Re: Aldi - Yes, they are in Chicago, and I do shop there whenever I can. However, I don't currently have a vehicle, and there aren't any Aldi stores that are near where I live. Plus, I have an old back-injury that prevents me from carrying a lot of things -- so it really isn't feasible to get groceries from Aldi unless I can arrange a trip with a friend. (Plus, if I order via Instacart from Aldi, the increase in prices, plus fees and tip, make it more expensive than walking to my near-by grocery stores -- with the additional negative that I don't get to pick out my produce, and often am unhappy with any substitutions.)
Re: Plant based diets - Yes, those are far less expensive, typically because a lot of the calories end up coming from grains/carbs. And yes, it's better for Earth. But I am of the opinion that carbs are not great for my health, and I feel much much better when I generally avoid carbs, and instead get the majority of my calories from animal proteins and fats.
Regarding buying fresh chicken to cook -- I have been completely disappointed with it lately -- regardless of the store it comes from. It seems to be injected with so much saltwater, that it is impossible to roast or sear. All of that water just oozes out, and it turns out to be an unappealing steamed unappetizing mess. The best way I've found to prepare it is to buy bone-in and skin-on dark meat (thighs, legs, or quarters), and boil them first, so that the injected saltwater can ooze out of it. It also helps to throw a few bay leaves and garlic cloves into the water. Then, after boiling, I remove them from the water, dry them off, coat them in olive oil, salt, herbs, and roast in the oven until the skin is crispy.
