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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think Sainsbury’s cafe is better than M&S?

78 replies

Ghostpost · 05/09/2019 14:24

Went to a M&S cafe with dd yesterday thinking I could buy something like lasagne or fish and chips, but all they were serving was their overpriced cakes and jacket potatoes and soups. There was nothing nice to eat. So we left and went and bought exactly the same sandwiches in their food hall for half the price.

Sainsbury’s cafes have a massive variety of foods and warm snacks for adults and children.

Really sad I made a thread about it, but M&S disappointed me. They disappoint a lot, except I bought really nice basic black socks for £2.50. 5 pairs.

OP posts:

cheesydoesit · 05/09/2019 14:28

I don't think either of them are great tbh. It might depend on which region you are in though.

Original poster

Ghostpost · 05/09/2019 14:31

Well they’re supermarket/ship cafes so hardly expected to be michelin starred, but I expect a bit of variety in a cafe. Not just cakes, drinks and a jacket potato with different fillings. It’s not just any cafe, it’s supposed to be an M&S cafe, but they’re not really living up to their tag lines.

OP posts:

CassianAndor · 05/09/2019 14:33

never been to either, but I did like the Waitrose cafe where my mum lived.

In fact, I didn't know Sainsbury's did their own cafes, it's a Starbucks in ours.

from123toabc · 05/09/2019 14:33

Were there no independent cafe's you could have given your business to?
I think supermarket cafe food is just awful it's like Little chef. Everything is overpriced and either fried or microwaved.

thenightsky · 05/09/2019 14:33

Sainsbury is better, I agree. Their large vegetarian breakfast is fab.

Ribeebie · 05/09/2019 14:34

I agree OP. My DS doesn't seem keen on the food in M&S. He wolfs down what I get him at Sainsbury's in the little ones lunch pack - which is nearly half the price of the M&S one. I'm a recent convert!

Original poster

Ghostpost · 05/09/2019 14:36

Were there no independent cafe's you could have given your business to?
I think supermarket cafe food is just awful it's like Little chef. Everything is overpriced and either fried or microwaved.

In the middle of the city centre shopping for school things, I was supposed to go and find an independent cafe? 😒. I was hungry and wanted to eat something. We were in M&S so I went to the cafe. Forgive me.

And it’s not the point supermarket food is shit. We know it is. It’s the fact they had overpriced nothing.

OP posts:

BackOnceAgainWithABurnerEmail · 05/09/2019 14:39

Cafes in supermarkets go, from best to worst:

Top: Morrison’s
Sainsbury’s
Tesco
Waitrose
Bottom: M&S

ZaraW · 05/09/2019 14:41

M&S deli food eating area in Manchester City centre is very good.

GameSetMatch · 05/09/2019 14:45

Yes, I love a Sainsbury’s veggie breakfast! I don’t really go in for much more than that but it’s cheap and cheerful!

Deelish75 · 05/09/2019 14:52

M&S are good for mid-morning/afternoon cup of tea and a slice of cake.

But for main meals then Sainsburys is probably better.

RavenLG · 05/09/2019 14:54

In the middle of the city centre shopping for school things, I was supposed to go and find an independent cafe?
That's where I would expect most independent cafes to be tbh. If you had have said retail park, fair enough.

Couldn't bring myself to eat in a supermarket cafe tbh, it seems like hell. But if you we're unhappy did you raise a complaint, or even email a complaint when you got home? If you don't inform the company they will never know.

Deathraystare · 05/09/2019 15:02

Yes our big Sainsbury's has a good cafe. Quite pleased at the range of grub. Nice cakes too.

DappledThings · 05/09/2019 15:05

I like the M&S one. Nice warm salad options, small children's sandwiches and apple pots so very little food wasted with toddlers.

And my Sainsbury's doesn't do a babychinno so if we're planning a supermarket shop that includes a coffee stop we go to Tesco instead!

DuchessOfDukeStreet · 05/09/2019 15:09

the Sainsburys cafe nearest me is really grim - tables full of bean-y plates and stray chips everywhere. M&S isn't a lot better but the cakes are nice, you get a free tiny shortbread on your saucer, and sticking to tea/sandwiches means it doesn't smell of stale cooking in the middle of the lingerie section.

Waitrose is the nicest food, hands down, but the service can be incredibly slow.

Branleuse · 05/09/2019 15:11

yeah, sainsburies is more like a canteen, so better for lunch

Pinktulipsarethebest · 05/09/2019 15:11

I wouldn't expect a cafe to sell hot food at all.

Teacakeandalatte · 05/09/2019 15:13

M&S do the best toasties and I like those little biscuits they give you with coffee. Sainsbury have the best teacakes ever really nice, I am an expert on this as per my user name.

DappledThings · 05/09/2019 15:16

I wouldn't expect a cafe to sell hot food at all

That's really bizarre. What is your definition of a cafe?

BlingLoving · 05/09/2019 15:18

I've always loved a supermarket/department store cafe for the convenience and ability to get a quick, decent cup of tea/coffee and a snack in the middle of your shopping. I have fond memories of those places with my mum as a child when she would treat us while we were out.

But... I have to agree re M&S. My local one isn't bad but always looks a bit grimy (hasn't had the makeover some of them have had), the food is just overpriced versions of the food hall and they ALWAYS run out of scones by about 3pm which infuriates me! . Sainsburys on the other hand has better actual food and my local one is quite bright and cheerful (but the coffee is awful, it has to be said).

Separately however, I have bad news: bought really nice basic black socks for £2.50. 5 pairs. Those aren't nice socks. They will wash very badly and within a few weeks will be as stiff as boards. Sorry. I'm increasingly frustrated with the poor quality of the M&S basics stuff ie socks, school uniform etc. DS' shirt collars are all destroyed after just a term and his jumpers all shrink even on a cold wash, and then go hard. Not realising quite how much they'd shrunk because he actually hardly ever wears them so we'd had them for a while, I bought new ones in the size up and was horrified at how much bigger and softer they were.

I didn't even bother attempting to get DD's uniform there and went straight to Sainsburys for everything except the branded stuff that had to come from M&S.

BlingLoving · 05/09/2019 15:18

oh, and incidentally, M&S' woes continue - they're no longer a FTSE 100 company and there was a mildly amusing piece in The Times this morning about how their clothes, quality etc are all shit.

Pinktulipsarethebest · 05/09/2019 15:24

Dappled cafe= tea, coffee, cakes, scones, sandwiches. If you want hot food you go to a restaurant.

CocoLoco87 · 05/09/2019 15:26

Sainsbury's do have a lot more variety in their cafe than M&S but where we are, you wait at least 30 mins for food in Sainsbury's. It's painful!

DappledThings · 05/09/2019 15:28

cafe= tea, coffee, cakes, scones, sandwiches. If you want hot food you go to a restaurant

Panini, toasted sandwiches, jacket potatoes, cooked breakfasts. These are all hot food and I would expect in a cafe. Would you really describe somewhere that serves things like that as a restaurant?

Disfordarkchocolate · 05/09/2019 15:31

Sainsbury's do excellent breakfasts. Their ham, egg and chips are very good too. M&S has too few options, very limited dairy-free food and an obsession with cheese.

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