Eat’n & Sav’n at Aldi’s
My sister moved to a small town in the middle of no-where a few years ago, and one of the life changes she had to make was learning to shop in small town grocery stores. If you’re used to the luxury grocery stores found in major metropolitan areas, you would probably experience culture shock if you were dropped off in the middle of a cornfield and told to go into town with your grocery list.
One of the stores she now LOVES is Aldi Foods. I mean she likes this place so much they ought to hire her to do their marketing. I’m serious. Get the girl an “I heart Aldi” t-shirt.
(In the interest of full disclosure….my brother worked for them 20 something years ago and quit…at the age of 16 … when the manager asked him to wear a tie when he showed up for his one hour shift to sweep the floors.)
So at my big sister’s recommendation, I decided to take a trip to my local Aldi’s and I’m here to give you the culinary report on what I’ve been eating. First of all, if you go to Aldi’s, you need to know they chain up their grocery carts outside. This is not because of crime….it’s to save on labor costs. Bring a quarter with you, insert it into the slot on the duma-jiggy in the first cart, then pull out the chain behind it. If you need help, another customer will show you. You can also offer a quarter to a shopper who has just unloaded groceries into their car. Your quarter remains in the cart until it is returned and chained back up. You can check out their website for a picture and more details so you can feel like a pro before you get there.So you’ve made it into the store with a cart…and you should get one cause you’re going to be tempted to buy a lot of stuff. Be sure to bring cash, food stamps, or a debit card as they do not take credit. Bring your own grocery bags — or buy one — or keep an eye out for an empty box in the store.So let’s get to the important part…how’s the food?Today I tried their Sesame Orange Chicken from Asia Specialties. The package describes the sauce as “tangy”…and it certainly was. It was a little too hot for my mild taste duds…but it was flavorful and I didn’t have any eating trouble with it. I thought the chicken was very good, there were whole mushrooms and other veggies just as it was pictured on the package!! The meal had a fresh, wholesome taste that’s not always easy to find at a Chinese carryout. At $3.99 for a 24 oz package with three – one cup services, I think it was a good deal. I ate two of the servings for dinner, and will have plenty for a lunch… so I wouldn’t try to feed a whole family on this one box. I would definitely recommend this microwaveable mea, giving it 5 wontons out of a possible 5.
Earlier this week I had some of their grilled pollock, which came in a package of two for $1.99. At a buck a serving, I thought the fish was flavorful — it was already seasoned — and the microwave convenience again is much appreciated. I’d give it 4.5 fins out of 5.
I have also tried their frozen ravioli/rigatoni in a spinach/cheese flavor and a portabella mushroom/cheese variety. Now my sister raved about their frozen pasta, but I was less impressed. I added my own (well Ragu’s own) white sauce to the mushroom one and used their spices. I enjoyed it pretty much. Fixed that way, I’d give it 4 noodles – mostly because I couldn’t really see the mushroom specks. I was less impressed with the Spinach version…again, I used the same sauce. Maybe I would have liked it better another way. I think the package recommended olive oil. Since my sister loves their frozen pasta…I’d say try one yourself.
Aldi’s also offers a double money back guarantee….but I haven’t been so disappointed that I’d complain.
I have a few more items in the freezer…stay tuned!
Doing the Bread, Milk & Eggs Shuffle
February 1, 2008
Filed under Uncategorized
Tags: break, egg, groceries, milk, shovels, snow shoveling, snowstorm
If you live in an area where you get just a little snow here and there during the winter, you know what I’m talking about.A snow storm is predicted and every one runs to the grocery store to stock up on supplies…some of them basics, some of them more “luxury” items like beer, pizza, whatever you suddenly realize you are craving and would hate to be without the next 24 hours or so. Just in case.Turn on the TV and the newscasters are telling you how shovels and salt are flying off the shelves, too.Ok, so, what did these people use to shovel during the last snowstorm? Do they pitch them after each storm? Donate them to Goodwill? Did they forget them outside and couldn’t find them when the last snow melted? Did that many people move from an apartment to a house in the last few weeks? Is someone stealing shovels from unsuspecting homeowners or are these tools lost in the black hole that doubles as a basement, garage or shed? Or is there a new color or style of shovel out that we all need?I rarely participate in the Grocery Store Dash…but since I was already out and low on milk, I ran into my local dingy corner market. The price of milk is lower than the local chains, it’s in the neighborhood, and I like to give them some business to keep the place open.
The checkout lines were growing long when I got in line with the cashier who must have won the “turtle” award. I told the woman behind me I hoped to get snowed in. She agreed, but the grey haired grandma in front of us said she hoped not.
She said he had a mother in her 90s, a disabled daughter, and a husband who just had surgery and had an upcoming doctor’s appointment and she was responsible for shoveling.
I’m thinking, “Hey, old lady…they’ve been predicting this all week, what took you so long to get to the store?” The snow’s falling and I look around and there are TONS of folks like her who appeared to be in their 70s. Are they so hard of hearing and is there vision so bad they didn’t know about the snow until it started falling a couple hours earlier? I look into their carts (yes, I’m nosy) and I don’t even see the bread, eggs, and milk that grocers tell the TV news are flying off the shelf. Geeeezzz.
I can’t really answer these questions..but if a storm is predicted in your area…my advice is to to stock up on hot chocolate, movies, long underwear and fuzzy socks. Hopefully your job, school, or other annoying activity will be cancelled so you can fully enjoy the experience. Given the right set of circumstances, even shoveling snow can be fun.
Intuitively Obvious 