# Aldi: tell me what to try there **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 30, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261 "2020-10-30T03:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/41 "2020-12-04T02:09:06Z")
They do carry alcohol, though apparently not to this woman’s liking. [Woman destroys $130,000 of alcohol at Aldi.](https://old.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/k61rwl/woman_destroys_130000_in_alcohol_at_a_aldi_in/) ---
**Author:** ![PackerMan2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/packerman2/32/2894_2.png) [@PackerMan2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PackerMan2)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/42 "2020-12-04T19:19:02Z")
That’s alcohol abuse. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/43 "2020-12-04T23:11:36Z")
Their Irish Cream is decent. Most of their wine is just ok. I’m still jealous that Europeans supposedly can get really good Scotch there. Nothing that hard is sold in the US Aldi stores. > **[Aldi's $17 Whisky Was Just Named the Best in the World](https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a21343868/aldi-whisky-best-in-world/)** > > We'll drink to that. OP, look over any produce you buy carefully and use it in a day or two. We like the bacon wrapped filets and marinated turkey tenderloin. The quart of egg substitute has missed (clumps) twice, so we stay away from that. Cheese are generally good., as are meats. Crackers, chips, cookies—generally good. A few of the bread and tortilla items were bland and the faux Hawaiian rolls were fine tasting but irregularly shaped, which was a problem if you’re making party sandwiches. Frozen stuff is good, comparable to what you’d buy elsewhere. Long story short, save your receipt because they’re very good about accepting returns. > **[Return Policy: Twice As Nice Guarantee | ALDI US](https://www.aldi.us/en/about-aldi/return-policy/)** > > If you're not satisfied with the quality of any ALDI product, we will replace it and refund your money. Learn more about our Twice as Nice Guarantee. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/44 "2020-12-05T12:05:17Z")
what spice selection? I shop there weekly, but not for their limited spice selection ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/45 "2020-12-05T23:32:01Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Their Irish Cream is decent. Most of their wine is just ok. Having just tried a Winking Owl I have to agree with this - I mean, for the price it’s not bad, but frankly I think it would serve better as a wine to cook with than to drink. By which I mean, it’s drinkable, but I can get a better wine for under $10 a bottle. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/46 "2020-12-05T23:56:26Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Having just tried a Winking Owl I have to agree with this - I mean, for the price it’s not bad, but frankly I think it would serve better as a wine to cook with than to drink. By which I mean, it’s drinkable, but I can get a better wine for under $10 a bottle. If you go into Facebook you can find Aldi Nerds groups. A lot of them like the wines and more power to them. Some go for fruity stuff, but I think they’re not available all year. > **[Aldi's Fruit Wines Cost Less Than $5 a Bottle, and I Need That Sweet...](https://www.popsugar.com/food/aldi-pacific-fruit-vineyards-wine-47440647)** > > They're flying off the shelves at Aldi. I think a Bota Box goes for about $16 for 3 liters, making it $4 per standard 750ml bottle and I like Bota more. Trader Joe’s also has some better wines that are not too expensive. Another suggestion, OP: the panino tray. The “Specially Selected” is on their more upscale items. > **[Instacart](https://www.instacart.com/)** > > One hour grocery delivery from Instacart > **[Specially Selected - Gourmet Groceries | ALDI US](https://www.aldi.us/products/specially-selected/)** > > Specially Selected gourmet groceries are developed with exceptional taste at an excellent value. Shop affordable gourmet foods and desserts at your local ALDI. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/47 "2020-12-05T23:58:52Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > I think a Bota Box goes for about $16 for 3 liters, making it $4 per standard 750ml bottle and I like Bota more. Trader Joe’s also has some better wines that are not too expensive. Jeez, there’s no way I could drink 3 liters of wine before it goes off. The only reason I can get through a bottle these days is because I have a friend that comes over every so often for dinner and we split about 2/3 of a small bottle between us, then I have one or two glasses left I get to in another day or so. I like adult beverages but I’m nowhere a heavy, or even a daily, drinker. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/48 "2020-12-06T00:12:32Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Jeez, there’s no way I could drink 3 liters of wine before it goes off. The only reason I can get through a bottle these days is because I have a friend that comes over every so often for dinner and we split about 2/3 of a small bottle between us, then I have one or two glasses left I get to in another day or so. > > I like adult beverages but I’m nowhere a heavy, or even a daily, drinker. Since it’s in a bag, the air doesn’t get to it like an open bottle. This article says it’s good for about six to eight weeks. > **[Does Boxed Wine Go Bad?](https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/we-have-the-answer-to-the-question-of-does-boxed-wine-go-bad)** > > Check that date before you slap that bag. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/49 "2020-12-06T00:51:08Z")
