To hate Aldi!

[user263781638]

I've tried to like it, I mean it's cheap as anything but, every single time I buy meat specifically chicken it smells vile! Like it's gone off and it's rubbery 😷
This isn't just the one Aldi I've been to lots around my area and out of it and it's all the fucking same! That's another load straight in the bin and I'm off to Sainsbury's tomorrow.

So AIBU and picky or has anybody else experienced this?

[TheQueenOfWands]

I went there once when I was feeling skint.

Didn't spend any less than I would in Tesco and couldn't get half of the stuff I wanted.

And the checkout arrangement is insane. Like GTA5 but with shopping instead of cars.

It wasn't for me.

[dinosaursandtea]

Honestly, I only go for the game Jo Malone candles.

[dinosaursandtea]

Ugh, game = fake

[ivykaty44]

The meat often comes from the same supplier - different packaging though

[Frouby]

Nope.

Had the odd bit of dodgy veg at the old store I used to live near. But meat has always been fine. And I worked for a butcher for several years so can spot/smell/feel dodgy meat quite quickly.

The packaging in supermarkets can make meat smell strongly sometimes. If you open it, if it's packaging it usually goes after a few minutes.

Meat on the turn is very slimy. I usually feel it rather than sniff it.

[dementedpixie]

I go for the brioche burger rolls and complimints fake smints and those pre cooked basmati rice trays

[Orangeplastic]

I went today first time in ages - bought about 30 bottles of Maple Syrup for half the price of all the local supermarkets - got loads of other bargains - I suspect I will not like some - but at the prices they charge it's worth the risk.

[AuntLydia]

I've never had that issue with their chicken! I mostly like it but yes, as with lidl, you can't always get everything you need there..if I don't have time to get the rest elsewhere I give it a miss and go to Asda.

[MeatAndPotato]

I love Aldi

[FiveShelties]

Vege goes off really quickly and the meat is dreadful, smells odd. Cooked meat really cheap and tastes of nothing. They do have some excellent wine.

[starzig]

It's not actually cheaper. It is all own brand. If you bought all own brand in other supermarkets it would come out similar.

[Justabadwife]

I can't get on with also either. Loads of people rave about it. Everytime ive been the veg has been off, the fruit tasted funny, DH didnt like the crisps. So now I just don't bother.
It's good for the random shit in the middle aisle though 😂😂

[Amanduh]

I couldn't do a full shop there, I hate the tills, they don't have everything and it's not that cheap anymore. However some things are great, you can get a few bargains, and I've never had a problem with quality

[bigbluebus]

There was an article on TV a couple of weeks ago about issues with a chicken packing factory (changing labels and barcodes fraudulently or something). Anyway, this factory was packing chicken for all the supermarkets and was re-packing stuff from one supermarket in another supermarkets packaging. So by all means go to Sainsbury and spend more money but don't reliably think you are getting a different product!

[SchadenfreudePersonified]

Glad it's not me who finds Aldi (and Lidl) rubbish. Everybody else I talk to seems tp get amazing bargains etc. Not me, sadly.

[AuntLydia]

I find the aldi own brand stuff is better quality than tesco or Asda own brand though. I also find their fruit and veg better quality. Oh and I treated myself to some bellini lollipops from there today - just need to pack the kids off to bed so I can try one in peace

[user263781638]

I can say for sure I've never had a chicken problem in Sainsbury's but I've had one everytime I've been to Aldi. It's vile!
And yes I tend to go for the middle isle of crap, surprising what you can find in there

[Doramaybe]

Snobs.

It has the very best Greek yogurt on the planet.

So when I go there for that, I also manage to buy some brioche burger buns, extra mature cheddar, luvverly bikkies, and knock off weetabix.

Not to mention the non food aisle.... drools.

It's a great place for a nosey and some nice things.

If you don't like it, don't go anymore. That's the solution.

[BubblesBubblesBubbles]

I've had this, It seems to be all 3 Aldi's near me. To be fair I have always doubted the quality, I've never known fruit and veg to go off less than one day after I have purchased it.

Lidl on the other hand is fab.

I find it no cheaper at Aldi/Lidl to Asda.

[Eolian]

It's not all own brand though, is it? It is brands which are not your familiar brands. I spend far less in Aldi than in Tesco or Sainsbury's. I find their fruit and veg just as good as other supermarkets. Their meat does seem to last slightly less long in the fridge than some others, but it's certainly absolutely fine when I buy it. I put it in the freezer if I'm not going to eat it within two days. But tbh I do that with meat from other supermarkets too.

[mandalorian]

Tried to do a big shop there once and still ended up in Tesco as they didn't have half of what I needed.
Only go in now for the aisle of randomness.

[wheresthel1ght]

My local one is shit however in the next town where my fil lives they have just spent a small fortune refitting the store and have really upped their game. It is a lovely place to. Shop in now.

I find their meat is always good, veg is ok if eating that day and their breakfast cereals, cleaning stuff and drinks are all excellent. Their specially selected range knocks the pants off m&s.

The only thing that really annoys me is the lack of free from products. Dd is on a restricted dairy diet due to chronic eczema and I am dairy allergic which means for milk, butter, yoghurt etc I still have to trek to another supermarket.

[Doramaybe]

@mandalorian, what did you miss from Aldi. Just curious!

Maybe it's branded stuff or something like that. Thanks.

[SchadenfreudePersonified]

I spend far less in Aldi than in Tesco or Sainsbury's.

That's cos there's nothing to buy . . .

[hiphopcat]

Don't go then!