Food & Recipes, Smart Shopping

A tiny Aldi trip: What you’ll find

May 13, 2025
I can't believe I happened on Rick Bayless' salsas. I've used these previously for some great meals.

I’ve been shopping at Aldi for a few years now, ever since they did a big expansion and added a ton of stores. Now, I’m wondering why more people aren’t shopping there all the time!

You will see more popular brands here, but also quality German brands (especially in the bakery area), as their parent company is German and also owns Trader Joe’s.

Aldi tips:

  • Bring a quarter: It’s how you get a shopping cart. Don’t worry, you’ll get it back and they don’t have to hire cart wranglers.
  • Bring your own bags: Chicagoans are used to this now, but you’ll pay for bags. Just bring your own, or find an empty box in the store to carry your goods. Note: It’s not fair to just empty a full box of products.

I snapped some photos from my trip yesterday to the LZ location; I’ll add a trip to the Lincoln Park one soon to give some comparison.

What are your great Aldi finds?

Fresh pastas, sauces...
Pastas, risottos and sauces…
La Croix! Generic version, too.
La Croix! Generic version for half the price, too.
Bread and rolls have great prices here, too.
Bread, rolls and other pastry goods have great prices here, too.
It's a Kringle! I won't judge if you eat it all yourself. Bread and rolls have great prices here, too.
It’s a Kringle! I won’t judge if you eat it all yourself.
Some of the organic fruits.
Some of the organic fruits.
Organic fruit prices. Regular fruit is even better priced.
Organic fruit prices. Regular fruit is even better priced.
Halloween guest towels
Halloween guest towels — they really have anything under the sun here.
Gatorade. One flavor, at least here.
Gatorade. One flavor, at least here.
SmartWater. Anyone want to price check?
SmartWater. Anyone want to price check?
Mineral water
Mineral water. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it cheaper at Whole Foods, but in a pinch…
Campbell's Skillets - super cheap!
Campbell’s Skillets – super cheap!
I can't believe I happened on Rick Bayless' salsas. I've used these previously for some great meals.
I can’t believe I happened on Rick Bayless’ salsas. I’ve used these previously for some great meals. $3.65 (less than the Pilsen market I frequented)