Hot Take: Aldi

Unpopular Opinion: I'm here to tell you why Aldi is my favorite grocery store.

Photo curtesy of corporate.aldi.us

If you've read any of my other posts you've probably figured out that I buy groceries at Aldi A LOT. I don't know about anyone else, but I prefer to save time and money (which is the main objective of this blog).

To start off, I am a bit biased. I started frequenting Aldi with my mom at a very young age. A lot of her friends looked down on Aldi for a variety of reasons, whether it be because the store doesn't have a wide selection or the fact that people living on a lower income often shop there. However, my mom (originally from Baltimore, MD) left Columbus to live with my dad on a farm in Northwest Ohio, so she obviously does not care about what other people think. She taught me everything I know.

“My research shows that Aldi is hands down the cheapest place to buy groceries near campus—check the price guide.”

Don't get me wrong, this store has a few shortcomings. There are certain foods that you simply can't find at Aldi and foods that you might prefer the taste of the name brand (for example, I only like Jif peanut butter, which I purchase at Kroger). However, Aldi is so great for stocking up on basic essentials such as canned food, meat, seafood, pasta, grains and produce. The store also features seasonal items that you might not find at other grocery stores.

Aldi stores are smaller than the average grocery store, with only four or five aisles, making them easy to navigate quickly. Did I mention the the cashiers are FAST? The company is also very conscious of sustainability and the environment. Aldi does not provide plastic bags. Customers can either bring your own reusable bags (I just keep mine in my car) or purchase reusable bags at the store. Aldi also partners with local farmers and features a wide selection of organic products (if you're into that—new hot take coming soon).

Although Aldi is a large corporate chain, the small stores are welcoming and the employees truly care about the customers. I was there a few weeks ago and a cashier told me the tomatoes I was about to purchase were too ripe and ran to get me new ones. At Aldi, I feel taken care of and I know I'm always getting the best deal.

These are just a few reasons why I love Aldi and will be a loyal customer until the day I die. Click here to learn more about Aldi and their company history.