Good and bad buys from Aldi and Lidl

fed_up_hippie

we always do our shop at Aldi, its very cheap and we have not found anything we do not like, but we have not been able to get my hubbies favourite biscuits for a while. Bourbon Creams is there a shortage?? their three bird roast at christmas was mouth watering!!!

iAMaLONDONER

mohdwadea wrote: »

with regards to queues

lidl may have one till sometimes but they can serve 4 people in the same time someone in ASDA may serve one person. Queues look deceptively long but you can served quicker then waiting behind two people. OK they don't smile with puppy dog eyes while they serve you but hey I aint looking for a relationship I just want to get to the car

I've started working on the checkouts and know what you mean! Whenever I scan fast people ask if I have worked in Aldi(or Lidl) before-which I haven't!

Parsimonia

We have done our weekly shop in Aldi for 2 consecutive weeks. Historically we've shopped at Sainsburys, Waitrose, M&S and our local organic farm shop in a ratio of about 50:20:10:20. There are just the two of us, and we ordinarily spend about £60 a week...

In comparison, our weekly shop at Aldi comes in at around £25.

The things we've been really impressed with are:

• The quality of the fruit and veg (Pink Lady apples, clementines, savoy cabbage, piccolo vine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, iceberg lettuce, onions, peppers, swede, carrots, butternut squash - all lovely!).
• Belmont caramel wafers -they taste identical to Tunnocks.
• Malted Shreddies - honestly can't tell the difference from the Nestle's version.
• Ginger nut biscuits - only 25p a pack, and can't tell any difference from McVities
• Pancetta - was lovely!
• Alcafe Dark Gold freeze dried instant coffee - probably not as good as the Carte Noir which we usually drink, but almost!
• Grandessa chocolate spread - half the price of Nutella, and in our blind taste test we could notice only a barely perceptible difference!
• Wensleydale with cranberries - as good as the one I usually buy from Waitrose for over twice the price.

We've a few things to try over the next few days (tinned tomatoes, gnocchi, shredded wheat bitesize, gammon joint etc..) and I'll post the verdict!

Scritti

fed_up_hippie wrote: »

we always do our shop at Aldi, its very cheap and we have not found anything we do not like, but we have not been able to get my hubbies favourite biscuits for a while. Bourbon Creams is there a shortage??

Really? This happened a few months ago in our area. They disappeared for over a month. They're back now though so I've stocked up and noticed they're still there when I went a few days ago. Hang on in there and keep looking, I'm sure they will be back in stock soon.

They're so cheap, I'd advise buying 4 or 5 packs. Rotate so you always have the newest packs in your cupboard in case they disappear again. Life's too short to go without yummy Bourbon's! (or you could pop to Lidl if you have one nearby, they're almost as nice and as cheap there too).

Scritti

Parsimonia wrote: »

We have done our weekly shop in Aldi for 2 consecutive weeks. Historically we've shopped at Sainsburys, Waitrose, M&S and our local organic farm shop in a ratio of about 50:20:10:20. There are just the two of us, and we ordinarily spend about £60 a week...

In comparison, our weekly shop at Aldi comes in at around £25.

The things we've been really impressed with are:

• Belmont caramel wafers -they taste identical to Tunnocks.
• Malted Shreddies - honestly can't tell the difference from the Nestle's version.
• Ginger nut biscuits - only 25p a pack, and can't tell any difference from McVities
• Pancetta - was lovely!
• Alcafe Dark Gold freeze dried instant coffee - probably not as good as the Carte Noir which we usually drink, but almost!
• Grandessa chocolate spread - half the price of Nutella, and in our blind taste test we could notice only a barely perceptible difference!
• Wensleydale with cranberries - as good as the one I usually buy from Waitrose for over twice the price.

We've a few things to try over the next few days (tinned tomatoes, gnocchi, shredded wheat bitesize, gammon joint etc..) and I'll post the verdict!

Great post, thanks!

I'll try the wafers when I go later this week. Yum!

I've tried 6 of Aldi's cereals now and they are all identical to the big brand versions. Thought I would definitely notice a difference with Corn Flakes and Shredded Wheat (normal and bitesize) but, nope, absolutely identical. Just their Weetabix copy to try now then that's sorted, need never pay extra for the brand version again. I bl**dy love Aldi!!

Parsimonia

Scritti wrote: »

Great post, thanks!

I'll try the wafers when I go later this week. Yum!

I bl**dy love Aldi!!

Me too - I'm a total convert! Hubby, MIL and I did a blind taste test on the wafers comparing them against a pack of the 'real thing' and we all thought they tasted pretty much identical to Tunnocks. Between the 3 of us we've eaten a LOT of Tunnocks over the years, as we all love them, but we've all vowed to switch our allegiance to Belmont now (sorry Tunnocks!)!

MysteryMe

Yes, caramel wafers are a good buy and agree with the post about the cereals. I have tried the own brand weetabix, can' remember if it was Aldi or Lidl and it was fine. Not exactly the same, but good enough once hot milk and a bit of sugar on it.

GwylimT

We have a lidl not far from here and I went last night to get a few bits as we haven't been shopping yet this week and its nearer than sainsburys, I would buy meat or fish from there as we go to our butchers for that.

I got some pink lady apples, I did have to hunt through the box to find some that weren't bruised, I got some broccoli which we ate today, I did however miss out on the cauliflowers as they were clearly off.

I got some couscous and pasta and really, I don't think you can really go wrong which ever of those you buy if you are buying dried versions, the price was barely different to what we normally pay, but then they are both cheap items anyway. I got a few other store cupboard things, coffee, crisps, some pistachio's, baked beans and a box of 'weetabix'.

I got some bits for my wife from the bakery as she could eat her own body weight in cheese straws and she said they were really nice.

maman

mohdwadea wrote: »

with regards to queues

lidl may have one till sometimes but they can serve 4 people in the same time someone in ASDA may serve one person. Queues look deceptively long but you can served quicker then waiting behind two people. OK they don't smile with puppy dog eyes while they serve you but hey I aint looking for a relationship I just want to get to the car

And hey don't patronise you with daft questions about whether you want help with packing even if you're buying three items!:rotfl:

System

I wish Aldi do more flavours in their LF yoghurts! Seems to be strawberry, peach, prune and rhubarb!

Only like one of the above flavours.