Simply Recipes / Wanda Abraham
Like a lot of Americans, I dont live near a Trader Joes.
The closest is over two hours away.
Ive learned to shop there to its fullest advantages.
Simply Recipes / Wanda Abraham
Thankfully, theyre not.
I gave up Trader Joes inspired seasoning blends and gained a host of new ALDI-specific go-tos.
While useful, it can also be misleading because ALDI is not simply a bare-bones Trader Joes.
Here’s where the glory of ALDI emerges:
1.
ALDI does not bag your groceries, but it passes the savings on to you.
Regular ALDI shoppers know that you have to pay a minimal up-charge for bags at ALDI.
While ALDI isnt no-frills, its not frilly.
You wont enjoy free samples or stickers for your kids at ALDI.
However, ALDI is clean, brightly yet not harshly lit, and easy to navigate.
ALDI has a big selection of cleaning products and disposable food storage.
ALDI has weekly ALDI Finds.
ALDI sells household goods.
ALDI boasts several aisles of ever-changing home decor, apparel, cookware and dishware, and toys.
These are a big draw for curious customers, and scanning them for random delights is a shopping highlight.
Parking lots at ALDI are low stress.
Thus, the parking lots are not cramped, every-car-for-itself nightmares.
How Are ALDI and Trader Joes Alike?
(ALDI sometimes carries national brands, but not regularly.
Probably ninety percent of its offerings are house brands.)
Both carry plenty ofaffordable, slightly above-average specialty cheeses.
Both often have friendly staff.
I like nice people.
Everyone at Trader Joes is always so nice!
The clerks and manager at my ALDI all say its good to see me again when I come in.
It brightens my day.
And, alas, in my opinion, both have terrible beer.
When I shopped at Trader Joes, I largely saw mirrors of myself: upper-middle-class shoppers with eclectic tastes.
Its my comfort zone, and theres something to be said for that.
At my local ALDI, I see all types of people, which I appreciate.
All while furnishing the occasional unexpected frivolous items that fill the hankering for a tiny splurge.
But even if I had one nearby, I dont imagine myself dropping by.
Im an ALDI girl now.
