Aldi's is a discount grocery store. Not a lot of 'visual fluff'. It's organized and the aisles are…read moresigned. The cashiers are FAST. They do not provide bags. At all. If you want a bag, you bring one, or you buy a reusable one. Groceries are placed by the cashier into a cart, you pay and go off to the back counter where you will pack your own bags, or just wheel out to your car and transfer them directly. Bring a quarter to 'unlock' your cart. You get the quarter back when you return your cart.
Fresh produce is right inside the door and is usually good quality. They offer organic produce from time to time. I always look through the entire area. Things get moved around in this section. They now have premade pizza here too. The Aldi brand is sometimes a national brand, re-packaged. Same food, different package. So give the Aldi brand a try and see if you like it.
They carry all the foods: snacks, canned veg and fruit, baking ingredients, spices (selection varies), salad dressings, ice cream, meats, etc. The dairy section includes a variety of milk including alternatives, a selection of eggs, yogurt, lots of cheeses. Meats include bacon, turkey bacon, chicken sausage, all beef hot dogs, cold cuts. Their coffee and tea selection is small, but good and they carry sparkling waters and hydration products like Gatorade.
Frozen foods include pre-made meals, burgers, vegetables and desserts. There is no 'bakery' or 'deli' here. But the items you would get there may be available here as a pre-packaged item. Check all around because sometime items are put where there is space, not where you expect them to be located. For example, I once found organic cream near the cold cuts instead of in the dairy section.
A 'specials' aisle near the middle of the store changes frequently and includes anything from toys to household storage, candles to cookware, etc. Once it's gone, it's gone, so check each time you visit. I always walk the whole store because some days they have a national brand I buy that they don't often carry. You just never know.
The parking area can get a bit much. The space is shared with Good Will next door and is often full. There are only two Stop signs at a four way intersection near the exit/entrance and drivers often cruise through there like they are on a private drive. Keep your eyes open for these daredevils and stop at the intersection just in case one is nearby.
Only one cashier is usually manned. There is a second checkout lane that sometimes is opened for particularly busy moments. It depends on staff availability. If there is a delivery happening for example, there will be no second cashier. There are four self-check out kiosks with no limit on the number of items you can scan. These kiosks only take credit cards. Lines move fairly quickly.
Like any grocery store, be a smart shopper. Items like meat may be a dollar cheaper per pound here. Fresh berries may be half as much. You may also find items cheaper at other locations; Job Lot for example. Shop around, find out what is the best price for your pantry items and make it part of your shopping routine.