I’m a die-hard Trader Joe’s fan who shopped at Aldi for the first time

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

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.