large supermarket such as Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrisons etc have.
That may not be a problem to you, but it's what I've found, i.e. you end up going to several supermarkets instead of just the one. Fine if you've got the time, but not great for everyone.
JLB_cleanshirt@reddit
The things I buy that I think are good value are their steaks (the £3.29? ones), lactose free milk, their version of McCoy crisps, their own brand coffee, chunky soups, tinned veg and the frozen breakfast sausage patty's. Yes I live on my own :)
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Definitely going to try the sausage patties.
JLB_cleanshirt@reddit
Also their dishwasher tabs and laundry pods
sparklybeast@reddit
My recommendations would be the small Choceur hazelnut chocolate bars, packets of Frikadellen (like big, tasty meatballs), and their 4 pack of cans of dark fruit cider.
Generally I’d agree that fruit and veg can be hit & miss with their lemons being particularly prone to going manky too quickly.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Because I’m close by, I’ll probably just get fruit and veg as and when I need it.
Fun_Gas_7777@reddit
its the same as any other supermarket, except that you can't pack bags at the till because there's the expectation that you do that after you've paid. The tillworker won't talk to you. They'll just throw everything at you really quickly
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Haha. Thanks. I’ll mostly do small shops as it’s so close, so should be able to avoid the till.
Kaiserlongbone@reddit
The one I live near has introduced self checkout tills! Oh my god, it's improved the shopping experience by an order of magnitude! So much easier if you're just buying a few things - no need to do the puppy dog eyes thing with the person in front of you with a full trolley.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
The one near me has self-checkout, which is my go-to.
RoyofBungay@reddit
Don’t forget to take the how to pack course before you begin shopping.
Basically, don’t be a bellend and pack at the till. Deposit your items in the trolley and move away to the designated packing area. This way things run smoother for the underpaid workers and stressed shoppers.
Don’t be that entitled nob who think they can do as they please as in other supermarkets.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
I’m so close I will probably just use self-checkout for a few bits every now and then.
conspiracyfetard89@reddit
Be careful of price surging. The ticket prices are all digital. They can and do change.
if you see something in the middle aisle and think it's too expensive and want to wait for it to be on sale then you suck. Nothing last long in the middle aisles. If you see something you want, get it.
They often have themed days. Always go to these as they have cool stuff for cheap, but it disappears immediately. There was a wooden toy day, and it was awesome. But the next day there was fuck all left.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Excellent advice on the pricing dynamic, as I would probably just blindly chuck in things I’ve bought previously. Good shout on the middle aisle stuff. I’m literally a minute’s walk from entering the store so think I should stand a good chance of getting there before others.
wildOldcheesecake@reddit
If you asked me to choose between the Aldi and Lidl, I’d say Lidl because their bakery is ace. That’s my tip
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Would definitely love a Lidl bakery close by. Used to have one down the road.
EllaSingsJazz@reddit
Excellent wine, chocolate, biscuits and the 'finest' style sausages are fantastic. Most frozen foods are good as are cleaning stuff and toilet paper.
From the toiletries aisle I buy cotton wool pads , painkillers and I like the coconut shower wash.
The ground coffee is fine, I don't like their teabags. Crisps are pretty good especially the Hula Hoops dupes.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Great list of suggestions, thank you!
mjwb99@reddit
Get your main veg staples from M&S ... compared to Aldi they are same price for many things , peppers, cucumbers etc but quality and size soooo much better!
RichyC_@reddit
Seems everyone got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning
Their sandwich fillers are good, pastrami, honey roast ham etc. Their own brand chocolate bars and biscuits are all very good, I swear by them
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
I know, right? I definitely know how to walk around a bloody supermarket. I feel like people deliberately skim over the specific contextual element of the post in favour of a boorish moan.
Talking_Nowt@reddit
It's a supermarket. The only chance of life changing would be slipping on a wet floor and starting a compo claim.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
If someone came through with, ‘Aldi mayo is better than Hellmann’s,’ and they were right, I would consider that life-changing.
fletch3059@reddit
According to my family Heinz mayo is better, but Hellmans ketchup is better than Heinz.
My kids.were not impressed when I bought Aldi mayo. But I hate the stuff so couldn't care less.
Talking_Nowt@reddit
You have incredibly low standards
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Yet here I am talking to you.
LDNLibero@reddit
Very good for alcohol, especially their wines.
I consider their meat and fish to be good quality for the price but personally prefer to get fresh vegetables and fruit elsewhere. Just doesn't last as long.
The white chocolate and cranberry cookies are a must.
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
This is the kind of friendly tip I was after. Thank you. Not sure why people on this site feel the need to be so sarcastic and passive aggressive at every opportunity.
LDNLibero@reddit
We're English, it's what we do.
In all seriousness though make sure you write a list before going in as otherwise you'll get distracted and buy all sorts.
A bottle of their Gruner Veltliner (white wine, usually Austrian or German section) is my highest recommendation
Jackomo@reddit (OP)
Thanks. I’ve had that Vetliner before. Great stuff. I’m not really one for champagne but my flatmate bought some at Aldi recently and it was actually pretty good.
New_Expectations5808@reddit
It's a shop. You go shopping. There's not much more to it than that.
WVA1999@reddit
The Aldi Shopper Experience MSc isn't a bad place to start.
Whilst it's a 2 year course, definitely do it before stepping into a shop.
14 deaths last year as a result of inexperienced shoppers, I believe half were middle aisle related accidents.
Good luck
Accurate_Prompt_8800@reddit
Relax mate it’s not like going on a trek through the Sahara Desert.
Buy what you’d usually get anywhere else. Only thing I’d say is that fruit and veg there tends to go off faster / not be as fresh so don’t get too much at one time.
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