Which own brand/budget products are good?

mailburner · 22-02-2014 4:01pm

im convinced tesco cream cracker are jacobs
the taste is identical imo
think its 29c also compared to 4or5 times that

snubbleste · 04-03-2014 11:42am

In their price promise, Tesco are comparing their Tesco Sultanas 375g €2.35 with Lidl's Suntree Sultaninen 500g €1.19
This means they are roughly the same nutritional content but Tesco's (not the horrible Value ones) are three times as expensive

Ush1 · 04-03-2014 12:10pm

Supervalus own brand Chilli Con Carne sauce in the jar is gorgeous.

lmimmfn · 04-03-2014 1:09pm

mailburner wrote: »

im convinced tesco cream cracker are jacobs
the taste is identical imo
think its 29c also compared to 4or5 times that

theyre a little overdone compared to jacobs but for the price i would buy them over jacobs any day, the lidl ones are decent enough also( and cheaper again and in a larger pack ).

ABajaninCork · 04-03-2014 1:10pm

Aldi's chocolate digestives are the business! Taste just like McVitie's for a fraction of the price.

That's the good news. The bad news? There have been none in the store for the past three weeks and no-one seems to know when they'll be back in stock. :mad:

snubbleste · 04-03-2014 1:22pm

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Aldi's chocolate digestives are the business! Taste just like McVitie's for a fraction of the price.
That's the good news. The bad news? There have been none in the store for the past three weeks and no-one seems to know when they'll be back in stock. :mad:

I know! have to make do with Lidl's version

fundi · 04-03-2014 1:44pm

Some of the Tesco breakfast cereals ( eg the 50% fruit mix one ) are very tasty, well worth a try.

upinthesky · 04-03-2014 6:52pm

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Aldi's chocolate digestives are the business! Taste just like McVitie's for a fraction of the price.

That's the good news. The bad news? There have been none in the store for the past three weeks and no-one seems to know when they'll be back in stock. :mad:

I know right, Were have they gone????

upinthesky · 04-03-2014 6:53pm

Oh and Aldi used to a lovely schewan sauce, (not sure on spelling) it was delicious..

Banjo String · 04-03-2014 8:59pm

With the risk of going off topic...........

Talking of Aldi and disappearing stock. They used to sell a beer that was almost identical to Peroni. It had the same size of bottle (660ml) and tasted identical but was less than half the price (€1.79) Italian beer called Rossini.

I know it was popular. Very popular. Yet it just vanished. No one knows why

What's up with Aldi and their disappearing brands anyways???

The_Conductor · 04-03-2014 9:12pm

lisar816 wrote: »

Oh and Aldi used to a lovely schewan sauce, (not sure on spelling) it was delicious..

Schezuan- and yes, it was yummy. They still have a nice oyster sauce that makes delicious stirfries.

Even Tesco is doing a disappearing act on sauces- they had an out-of-this-world Teriyaki that was suddenly delisted, no explanation.

stoutykid · 04-03-2014 9:27pm

Aldi's thai green curry sauce did disappear for months recently but I am happy to report its back on the shelves again albiet a little spicer I feel.

mailburner · 04-03-2014 9:35pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

Even Tesco is doing a disappearing act on sauces- they had an out-of-this-world Teriyaki that was suddenly delisted, no explanation.

They used to stock bart massaman paste and were the only ones
to do so (thank god amazon do now) nicest ive tasted
now they do their own brand one which is horrible

Talking of Aldi and disappearing stock. They used to sell a beer that was almost identical to Peroni. It had the same size of bottle (660ml) and tasted identical but was less than half the price (€1.79) Italian beer called Rossini.

I know it was popular. Very popular. Yet it just vanished. No one knows why

What's up with Aldi and their disappearing brands anyways???[/QUOTE]

that was the best cheap beer by a mile imo
I couldnt tell the difference between it and peroni

they also used to sell a similiar type drink to lucozade only it was nicer
that also vanished and was replaced by something simliar which was
rank...dont see anything there now at all

rob316 · 04-03-2014 11:20pm

Lidl do a lovely maderia cake, its like over a foot long with a hazelnut topping for €2.99. You couldnt make better honestly.

