So tell me about Aldi

[VoldemortsNipple]

I'm doing the main course this year for 10 people. I received an Aldi Christmas magazine through the post and they have some lovely sounding meat coming in on 19th December plus all the other bits throughout December. I had contemplated getting M&S but it quickly adds up. So what is the quality of Aldi like these days, is it good enough for a special Christmas lunch, and if so, what would you recommend?

I am the biggest Aldi fan ever, but go to M&S for Christmas lunch .

Veg etc will be fine, as will Christmas pud if you buy it, and cheese and crackers brilliant. Fresh mets will be fine but I'd avoid their frozen "party food" for special occasions. after some very salty mini spring rolls

I like Aldi for their fresh bits, but tend to go to the butcher for meat and things.

The wine and beer are very good - but don't take it from me - you need to do some extensive tasting sessions over the next few weeks

Seriously they do have some excellent wines at all price points (up to very good Margeaux at £25), the bottle beer/ale is good and the gin is great

The fresh meat is usually very good through the year, you need to pick the veg carefully as it's shelf life isn't always that long.

Nuts/crisps/chocolates - all good (extensively tested these personally)

the only things we've either been disappointed with or avoided due to the "look" is any of the processed "party" food, chilled sausage rolls, quiches etc.

Suck it and see

Thank you everybody. It was mainly the meat that caught my eye. They have a free range goose for £35. I'm sure it was double the price in M&S and 1.5kg salted caramel and bourbon ham joint for £12.99 plus free range bronze turkeys and 28 day matured beef which must be priced on weight.

Lynette is the M&S food really worth the price tag?

The salted caramel ham won a taste taste thing (either Which or Good Housekeeping) so I'd probably give it a go.

They wouldn't be my first choice for special occasion fresh meat, though.

Thanks, I think I'll give it a miss then and maybe try the ham for Boxing Day.

I'm the same OP. I saw the mag and was very tempted but our Aldi is fairly small and the queues can be horrendous all year round, so I'm not going to bother. Get an M&S order for your meat, they give you a naice biscuit while you queue in my local and the meat is always great.

Lynette, thanks for the info on the party nibbles. I definitely won't bother.

We have had our goose the last couple of years from Aldi after switching from m&s. Its always been fantastic. This year for a change were going for Turkey.

I'm a huge Aldi fan, their meat is lovely BUT agree with the frozen party food, its not the best. However I would trust their specially selected range - their finest range - that's always good.

Cannot beat their quality and prices for cheese, deli meats, posh mince pies and biscuits

It's nicer than Lidl, which isn't saying much - and I wouldnt go near the three bird roast because I don't trust it.

We made our own last year - pigeon, budgie and crow

I bought all my meat there last year and the goose. I'm going to do the same this year. It was excellent value and we usually buy free range from a butcher for Christmas so saved a fortune. I'll be there early the day they put the meat on sale.

If I'm going to buy supermarket meat, I'd go for Aldi every time. M&S is just a complete rip off.

"It's nicer than Lidl, which isn't saying much - and I wouldnt go near the three bird roast because I don't trust it."

What's it going to do, lounge round in trackie bottoms teaching your children chav?

No, Bertrand - I just don't like 'meat that's been messed with'. The thought of someone stuffing various dead things inside one another is frankly revolting. And they won't cook in the same way.

It just upsets me.

If you get a copy of the most recent Good Housekeeping, it contains their Christmas reviews for this year. Aldi is represented in almost every category, if not as the winner then as one of the 'best of the rest'. That might give you an idea of where to start?

Noooo don't go OP, you'll hate it!

(leave it all for me, the large joints are what we stock the freezer with for use over the next few months!)

I don't think they'll be anything wrong with the meat, it's just that our nearest Aldi is always really busy but I can walk to M&S. It's the massive Christmas queues that put me off.

I did my first big shop at Aldi this weekend and bought household staples, meat, fruit, veg etc for the week (£45 all in which I thought was fab and also included their famous Stollen Bites and some really good Malbec for under 6 quid).

The minced lamb was very fatty (more so then, say, Tesco minced lamb with the same fat content) but fine once it was drained off and I also bought a pork shoulder for £3 from which I made the most amazing pulled pork for last night's dinner. As a newbie Aldi shopper, I can't comment on their Christmas meat but I have to say I was impressed with what I bought.

Worst part of my visit was the talking cookie jars in the aisle of randomness... All I could hear a thousandfold was 'step away from the cookie jar'!

smoothie - There were talking cookie jars 'round my way too - I think I spotted a talking knight, elephant, chef, policeman and fireman . I did wonder who would buy them.

OP, I know that you are in charge of mains, but please buy some Mini Stollen. Ideally more than one packet, to save the trip back to the store the next day.

The frozen turkey crown has been beautiful for the past 2 years we have had it. I like the sound of the salted caramel gammon. Agree with other posters about watching the condition (BB date is not always printed) on the fruit & veg and chiller cabinet - I always take mine from the back. I don't like any of the processed party chiller food (pastry products mostly), but cheese, meats, yoghurts are all good.

Ooh, a few more positive responses today. Thanks everybody.

So party foodie a definite no. That's fine, I wasn't planning on getting party food. As for the veg, I'm planning on fancying it up myself so it won't really matter where I pick it up. I suppose the jury is still out on the meat. I'll probably end up in Costco because their meat is always beautiful and look for a nice recipe or guide for cooking it.

Lbocs2 thanks for that tip. I've got the Christmas Good Housekeeping. I'll have a look.

The 3 bird roast (or 4, I think it was last year) is delicious

I usually buy Costco meat too and as I say I was very happy with it and will be using it again.