I’m a die-hard Trader Joe’s fan who shopped at Aldi for the first time — and I know which store I’ll continue to visit

Flickr/ Brandon King

• Trader Joe’s and Aldi are two of the most popular affordable grocery chains in America.
• I’m a die-hard Trader Joe’s fan, but I paid Aldi a visit for the first time last week, and within minutes I knew which one I’d be going back to.
• As someone who appreciates a quick in-and-out grocery store run, Trader Joe’s will continue to be my store of choice.
• Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Trader Joe’s and Aldi are two of the most popular affordable grocery chains in the United States.

As far as pricing goes, the two stores have many similarities, with only a few cents or a dollar separating them on most items.

For years, Trader Joe’s has roped me in with its variety of tasty free samples and good coffee. But after years of being a faithful Trader Joe’s shopper, I decided to check out my local Aldi store in Orange County, California, to find out if I should make a switch.

By the end of my shopping trip, I knew which of the two grocery stores I’d continue shopping at.

Here’s what I found.

I live in Irvine, California, and decided to go to my local Aldi 10 minutes away in Lake Forest. It was 3 p.m. on a Wednesday, and to my surprise, the parking lot was packed.

Ariel Kramer/Business Insider

The first difference I noticed between Aldi and Trader Joe’s was that at Aldi’s, you need 25 cents if you want to use a shopping cart. Even though you get your quarter back when you return the cart, it’s pretty inconvenient if you don’t have change on you.

Ariel Kramer/Business Insider

As soon as you enter Aldi, the first thing you see is a ton of snacks. There was junk food galore — if you’re looking for a variety, you came to the right place.

Ariel Kramer/Business Insider

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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SEE ALSO: I’m a die-hard Costco fan who shopped at Sam’s Club for the first time — and I know which store I’ll continue to visit

DON’T MISS: What it’s like to shop at Grocery Outlet, the ‘extreme value’ supermarket that’s been described as ‘the TJMaxx of grocery stores’

Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Ariel Kramer)