Review: Move over grocery chains. Lidl is in da house!
I had no idea that my first blog post would be to review the new Lidl up the street but I was so blown away at its AWESOMENESS that I was inspired to write about it and share my opinion with you. Lucky you!
Literally, my mind was blown. Regardless if you are on a budget or not, you have to check out this new store. If you do not have a Lidl, there may be one coming soon. Lidl is a German company with a global presence. Check out their website by clicking the image to see if they are coming soon to your hood.
Two things stand out to me the most about Lidl was the quality for the prices and the sheer volume of organic, grass-fed, and gluten free. Going all organic is daunting if you aren’t loaded and I get it, i really do. If more people bought organic products, the prices would go down due to increasing demand. There are items that I do buy organic and I’m a big supporter of local farmers markets. LOVE THEM! But to go into an american brand grocery store like Giant or Harris Teeters, it can get really expensive and blow right through my budget.
I set out to figure out HOW they could be so much cheaper and offer these products at those prices. Here’s what I found out. Unlike grocery stores like Giant, Kroger, etc., Lidl doesnt carry 10 types of peanut butter and 35 different coffee brands. They find what they consider to be a remarkable product and carry just one or two max. Thus, Lidl does not need the shelf space nor is it controlled by the big brands. That’s my summary of a complex grocery industry analysis. I do think it is odd that I have seen certain prices go down a bit at my local Walmart since this new neighbor opened their doors.
Lidl is my new hero!
I think Ill even be able to put my whole family on the whole 30 plan and not break the bank. In a nutshell, this past weekend, I spent $90 on a full cart of groceries that would cost me about $130-150, even at Walmart.
Now, they dont have everything but they do have a lot! For example, they do not carry worstershire but have an awesome marinade and sauce selection. A loaf of whole wheat or italian bread for $65 cents. Nuts, i tell yah!
They have a bakery that is beyond reproach where everything from the croissants to the pretzels are made in house daily. We made the mistake of buying a pretzel (its a German store – the pretzels have to be good right?) Cost $.69 each. Lets just say we ended up paying for 3 pretzels with only an empty bad and the honor system in order to pay for the ones we crushed while shopping. Nom nom nom!
WINE WINE & WINE
They have a pretty sweet wine section. I bought a bottle of chardonnay and pinot grigio for WAIT FOR IT…WAIT FOR IT…
Under $3 each!
The wine was ok. However, if you are trying to stock your house for company, an upcoming party, or just make a simple spritzer this is your GO TO STORE! I tried the low-end of their wines for pure shits and giggles and was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t taste like absolute dishwater. I would classify them somewhere between Sutter Home and Coppola brands. But everyone’s palate is different, They do offer higher end brands but I’ve yet to try them. I will update this post if and when I do.
Gluten-Free
If you are going gluten-free, they really do have some great choices. My son and hubby killed an entire bag of the GF pretzels. Pretzels are gluten sticks so how could they be anything short of gross, right? Nope, they tasted like a mix between a hard bread stick and a normal pretzel stick with just enough salt to keep you coming back for more and not straight to the local urgent care with heart palpitations.
Meats
The grass-fed organic meats are about the same price as the normal meat of the same kind which was a pleasant surprise. I’d need to rob a bank on the way to Wegmans to afford all of their organic meats and products. Don’t get me wrong, Wegmans is awesome and their brands are priced competitively but the meats can get pricey quick.
I bought a whole chicken to throw in my instant pot for under $5 and a 3lb pork loin for $5.65. Lets see what else, can I brag about?? They also have the juiciest meatiest turkey bacon I have never seen. Put it this way – we went there on sunday and had to go back yesterday to get more turkey bacon. I make a wicked frattataa with turkey sausage and turkey bacon and the boys love the bacon so much that a bowl of cereal wasnt going to do it before school and work this week.
Throw that woman in the kitchen with that Lidl turkey bacon and some eggs stat!
You can check out my recipes for the items above by clicking on the links below.
Fauxtisserie Whole Chicken in da instant pot
Roadshow
I believe that’s what Costco calls the seasonal items and specialty items that they do not keep in stock all of the time – a 
roadshow. Well in the middle isles of Lidl is what I consider a roadshow with items ranging from cooking gadgets, trash cans, mens and women’s exercise wear to toddler clothes, cheap shoes, bedroom decor, comforters, and towels. I even bought my son a long shirt t-shirt for school for $5 which he loves.
Everything I’ve tried and made has been amazing and is really reducing our weekly grocery costs.
Below is my receipt from a recent trip to Lidl with a photo of everything I bought. You do the math! That amount would cost way more anywhere else! Except for maybe Aldi. But, since they are owned by the same parent company, Aldi doesn’t count. I make the rules here. =)
UPDATE: My hubby is addicted to the croissants filled with nutella (or their version of), made fresh daily. We went to Paris two years ago and he swears up and down that the croissants taste just like the ones we had in one of the best patisseries in Paris. I would not try it because I dont want to find out how right he is!
Now, it is your turn to head on over to the nearest Lidl and tell me about your experience. If you have already become a Lidl shopper or visited a Lidl recently, let me know how it was. Are you going to continue shopping there? Share your favorite products and tell me what I should look out for.
I want to know what you think. Leave me a comment. Talk to you soon!
