I found a CHEAP Supermarket (Binghamton, Commack: college, prices, shop)

[mongoose65]

Originally Posted by Amelorn

I'm overseas and do a great deal of my grocery shopping at their UK locations.

Because of the UK's proximity to Germany, we have German and Continental meat offerings, such as Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Frikadellen (meatballs), Prosciutto de Parma, Black Forest Ham etc etc. Bratwurst is about $2.30 per pound...and I love it.

EU food products have a unique factory number and country code on the back. Even though the food will have Aldi brands, you can trace them via these factory numbers to a name brand. For example, Kerrygold (make of the bright yellow Irish butter) produces Aldi's yogurts and certain other dairy products.

However, Aldi in the US will do exactly as they do abroad: find large national (preferably regional) factories to produce the food to their recipes. Aldi's recipes often mirror the big boys.

Take mayonnaise. The UK brand is bramwells. It's $1.25 for 20 oz (500 ml technically). It contains Oil, egg yolk, spirit vinegar, lemon juice, and a touch of mustard. It's identical to Hellmann's in taste but 45% of the price.

People look at you like your a degenerate who needs the money saved for drugs...until they taste the stuff. One friend raved about the whole chicken and the bratwurst he bought with me.

I had bought a 10lb turkey there for $15 for Thanksgiving. My college has a large number of Americans, so they cleaned out the regular grocers. The turkey came out as one of the top 3 juiciest birds I've had in the last 15 years.



Yes, and Aldi Nord bought them in 1979, as companies tend to do.

Thanks. I stand totally corrected. Aldi's does own TJ's. TJ's ingredient list is still solidly healthier than the supermarkets. I do not know about Aldi but trust your post on the matter. I wonder if they will be able to sustain the quality of product the EU stores offer per your claim. US is used to more processed stuff which in my opinion is why the supermarkets are dying and TJ's and Whole Foods thriving. I'm willing to check Aldi's out.

[2011littlehouse]

Originally Posted by qlty

The "Aldi" in Bayshore I post this as a public service due to hard times and have no affiliation with the chain and am hoping they open up more in LI NY.If you can beat the prices I would like to know,it's the only one on LI I believe.They bring in products from all over the country most not locally know but good quality.You can Google them to see a circular.Worth a look they accept cash or certain credit and food stamps only.There is also a new "Harbor Freight " store in the same center with great prices also, their Merch. is some good and some very cheap.Go Early to avoid a crowd.A GOOD THING in troubled times.Its located in Bayshore ,north side of Sunrise Hwy & Brentwood Rd.Intersection.

Thanks so much for posting this!
I drove to check it out.

For a supermarket (not for a neighborhood store), I really like Aldi's (and Trader Joe's) business model: simple, highly efficient, no sacrifice in quality at a bargain.
Minimum personnel; clean & organized; the girl-cashier was the fastest operating clerk I have seen - no unions, I am guessing.
IMO, Aldi is the better alternative to BJ's, Costco etc since it does not bind you to huge quantities - important for perishables, yet you get the low price. They have really trimmed the fat in the process of getting the goods to the end consumer.

I hope they expand east and present competition to other supermarkets.

I found the following things worth buying there: canned vegetables, toilet paper, paper towels, cereal/granola, good quality German chocolate & European cookies, olive oil, decent potato salad, some cheeses, grapes, celery...

[qlty]

I received a $10.00 coupon for Bob's best on Jericho Tpk in Commack/Elwood/East Npt area for their grand opening,its in the same center as bed bath and beyond on the north side of Jericho Tpk.they also hand you a 30% off coupon in the parking lot.

[lubby]

My neighbor bought dry pasta, rice and something else from aldi and when she opend it there were bugs inside. EWWW! She is going to return the stuff and complain. Buyer beware with certain items from Aldi.I know I'll never go back not only because of that incident but because they don't have everything that i usually buy there and I only like boars head cold cuts not that packaged crap.

[kayfouroh]

Originally Posted by lubby

My neighbor bought dry pasta, rice and something else from aldi and when she opend it there were bugs inside. EWWW! She is going to return the stuff and complain. Buyer beware with certain items from Aldi.I know I'll never go back not only because of that incident but because they don't have everything that i usually buy there and I only like boars head cold cuts not that packaged crap.

Gross

[2011littlehouse]

Originally Posted by lubby

My neighbor bought dry pasta, rice and something else from aldi and when she opend it there were bugs inside. EWWW! She is going to return the stuff and complain. Buyer beware with certain items from Aldi.I know I'll never go back not only because of that incident but because they don't have everything that i usually buy there and I only like boars head cold cuts not that packaged crap.

lubby, tell your neighbor about ALDI's "double guarantee" -
ALDI - Shopping Smarter

They will do a full refund AND replace the products... that is if the neighbor can overcome the disgust... But she/he can get a free stuff deal from this.

---
On another note, I found ALDI's Costa Rican whole bean coffee to be of superb quality, and it was a good deal - don't remember the price for 12oz, but was 50 to 70% of the price of comparable Starbucks or other good coffee at S&S, Target etc.

[lubby]

I don't think she will get past the disgust. She bought canned chicken and dumpling soup from them just to try it and have for a quick lunch...her husband said it was gross and to never buy it again. She usually makes her own but wanted to try it. As for coffee I am very picky, I will only Drink maxwell house or dunkin donuts and on occasion the stop and shop brand coffee. when it comes to my morning cup of java I cannot skimp on the brand or taste. She will go and get her refund but I think she won't being buying rice or pasta from them anymore. She does like their yogurt and the price of them. Do you think this place will last long in Bayshore???

[2011littlehouse]

The Costa Rican blend coffee is very high quality, IMO. I was pleasantly surprised. I would say is better than the Dunkin Donuts coffee. But when it comes to food and drinks - everyone has their preferences. Try it if you want.

To tell you the truth, not sure if the Bayshore store will survive. I think ALDI may do well in Manhattan or Brooklyn, but may be expensive to rent a place there and keep their prices.
The store was full with customers, mostly Hispanic customers when I visited.

I want it to survive because I like efficiency, I don't like overpaying for extras if I don't need them. There is time and place to pay for service, and the general supermarket is not such a place for me. Hope the "buggy" items were a random fluke.

[lubby]

Originally Posted by 2011littlehouse

The Costa Rican blend coffee is very high quality, IMO. I was pleasantly surprised. I would say is better than the Dunkin Donuts coffee. But when it comes to food and drinks - everyone has their preferences. Try it if you want.

To tell you the truth, not sure if the Bayshore store will survive. I think ALDI may do well in Manhattan or Brooklyn, but may be expensive to rent a place there and keep their prices.
The store was full with customers, mostly Hispanic customers when I visited.

I want it to survive because I like efficiency, I don't like overpaying for extras if I don't need them. There is time and place to pay for service, and the general supermarket is not such a place for me. Hope the "buggy" items were a random fluke.

Me too, I hope the buggy items were a fluke as well. I don't like over paying either but my Husband and I have special dietary needs and a place like stop and shop has all that. He can't have sugar and I am cutting back on fat and carbs. He likes the delmonte no sugar added fruit cups and Aldi does not carry it. They also don't carry low calorie bread that I eat. I could go on and on about what they don't carry but it isn't that important.
I also don't buy canned veggies because of the salt content, I buy fresh and sometimes the frozen kind (without the sauces) for baking needs they have great prices on flour, sugar, spices, vanilla extract ect....I think the butter is reasonably priced.

[ckhthankgod]

Long Island needs to get one of these: Wegmans

Probably the most underrated supermarket in the country.