Aldi's discount grocery arrives in NYC

I've never heard of this store; but, I'm so obsessed with Trader Joe's it would be hard for me to dislike this.

@JenMac I have been to an Aldi's in London ..but like you I am a Trader Joe's girl in NYC..very keen to check out the 72nd street location when I am over ..

@uptown: I expect the full scoop when you get back!

@JenMac For sure can't live without it at least in NYC.

@Everybody If the Aldi's is anything like it is in Europe, it's a good thing. Lots of middle class people go to Aldi's for basics, because who wants to pay $3 for a small yoghurt cup at a regular store. I think if Aldi's takes hold here, other stores will stop being so cheeky about their markups.

@Uraniumfish thank god for that to give you an example.. I recently bought some imported Alaska Pollock at my local supermarket and I paid the equivalent of $3.50 USD for four fillets. Just out of curiosity I logged on to D'agostino's site to see if it was available in NYC .. it is an it $9.99 you would think it would be cheaper since Alaska is a lot closer to NYC than HK!

Every time I venture out of Chinatown for groceries I get sticker shock. There's a MET supermarket in Soho that is nothing special but everything costs twice as much as it does anywhere - at least Dean & Deluca's products are high-end and the prices are often justified, but really, $3 for a yoghurt?

@Uraniumfish that is quite outrageous!

I often have to go to D'Agostino's because it's a block away and if there's a blizzard I'm not walking 12 extra blocks. I'm always kind of horrified at how much I end up spending there for three things.

@JenMac In my neighborhood I have the choice of a Gristede's, a D'gostino's and a Morton Williams even then I make the hike to Trader Joe's because the amount I save is quite substantial.

The only problem with opening huge retail stores in NYC is that not very many people have easy access to them. Without a car, there is no way I'm going to travel to Queens for a big grocery trip. Same thing with Wal-mart. I occasionally go out of my way to visit Trader Joe's, but I would much rather utilize my local options in a city such as this one.

@BroadwayBk I do go to Queens for a big South Asian grocery shop at least once a month.. we don't have a car so I do the lugging because the variety at the Queens store is way better. Maybe I should invest in a old lady trolley to make my life easier.. have a friend who lives in Hoboken which has no limited grocery stores, she makes the trip to TJ's ever so often with her trolley in tow.

@uptown: I agree. I often go to TJ's for groceries even though it's kind of out of the way just because you save so much money. But, it's too hard to carry a ton back. So, I end up having to bite the D'agostino's bullet every now and then.

@BroadwayBK I know, people with cars shop in a completely different way. I feel like I shop like a hunter/gatherer, picking up a few small items every couple of days.

@Uraniumfish I would much rather do a once a week grocery shop than go out every few days but in NYC its just not possible is it but then again there is no way I am moving to the suburbs..

I'm another hunter/gather over here; I don't think a day goes by that I'm not walking out of my way to go to a particular food vendor. I like my produce from the produce stand, but I have to head to the farmer's market for dairy, etc, etc...

PS: Grocery shopping was much easier with a car: I just went to Fairway twice a week.

@BroadwayBK Whew! I am happy I am not alone in this hunting gathering thing for I always wonder what my doormen must think of me, given that I am always carting groceries.

The hunter/gatherer method works for me since there are a few grocery stores where I can get specific items, and don't usually want to buy everything in one place. For example, I don't buy a ton of stuff at Whole Foods because who wants to pay $10 for a box of cereal - but I do stop in whenever I think of it, and pick up dried fruits from those bins (so so much cheaper than buying them packaged, and way fresher) and this green super-drink which only they carry.

I like shopping daily (I live near a Covered Market with a greengrocer's, fishmongers', etc). I find I save more money if I only buy what I need on the day...and the food is fresher, too!