ALDI & LIDL Food and Drink Worth Trying?
Discussion
I worked for Lidl around 14 years ago. Have shopped with them since.
There isn't an Aldi locally. So I shop Lidl, Albeit not for everything I admit. But cooked meats and ham, sausages etc (look at the actual Pork content on the label in comparison to the Tesco version - typically Lidl will be 98%, Tesco is often 65%. This applies to frozen products too, Pies, Burgers etc). Lidl Fruit and Veg is graded higher than that of Tesco too, so much better quality for almost half the price.
Great for continental foods too. We have themed food for all the F1 races, Lidl is perfect for Snails in Garlic Sauce, Mussels, Game (as MC mentions). Beef Wellington is lovely at £8. Moose Steak, Partridge, Quail, Rabbit, Pheasant, Vennison, Duck, it's all there.
Fruit juices are a bargain. I drink Cranberry juice at 69p a carton, as opposed to Ocean Spray at twice the price.
There's always decent cars parked in the car park too. Often top of the range stuff, I've parked next to Lotus', Porsches, TVRs, etc.
There isn't an Aldi locally. So I shop Lidl, Albeit not for everything I admit. But cooked meats and ham, sausages etc (look at the actual Pork content on the label in comparison to the Tesco version - typically Lidl will be 98%, Tesco is often 65%. This applies to frozen products too, Pies, Burgers etc). Lidl Fruit and Veg is graded higher than that of Tesco too, so much better quality for almost half the price.
Great for continental foods too. We have themed food for all the F1 races, Lidl is perfect for Snails in Garlic Sauce, Mussels, Game (as MC mentions). Beef Wellington is lovely at £8. Moose Steak, Partridge, Quail, Rabbit, Pheasant, Vennison, Duck, it's all there.
Fruit juices are a bargain. I drink Cranberry juice at 69p a carton, as opposed to Ocean Spray at twice the price.
There's always decent cars parked in the car park too. Often top of the range stuff, I've parked next to Lotus', Porsches, TVRs, etc.
I don't mind a queue, at least the girls are super fast and no loyalty card nonsense.
Went to Tesco last night, it was heaving. Waited about 10 minutes in a queue before the fat munter serving announced she was close the checkout. By this time the other queues were even longer so I left the trolley and went home.
The only downside is I now need to ration the Leffe over the weekend.
Went to Tesco last night, it was heaving. Waited about 10 minutes in a queue before the fat munter serving announced she was close the checkout. By this time the other queues were even longer so I left the trolley and went home.
The only downside is I now need to ration the Leffe over the weekend.
You may have to queue, but the skeleton multi tasking staff, no fancy lighting or shelves and produce displayed in boxes, paying for bags etc all helps keep costs down, but, you should be dealt with quickly and efficiently. Often one handed scanning, the cashiers should keep their productivity high. It's not liked if you pack at the till, you should put all your goods back in your trolley and use the packing benches provided at the back of the store so the next customer can be served.
It works, as long as people don't start packing their bags in an OCD manner while still at the till point.
It works, as long as people don't start packing their bags in an OCD manner while still at the till point.
Gretchen said:
There isn't an Aldi locally. So I shop Lidl, Albeit not for everything I admit. But cooked meats and ham, sausages etc (look at the actual Pork content on the label in comparison to the Tesco version - typically Lidl will be 98%, Tesco is often 65%. This applies to frozen products too, Pies, Burgers etc). Lidl Fruit and Veg is graded higher than that of Tesco too, so much better quality for almost half the price.
To be honest I might not have tried it until recently (the ignorant idea that cheaper = worse as I think many people had before the recession) but i'll be using them as the first port of call from now on based on this trip.
TESCO beware - the recession means it's perfectly acceptable for anyone to be seen at the likes of ALDI and we they won't be coming back!
Just eaten a minipack of Mosler Roth mousse au chocolat with the 85% cocoa & orange. Absolutely delicious, I struggle to pace myself to one per night.
Missus TR7V8 thinks the brekkie cereals are great especially the one one with the strawberry pieces in.
Very good tool selection as well. I suspect 40-50% of our trolley spend is tools/diy etc.
Missus TR7V8 thinks the brekkie cereals are great especially the one one with the strawberry pieces in.
Very good tool selection as well. I suspect 40-50% of our trolley spend is tools/diy etc.