I like Bota Box better, but you don’t have to buy a giant 3-liter box if you don’t want to. They have boxes as small as half a liter. We have been drinking box wine more than anything because I generally don’t want more than a glass, and **Tom Scud** doesn’t want to be stuck drinking 3/4 of a bottle every time we open one. The boxes keep the wine fresh for more than a month, so it works pretty well for us. We tried the Winking Owl red blend, and it wasn’t disgusting, but I am willing to spend a little bit more for the Bota Box, which is still pretty damn cheap. We ended up making glogg with the rest of the Winking Owl, and it was perfectly fine for that purpose… ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/50 "2020-12-06T00:56:29Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Since it’s in a bag, the air doesn’t get to it like an open bottle. This article says it’s good for about six to eight weeks. Uh, yeah… I _maybe_ drink a liter a month. Again, no way I’d get through it before it goes bad. As I said, I like adult beverages but I’m a very occasional drinker. Clearly, I’d need to go for the smaller Bota. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/51 "2020-12-12T17:30:57Z")
I made a box of the Fremont crunchy fish fillets. Very good, recommend! I put a couple on a burger bun (also Aldi, 85¢ for eight) with mayo and dill pickle relish. It would have been better with a [vinegary Louisiana style hot sauce](https://www.aldi.us/en/products/pantry-essentials/spreads-condiments-dressing/detail/ps/p/burmans-hot-sauce/) but I’m fresh out. Prep is dead simple in the oven and I reheated leftovers in a dry skillet the next day, still good. Link: [Fremont fish sticks or fillets](https://www.aldi.us/en/products/frozen-foods/frozen-meat-poultry-seafood/detail/ps/p/fish-market-fish-sticks-or-crunchy-fish-fillets/) (Link is actually for two different things, I had the triangular fillets, not the sticks) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2020, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/52 "2020-12-12T18:42:11Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > “Red bag” chicken-- tastes like Chick-fil-A My children want to thank you personally. We have now had “red bag chicken”, which is also what we are calling it, twice and they love it. I make sandwiches out of it and my kids sometimes just eat the chicken on its own. They are great and here, it’s $5.99 a bag, which feeds my family its main course. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/53 "2021-01-08T03:24:00Z")
None of their beers. Lots of good dark chocolate options. I used to like the pumpernickel pretzels but I think they’re discontinued. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/54 "2021-01-08T13:44:29Z")
I’ve found that my local Aldi’s is too crowded for my comfort on weekends, but OK Thursday morning, around an hour after opening. That seems to be the day and time when senior citizens shop, and they are very good about face masks and social distancing. You may want to ask the clerks if your store has similar ‘quiet’ times. I just looked at my shopping list for the next expedition. Mostly staples, but I’d like to bring your attention to: Frozen vegetable stir fry in a bag, with sauce, with or without noodles. Add whatever meat or meatless protein you want. (But sometimes the bags include broccoli stems that have hard rinds – look for bags with florets.) Packaged pork tenderloins. Add potatoes, carrots, and celery for a one-pot oven meal. Their 1.5 L nonpremium ice creams are basic comfort food. One day I’ll try a spoonful of their vanilla ice cream in my coffee, and oatmeal. Someone upthread mentioned cans of mixed vegetables. Aldi’s brand is OK, but I prefer the Walmart brand - the one that doesn’t have diced potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/55 "2021-01-08T14:26:17Z")
I may have said their chips are great when I responded way earlier, I am now taking that back. Twice, once last week and once a few months ago, the “chips” were about the size of a nickel. It looked like the bag had been crushed. The incidents were too far apart in time for it to be just a bad batch. So I won’t be buying their potato chips anymore. It was very disappointing. I’ll stick with Walmart’s Great Value chips. They’re even better than Lays. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/56 "2021-01-10T01:50:52Z")
I know they have an [imitation Hostess Cupcake that are identical](https://www.aldi.us/en/products/bakery-bread/bakery-desserts/detail/ps/p/bakers-treat-chocolate-cupcakes/), but do they have a Twinkie? ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/57 "2021-01-10T17:15:12Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > I’ve found that my local Aldi’s is too crowded for my comfort on weekends, but OK Thursday morning, around an hour after opening. That seems to be the day and time when senior citizens shop, and they are very good about face masks and social distancing. You may want to ask the clerks if your store has similar ‘quiet’ times. The local one has designated Tuesday and Thursday mornings for “vulnerable shoppers.” Clicking around on their store locator function seems to show it widespread. ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Incognito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guy_incognito/32/3920_2.png) [@Guy\_Incognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Incognito)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/58 "2021-01-12T18:01:45Z")
Aldi’s whole milk yogurt is fantastic. I bought a couple cups of it on a whim late last year and immediately became hooked. My wife loves it, and our birds go crazy for it when we share with them. FYI - I just bought the beer -battered cod and the frozen fried chicken breasts just last week and I’m going to try them for the first time this week. Hope they live up to the hype! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/59 "2021-01-12T18:28:20Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I know they have an [imitation Hostess Cupcake that are identical](https://www.aldi.us/en/products/bakery-bread/bakery-desserts/detail/ps/p/bakers-treat-chocolate-cupcakes/), but do they have a Twinkie? I think they used to, a long time ago, but apparently not any more. Remembering your question, I specifically looked when I was in Aldi yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261/60 "2021-01-12T20:32:29Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Remembering your question, I specifically looked when I was in Aldi yesterday. Thanks and too bad about that. Their hostess-knockoff brand is top notch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aldi-tell-me-what-to-try-there/924261.md?page=4)