Humbled...

Forgot to include a link to the original news story, which is here. You probably wouldn't expect the Boston Globe to cover the opening of a new Dunkin Donuts store in Massachusetts, but in California this is so unusual that the Los Angeles Times ran a story.

 

Turns out that ALDI was originally run by two brothers, who became the first and second richest men in Germany. They agreed to divide up ALDI operations by territory: one brother ran "ALDI Nord" in northern Germany, and the other ran "ALDI Sud" in southern Germany.

As ALDI expanded internationally, the two divisions continued to take separate territories. So for example, ALDI Nord got France and Spain, while ALDI Sud got the UK and Ireland.

But in the US, they decided that there was room for both ALDIs, and so they each established their own US operations. So there are two ALDI chains in the US: the ALDI stores are part of ALDI Sud, while Trader Joe's stores are part of ALDI Nord.

 

The very first Dunkin Donuts ever is about 500 yards from my police HQ, and I go there at least once a night when I'm working;

Original Dunkin

It's pretty common to see people taking pictures of the building and themselves in front of it, it's like the Mecca of coffee lovers. One of my MSPP classmates from out-of-state (where there are no DD's) got hooked on DD's, and was so excited to hear that the original one was still around, she drove 30 minutes just to see it and have her picture taken in front of it.

 

I don't drink coffee, but I hear lots of people go to DD just for theirs.

 

When I was stationed at Hanscom AFB in the late '70's, my friend Gil and I used to drive back and forth to/from the nearest Wendy's (about 30 minutes away) at lunchtime for the chili. Had to have it.

 

My parents do that. Driving to town for coffee at the local DD early on a Saturday morning has been a staple with them for years

My sister now lives in Alaska and jokes that the lack of DD is one of the main reasons they haven't flown up there to visit.

 

Wendy's Chili? Hells yes!!!!!! I get a backed potatoe, and pour a large chili all over it!! Especially good on a nice rainy day.

Abner :smile:

 

It's funny you mention that, because there is a Wendy's diagonally across the street from the original Dunkin Donuts. They have the best fast-food (anyplace with a drive-thru) in the area, IMO. Chili with cheese, and add 2 packets of hot sauce for me.

 

Remains one of my favorites to this day!

 

me again: "You mean Piggly Wiggly isn't the largest grocery chain in the WORLD???"

John: Perhaps not, but it is widely acknowledged to be the first supermarket ever. But the same people's next great idea was not too successful: a supermarket where you sat on chairs, and the food passed before you on huge rotating shelves.

Trivia challenge for this day: what is the single best-selling item at the chain M.C. mentions, and at just about every other chain as well as at Wal-Mart and Trader Joes?

 

Two packets for a small chili, please. If you don't get the hot sauce, you're not really having the chili.

BTW, Wendy's chili is low fat/calorie, and is a great Weight Watchers food.

 

Purely a guess: Diet Coke.

 

What do you mean there are Krogers everywhere? No there just here in Houston!lol

 

Yeah, the hot sauce sets it off perfectly. I crumble up some crackers and add that in as well. Good stuff.

Abner

 

The Wendy's I go to used to have a salad bar, and they would let me grab some onions to add to my chili, but sadly the salad bar is now RIP.

Will getting a chili offset the guilt of also getting a Double Baconator? :tongue:

Baconator® Double - Wendy's

(just kidding, I can't eat stuff like that anymore.....well, maybe a couple of times a year)

 

Stop it. You're making me want to stop at DD on my way home....and I definitely do not need more coffee today!!!!

Nice to see a few other New Engladers on here.

Go Celts!

 

Rich was a temporary New Englander, courtesy of the Air Force, but he does make it back this way once in awhile (even though he never takes me up on my offer to buy him a beer/coffee/dinner. :tounge-in-cheek: )

 

Certainly there are people on this board from New England. I'm not one of them.