I'm in the camp of "shop at Aldi first, then top off from Kroger." I have patronized 2 different Aldis, due to a relocation, and both prices and produce quality varied. My results:
-Staples (milk, eggs, WW bread, flour, sugar, oatmeal, cheese, etc.): all good, and always less expensive than big stores
-Processed foods (pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, cereal, applesauce, ice cream): I have yet to find something I don't like of theirs. Spouse actually likes their generic oreos better than the real ones.
-Fruit: Their selection can sometimes be on the unripe side. I've learned to better select, and how to ripen stuff at home before eating. If none of the stuff in the bin passes the ripe test, I'll skip purchase. I read the Kroger circulars weekly, and buy their produce if it's cheaper than Aldi. That happens maybe 25% of the time.
-Vegetables: Broccoli and summer squash tends to be a little on the "old" side (noticeable but not untenable). Other stuff (potatoes, onions, cabbage, carrots, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes) is fine. I get other lettuce at Kroger if I can't grow it in my garden.
-Meat: We are 95% chicken/turkey only. Kroger regularly sells boneless chicken breasts for $1.99/lb, so I stock up the freezer then, as it's less than Aldi. I've bought Aldi's ground turkey, bacon, and sausage and they're all fine.
-Spices: Dirt cheap. They've got all the main ones. Love this.
Gripes:
1. Some of their stuff is weirdly considered "seasonal." Like they only have baking powder in the fall.
2. The lightning-fast checkers sometimes toss produce in the cart, enabling bruising.
3. I hate when they ask "did you find everything you needed?" I nearly always say no, and when they inquire, I'll tell them they have no cilantro (or whatever), and they say "we don't carry that." Duh. Why bother asking?