ALDI — Local services in Waco

[Sorry this is so long, I trimmed it as much as I could]! So I just recently became a fan of ALDI's, but only because I live 45 minutes away from the store. My Mom went with me to a Dr'.s appt nearby and insisted we stop in. She explained their "rules" as follows... The carts are locked up outside and you have to put a quarter in a device on the handle to unlock one. It's good to bring your own bags cuz they don't bag groceries and they keep the cart after you check out. However there are large dollies in the store the employees are constantly putting empty boxes in for customers to use to carry groceries out. There's also the reusable bags with handles for sale (only $.99 and $1.99) and I'm now the proud owner of 4 - they're very handy! Good selection of food for VERY reasonable prices! The store is small so the options surprised me. Stuff I couldn't find normally. The back wall is full of meats and cheeses - some I've never heard of (I liked the Cranberry White Cheddar and Pepperoni Pizza cheese blocks. They have the small glazed hams, sausages and pastas. There's acceptable produce/dairy sections, then an array of canned/boxed items with new flavors I HAD to buy. The other wall has seafood and poultry - whole Perdue chickens for around $6 (set price!) which I love to put in the rotisserie. ALSO, I was finally able to buy salmon fillets without refinancing my mortgage! I've had to see the Dr. regularly so Mom and I always go by ALDI's after, and will continue to make it our routine. I hope anyone who reads this and decides to check it out won't be completely disappointed and think I'm crazy. But hey - if you do, HEB is right across...

I love this Aldi! Unlike Aldis I've been to in other parts of the country, this one has brand name tortillas, Shiner Bock, frozen okra, and even Blue Bell ice cream, pretty much eliminating my need to do half my shopping at another grocery store. Also, the last time I was there, I couldn't find something I wanted and asked about it as I was paying. Then while I was bagging my groceries, one of the employees went and grabbed it for me, then opened a checkout aisle just to let me buy it really quick. So yeah, super friendly & helpful people here too!

Some things you need to know if you're new to Aldi: Bring a quarter for your shopping cart - you get it back when you return it at the end (Aldi saves you money by not having to hire people to go collect carts!). Eco-friendly reusable shopping bags are the way to go, so bring your own. If you forget, you can always buy bags for a small charge, but better to just save that $ and the environment too! Also be prepared to bag your groceries at the end. The cashiers are super duper efficient, and part of the way they do that is by not wasting their time bagging them for you. Easy enough.

Oh yeah, and also they're owned by the same people as Trader Joe's, and many of the 'off brand' items are the sames ones TJ's sells, just in different packaging. A couple of years ago they updated their food line to include NO artificial colors, partially hydrogenated oils, and added MSG, plus they have a ton of gluten free, organic, and otherwise 'natural' foods. Do I sound like an ad for Aldi? ;-) I just really love it, but maybe I should consider buying...

I have been a regular customer of your Waco, Texas Aldi’s store for years. I was impressed with the work ethic of their employees early on. These Aldi's employees exhibit characteristics any human resources staffer would admire. As someone who has run a small business and done personnel work before retiring, I believe positive reinforcement for good employees improves morale and inspires personal initiative. Three exemplary employees in the Waco store I shall mention are Juana, Haley and Noel. Juana has worked at the store for years, and her enthusiasm for performing various tasks at Aldi’s hasn’t abated at all during the years I’ve observed her. She performs physical work energetically, and her bright smile greets us as she rings up our groceries in the cashier line. Haley, in my opinion, should be promoted as soon as possible. She is fast, accurate, flexible and professional. I’ve observed her leadership skills and initiative, and she is respected by her coworkers. Another notable employee is Noel. I have witnessed his speedy checkouts and willingness to assist customers. He is agile enough to swiftly maneuver around to the customer checkout line to help disabled and elderly customers load their carts before they exit toward their vehicles, thus keeping the checkout line moving while simultaneously performing a good deed. He is polite, courteous and good-natured.

Aldi's Waco deserves to be proud of their human resources/management staff for hiring folks like Juana,...