Lissavane · 05-03-2014 12:00am

rob316 wrote: »

Lidl do a lovely maderia cake, its like over a foot long with a hazelnut topping for €2.99. You couldnt make better honestly.

Over a foot long? Sounds like a nutritious, healthy and value choice. And big too.

ShoulderChip · 05-03-2014 12:40am

The_Conductor wrote: »

Schezuan- and yes, it was yummy. They still have a nice oyster sauce that makes delicious stirfries.

Even Tesco is doing a disappearing act on sauces- they had an out-of-this-world Teriyaki that was suddenly delisted, no explanation.

What kind of explanation were you expecting?
Constant in store announcements?
Tesco staff calling to the door of customers who purchased the sauce previously?

:D:D:D:D

I am only joking

AlanS181824 · 05-03-2014 9:41am

Ye can't beat a Jive with a cup of tea

Ocean Blue · 05-03-2014 9:44am

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Ye can't beat a Jive with a cup of tea

So much lovely caramel!

upinthesky · 05-03-2014 9:45am

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Ye can't beat a Jive with a cup of tea

Or Aldi blue pack of bars that are like purple snacks, yum..

AlanS181824 · 05-03-2014 9:46am

Ocean Blue wrote: »

So much lovely caramel!

Now I'll buy Twixs if they're on special offer but I always get the Jives....I'm not made of money or anything! I hate the way the price has stayed the same even though the bar itself has shrunk ;(

rob316 · 05-03-2014 10:00am

Lissavane wrote: »

Over a foot long? Sounds like a nutritious, healthy and value choice. And big too.

Smashing with a cup of tea it is. Easily the best Maderia you can get in a supermarket. They also have a chocolate one too but I have not tried it yet.

Sam Mac · 07-03-2014 6:07pm

The gourmet jelly beans in Lidl are delish. 99c for a big bag.

Ian Whelan · 07-03-2014 6:28pm

lisar816 wrote: »

Or Aldi blue pack of bars that are like purple snacks, yum..

If you really do think that those bars taste like purple Snack bars then I think you should go to the doctor for a check up, it sounds like one of the first symptoms of something serious.

upinthesky · 07-03-2014 7:55pm

Ian Whelan wrote: »

If you really do think that those bars taste like purple Snack bars then I think you should go to the doctor for a check up, it sounds like one of the first symptoms of something serious.

Well, i haven't had the purple snacks in a long time, must get both to compare, but for the price the aldi ones are nice..

wildrover444 · 08-03-2014 10:09pm

Banjo String wrote: »

With the risk of going off topic...........

Talking of Aldi and disappearing stock. They used to sell a beer that was almost identical to Peroni. It had the same size of bottle (660ml) and tasted identical but was less than half the price (€1.79) Italian beer called Rossini.

I know it was popular. Very popular. Yet it just vanished. No one knows why

What's up with Aldi and their disappearing brands anyways???

yes i used to like that beer but then disappeared .my wife also used to like the boxes of red and white wine u could get in aldi to but they also disappeared

ABajaninCork · 08-03-2014 10:55pm

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Aldi's chocolate digestives are the business! Taste just like McVitie's for a fraction of the price.

That's the good news. The bad news? There have been none in the store for the past three weeks and no-one seems to know when they'll be back in stock. :mad:

I posted a message to Aldi's Customer Service this week asking about the choccy biscuits. They say there's been a supply problem which has now been resolved. The biccies will be back in stock by the end of the month (allegedly).

Watch this space!

Snowc · 08-03-2014 11:11pm

Ian Whelan wrote: »

If you really do think that those bars taste like purple Snack bars then I think you should go to the doctor for a check up, it sounds like one of the first symptoms of something serious.

Maybe you should go to a doctor ? your post is a very strange response to a simple comparison ................. very strange

MammaZita · 08-03-2014 11:23pm

stoutykid wrote: »

Aldi's thai green curry sauce did disappear for months recently but I am happy to report its back on the shelves again albiet a little spicer I feel.

Are you talking about the sauce in the jar?

