So after a few weeks of shopping at Aldi, I would definitely say I’m a convert. Every week I get to Aldi just after 8:30am (when it it opens) and get as much off my shopping list as I can – that’s usually most of the basics – toilet roll, bottled water, onions, apples, clementine oranges, crisps and so on. It’s always been pretty quiet at that time so I whizz round and am usually loading the car up within about 20-25 minutes. Then it’s off up to Morrisons to get the rest of my list. I actually find the Morrisons shop the worst part of my shopping outing. Morrisons is always so busy even shortly after 9am. What really mystifies me (and winds me up) is that at least 50% of the customers in Morrisons on Saturday morning are senior citizens with at least half of whom seem to have mobility difficulties. Without wishing to be unkind, when I find myself unable to move and squashed against the potatoes due to being surrounded by mobility scooters and people with sticks I have to really fight the urge to ask one of them ‘just why are you here?’ Surely most of these people could go to Morrisons any day of the week, so why do they insist of going on a Saturday? If I could pick any day to go shopping, the day I would definitely *not* choose is a Saturday (or Sunday). I simply wouldn’t go to Morrisons at all on a weekend if I didn’t have to. The reason why I go early is that it’s about the only time of the day that I can (just about) tolerate it. I would much rather go on a weekday morning, but when you work full time that just isn’t possible.

A few weeks ago I tried Tesco, which is only across the road from Aldi. Although it was quieter that Morrisons, the Bradford Tesco it too big, and I hate the layout. I ended up forgetting things (including milk!) because I wasn’t used to where things were. I’m sure I’d get used to it if I went more often, but I’m also more inclined to shop at Morrisons out of principle (even though I think it’s more expensive) as it’s a Bradford company.

My Aldi recommendations are:

  • Most of their fruit and veg, notably mushrooms, sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, clementines (although they’re out of season now so it’s mineolas instead). A few weeks ago they had strawberries which I think tasted better than Tesco’s Finest strawberries but were half the price. Grapes are 69p for 1/2 a kilo at the mo and they’re delicious
  • I also recommend their cheese (particularly mature cheddar and white Cheshire), Scottish smoked salmon, smoked streaky bacon, premium gammon steaks, German ham
  • Also their Italian Stoned Baked Romagna frozen pizza and tubs of steam fresh frozen veg (they’re 69p and as good as Birdseye steam fresh veg)
  • Premium French lager