Extreme discounter Aldi quietly opened the doors Monday on its Orange County supermarkets to the delight of shoppers looking to avoid big crowds later this week when the chain officially debuts here.

Outside the store in Anaheim, shopper Cheryl Greenamyre couldn’t stop talking about the deals she encountered.

“Tortellini for $1.29; at Ralphs, it’s $6,” she said as she loaded several bags of groceries into her truck.

She and many other shoppers throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties discovered most Aldi stores were “soft opening” Monday after sneak peeks on Sunday. The stores officially open Thursday.

Greenamyre was among two dozen shoppers browsing the aisles Monday morning in Anaheim.

“I wanted to see what this was all out,” said shopper Roberta Biringer of Anaheim, who bought eggs, flour and salad dressing.

Even though she bought a few items, she said she’d be back. “The prices are really reasonable.”

Biringer said she would add Aldi to her list of favorite grocery stops, which also includes Ralphs and Stater Bros.

However, after closely observing all the store offerings, Greenamyre said she’s ready to eliminate one brand from her list.

“I think we’re going to stop going to Ralphs,” she said.

Her boyfriend Larry Frazier said he liked some of the USDA choice meat offerings at Aldi. But that won’t stop him from buying from Stater Bros. – where he likes the full service butcher department and chicken options.

Shoppers aren’t just buying food.

Cecilia Estrada of Anaheim happened to be driving on Euclid and noticed the Aldi store was open. She stopped to check it out and instead of leaving with food, she loaded her car trunk with eight green and white patio cushions and two outdoor end tables.

“I thought it was just groceries but when I saw these, I took advantage,” she said. Estrada also bought some strawberries.

Across town in Buena Park, an employee was greeting potential shoppers as they walked by. “Hi, we’re open; come on in.”

Inside the store, curious first-timers slowly walked each aisle, touching items and looking at price tags on everything from cereal to produce. Some were even helping out strangers.

“You like lettuce? It’s only 55 cents,” one man told another in the produce aisle.”

Marilyn Havey of Buena Park shopped at an Aldi in Florida while visiting her daughter recently. She was impressed by the prices, especially on the local produce. She said she is excited to see Aldi open close to home.

While checking out bread prices with her neighbor, Havey opted not to buy anything Monday. She’s waiting for the grand opening later this week, when a $5 off coupon is valid. The discount was sent to locals. “I’m making my shopping list for later this week,” she said.

Havey typically shops at Walmart, Smart & Final and Stater Bros. After leisurely cruising the store in Buena Park, she knew Aldi would save her not only money but driving trips.

“Walmart and Smart & Final are off my list,” she said. She’ll stick with Stater Bros. because she likes the meats there.

The California store openings mark the beginning of Aldi’s march West. To date, Aldi has revealed 27 of its 45 California locations planned for this year.

Aldi executive Gordon Nesbit said the chain has not revealed where it is scouting other locations, but during a recent phone interview, he confirmed Orange County will have more than three stores.

“There’s at least another dozen stores we’re pursuing,” said Nesbit.

Also opening April 21 are stores in Arcadia, Cerritos, Covina, Inglewood, La Verne, Palmdale and San Bernardino.

Aldi said it expects more stores to open in the Los Angeles area and the Inland Empire.

German-born Aldi, which has family ties to Trader Joe’s, operates 1,500 stores in 32 U.S. states. The chain, with its U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Ill., sells private-label copycats of the 1,500 most popular groceries. In California, stores will be larger and have a wider assortment of items, including wine and produce.

When the first eight stores opened last month, thousands of curious bargain hunters made a grab for everything from raw chicken drumsticks to frozen pizzas to dog kennels. Stores from Palm Springs to Lake Elsinore stocked knockoffs of top-selling labels such as Heineken beer, General Mills cereals and Pop-Tarts.

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