For those curious minds who have ever wondered about the tangentially connected relationship between Trader Joe’s and Aldi, don’t worry: I’ve dug for you. The short answer is that both businesses operate independently without co-ownership. The long answer? There’s a little more in the backstory that you can read about here! That being said, both stores have tons of items that seem … eerily similar.
Take Aldi’s brand new, limited edition Big Dipper Corn Chips with Mexican Street Corn Flavored (now in stores while supplies last). Something about them made me take a double shot. (You can find more information on this month’s Aldi finds here.)
Of course, I got my hands on a bag to compare the contents and to prove my hypothesis. Aldi’s Casa Mamita Organic Mexican-Style Street Corn Big Dipper Corn Chips is $ 2.29 for 9.25 ounces, while Trader Joe’s Organic Elote Corn Chip Dipper is $ 2.29 for $ 9 , 75 ounces cost.
Right off the bat, I noticed that TJ’s bag contains only 0.5 ounces more than Aldi’s version. And, reader, let me tell you that this is the only difference between these two bags of chips! In a blind taste test, I found that both chips are identical in size, thickness, crispness, and taste. And after reading the ingredients word for word on the back of each bag, I confirmed that it was practically the same item.
While the Aldi version is a limited edition of Aldi Find that is available until stocks last, you can find the Trader Joe version on the shelves in the chip aisle all year round. Let’s hope the Casa Mamita chips are so popular with all other chip lovers that they become mainstays. Because, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind having two options to find my new favorite chips!
What are your favorite chips at Trader Joe’s or Aldi? Tell us in the comments below!