ALDI — Local services in Annandale

This is a larger location for the German based grocery chain just off of Little River Turnpike. It is easy to park here, they have a decent selection of produce, dairy, and meat items, but one comes for their prices. Milk gallons regularly sell for under two dollars a gallon. Prices on canned goods, snacks, and organic items are often at or below "stock up" sales at other grocery stores. However, the way Aldi operates is much different than traditional grocery stores.

The first thing most people notice about Aldi is the 25 cent deposit required to get a shopping cart. Once you return the cart, you get your quarter back. This means there are no cart returns in the parking lot.

Inside there are very few national brands. Most of the brand names are Aldi house brands. I find them to meet or exceed expectations almost always. Sometimes they will not have an item they did last week. It might not come back for months (I'm looking at you, Sweet Bavarian Mustard). Common staples are usually on hand but specific flavors or specialty item levels fluctuate.

There are between 2 and 5 employees in the store at any given time and they are there to work. Do not come in expecting to have a 30 minute conversation about wine and cheese pairings with an employee. They are friendly but stay busy. You will learn why when you try to check out.

At the end of you trip, be aware of the following. They will not bag your items. In fact they will not even give you bags. You can purchase them at checkout for .10 cents. Bring your own bags! There are counters for bagging your groceries past the checkout counter where you can prepare​ to load your car.

Once you finish packing your groceries you take them to your car and return the cart. Or don't. Someone will take it back for you if you don't want your quarter. You have completed your trip to Aldi now head home and open a bag of Clancy's chips or a can of GRIDLOCK.

If you are a little flexible with your list items, don't care about white glove service, and like to get in and out at the grocery, Aldi is the place for you. If you need specialty goods, don't want to bring your own bags, or need brand name food, do not be disappointed in the store. They do not pretend to be Wegmans, Whole Foods, or even Safeway. Aldi is efficient and the prices...

I was alerted by the recall for Aldi's brand Season's Choice frozen fruit. I took my frozen fruit from freezer back to Aldi's for a refund. The cashier did not have knowledge of the recalls and was unfamiliar with the process. He asked me for my receipt and I explained I didn't have receipts due to purchasing a few months prior, he called the manger out because I requested cash refund instead of store credit.

The Manger Catalina was so very rude to me, she spoke to me in a very condescending manner as if I was trying to get over on the store. I shop at Aldi's all the time and spend thousands of dollars in that store in this moment I felt I was being disregarded as a human being.

The manager had an attitude from her first encounter with me, I explained that I wanted to return the items for cash refund but she denied it without receipt, she also told me that their store was not included in the recas but I showed her an article where it showed that it was. She ignored me, whispered to the cashier and left me at the register. I asked the cashier what was I waiting on and he said "I don't know anything ma'am, you have to wait for the manger" the line was being held up, all customers around had eyes on me because the line wasn't moving and it was quite embarrassing. The cashier and manager spoke to me loudly and made a scene, neither one if them showed compassion toward the unfortunate recall, which no fault of mine. Yet, they both made a big scene and made me feel like I was trying to scam.

The many eventually came back with a irritated demeanor and showed me her tablet with numbers and stated that their store wasn't affected by recall and told me that I needed a receipt for a full return or they would give a gift card.

After I seen her tablet, I still didn't want to fruit ... this was my first experience and it would've been respected if the manger spoke to me with respect, handled the situation in a more secluded/personalized way withput rasing her vouce for everyone to hear and shares sentiment with me.

This was a terrible and very...

My experience with Aldi has been consistently positive, making it my go-to grocery store. The standout feature is undoubtedly their affordability without compromising on product quality. Aldi's commitment to providing budget-friendly options while maintaining high standards is truly commendable.

The store's layout is efficient, creating a streamlined shopping experience. The smaller selection of products compared to larger supermarkets actually makes the decision-making process easier. I appreciate the focus on essentials and the inclusion of unique, often organic, items that cater to various dietary preferences.

Aldi's commitment to sustainability is evident, with an emphasis on reducing packaging and offering reusable bags. The checkout process is swift, thanks to their no-frills approach. The staff is generally friendly and efficient, contributing to the overall positive shopping atmosphere.

In conclusion, Aldi has consistently delivered on its promise of providing quality products at affordable prices. The shopping experience is straightforward, and the store's dedication to sustainability adds to its appeal. Aldi remains a top choice for those seeking a cost-effective yet quality grocery...