Maine’s first Aldi store opened last week and yesterday, The HH and I stopped by to check it out. First impression: It was huge! I was surprised the store didn’t open until 9am though.
Do you have an Aldi? Does it open that late in your area too?
It was nice to see you still have to have a quarter handy if you want a cart. 😉
I haven’t been in an ALDI in the US for years, so it was fun to roam the aisles and check out the prices on everything.
We got there right when the doors opened {9am!} and we had hardly made it past the produce section before it started filling up. by the time we checked out, the place was packed.
The best deal of the day? Avocados for $0.65 each. I can’t even remember seeing prices that low. Ever. Also, the digital price tags. I’ve only seen them at one other store.
I was hoping to find crumpets, but the bread aisle was pretty picked over. At 9:02 am!! I guess the corporate office underestimated how much Mainers love bread. HA HA HA.
I didn’t think the bread prices were exceptional, so I have no idea why there was a run on bread.
8 ounces of cheese for $1.69. That was a pretty good deal.
Is Philadelphia cream cheese really $3 a block now? Holy cow!
Boneless skinless chicken breasts were $2.29 a pound.
And milk was $4.50 a gallon. {Maine has a minimum milk price that is adjusted about every 4-5 weeks.}
And eggs were $1.66 a dozen. About the going rate at Market Basket these days.
Ahh… The chili beans! These are my all time favorite chili beans. Perfectly seasoned and great over rice.
And at $0.85 a decent bargain if you ask me. I think when I first started buying these about 6 years ago they were $0.69 cents. So they’re still a pretty cheap source of protein.
And my all time favorite store bought beets. I bought 6 jars! I love these. As soon as we got home I cracked open a jar.
If you like sweet, pickled beets, you should try these. They’re perfect!
Aldi Shopping Trip $54.01
Another great find was the steel cut oats for $2.79 a canister.
And the dark chocolate chips. I haven’t tried them yet but someone mentioned them a few weeks ago so I decided to grab a bag and give them a try in my next batch of cookie dough.
I’m glad we got the chance to check out the new Maine Aldi store. It was fun to pick up a few of my favorite products.
Are you an Aldi shopper? What are a few of your favorite products? I’m always up for trying something new.
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
KS says
Their German Roast Coffee – both roast are very good , but I think the dark roast is better. Whenever we make it, friends and family always love it and ask what brand it is.
Nancy Settel says
Good to know. I am so picky about my coffee and we always wait to go to Walmart to find the one I want. Will give it a try next trip to Aldi.
Alice says
Yes, I’m an Aldi shopper. If you like prepackaged ready to warm up and eat you should try the Chicken coconut thai curry or the burnt ends meat. They have a good pot pie. Should be right when you enter the store close to the fruit and veggies. There is a big variety of ready to warm up and eat foods there. They have pork and one other kind of egg rolls in that section. They also have a really good sharp white cheddar cheese wrapped in something like a wax paper or parchment paper packaging that is a really good cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Jess says
All the Aldi stores near me (OH) either open at 830am or 9am. The Coconut Chia seed granola is a favorite around here! The thin frozen green beans are a favorite also. My kids do not like frozen green beans EXCEPT this brand. In fact ALDI is on my list of errands today! Time to stock up on baking items and frozen veg
Nancy Settel says
We found Aldi about 4 or 5 months ago. Now we shop Walmart about every 2 months and Aldi all the time. Wow Maine milk is high compared to Delaware. Eggs are the same price. Oh those pickled beets are just the best. We love the 6 different assorted crackers from there a knock off of I think Pepridge Farm oh so good. The Specially Gourmet Soup Tomato Parmesan Bisque is great and the Creamy Mushroom Herb Bisque is out of this world when they have it comes in a glass canning jar. Also the Corn Chowder with jalapeno (I haven’t tried the one with Hatch chilis as my granddaughter said it is hot) is outstanding. Hope you find much more likes there!
Rebecca says
I LOVE ALDI!! Shop there every week, and yes, they don’t open until 9am here, either.
Tip- keep your quarter in your cup holder and then you’ll always have one (since I really never have cash anymore!).
I like so many of their items but here are some favorites: the cranberry goat cheese, the “seeded crackers”, the organic blue tortilla chips (perfectly salty and hold up to guacamole nicely!), the Tiki Masala sauce and the Cranberry protein granola. They also have great Easter/Christmas candy!
Enjoy!!
linda Noss says
Aldi in FL doesn’t open until 9. Pretty late. I like the produce section, grapes 1.49 a lb. Spinach bags 1.79. love Aldi. Some times brand name things seem higher priced than regular stores. And yes Philadelphia cream cheese is about that price. But right now it’s on sale for Easter.
