[brnt]

Dutch here, worked a few years in Germany. I can attest to the difference in esteem of the Aldi/Lidl in de and nl. But you already agree: German shops just look run down as a matter of course. Rewe and Edeka the least probably?

However (I've lived some years in FR and PL too), nothing beats Dutch supermarkets in terms of shopping-speed. Nowhere. If you think (German) Aldi is fast, you should try a Dutch shop (preferably in the city around rush hour so you can see it shines under pressure). As a low anchor, you can try the same in France (any brand, but Lidl too) ;) This includes stock: Dutch supermarkets are rarely out of something, but in Germany this is par for the course (or I am extremely unlucky?)

Also, and this is actually quite true for the Netherlands as well, there is a quality problem. It can be good, but it rarely is great. The French (and Belgians) really have that beat, at the cost of speed. Only fresh veg and bread is where Lidl shines, and I love them for it.

[LargoLasskhyfv]

Bread?! Lidl?! Aharrharrhaarrgh. (cough, spit...)

[brnt]

From a Dutch perspective :) You should see what foam they consider bread. One of the things I miss from France :) Lidl has a batard that is really quite good, unsurpassed by any Dutch bread.

[LargoLasskhyfv]

Can't have anything from them which is (re)baked in store. Makes my nose run, and throat slimy, sometimes even constricting.

I've given up on them. And almost anything else too. Because that is a function of modern bakery supply chains in general, not one specific 'outlet'.

[brnt]

You haven't had bad bread if you've never had Dutch bread. That includes virtually any 'bakery' (those are mostly chains who also rebake). Dutch bread is barely baked, and barely bread. Really, moulding shite and baking it is superior.

Do not get in a bad-bread-pissing contest: Dutch will win it every time.

[markus92]

Try having some stuff in the US that passes for bread. You'd long for the Aldi back home!