Andrew Chalk: A Review of the New ALDI’s Store in Frisco
Aldi is for people who don’t like Windows.
As most people know, today is the Texas birthday of St. Aldi, the patron saint of discount retailing and Bacchus’s bastard half-cousin. We decided to pay homage with a visit to the Frisco shrine. In its birth country, Germany, Aldi and saint Metro (the patron saint of urban centers) are called hard discounters by the trade press. Myth has it ALDI slayed a mighty monster known as The Walmart and sent the evil dragon back to its own shores licking its wounds. Unperturbed, we entered ALDI’s lair…
A major theme at Aldi is brands that you have never seen before but think you have. For example, don’t you remember Aunt Maple’s Cake Mix?
And who could forget eating pickles from Great Gherkins?
I swear I have never used Jafeena.
Prices are low. Mama Cozzi’s pizza is only $3.69, compared with more than twice that for delivery (and you can tip yourself).
There is ethnic food such as this Chinese meal from General Tso (who was Colonel Sander’s commanding officer at the Battle of Chicken Wing).
Sometimes the low prices stem directly from low-priced underlying ingredients. For example these fish fillets are made from Pollock – a fish described in culinary circles as ‘challenging’ to cook in a flavorful way. Maybe its sustainability stems from that? Some sliced smoked salmon we bought ($3.89 for 4oz) did not taste of smoke or salmon, but the fresh avocado ($0.39 each) had a rich, intense avocado flavor reflecting its peak of ripeness.
The carts at Aldi are so wild and out of control that they have to be kept chained up.
Oddly, ALDI does not take credit cards. That will not go over well in Frisco where the last time cash was used was 146.
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33 comments
Andrew: The carts are chained up, because you have to deposit a quarter to release one for use.
Thanks for the great review. I think you saved me a trip there. Do they take debit cards? That might be OK – but if it is a cash only society, then count me out! My husband is already afraid of weird, off-name brands…
Yes, debit cards are accepted.
Some of my Brit friends, who lived in Germany for a time, were telling me how they used to shop at Aldi and that they low prices really saved them a bundle. Looking forward to checking them out, and perhaps getting some pantry food items there.
Clever report, Mr. Chalk.
Would you shop there?
My experience with these stores up north has been you truly do pay for what you get. In this case, it was very little. Curious to see how they go over here.
DallasDude: Good question. In my case the answer is simple: The nearest Aldi is so far away that the time and travel costs don’t justify the three-Michelin star designation “Worth a Journey”.
Were Aldi as close as other stores, I would do several more trips before coming to a firm conclusion but, based on today, they save you money on staples.
Great report and review, Andrew. I’m sure glad I can afford to shop elsewhere.
twinnage: can I get an aaaaaamen?
if they fill up all of the vacant Albertsons, God love em.
I noticed that an Aldi is coming at Northwest Highway & Abrams.
ALDI and LIDL have been around in Europe for years, migrating to the UK at least 15 years ago. In that time, the quality of products has improved and people’s acceptance of unfamiliar brands has increased. Add that to these stores’ overall lower prices, especially on produce, and what were once stigmatized “Dollar Store” type places have become mainstream and now compete with the big four for business.
I assume that ya’ll know that Aldi is the parent company of Trader Joe’s.
Ahh, if only we got a few Trader Joe’s, I’d be a very happy camper!
@Twinwillow I’m hoping Aldi is our baby steps to getting Trader Joes. But I bet Whole Foods won’t allow it.
Mike, whatever happened to “free trade”? I’ll bet Aldi’s has as much money and clout as WF’s.
If I’m not mistaken, I think I read somewhere that Aldi’s founder is one of the top billionaires in the world. I’m sure he didn’t make all that dough letting another chain bully him.
Funny review!!!!
Ditto what Mike said…a TJs would be awesome.
Y’all by all means (cars preferred) can keep on going to Central Market, paying $27 for a batch of greens & 13.50 for an ounce of smoked duck dip. Me, I actually cook & prefer to put my money where someone actually helps me stretch a dollar rather than rake those $$$$sss in like steroid-laced croupiers. So you bet I’m happy Aldi’s is opening across the street from my neighborhood Fiesta store that is always clean, fast-in-out predictable. I’d applaud but I’d spill the Costa Rican coffee I just brewed… bought whole bean @ Sam’s last night for $4.44 34 oz bag. Talk amongst yourselves.
I have heard that the establishmet of the Aldi’s regional distribution warehouse was the important step in launching Trader Joe’s in DFW. I am still keeping my fingers crossed.
I’ve been to a couple of Trader Joe’s and they didn’t stir my manhood as much as I anticipated.
It is my undertanding that ALDI’s and Trader Joe’s are two different entities, each owned and operated by two brothers independently. Yes, the started in Germany together and then split into two entities. In the U.S. one brother entered into the higher end Trader Joes and the other is now entering as ALDI’s. They are self funding, not borrowing money from others…unlike many of the other supermarkets.
For those that like Tom Thumb (Shaw’s I believe), Krogers or Market Street; each of them are introducing their own branded products, removing some of the well known brands from their shelves….so perhaps ALDI’s is just ahead of the game.
Of course, then there is WalMart, whose prices have crept up to the other supermarkets and in some cases are higher.
If ALDI’s would sell wine like Trader Joes it might make it down here.
Aldi’d has didley squat to do with TJs. Please get that out of your head for the last time. It’s 2 bothers, 2 different companies.
Read today’s DMN if you want it in print.
****C: Tom Thumb is owned by Safeway, not Shaw’s.
And Shaw’s is now owned by SuperValu, which owns Albertson’s, Jewel-Osco, Cub Foods, etc., etc., etc.
TJ will come to Texas, eventually.
It needs a distribution center – similar to HEB building one in Temple for DFW market within two years.
@Mark- on the website, it lists certain stores selling wine.
I was recently asking why DFW didn’t have a small-size grocer with limited selection and generic brands at a reduced price where carts require a refundable quarter to place all my money-saving generic products!
I’ve been to the European one and loved it. The one up North was not good. Vegetables were not fresh!!
Aldi in Plano makes sense it is on that part pf town where people shop more at Fiesta than Market Street or Whole Foods. Seems more like that market share they are going for anyway.
I didn’t love it. Gave my coupon to another shopper. Felt like I was in Food Lion.
Naa das ist ja a grossartige Sache!
Hey Andrew
we live in Frisco and always pay in cash, quit the stereotyping. It’s a great town, much better than that one inside the loop.
Hey Steve
Don’t be so sensitive and try to find a sense of humor. Or go pick up some Jafeena Panty Liners.