I love Aldi. I can't compare to Walmart or Big Lots directly (haven't shopped there for groceries), but it beats all the supermarkets, hands down, on price. I save an average of 30 - 40% overall versus the local Pick n Save.

That said, it is bare bones. You have to stick a quarter in a slot to free a basket (you get it back when you return the basket - no need to have an employee bring them back in). The decor is minimal. The products are brands you have never heard of, but in many cases are name brand foods that have been labeled with the Aldi brand. The food quality is consistently high, and I've never had anything I didn't like.

As a comparison, a can of diced tomatoes is $0.75 all the time, while the supermarket is $0.90 or more on sale. Shredded cheese is $2.59 per package at Aldi; the same size package is $3.79 at the other store. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is always $6.00 for 3 pounds (frozen). Their mac n cheese is always $0.33 per box, versus Kraft (when on sale) at $0.75.

It's a little offbeat, but you can't beat it on staple items.

And the salsa is pretty decent, too =)

Yeah, salsa!! I'll try shopping there once it opens. Hopefully it will remove any need I would ever have again to go to Wal-Mart.