ALDI — Local services in Ames

What to say? Like every other Aldi, this too is awesome! (This location of the Ames Aldi started in 2016 and so it looks quite clean and new.

First time visitors: You will need a quarter (25 cents) to use their shopping carts which will be refunded to you if you return the cart to the place where you took it from. Also, bags are not free--you can buy bags though depending on paper/plastic and size. However, there are cardboard boxes/cartons lying around which you can get for free.

If you've not shopped at Aldi, keep in mind that this is a bit different from an "usual" grocery store. For example, if you go in searching for something specific and a bit non-standard (e.g., shallots), you are unlikely to find it. But most "common" staples are available round the year at significantly lower prices. They have weekly sales too on some meat items bringing the price down even further.

A word about their food products: a lot of them don't tend to have artificial food colours or high-fructose corn syrup but do check ingredient before buying.

They have their own brand for a lot of things like cereal, flour, sugar, cookies, chocolates and you'll notice that the prices are significantly lower than name-brand products.

There is also a bit of European flavour to some of their products like their chocolates, holiday cookies and cakes and they're quite good.

They also have an aisle of non-grocery items and this varies a lot: it can be kitchen appliances, household appliances, cooking pots and pans, clothes, toys, holiday decorations and candies, etc. These are available on a first-come-first-served basis and if they run out of it, you are...

Probably one of the best grocery stores out there in general.

Great variety (usually), always fresh, has a little bit of everything. If you're really into brand names, this isn't the place for you but for the most part, I've had excellent luck with the off-brands this company offers. Like any place, some of it is great and some are just not for you. I tend to find most things I need but they do not have everything so I do have to supplement at other stores but not a big deal to get the bulk of what I need from here.

The price is slightly lower than Wal-Mart and about the same as Dollar General so it's very cost-effective. I'm always amazed at the amount I get--including fresh produce--and how little I paid vs buying at Fareway/Hy-Vee/Target. There are no baskets, just carts so you have to put in a quarter to get a cart outside but you get it back when you leave.

This store in particular is usually clean, stocked, and well maintained with polite and efficient staff. It's located in a very busy part of town and it's always busy! No matter what time of day and I've tried to find the 'best' time when it's not so busy but no such luck. There's usually only 1 cashier but they are very good and moving the line and I rarely have to wait even when it's super busy.

My only complaint is that I wish it was a much BIGGER store or we had another...

Aldi has a great set up. 4 aisles in the whole place, great place to grab basics for meals. Bread is awesome and under $2 a loaf, cheese blocks are under $2 as well.

Vegetables can sometimes be a little hit or miss on how long they stay fresh, but I've had good luck with my vegetables most times. I love that I can go and grab meat, vegetables, lunch items, eggs, etc for $80 and it lasts my husband and I for about 2 weeks with minor supplementation from other stores.

They also have really done well in the organic/gluten free options. I have friends who have done gluten free for a variety of reasons and most of their products are great substitutions. I do know that gluten free cornbread was very sweet and almost cake like, so if that's not what you want from cornbread I'd avoid that product. Pretzels and pasta were good though!

Main reason I still go to other stores is that aldi is small and ethnic ingredients aren't an option there, but I get basically everything else there and then go to specialty stores for the specific...