Most of the Aldi's around my area have installed self checkouts, and keep one register opened. If there's nobody at the register, they'll come to you once you go there and start loading up your groceries. I usually have enough stuff to make it worthwhile to use the cashier, vs the self checkout. But, I also tend to go somewhat early, during a weekday, before it's too crowded.
As for the friendliness of the staff, I've noticed it depends on where you go. And it seems to parallel how nice the customers are as well. I can think of five locations that I've gone to over the years. Three of them are about equally distant to my house. One is on my way to work. And the other is next to the discount liquor store I go t maybe once a month. The one by the liquor store, as well as the one on my way to work, I refuse do deal with, because I've simply gotten annoyed by staff/customers too many times. As for the three that are closer to my house, there's one that I prefer the most, partly because of the staff/clientele, but also it's just a more relaxing drive. Then there's one that seems okay staff/clientele-wise, but it's also off a major state road, so depending on when you go, traffic can make the drive a bit more aggravating. Then there's one, near a BJs that we go to, that I don't mind, but my housemate hates. However, I've noticed that whenever I go to that BJs by myself, I'll still drive 5 miles out of my way to the one I prefer, so there's definitely some subconscious bias/preference there.
Aldi is hindered by their small size and limited selection, but I'm not that picky, so I can usually find enough of what I like. And yeah, those $7.50 pizzas are pretty good, and filling!
