Aldi/Lidl brands vs supermarkets?

DWhite

After some tips for the lower cost supermarkets, going to Aldi tomorrow and I'm never quite sure where the value for money or quality of their brands matches the bigger supermarkets so I tend to shy away from a lot of their products. Things such as coffee, tinned soups, breads, cereals, meats etc...? I guess the regular grocery items. Anyone have any experience they care to share? Thanks in advance

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AnnieO1234

We've swapped Heinz ketchup and baked beans for Aldi's with great pleasure. Their 3 ply kitchen roll at 4 for £1.99 leaves everything else in the dust. Aldi Magnum washing up liquid in aloe and cucumber is divine and I would pay £5 for it let alone 59p! Their nappies and wipes are excellent too.

Shampoos and conditioners that are dupes for other brands are excellent. Ditto their fabric detergents, not so much the softener though imho.

I dislike what's happened with fresh produce at my local stores so would stress that you watch out and double check the dates etc. even in date though is no guarantee.

Now onto Lidl. They're like what Aldi used to be. Aldi seem to have jumped from selling 5p basic beans, to equivalent of brand leader to now be doing organic rare made on Mars stuff that'll cost you some £££s.

Both Aldi and Lidl offer their own version of cravendale but only semi-skimmed. Lidl do some gorgeous big pots of yogurt, massive tins of fruit (I use both for breakfast with some blossom honey and seed mix - also from Lidl). They do some really nice and well priced craft beers. They have some nice red bull equivalents, but better tasting in lime or tropical or berry. Their flowers (especially roses) are amazing for quality and longevity and price.

Both sell dupes of warburtons but Aldi's is better imho. Lidl have a brilliant fresh bakery section which is without a doubt excellent for choice and price.

Aldi's dupes of cereal are much nicer than Lidls, but Lidl's jam isn't that great again in my opinion.

Lidl do a much nicer and wider selection of continental cheese and meat, but don't do an aged Parmesan like Aldi.

Aldi has a more usual layout, whereas Lidl is more of a free for all.

I'll get down off my soapbox xxx

Mr.Generous

yes, much of it is exactly the same as other stores. buy it, if you find you don't like it don't buy it again. The coffee is not as good as gold blend, but I'll drink it. I used to drink the machine stuff at work and its as good as that. The milk is from different cows though, they have special sickly cows that produce thin watery unpleasant milk specially for the discount supermarkets, and also super healthy luxuries cows that produce milk for M&S. And normal cows for Asda and Tesco.
Try the stuff!!!

peachyprice

Mr.Generous wrote: »

The coffee is not as good as gold blend,

Have you tried the Colombian? That's really good, but only comes in small jars. I buy their Nespresso pods, they're great for every day use.

We have a Lidl and an Aldi, I much prefer Lidl, but ours it is a particularly nice store.

Their fillet steak is excellent, we often have it, same price for 2 steaks as 1 in Sainsburys. Veg, just as good as Sains/Tesco, bakery have some great fresh bread and their sliced farmhouse is good and keeps well. Vintage cheddar is great, they also have some lovely cooked meats.

If you buy the odd ready meal their indian ones are made by the same company that make Sainsbury's (Noon foods). I haven't really tried any others.

Chocolate digestives and chocolate oaties (hobnobs) are really good. Staples like pasta, tom puree, pasata, herbs & spices, mayo, sauces etc., are just as good as the big supermaket own brands, as is their wine, beer and cider.

I haven't bought much in Aldi, I don't feel inspired when I go in there, they don't have an instore bakery and they have a poorer fresh food selection than Lidl.

Tiddlywinks

There's a long running thread on the Food Shopping board which discusses good and bad buys from Lidl and Aldi.

It's here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5394929



P.S. Why do people put *** in names of supermarkets? I've typed Lidl and Aldi twice in this thread and haven't got struck by lightning or anything.

peachyprice

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

P.S. Why do people put *** in names of supermarkets? I've typed Lidl and Aldi twice in this thread and haven't got struck by lightning or anything.

I always wonder that :rotfl::rotfl:

Tiddlywinks

peachyprice wrote: »

I always wonder that :rotfl::rotfl:

Go on - type it... I know you want to...

Upsidedown_Bear

Thread here you might find useful
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5394929

ETA
Tiddlywinks beat me to it :T

splishsplash

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

...
P.S. Why do people put *** in names of supermarkets? I've typed Lidl and Aldi twice in this thread and haven't got struck by lightning or anything.

Clearly a keyboard problem.

As luck would have it...:whistle:

peachyprice

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Go on - type it... I know you want to...

I typed Sainsbury's, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl in my post above, and I'm still here!! Do you think Waitrose is pushing my luck too far? :rotfl:

Emm-in-a-pickle

Do try the bratwurst (sausage) if you haven`t already.