Rosemary says
I am probably the exception . . . not a fan of Aldi. (I think most people like Aldi) We have Aldi in my town – I have been to the store twice and both times I left without buying anything. I was not impressed with their limited selection and I didn’t think their prices were anything special. I guess I am just a team Costco and team Publix kind of gal! (Publix BOGO deals usually beat all other stores prices – at least on the things that I buy.)
Jean C says
I like the selection of cheese and salami Aldi offers for a charcuterie board. I am rarely happy with much of their produce – but their cauliflower is usually a good deal.
I am historically not a fan of Aldi because of their employment practices- it is a but of a sweat shop for their employees. I would rather pay more at a grocery where their employment practices are fair and where employees are valued. (I have known people who worked at Aldi so my observation is based on that).
Chris says
9am – 8pm in Illinois. I always keep a few bags of the mini chocolate chips on have for banana bread. The bulk Italian sausage is really good. Cheese selection is great, usually something new to try. Hubby drinks the cola since Coke is crazy expensive. We love Aldi.
Lynne says
9am open time in Northern MN. We like the Aldi branded chips…we don’t eat a lot of chips, but when their’s a hankering for “Doritos”, we really like the Aldi brand. Also like their condiments – ketchup, jalapenos, dijon, etc. And as a REALLY special treat, their brand of Fruit Loops is great, with no artificial colors. 🙂 LynneinMN
Dawn says
I shop at the Aldi in Plaistow, NH. They open at 9 too. I love Aldi, I just wish it was still my secret.
Their cheese section is my favorite and the produce is a great value. My family also likes their cheesy breadsticks (near the pizza) and spicy pickles. It’s a great place to stock up on canned goods too. We mostly go for beans and corn as I am not a fan of other canned vegetables. I also really like their salmon and it’s very reasonable. I’ve always grab chocolate chips when I’m there too and if you like a sweet treat to add to your pickety bits plates their salted caramel chocolates are my kryptonite. I have to force myself to walk past them as I could probably eat the whole container in a day.
Laura says
If you like that price for oats you should really try Costco. 10 pounds for 7.97
Mary G says
Aldi stores open here in western Connecticut at 9 a.m. also. I’ve been shopping at Aldi since they opened in our state–maybe 15 years ago? I like the seasonal produce, which is generally reasonably priced. I like the large tub of organic spring greens, avocados, and Greek yogurt, among other things. And my husband really likes the brick German coffee they sell, which he says is great for cold-brewed coffee. I still shop at regular grocery stores, especially for good sales and loss leaders, but I generally make a fairly large shopping trip to Aldi each month.
VestedInterest says
So grateful for Aldi prices! We have several locations, one opens earlier than 9 a.m. A favorite is “Specially Selected Premium Fig fruit spread” – seasonal. Spread it on a prepared pizza crust, top with fresh mozzarella, bake; during last 1 to 2 minutes baking top with sliced prosciutto; slice and serve.
Meg C says
9am in Ohio, too. I actually find their late open time to be incredibly annoying because I am most often near our Aldi between 7:30a-8:00a. That said, we do the majority of our grocery shopping at Aldi. I will have to try the chili beans over rice and need to get a bag or two of the dark chocolate chips!
Susan Williams says
I grew up in Central IL and my mom would shop at Aldi (which at the time was mostly canned goods and not very pretty produce) to help stretch the budget. I always hated going along because it was dusty & dirty and to my little kid mind, it was for poor people (we weren’t poor, but we were lower middle class and mom needed to stretch the food budget for a family of 6).
Then as an adult, I moved to Chicago, living on my own and a new Aldi opened up in the city. I decided to check it out. I made my shopping list and ended up being able to get about 75% of my list for about 25% of the cost. When I finished up in the store, I called my mom and when she answered, I didn’t even say ‘hi’, I just said “you’re so smart!” She started laughing and asked why and I told her. Aldi has continued to improve over the years and would now be somewhere I’d always shop first if they had any in the Seattle area. But, alas, they don’t, so when I visit family in the Midwest, I usually swing in and pick up a few things to take home with me.
I LOVE Aldi and look forward to when they continue to expand west!
Tiffany F says
Our Aldi opens at 9 also; I don’t like it.
I also keep a quarter in my van’s cupholder.
I go mainly for the produce. Those prices are definitely the best around.