I bought this once for a camping trip. It was vile and tasteless- even the 3 kids (2, 4 & 6) wouldn't touch it. For the sake of 5 minutes get yourself a tin of coconut milk and half a jar of curry paste (the latter hasn't been available in Aldi for over 12 months so you'll have to head to Dunnes).

unkel · 08-03-2014 11:27pm

wildrover444 wrote: »

my wife also used to like the boxes of red and white wine u could get in aldi to but they also disappeared

I wasn't surprised they disappeared. The turnover of them was very poor (you could check the dates on them)

And they were not good value for money. The 3l red australian was €16.99 and you could buy the exact same wine in a bottle for €4.25 at the time, so no benefit at all in "bulk buying" the bag

Sam Mac · 09-03-2014 10:43am

The 1L bottles of Orange Juice in Lidl for €1.45 are gorgeous!

snubbleste · 09-03-2014 11:39am

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I posted a message to Aldi's Customer Service this week asking about the choccy biscuits. They say there's been a supply problem which has now been resolved. The biccies will be back in stock by the end of the month (allegedly).
Watch this space!

A month! A friggin month!!

lmimmfn · 09-03-2014 1:17pm

Sam Mac wrote: »

The 1L bottles of Orange Juice in Lidl for €1.45 are gorgeous!

+1, we stopped getting tropicana over a year ago and just get the lidl not from concentrate orange juice, half the price and its nice. The aldi orange juice is good too.

daytob · 09-03-2014 1:20pm

Tried the lil fella on the dunnes brand nappies. No problems with them and they are the closest to pampers you can find, at 1/3 of the price.
Also the Aldi nfc orange and mango juice is lovely as is the aldi custard. could nearly drink the custard it is that nice. :eek:

ABajaninCork · 09-03-2014 5:34pm

Speaking of chocolate biscuits....

I find the Lidl ones are MANK! I'd rather wait for Aldi's to come back in stock or buy McVities.

OTOH - Lidl's shortbread is the nuts! Along with their fruit shortcake. I've been known to demolish a whole packet of fruit shortcake in a sitting...:o

Shelld2010 · 09-03-2014 6:49pm

Tried the Dunnes own brand nappies too when they first came out. Have been using them ever since!!

kn · 09-03-2014 7:24pm

Shelld2010 wrote: »

Tried the Dunnes own brand nappies too when they first came out. Have been using them ever since!!

Are you not old enough not to be using nappies anymore?

Shelld2010 · 09-03-2014 8:39pm

kn wrote: »

Are you not old enough not to be using nappies anymore?

Edit ... He he :-)

Red Crow · 13-03-2014 1:10am

Red Crow wrote: »

The Tesco Weetabix are delicious. And there only 2.69 or something for 48!

On own brands Tesco's crazy caramel (Mars) and Wild an Wippy (Milky Way) are gorgeous.

Also the Tesco tomatoe ketchup is lovely!

Tesco wheat biscuits are after going up! Boo urns!! It's 2.35 for 24 now!

hfallada · 13-03-2014 10:58am

Sam Mac wrote: »

The gourmet jelly beans in Lidl are delish. 99c for a big bag.

I tried them and thought they were disgusting. Aldi used to sell the Irish jelly bean companies ones in an own brand packaging. They were incredible

Red Crow · 22-03-2014 10:12pm

gooner99 wrote: »

Always have used Gillette Fusion. But was in Aldi last week and the razor and 3 blades were only €3 odd with the refills €2 odd. So said what the heck I'll give that a go. Must say they are very good and with the low refill price you can replace the blade more often rather than trying to get every last shave out of a blunt-ish blade with the more expensive ones. I have sensitive skin, but use a good soap (Taylors or Prorazo) and a brush, which I think makes all the difference compared to the gunk in a can sold in the supermarkets. I did buy a DE razor and tried it a few times, but just couldn't get a good shave or get over the fear of getting a bad nick from it. It was at this time I changed over to the proper soap and brush and although I went back to the disposable swivel blades, I stuck with the soap and brush, makes a big difference.

