I Just Shopped At Aldi For The First Time, And This Is What I Learned

Until yesterday, I’d never shopped for myself at Aldi. My lingering reluctance to patronize the beloved discount grocer began years ago during a harrowing first trip with a short-lived romantic interest. Watching the way he tore through the aisles, flinging chicken breasts and Brussels sprouts into a banged-up cardboard box with no buggy and little pause for contemplation, made me anxious. This was a man who loved Aldi shopping, meal-prepping, and decidedly not me. I lost my appetite for a return trip. 

Given the price of groceries these days, though (and a colleague’s mention of one fried-pickle- and-ranch dip), I decided it was time to buck up, dig out a quarter from the bottom of my bag, and try it on my own. Here’s what I learned.

You Pay for Your Cart—Kind Of

Thanks to the Aldi loyalists in my life, I knew the drill about bringing a quarter to check out a cart, so I was prepared. That said, I hadn’t been schooled in the buggy return procedure, in which you click the carts back together and your quarter is consequently returned. I pushed my cart into the corral, but left it otherwise untethered—abandoning it, along with my quarter, for the next shopper. Next time, I’ll know the drill.

It’s Smart to Do Your Research

While “Aldi Savers” are marked with red badges across the store, a quick skim of the grocer’s Weekly Ads online can help you pinpoint great deals. Also posted online, “This Week’s Aldi Finds” and “Upcoming Aldi Finds” identify seasonal and limited-time offerings, from food items like pumpkin spice coffee blends to household goods like area rugs. Many devotees call the store’s “Aldi Finds” rows the “Aisle of Shame,” thanks to its uncanny ability to tempt folks into buying things they didn’t come in planning to purchase. 

Much of the Produce Is Sold Bagged

Rather than bins piled high with individual veggies and fruits, Aldi sells much of their produce bagged in larger quantities. The savings are notable, but given that I belong to a household of two, I like having the option of buying one onion for a recipe, rather than committing to a whole bag of them. That said, it’ll help with meal planning as I can chop up the leftover onions and freeze them for next time.

You’ll Spot Some Name Brands in the Mix

While Aldi carries primarily its own private-label products, allowing them to maintain those low prices, I was surprised to see a handful of name brands in the mix—Duke’s, most importantly. I don’t really care where my rice or chicken broth comes from, but when I’m buying mayonnaise, it has to be Duke’s. 

The Cheese Selection Is Next Level

I’d heard rumors of the store’s top-notch assortment of cheeses, but even so, I wasn’t totally prepared for the sheer variety available, from sturdy chunks that can be grated directly into your favorite recipes to time-saving bags of shredded cheese in flavors both expected (cheddar and mozzarella) and those less so (gouda and Gruyère).

The Checkout Lanes Operate A Little Differently 

No one will accuse an Aldi cashier of taking their sweet time. This is a quick, efficiency-minded operation. They scan your items and immediately deposit them into an empty buggy at the end of the line—no bags, no boxes, no nothing. You’ll then trade the cashier, rolling out with this new-to-you buggy that’s now filled with your groceries, and leaving your empty cart behind for the next customer. Post-checkout, a counter on the side of the store offers a place to organize and pack your groceries before you head out to the car.

You’re Sure to Save

While my grocery lists aren’t identical from week to week, there’s a ballpark price I anticipate spending every trip. Even though I came home with some comparatively big-ticket items that I typically buy monthly, rather than weekly (like large bags of frozen fruit for smoothies), Aldi came well under my anticipated budget, saving me around $15 to $20. 

Final Thoughts

All in all, my first solo trip to Aldi was a success. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide range of items available, as well as the significant savings, and I plan to make a habit of checking their weekly deals to see where I can save a buck or snap up a fun seasonal offering. That said, I’m not ready to pull the plug on my weekly shop at Publix, where I know the aisles backwards and forwards and a number of the cashiers and attendants by name. And, of course, there’s the matter of Pub Subs; a sandwich by any other name just doesn’t cut the mustard—or the mayo.