The new ALDI on Baum was pretty much a revelation for me once I moved back into the country. I was in Panama for over a year until this fall, and I use to do all of my shopping at the Giant Eagle- which is always a mad house!- and I noticed that the ALDI had just opened a block down. I knew the limitations of ALDI before I went in- the selection isn't particularly great, produce isn't great, they don't take credit cards, no bags for the groceries, etc. and maybe this is why I was able to really appreciate it for what it is. For me, being a poor graduate student in the East End, this place is perfect for all of my needs. I'm not a huge cook or food connoisseur, so I understand why others have been a little more on the harsh side to ALDI- but I love it. The people in the parking deck guiding you to your spot are smiling and always nice, people are always willing to give me one of their quarters for the cart when I forget it :), and nobody can beat their prices. I stock up on hummus, as it's only 1.99 per container (compared to almost 4 bucks at Giant Eagle)- and it's really good! So, as I'm not particularly picky about what I put into my shopping cart, I found all the mainstays and items that I need. Furthermore, the people working there are always more than friendly and quick ringing you up (a perk of not bagging). I will continue to shop there while a smile on my face. read more

This review is not only for this ALDI store but for ALDI stores in general. The Shadyside store is clean and easy to navigate and the employees are generally very friendly and even though you must bring your own bags and bag your own groceries the checkout line process is much quicker than expected - I've had to wait longer at Giant Eagle or Whole Foods in lines that had baggers so that part is nice. The prices are unbelievably low but that is for a reason. As another person pointed out the majority of the food sold at ALDI stores is mostly packaged, processed food with a lot of unhealthy ingredients like salt, sugar (high fructose corn syrup), and most likely loaded with GMOs. ALDI indeed is marketing to those with low income and even the "fresh" produce isn't very fresh and the few things that I have purchased there that are organic such as the cherry tomatoes spoiled rather quickly which means that they were most likely sitting around for quite a while. I work near this particular ALDI so in a pinch, I will run down and try to find something that isn't too unhealthy but it's not ideal. Occasionally you will find organic baby kale, organic baby spinach, and organic spring mix but the cost at $2.49 might seem like a deal for the small package, yet if you go to Whole Foods and buy the same product in the larger package for $5 it's basically the same price, soooo, I like fresh produce and as much as I hate to spend so much money at Whole Foods, IF you want high-quality produce during the farmers markets off-season then I'd go to Whole Foods, the East End Food Co-Op or Giant Eagle Market District - even Trader Joe's has some great organic options for packaged produce that are reasonably priced. So, it's a good deal for people that need to be frugal with their money however it saddens me that only those "who can afford it" have options for healthier foods. Fresh produce and healthy food options should be affordable for everyone, not just a select portion of the population, but that's not the fault of ALDI so they do a decent job within the parameters that they are working. read more

I love to come here to pick and choose what I want because it saves me a lot of money. Giant Eagle became the death of me with close to $100 dollars for generic food items I regularly use. I can get similar items at Aldi's for half that! Just yesterday I came in for a few items such as three large avocados, two medium-sized zucchinis, one packages of three chicken breasts, and a three pound bag of sweet potatoes all for $11. I brought my own shopping bag to load up as I was shopping (or you can get a cart with a quarter) and then to carry out my purchase. They have reusable bags up front by the checkout you can purchase. I've always encountered friendly employees, which is definitely a plus for me. There's free parking in the garage or on the side of the store. I'd say if you're looking for very specific items then this is probably not the store for you. If you need basics like chicken, fish, meat, eggs, dairy, and some fruit/veggies then I would check Aldi's out. The selection is somewhat limited on the fruit and veggies, but I have always come across fresh items and that's what matters to me. Be sure to use cash or a debit card. No credit cards! read more

I do love Aldi and I shop at this store every week. Great stuff for really decent prices. For the most part, majority of the time I've had good experience. My real annoyed experience was a few months ago. I came in with my grocery bag like I always do. I was enjoying their fine selection of canned vegetable when I notice a dark figure bolting towards me. I look over and noticed the security guard. I turn back and kept shopping and noticed he was following me around the store. He also pretended like he was shopping the frozen food aisle right next to me. You're on duty, you really think it's believable that you are interested in frozen salmon while on the job? I decided to take my time in the spot I was shopping. He stood at the very end of the aisle leaning up against the sandwiches, watching me like a hawk. After a while, he ran over to a coworker and back to the front of the store. When I got in line, he watched me to make sure I emptied everything out of my bag. After I checked out, I asked the cashier if he can be less noticeable next time. I understand it's his job but making me feel like a crook is pretty crooked. So I emailed them to let them know and got a generic response about how my opinion matters. Today, I went shopping again and another guard started following me around. I had a messenger bag on me since I walked to Aldi right after work. I was putting food in my grocery bag again. Every time I turned around, he's hoovering nearby. When I got to the check out, he stood at the end of the line to watch me empty my bag. So, I am a groomed, 32, male. I don't look like a thug off the streets. But every time I come here, I am watched like I just peed on someone's baby. I think I might try to wear a suit and tie next time to see if they follow me. I think i'd stuff my bag with grocery in a very quick manner while looking over my shoulders next time. I would love to play hide and seek or dodge between the aisles really quick but I think that will give them a heart attack if they follow me. So if I'm going to be watched like a crook for bringing my own bag, can Aldi give me a cart to use without me digging the couch for a quarter and give me free bags please? All I want is food, man. I'm not going to steal a .59 cent can of beans. read more

If you're a dead broke college student like me, you'll love ALDI. Everything is much cheaper than at other grocery stores, so much so that you can get a week's worth of groceries for half of what you'd spend at Target. Their produce is hit or miss as far as price goes (be sure to have a good idea of the cost of similar items at other stores), but normally of high quality. Dry goods, meat, frozen foods, dairy, and bread (which happens to have no high fructose corn syrup in it!) are all affordable and of a good quality as well. I don't know how I would make it by without this place. read more

What an awful experience...the one-way bridge parking lot, where we waited on both ends for someone at the other end to use the single lane...the exhaust fan in the parking lot sounded like a helicopter trying to land...how cheap and controlling are they to gimmik the carts for a quarter...I also like to use credit cards instead of carrying cash...pay for grocery bags? no thank you...all the penny-pinching greed disguised as savings to the customer and unwillingness to hire staff for the usual foodstore amenities are ridiculous...my husband and I walked out... read more

I utilize the Homestead Aldi store, and I absolutely LOVE the cashiers there. They are ALWAYS extremely courteous, patient and friendly. They like their jobs they enjoy working for Aldi's. I have been to stores where the cashiers are rude and throw the groceries into bags...but your cashiers...place the items in the cart...making sure my bread doesn't get squished..I have had all different cashiers but ALWAYS the same wonderful experience of a friendly caring cashier. So thanks to your Homestead cashiers I will continue shopping there. Love you guys and keep up the GREAT work.... read more

I shop at Aldi every week, but here's a caution, the Jasmine rice I bought either at the Penn Hills store or Homestead , is not the fragrant rice i expected. It is probably plain white rice. read more