h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, I loved your article. Very true. But I have a little niggle. The wall came down in 1989 and Germany (re)unified in 1990 officially.

You also forgot to mention that at the checkout if you don't re-load your trolley at least as fast as they are typing in the prices, you get nagged. Big time nagged. Not just from the cashier.

It's also worth a mention that at the moment the German cartel office are investigating some chains (Aldi, Lidl, WalMart are a few of them) who are selling milk for less than their purchase price. Loss leading is illegal, and it will be an exciting day when the final pronouncement is made (one way or the other).

Also, at least in my local (Heinsberg, Germany) Aldi they sell some branded goods (mostly sweets & chocolate - namely Haribo and Ritter) which are very competitively priced. And an odd thing. Aldi is quite often to be found near a very large supermarket (Real, Allkauf etc) which have often reduced the prices of staples to match that of Aldi.

My tip: their nappies are as good as other branded ones, and in some cases better. And the olive oil. And the dry cat food. And why pay more for bin bags????

This is one of those rare pan-European(almost) experiences. I love Aldi for their imported goods. They laugh in the face of all the other supermarkets with low cost imported items. Usually in britain if something is imported we pay twice or in some cases three times the price for imported goods. Aldi has shown that this needn't be the case. Walmart(Asda in Britain) are starting to match Aldi in some areas, but on the whole no other store can beat them. I love those thick meat pattie things that look like hamburgers but taste like meatballs, anybody had them?

Are they German? They could be Frikadellen. Don't ask what's in them, best not to know!! I heard that in UK butter (unsalted) is a good buy in Aldi. And as I always maintain: pan scrubbers and J-cloths, nappies and loo-rolls - the quality in Aldi is as good as an "average" (ie. not luxury) version in a more expensive shop, so why pay more? They also have a really good selection of wine and spirits (don't like their beer) but no gin (at least, not here). And sometimes their special offers (especially children's jeans) are brill. And now they have started stocking free-range eggs, I'm a happy bunny. My only regret is that I don't get in there often now because of work....

YES!!! Frikadellen that's them

The German way is to heat them hot with a big dollop of German (ie sweet) mustard and a slice of dry bread. But they can be used instead of burgers in buns, etc. So, how do you enjoy them?