TAMPA — New Tampa officially has its second Aldi, although Wesley Chapel can pretty much claim it too. The store, a converted Winn-Dixie just south of County Line Road, opened Dec. 11 to the usual online reaction:

A third loved it, a third hated it and a third complained it wasn’t a Trader Joe’s.

Don’t be greedy, folks. A Whole Foods is coming up the road on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. That’ll sit across from a Super Target, which sits across from this new Aldi.

You’re getting a deal.

I get it: Aldi isn’t for everyone. The unfamiliar brands. The 12-cent paper bags. The dread of not having a quarter for a cart. But as a converted member of the Aldi cult, which can only be earned after making 10 purchases, half of which you regret, from the store’s Aisle of Shame, I have come to appreciate the store’s quirky charms and better than average prices.

And yes, I keep quarters in my car as if they are rare gems.

Here’s why you should love Aldi, too:

THE PRICES: While I love nothing more than dropping $300 at Costco when I only meant to stop in for paper towels and a chicken bake, the math is friendlier at Aldi, where I can fill a cart with three paper bags of groceries for around $100, maybe more if I’m splurging for salmon or something.

And yes, that means buying some brands I do not recognize. But trust me, the Millville cereals like Crispy Rice, Corn Flakes and Fruit Rounds are just as good as the bigger cereal name brands, but at $1.95 a box, sign me up. If you have kids, trust me: the cereals are where Aldi can save your budget.

The prices aren’t clearance, expiration-date-is-tomorrow cheap, and they don’t offer BOGOs, but overall, it feels like everything is more than a few cents cheaper and it adds up.

THE BRANDS: Aldi’s European roots means shelves full of names you won’t recognize, but don’t be scared.

Bremer’s frozen meals? My diet and palette may be questionable, but its shepherd’s pie, salisbury steak and lasagna meals ain’t bad.

Benton’s sweets? Always tasty. Case Mamita’s Mexican offerings? Esta Bueno!

We’ve bought some duds, so I’m not saying it’s perfect. There is a “Never Buy Again” list in our household, but there’s only a few things on it.

But discovering the hits and misses is part of the fun.

AISLE OF SHAME: If you’re going to truly commit to Aldi’s, go join any of the number of Aisle of Shame Facebook groups. They will guide you through Aldi’s most chaotic and wonderful feature: a center aisle full of seasonal, random, irresistible … stuff.

It makes no sense. I have bought an embarrassingly large number of items from this aisle, some of which I would never confess to in public.

I have, however, proudly purchased a grill cover for $9.99, and a $1.99 meat thermometer.

My wife has bought a variety of kitchen items, floor mats, a rug, swimsuits and pajama sets (she will deny this), cat scratch pads and doggie jackets, plants, three cabinets and a variety of other completely unnecessary knick-knacks, including some that we just wanted to see if they actually worked.

(Editor’s note: meh, 50-50).

I nearly purchased an Aldi hat last summer, you know, for doing yard work, but my wife, violently and viciously I might add, vetoed that attempt, fearing I would show up in public wearing it with a Kirkland shirt (iykyk).

And the stuff we regret? Merry White Elephant Christmas, everyone!

At the new New Tampa Aldi, I managed to resist a cat warming mat (only $6.99!), a kid’s airbed (with pump!), a cast iron braiser (apparently we bought one already), a three-piece hat, glove and scarf set (I live in Florida!) and a portable electric food warmer (to keep my Bremer’s Shepherd’s pie warm!), to name a few (sorry, I’m excited!).

The Aisle of Shame is restocked Wednesdays, becomes a disaster zone by Friday, and remains the primary reason I go to Aldi, if we’re being honest.

Well, that and the cheese.

THE CHEESE: Aldi’s cheese section is elite.

We like to buy a different cheese each trip, and a box of Thin Wheat crackers (which tastes suspiciously like Wheat Thins, and we’re pretty sure are Wheat Thins, but you know…), and make a nice charcuterie type of thing at home.

The choices can be divine. Masquerade Mango, Crimson Cranberry, Double Gloucester and Balsamic Onion are just a few of the choices that caught our eye at the new store.

There’s artisan cheddar cheeses rubbed with espresso and lavender, hatch chilis, secret Cajun spices and sea salt and honey. Or maybe a Sheep’s Milk Cheese with fig chili is more to your liking?

Listen, you can trust me when it comes to cheese: I’m from Wisconsin. Sometimes, I even wear a block of cheese on my head while watching football games. I mean, not real cheese, but you get my point.

And if you just want American slices or shredded cheeses like cheddar, you’re covered.

THE SWEETS: If I’m at Costco, I can avoid buying a 10-pound, $20 bag of Dubai chocolates. Aldi is more dangerous to my waistline.

There is a nice selection of Choceur and Moser Roth chocolate bars, the Benton’s Hazlenut cookies are definitely on the buy again list, and the Belgian butter waffle crisps and other cookies are tough to resist.

And with apologies to my favorite girl, Little Debbie, the Baker’s Treat brand Peanut Butter wafers and Swiss for $1.95 give her a run for the money.

THE MEAT: The meat selection gets mixed reviews online, but I’ve seen where people are scoring great deals, like New York Strips for 99 cents apiece or 10 pounds of ground beef for $3 or something crazy like that. Mind you, I have never seen one of these deals in person, just pictures posted in the Facebook groups, so it must be true, because it was on the internet, and it has become my mission to snag one of these.

I did spot 50% off stickers on fresh Atlantic salmon at the new New Tampa store, which I only noticed at home, after zooming in on a photo I took.

Day. Ruined.

However, I did cop some all-natural chicken breasts for $2.19 a pound.

THE EGGS: $1.96 a dozen. Run.

THE WINE: While I don’t mind a nice glass of Moscato when my friends aren’t around to make fun of me while I drink it, I confess, I’m no sommelier.

But Aldi does have a decent reputation for wine, and the prices are quite good. There’s a whole display at the New Tampa store, and I don’t think I saw a single bottle for more than $10. I’ll let the more cultured among you decide if that’s a good thing.

THE UNKNOWN: Beef schnitzel, a Piadina and some almond Spekulatius.

I have no idea what any of this is but felt the need to mention it.

THE CARTS: Yes, you need a quarter to get a cart. Yes, it’s quirky.

But it also gives you the chance to do the most wholesome thing you’ll do all week: hand your cart to someone on your way out.

Good for you! Happy Holidays.

So while Aldi may not be the Trader Joe’s people continue to hope for, it’s fun, affordable and delightfully weird.

See ya there. I’ll be the guy in the Aisle of Shame next week fighting someone for the leaf blower, face massager or men’s flannel pajama pants.

John C. Cotey is the managing editor of the Tampa Beacon. He can be reached at jcotey@tampabeacon.com.