to ask what I should look out for / avoid in Aldi?

[GinThief]

So I'm trying to cut back on our food shop. First option is to switch from Sainsburies to Aldi.

What things are good? Anything I should avoid?

[Topseyt]

Oh, and DH went into Aldi a few days ago. He came back with a frozen Banoffee Pie Cheesecake (called something like that anyway).

It looks scrummy, and is sitting in our freezer at the moment just begging to be eaten one day soon. It is compulsory, you know. It would be rude not to.

[Topseyt]

Cartons of mango juice and tomato juice are good too.

[TheCrumpettyTree]

There ice cream is good.

[TheCrumpettyTree]

Their

[Jenijena]

Have a rare 'avoid' from Aldi. Was in the other week and bought their sparkling raspberry lemonade thing.

It was vile, reminiscent of panda pops type thing, and definitely not a naice non alcoholic alternative.

[RunLillian]

The coconut oil is brilliant.

[specialsubject]

there is an impression from previous threads like this that Aldi quality is area-dependent. But here in not-London (do you get Aldi in London?) it all seems fine. Fruit and veg last the time you'd expect in the real world, delicacies are delicious, tinned stuff is the same as anywhere except much cheaper.

only duff things I've found are the washing liquid (STINKS of fake flowers, reeks like a scented candle, really revolting) and the block cheddar is really only good for sauces. The other cheeses are fine.

like anywhere, if you want bacon buy the pricier ones with no added water. Difference is that pricier in Aldi is still less than cheap in Sainsbury

[CoolBananas]

I converted to Aldi (Sainsburys previously) a couple of years ago and have never looked back. Go with an open mind and treat everything as trial and error. The only thing I buy elsewhere now is baked beans! Watch out for getting hooked on seasonal products. I was pretty distrught that they stopped doing the frozen risottos over the winter, but they're back in now, along with the addition of frozen cous cous and brown lentils mixes, which are my new favourite easy dinner. My shopping bill is easily halved from what it used to be.

[RunLillian]

OH and the brioche burger buns. They're £1 for two in Tesco and Sainsbury's - 85p for four in Aldi.

[GinThief]

Wow, thanks for all the advice. Think I need to make a long shopping list!

[champagneplanet]

I've never had a problem with the fruit & veg, it just doesn't last as long as other supermarkets but if you're only buying fresh for the week then it's fine.

The luxury ice cream is lovely, brioche rolls, tea bags, cornflakes, specially selected fishcakes, cheese, breaded chicken fillets, tortilla wraps, ev olive oil, laundry gel/fabric softener are all very good.

I also like to provive shampoo and conditioner range. As a PP has said it would be easier to write a list of dislikes!

[reallywittyname]

Titan bars

And the Aisles of Treasure are always good for a browse...

[Badbadtromance]

Just eaten one of their thick and creamy yogurts. Very nice

[eyestightshut]

their specially selected 28day matured fillet steaks. Bloody gorgeous!

[HunterHearstHelmsley]

I buy a lot from there. My only avoid would be the washing liquid. It smells sweaty, had to rewash all my clothes when I realised it wasn't me!

Their seeded batch loaf is amazing. Brie is lovely. Extra mature cheddar is not great.

[isseywithcats]

used to be an asda shopper now totally converted to aldi the only thing i really dislike is their toilet rolls they are so thin i still go to asda and pay a bit extra for asda shades and bought some thin and crispy pizzas once that melted all over my cooker when i cooked them as in the bases and didnt taste that nice get me pizzas from iceland now,

[tilder]

I have had more problems with tesco fruit and veg than Aldi. Aldi meat is fine, on par with most supermarkets. Although not as good as a butchers.

I do a full shop at Aldi. The only thing I don't get from there are tea and coffee. Or unbranded toothpaste.

Yy to the seasonal stuff too. It's a bit random. Maple syrup doesn't seem to be stocked in the summer.

It is £££ cheaper. I filled a trolley to overflowing on Friday. Full weekly shop for 5. Included Sunday roast and 'treat' food such as parma ham, berries and some nibbles. Cost £69. Unbelievable.

[dementedma]

All good. Just double check the fruit.
Our favourites are the bloomer loaf
Moser Roth chocolate
Greek yoghurt
Ham
Caramelised onion quiche
Washing up liquid
Washing powder tabs
Wine
......etc.etc.

Only thing I don't like is the coffee

[Linnet]

i buy Maris Piper Potatoes from Aldi. they taste like potatoes, not wet mush like most potatoes taste like nowadays. I've also bought fresh herbs, which are doing well. And in our house we all love their Mozzarella Sticks.

My neighbour buys all her meat at our local Aldi's.

[StarkyTheDirewolf]

The mini chocolate brioche bars are, when enjoy for brekkie with a brew, are amazing. It's an edible hug.

We do 90% of our shopping there. Other 10% being the meat shop because we go through at least 5k of chicken a week.

[misskatamari]

They do really nice frozen peas and chilled garlic bread too

[Musicinthe00ssucks]

I've never tried their meat but everything else I've bought from Aldi has been excellent. In fact I have really struggled to think of something that we haven't liked. And agree that their seasonal foods are brilliant.

[Gide]

Popped in tonight as nearby. Went a bit mad on 'proper' coffee. Cheap salad stuff, celery and cucumber.

I too am distracted by random unnecessary items-purple cake tin, how is one supposed to resist?!

[Katkincake]

Recommend: ham scraps pack, really good cuts great for chopping up into salads / omelettes.

Second not liking their coffee. Strawberries go off very quickly, but they do from most supermarkets these days. Potatoes can be hit and miss, had a few bags lately that had black marks throughout.

Would be here all night if I had to recommend stuff, almost all things we buy are great (though don't buy beans there - I'm strictly a Heinz girl!)

[Buttonmoonb4tea]

Sorry to jump in but Huntersears I had the same problem with their washing liquid, it left clothes smelling horrid. Have you tried the washing powder or tabs?

My favourites are fillet steak
Moser Roth chocolate - sea salt flavour
Titans
Soft cheese
Split pot yoghurt
Smoothies
Specially selected sticky toffee pudding (to die for)
Chorizo
Rocky road rice Chrissie treats
Porridge
Cereal
Cereal bars
Smoked salmon
Dishwasher tablets
Toilet roll
Breaded Camembert
Salmon
Chicken
All tinned stuff

Didn't like their muscles, specially selected bacon, or frozen pizzas or Moroccan houmous (it has raisins in)