I think I've now visited most of the UK's main supermarkets over the years; except the Co-op and Morrisons (not interested).
However, yesterday was my very first visit to Aldi, and I must say I was extremely surprised. It wasn't my main shopping trip of the week, but Lady M wanted some excellent wax-wrapped cheese that they'd sold at Christmas (we'd received some as a present), but, sadly, it was no longer available.
Anyway, I bought an average mid-week selection of groceries etc. Three bottles of red wine, bread, sardines, beansprouts, pak choi, celery, a red pepper, sweet chili sauce, fruit, tinned tomatoes, and some honey.
Cost; £23.86. I could hardly believe my eyes. Just over twenty quid for all that? Amazing.
I made sure that I bought nothing that could be a cheap and tacky version of a better known brand. A celery, is a celery, is a celery, etc. However I did buy an unknown brand of Worcestershire Sauce (Bramwells), but I've already tasted it, and it's OK.
I was very impressed with Aldi. I had been to one years ago in France, and it was awful. I have never been back. This English version, however, was very good, and I shall certainly return. It's not in the best part of town, but I'm prepared to suffer for a 49p celery, and a 49p red pepper.
Well done Aldi; I'm a convert.
Your Aldi's sounds like our LIDLs. Much cheaper and over the years we know what is worth buying. Their butter, Irish, is half the price of other places.
ReplyDeleteThey also have really good gorgonzola and olives stuffed with salmon over Xmas but we never find it at other times.
So you're a convert. Suffer, Cro, suffer
I have visited a Lidl here in Brighton. Their Charcuterie section was very good. However, I bought some 'Mature Cheddar' that wasn't too good.
DeleteTry Lidl, you will really be impressed. Plus, they have weeks dedicated to a particular country and stock delicious specialities. My favourite is French week!
ReplyDeleteTheir instore bakery produces wonderful baked goods. Croissants as good as any boulangere!
The last time I visited Lidl, I did notice their bakery dep't. It was very extensive, and right inside the entrance. The aroma as you entered the store was excellent.
DeleteI use both Aldi and lidl, they are both fine but as with any shop they do stock some rubbish. The positive is that their rubbish is cheaper than Tesco's or Somerfield's crap. Asda and Morrison's are two chains I tend to avoid.
ReplyDeleteI did notice quite a few things that I avoided at all costs. It's very much a 'pick-n-choose' shop. However, the good is very good, and amazingly cheap.
DeleteI have a Morrisons in walking distance so tend to use them regularly. They are useful for 'emergency' lavatory visits but so far I have never used their cafe. Thought you ought to know.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that. I don't know why, but Morrisons always sounds unwholesome to me. I'm sure they're OK, but it's just that name!
DeleteYou are very fortunate to have so much choice there.
ReplyDeleteOver here we only have the execrable Tesco or the Co-Op.
As a Tesco shareholder, I would recommend that you use them; exclusively!
DeleteI have been going to Aldi once a week since one opened about 5 miles away a couple of years ago.. My second food shop of the week is at Waitrose here in Harpenden. Once you learn what is worth buying at Aldi it is a great shop . There is a lovely white wine that I get 2 of (£3.99 each) and the saving pays for the petrol for the longer journey! The veg are all as good as anywhere else and the " middle aisle" can be fun to browse. If there are more than 2 people waiting for a till, they open another one! Their car park is flat, unlike Waitrose where if you have bought eggs they are scrambled by the time you get to the car! Waitrose are always short staffed too, with all the problems that entails. I still have to go there though as Aldi sadly doesn't stock some of the things I need for certain recipes.
ReplyDeleteMy main shop will remain Sainsbury's, but I will certainly return to Aldi for fresh fruit and vegs, wine, certain canned vegs, etc. It's a great store for all those cupboard essentials.
DeleteWell done Cro! I shop at Lidl mainly as it's nearest to me and I can't fault it. The fruit and veg are always fresh and nice looking and last well, unlike other supermarket brands which sometimes look past it when they're still on the shelf. The centre aisle can be a bit of an adventure, as is the whole shop, you never know what they're going to have in next!
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's fun as well as practical. The centre aisle seems to have almost anything.
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