0a said:
Gretchen said:
There isn't an Aldi locally. So I shop Lidl, Albeit not for everything I admit. But cooked meats and ham, sausages etc (look at the actual Pork content on the label in comparison to the Tesco version - typically Lidl will be 98%, Tesco is often 65%. This applies to frozen products too, Pies, Burgers etc). Lidl Fruit and Veg is graded higher than that of Tesco too, so much better quality for almost half the price.
To be honest I might not have tried it until recently (the ignorant idea that cheaper = worse as I think many people had before the recession) but i'll be using them as the first port of call from now on based on this trip.
TESCO beware - the recession means it's perfectly acceptable for anyone to be seen at the likes of ALDI and we they won't be coming back!
Tesco are in trouble at the moment. They didn't have a good Christmas. They're offering 'Time for you' at the moment (hence you'll notice a lack of staff, mostly the youngsters). This is unpaid leave. And many have opted for it. They're cutting outgoings, and I think they're in trouble.
I think the cat's now well and truly out of the bag that Tesco isn't particularly cheap, and neither is it particularly good quality. It's just everywhere.
Five or so years ago, Tesco clothing and homewares were good value, but other supermarkets have substantially upped their game, and offer better for less.
Increasing unemployment also provides time and motivation to shop around for the best value: no need to default to Tesco just because it's the most convenient.
Five or so years ago, Tesco clothing and homewares were good value, but other supermarkets have substantially upped their game, and offer better for less.
Increasing unemployment also provides time and motivation to shop around for the best value: no need to default to Tesco just because it's the most convenient.
The first time I went to an Aldi, I felt so out of depth it was uncomfortable. It is essentially a 'foreign market' but indoors and in the UK.
Most of their stuff is what I'd consider 'counterfeit'. Fake mars bars, fake coco-pops, fake soaps etc...All they need is some 2-stripe Addydass jogging bottoms and it is complete.
Oh and lets not forget when you finally get to the check out, you have to have your food rudely thrown BACK INTO YOUR TROLLY after you've paid for it and then go and 'bag up' at the 'bagging stations' and as soon as you leave the till-servant is off again to stack up the next tray of counterfeit goods...
I'm only going by my local towns offerings. The 99p shop here is brilliant, bird seed the size of your face for 99p, their pint ribena cartons for 99p, moisturisers for 99p that cost over £3 in Tesco's etc...and nothing you're buying is fake!
From what I've heard, Lidl is better than Aldi. On a positive, if you want a bucket load of cheap 'acceptable' food then Aldi is fairly good. But so is the pound shop...!
Most of their stuff is what I'd consider 'counterfeit'. Fake mars bars, fake coco-pops, fake soaps etc...All they need is some 2-stripe Addydass jogging bottoms and it is complete.
Oh and lets not forget when you finally get to the check out, you have to have your food rudely thrown BACK INTO YOUR TROLLY after you've paid for it and then go and 'bag up' at the 'bagging stations' and as soon as you leave the till-servant is off again to stack up the next tray of counterfeit goods...
I'm only going by my local towns offerings. The 99p shop here is brilliant, bird seed the size of your face for 99p, their pint ribena cartons for 99p, moisturisers for 99p that cost over £3 in Tesco's etc...and nothing you're buying is fake!
From what I've heard, Lidl is better than Aldi. On a positive, if you want a bucket load of cheap 'acceptable' food then Aldi is fairly good. But so is the pound shop...!
SpeedMattersNot said:
The first time I went to an Aldi, I felt so out of depth it was uncomfortable. It is essentially a 'foreign market' but indoors and in the UK.
Most of their stuff is what I'd consider 'counterfeit'. Fake mars bars, fake coco-pops, fake soaps etc...All they need is some 2-stripe Addydass jogging bottoms and it is complete.
Oh and lets not forget when you finally get to the check out, you have to have your food rudely thrown BACK INTO YOUR TROLLY after you've paid for it and then go and 'bag up' at the 'bagging stations' and as soon as you leave the till-servant is off again to stack up the next tray of counterfeit goods...
I'm only going by my local towns offerings. The 99p shop here is brilliant, bird seed the size of your face for 99p, their pint ribena cartons for 99p, moisturisers for 99p that cost over £3 in Tesco's etc...and nothing you're buying is fake!