We don’t have a Market Basket or a Publix, although Publix is clearing land 5 minutes from my house. I hope it’s got good deals. Otherwise, it is nothing but annoying. They are making a MESS of the traffic situation at the entrance of our neighborhood, so I’ve been pretty irritated about it. It won’t change once it’s open.
Anyhow….
I also must keep Aldi’s mini chocolate chips for banana bread and mint chocolate chip ice cream, and Rocky Road! However I do not care for their regular chocolate chips; they don’t taste the same. I think with the mini size mixed into something else, we don’t notice the taste difference.
Barb H says
Two new Aldi’s just opened up near us in coastal MS. We just moved here in the fall and I found there were limited options for groceries so I was ecstatic when they opened. The new stores seem to be significantly larger. I’ve been shopping at ALDI for close to 25 years and I don’t know what I’d do without them!
Lynn ftom NC Outer Banks says
There isn’t an Aldi anywhere near me. But when I travel to visit my mother or son, we always stop to pick up items there, usually once a month. My DH loves their mixed nuts (no peanuts). I buy their ready made pizza dough balls. I also make my own but love theirs for taste and convenience. Others have mentioned the assorted crackers which we also love, along with the salmon. The produce I have purchased there has always been good, with excellent prices. We like the white cheddar cranberry cheese ball too and buy several as it is often seasonal. They open at 8 am at the stores I frequent in NC.
Since I don’t have Aldi “at the ready”, I continue to do the majority of my shopping at Publix (great bogo deals) Food Lion and Harris Teeter. But I really like my visits to Aldi!
Cindy says
I have never been to an Aldi’s. Is it a discount store? I live on the West Coast. And did I see and read correctly, you have to pay 25 cent to use a shopping cart? That is crazy.
Mavis Butterfield says
Actually I think it’s pretty clever. You get the quarter back when you return the cart.
If all stores did this they’d save money by not having to pay someone to collect carts.
Mary says
Not so crazy!! No shopping carts in the parking lot
Kirsty says
Ours is a $2 coin, means there are no abandoned trollies. When you return your trolley you get the coin back
Aldi is a German owned discounted food market, carries less items than a normal supermarket, however the checkout system is not for the faint hearted
And the checkout operators get a seat in ours
My Husband likes their beer
Take your own bags
Rita says
Aldi’s Moser Roth 85% Dark Chocolate is fantastic! Only 3 grams of sugar per generous serving. They also have a good variety of charcuterie board (or pickety bits) items that are very reasonably priced.
Laure says
IL – hours as someone else mentioned. Similar to Costco hours.
Favorites include bread, haha. Ours are super well-priced, or maybe our other grocery stores are just ridiculous. Way cheaper than even Costco. We actually prefer their similar-to-DKB for $4/loaf over actual DKB which is $7.50-$8/loaf, and their sourdough (they have 2 kinds – it’s the crustier loaf that’s good), and the rustic Tuscan.
Also a huge fan of their organic berries and other organic produce that costs less than non-organic at other stores. (We avoid their bananas, though).
My husband prefers their full-fat Greek yogurt ($3.79) to Fage, which now runs $7.49 at stores around here.
All of their specialty cheeses, including blocks of parmesan, cost 1/2 or less than other stores for the same quality product.
Lastly most of their chocolate is higher quality (higher cocoa content) than regular stores carry as its European.
Sarah says
I love shopping Aldi-if you have not tried the peanut butter cups, you are missing out. So much better than Reeses. Also the Winking owl wine is amazing!!! Ours in town opens at 8:30 but the others around open at 9.
Mary says
Love Aldi’s…good prices & really nice produce
SueD says
Mid-Michigan, and I have a choice of 4 ALDIs to shop, depending on where else I need to shop. 9-8, except for the closest one, which is 8.30-8. I think it’s because it is in the same complex as WM Supercenter and Sam’s Club. We love their cheeses in that parchment like paper or the truckles. If you like Philadelphia’s taste, but not the price, try the ALDI brand Happy Farms. Also love their red cabbage and their sauerkraut.
Pamela Sheppard says
I’ve been an Aldi shopper since early 2019. Around here they open at 9 too. During peak covid the hours were adjusted to 830 open and that earlier half hour was great! Another one is being built about 15 minutes away. I’ve heard rumors it’s going to open in April and I cant wait to visit. I don’t have a singular favorite product. I just go and get what I can then go to my favorite regional store on the way home for the rest. Its not bad because the entire trip is only 6 miles.
Lisa says
Oregonian here. No Aldi’s in the entire state of Oregon. However, we do have WinCo which is an employee owned grocery store with unbeatable prices. We shop mainly at WinCo and Costco, and occasionally Trader Joe’s.