Just to second this. I tried out the Aldi Razors and I have to say that they are very good quality. The razor costs 3.49 to buy and that comes with 3 blades. A refill pack is 2.09 which contains 6 refills. They are great value and certainly there is not a big difference in quality. I have to shave every odd day for work and I've found them to be excellent. It's not going to be as cheap as DE but it's a great shave for a great price.

vicwatson · 23-03-2014 11:28am

Northern catch cod in batter from aldi is lovely, much nicer than Donegal catch

Banjo String · 23-03-2014 4:51pm

Red Crow wrote: »

Just to second this. I tried out the Aldi Razors and I have to say that they are very good quality. The razor costs 3.49 to buy and that comes with 3 blades. A refill pack is 2.09 which contains 6 refills. They are great value and certainly there is not a big difference in quality. I have to shave every odd day for work and I've found them to be excellent. It's not going to be as cheap as DE but it's a great shave for a great price.

I have found these to be a bit flimsy tbh. Just tapping them against the sink to dislodge hairpin razor almost always results in the head shooting of the end.

Adrian4 · 24-03-2014 9:03pm

Rich Tea biscuits @ 28c are pretty good compared with the branded versions.

ABajaninCork · 24-03-2014 9:22pm

Aldi's Devon Cream crackers are tasty and very good value at 26c.

K-9 · 24-03-2014 10:37pm

vicwatson wrote: »

Northern catch cod in batter from aldi is lovely, much nicer than Donegal catch

I tried the frozen fish in Lidl and found it terrible.

I try the Inishmara range or the Aldi equivalent. If you buy 2 packs on offer, you are getting a much better quality product for Donegal Catch type prices.

Donegal catch is very over rated, a fancy Irish Birds Eye basically.

Whereas, a good catch from Donegal, like me, is never over rated!

cjmcork · 24-03-2014 11:17pm

Aldi have THE nicest chocolate mini eggs BAR NONE!

upinthesky · 25-03-2014 8:50am

I hate chopped and shaped fish, aldi chunky fish is lovely and a great price, there are 4 in the pack.

On another note why do company (big als) charge an arm an a leg for chopped and shaped chicken? It looks lovely on the pack, and then you read the ingredients..

The_Conductor · 25-03-2014 9:18am

lisar816 wrote: »

I hate chopped and shaped fish, aldi chunky fish is lovely and a great price, there are 4 in the pack.

On another note why do company (big als) charge an arm an a leg for chopped and shaped chicken? It looks lovely on the pack, and then you read the ingredients..

Once upon a time they didn't even have to declare it on the packet. You- and indeed most people on this thread- are the educated minority who actually read packets and care about more than the headline price.

If we were to take this thread at its basic level- and ask what budget products are good- we could go back to basics- get some nice chicken in Aldi, shred it with breadcrumbs, bind it with egg, flavour it with a little salt and pepper- and some paprika- use cookie cutters to shape it, lightly tempura batter it- and cook it in fresh oil- for less than the price of any of the manufactured products- you can add flavouring that kids like (most go ape for paprika)- and presto you have a healthy alternative that children will love, at a budget. You can't reuse the oil- so use the cheapest sunflower oil in Aldi or Lidl- and sign up to a recycle scheme- and save a few pence in that direction too.

Unfortunately- if you start to read the labels- you will only get angry. Aldi and Lidl make money even on their cheap products. At the end of the day something has to give- and while Tesco et al may get away with massively higher profit margins for similar quality products- at the end of the day its the consumer who pays the price, through the lowest possible priced ingredients that they can get away with being used.

Look up a recipe for a tempura batter- which will take you 3 minutes to mix- and you can make far tastier, far healthier and cheaper food- than Big Als or any other pre-processed tidbits.

javagal · 25-03-2014 9:29am

I used to work for odlums and they make the Tesco value oats and it's the exact same stuff as odlums porridge just different packaging

The_Conductor · 25-03-2014 9:34am

javagal wrote: »

I used to work for odlums and they make the Tesco value oats and it's the exact same stuff as odlums porridge just different packaging

The Flahavans one is the same- the only difference is a little skimmed milk powder is added to the 'Premium' product- no other difference.

Which own brand/budget products are good?

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