From what I've heard, Lidl is better than Aldi. On a positive, if you want a bucket load of cheap 'acceptable' food then Aldi is fairly good. But so is the pound shop...!
Counterfeit....mmmmmmmmm.Most of their stuff is what I'd consider 'counterfeit'. Fake mars bars, fake coco-pops, fake soaps etc...All they need is some 2-stripe Addydass jogging bottoms and it is complete.
Oh and lets not forget when you finally get to the check out, you have to have your food rudely thrown BACK INTO YOUR TROLLY after you've paid for it and then go and 'bag up' at the 'bagging stations' and as soon as you leave the till-servant is off again to stack up the next tray of counterfeit goods...
I'm only going by my local towns offerings. The 99p shop here is brilliant, bird seed the size of your face for 99p, their pint ribena cartons for 99p, moisturisers for 99p that cost over £3 in Tesco's etc...and nothing you're buying is fake!
From what I've heard, Lidl is better than Aldi. On a positive, if you want a bucket load of cheap 'acceptable' food then Aldi is fairly good. But so is the pound shop...!
Mobile Chicane said:
Agreed.
Anyone who doubts this should visit Asda in Burgh Heath. Half of the customers appear to be accompanied by some sort of 'minder'.
ASDA in Bedminster in Bristol is one of the worst places I've ever been, anywhere, for any reason. I have a lot of time for both Lidl and Aldi.Anyone who doubts this should visit Asda in Burgh Heath. Half of the customers appear to be accompanied by some sort of 'minder'.
Tend to prefer Lidl, better choice, possibly slightly cheaper and more treats I prefer. But there's not much in it and I think both have some great deals and some really quality products you won't beat in ohter supermarkets without paying a fortune.
Lidl salami and chorizo are both far cheaper and (imo) nicer than any equivalent from Tesco etcVeg is always pretty good, especially when they have big veg sales on. Aldi baileys (Ballycastle) is half the price of real baileys and hardly anyone will be able tell the difference, some will prefer it (we tested this at Xmas alongside Tesco finest cream liquer).
Cereals, as mentioned above, tend to be good. We eat a lot of Morning harvest cereal. Pizzas from Lidl are horrible. Lidl 12yo Ben Bracken whisky is ace, very cheap, decent flavour and you don't feel quilty having massive glasses of it as it's such a bargain.
Both shops need a bit of care to sort the excellent stuff from the rubbish but I always leave both thinking I've got some interesting stuff (and a lot of it) for far less than I would have spent elsewhere
Reginaldo said:
Next time you go there try their treacle cured bacon. You can thank me later.
Sweet Jesus. I've never tried it (or even heard about it) but just the thought made me salivate.Gretchen said:
I worked for Lidl around 14 years ago. Have shopped with them since.
Was this in the UK? Didn't realise they had been around that long.ETA:
Wikipedia said:
Since establishing in the UK in 1994, Lidl has grown consistently and today has more than 580 stores throughout the UK
Had no idea they had been in the UK that long.Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 5th February 21:53
Great tings from Aldi:
Prosciutto Cotto
Frikadellen
Moser Roth chocolate
French "Torchon" ham
Nasi Goreng
Four-Bird Roast
1599 Cromwell Gin
Cheese selection
Alpenmark Ghoulash Soup
"New York Chicken" ready meal (!)
The occasional Alsatian Gewurtztraminer
Not to mention the overall shopping experience, which usually is a joy.
Prosciutto Cotto
Frikadellen
Moser Roth chocolate
French "Torchon" ham
Nasi Goreng
Four-Bird Roast
1599 Cromwell Gin
Cheese selection
Alpenmark Ghoulash Soup
"New York Chicken" ready meal (!)
The occasional Alsatian Gewurtztraminer
Not to mention the overall shopping experience, which usually is a joy.
thing i find with both aldi and lidl is the fact i cant get half the things we need from there so need to go to tesco anyway
i refuse to go to asda as everyone does have special needs or is an oap on a jolly shopping trip.
im getting annoyed with tesco selling rotten mouldy fruit though really gets on my tits !
i refuse to go to asda as everyone does have special needs or is an oap on a jolly shopping trip.
im getting annoyed with tesco selling rotten mouldy fruit though really gets on my tits !
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