Tracie H says
Here in Virginia our Aldi’s open at 9:00am. We love the winking owl wine, I cook with it all the time and you cannot beat the price. Also love the honey goat cheese. Yum! The other cheeses are excellent as well. Love the seeded crackers and the Happy Farms cream cheese. We also love the trail mixes and the chocolates they have. Some of their prices are creeping up, but I think that’s just in reaction to the market right now.
ChrisB says
Love the honey goat cheese!!
Karen says
Love Aldi but need to open much earlier!
Some favorites are…..pickled beets, tomato pesto , mixed nuts, asparagus ( one from Miami) cheap and so tender and good, cheeses, Moser 70% cocoa dark chocolate, Mama Cosi (?) pizzas are great ( back by the cheeses, (not frozen), marzipan chocolate candies during holidays, produce is usually cheaper and fresher than others, beans as you mentioned, their brand cream cheese and just fun pop up items during holidays so check out the seasonal isle
Bonnie in GA says
That’s great that you have an Aldi! I like it as an option. If you get there early enough, you might can get some good looking produce. Lol. Ours opens up at 9 in the Rome or Cartersville GA area. Their brand cream cheese is $1.39 and is as good as Philadelphia brand. There are several other items I like as well. My list is too long. Lol. I like their aisle of shame I have heard it called. They have some neat housewares, clothing, etc. I got a cute pair of sneakers for $14.99. Lol.
Zadu says
Outside of the fact that we don’t have one anywhere near us, I’m not a big fan of US Aldi. While this is based on what I read on the Internet (so it must be true!), I have concerns about Aldi having far too many GMO products on their shelves, and I try to avoid GMO products as I have been led to believe that prolonged consumption of GMO products are not good for your health.
I welcome anyone who might want to correct me on this but I don’t – and won’t – want to trample on Miss Mavis’ white shag carpet of a blog with my muddy boots by arguing with anybody about it. But I do welcome polite discussion and opposing views (I’ve was wrong once or twice before. And that was just today…). I still have lots to learn.
I shopped quite a bit at Aldi when I lived in Europe and still do when I visit family there. Different GMO rules in Europe so I won’t hesitate to shop at Aldi in Europe.
Mavis Butterfield says
I love shopping Aldi in England. The produce is always fantastic and I like the different products. The Aldi stores there are always packed with shoppers.
Wendy Steele says
9am opening here in PA.
Andrea says
I can think of three products that weren’t already mentioned. Their roasted red pepper hummus is delish, as are the gherkins. The organic multi-grain tortilla chips are the best you’ll ever eat! People go crazy over them when I take a dish somewhere.
Cathy says
On of my favorite things at Aldi is the tub of shredded rotisserie chicken in the deli section – usually around $7 or $8. Could I cook chicken and shred it myself? Of course, but if I have the chicken, I will make a quick soup, or casserole, or salad and not get take out. Completely worth it.
(I also keep a few tubs in the freezer!)
Rebecca Briscoe says
I shop Aldi every other week. Milk is 2.59 a gallon in northern IL. My favorite is the tomato basil wheat thin crackers, addicting!
Lisa from Maryland says
Aldi’s low prices are nice, but what I REALLY love about shopping there is how quickly I can get my stuff and get out.
The stores are small so I don’t have to hike from one end to the other. The aisles are wide and uncluttered with marketing displays. There are fewer items – who needs 45 salad dressing options? There are few employees in my way stocking items. (When the eggs need to be restocked, someone rolls the nearly-empty “shelf” and replaces it with a new pre-loaded one—from the back, without getting in the customers’ way.) The employees scan and the shoppers bag their own stuff, which is my preference.
Aldi saves me money, time, and aggravation. I do almost all of my food shopping there.
Jenny Young says
Aldi is my favorite store…around 80% of our food comes from there.
Avocados have been .49 at my Aldi.
My favorite things…their regular sliced bacon & maple flavored sausage links, giant blueberries, apples, all my cheese….I cannot buy cheese anywhere else…I love their decaf black tea. I had to go all decaf a few yrs ago & I’ve tried a lot of brands. The Aldi brand is the best. We also love the Frost drinks. And their 12 grain bread is so good & much less than the other stores in my area…bread is much cheaper than anywhere else in my town.
I buy honey, frozen veggies, fries, hashbrowns, sour cream, butter, Greek yogurt (if I don’t make it at home)…
My Aldi opens at 9, I think all of them do; one of the few things I dislike about them. I sometimes have grocery delivery from Walmart when I can’t get to town & I spent at least 1/3 more for the same things.