#aldi

#aldi

you'll hear a recorded message explaining that the company doesn't do customer service calls and that you have to go to its website to submit your request through a written form. Why make getting help so difficult? Because Aldi doesn't want to hire extra employees solely for customer service calls. The chain uses many frugal practices so it can afford

Aldi is one of my all-time favorite grocery stores, thanks to its relatively small footprint compared to other grocery stores, its fantastic house-brand products, and its competitive prices. So many of Aldi's reliable pantry staples are worth checking out, whether you're shopping there on a weekly basis for your essentials or you're looking for items to buy during your first trip to Aldi. But that doesn't mean that every single product in its stores is necessarily worth buying.

On the aforementioned Reddit post, some Aldi employees say that curbside pickup should have just been used during pandemic times, citing that the program, due to its current inefficiencies, costs the stores money. How does a program as seemingly simple as driving up to the store to pick up your groceries become so complicated? It likely has ties to widespread understaffing in retail, less-than-ideal systems surrounding the process, as well as customer misunderstandings.

Olive oil is one of the best oils for your diet. It is rich in amino acids, healthy fats, and antioxidants, and may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. It is a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, along with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy grains. And, even though America's food pyramid has been recently flipped upside down to focus on full-fat dairy and animal proteins, following the Mediterranean Diet is internationally recognized as one of the best for your health.

To prepare, I spent a lot of time meal planning, before combing through Aldi's website to compile my shopping list and get a price ballpark for everything. I made swaps to keep costs down - IE buying uncooked beans, or white bread instead of whole wheat - and was able to stay under budget. Still, these meals are pretty limited when based purely on the serving size on the nutrition label.

Aldi is growing fast in the U.S., and it's not hard to see why. It's budget-friendly, but it has some pretty good quality products, too (some say they'll even drive out of their way to get their hands on certain Aldi items). If you're a loyal or newbie Aldi shopper, you might be wondering how things actually work behind the scenes at this popular German retailer.

Tempura shrimp may seem like an odd item to get at Aldi, but it's surprisingly tasty. In fact, after trying 14 seafood products from the retailer, we ranked the Fremont Fish Market find as the top option. Simply bake them in the oven, and you're ready to serve the delicious appetizers at your get-together. Each package comes with a dozen pieces of shrimp that are crunchy on the outside and succulent on the inside.

I'm a big fan of hosting Super Bowl viewing parties at home and often go out of my way to find fun, conversation-starting pieces. I believe that a few thoughtfully curated items can instantly elevate any party setup. I recently saw the most adorable football-themed sets of ceramic bowls and trays at Aldi for just $9.99 that are going to be perfect for the big game day.

I'll save you the comparisons and just say this: the Simply Nature creamy almond butter from Aldi doesn't require any stirring. No flipping upside down overnight, none of the never-ending, wrist cramp-inducing churning by hand, not even a glance at my hand-blender (which I have been desperate enough to break out a time or two) - this almond butter comes exactly as it's described, and that's creamy.

But then there are the grocery stores that buck this trend. Whether they score a partnership with a beloved producer to make their private label finds - Deschutes Brewery makes Costco's popular helles lager, for example - or they take the time to develop their own methods that become associated with top quality, these chains sometimes sell items shoppers actually prefer over the name brands.

Nescafé Instant Espresso Gold can help coffee lovers get tasty drinks into mugs immediately, as spoonfuls mixed with water can be quickly stirred and doctored up with whatever sweeteners and add-ins you prefer. Without having to brew a shot, the smooth taste of espresso is yours and ready to enjoy. As an added bonus, one jar of Nescafé's instant product can equal up to 50 cups of coffee. If you consider how much it would cost to buy these separate coffee orders from a store, you can understand how you're making a thrifty purchase.

Valentine's Day may be a month away, but it's never too early to prepare for the ultimate romantic home-cooked dinner, complete with a gorgeous table setting. Before you spring for the Valentine's display at an expensive furniture store, we recommend heading to Aldi first. The beloved grocery chain is selling adorable 4-packs of heart-shaped plates for just $9.99 each, and they're a dupe for Pottery Barn dishes that cost $30 to $40 more.

Compared to other big grocery chains in the U.S., Aldi offers quite the unique shopping experience. For one, it charges 25 cents for a shopping cart, though you do get the quarter back when you return the cart to its rightful place once you're done shopping. The practice of having to use change to access a shopping cart is pretty rare in the States, but it's actually very common in Europe, where Aldi is originally from.

Aldi sells two flavors of Elevation Protein Puffs: Jalapeño Cheddar and Nacho Cheese. A protein-packed take on the beloved, corn-based cheese ball snacks, the protein puffs are a gluten-free, keto-friendly, and low-carb alternative that contain a whopping 42 grams of protein per container. While the macros may impress you, many Aldi customers on Reddit state that the flavor is "absolutely disgusting." One Redditor in the thread claimed the puffs were completely inedible, stating, "Those things are an abomination ... I had no choice but to throw them in the trash. I couldn't even bring myself to put an unopened bag in a neighborhood food pantry hutch."

It can, however, be something of a dicey game to try to pick up a low-priced piece of beef. An appealing price tag will sometimes trick you into picking up a cut that turns what should be a luxurious dinner into more of an exercise in chewing. But there are good deals out there, and Tasting Table sent Hunter Wren Miele to find them, scoping out the best steak cuts at Aldi.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. We get it: The economy seems to be in constant fluctuation, and the sheer cost of feeding a family can feel overwhelming no matter what. Plus, it's impossible to track the time and effort required to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a family (not to mention snacks and desserts). If you're like us, you might be tempted to cook the same pasta dish over and over again because it is cheap and universally appealing. But even if your kids don't get tired of it, you might soon find yourself craving another dish. To help you put together a meal plan that actually excites you, we've scoured Aldi's website to find the best deals on nourishing and delicious products.