Cheap eats in London #1

     June 2010, I find myself with my girlfriend in jolly old England, London to be exact. As many of you know London can be an expensive city to visit. This can be a problem when somebody like me, who loves to eat copious amounts of food is on a bit of a budget. Staying true to what I wanted my blog to be about (finding affordable eating) I chose to review a fairly simple food item. My solution for a budget? Marks and Spencer, a British retail/grocery store. I do like gourmet food and don't mind paying a bit extra if its worth it, but on a budget my solution is pre made sandwiches:

Top: British Chicken and Bacon, BLT, Smoked British Ham and Mustard Mayo
Bottom: Gin and Tonic, Pain au Chocolat, Pina Colada

    Marks and Spencer grocery stores host a wide array of packaged sandwiches which make for affordable meals or snacks, here's the kicker, they actually taste good. Prices range from £1.40 to £3.50 for some of the heartier ones. My favorite out of the ones we got was the BLT (£2.20). The BLT was very filling and it was worth paying a bit extra because the other two sandwiches were a bit bland.When you compare these prices to restaurants that you'd go to for a light lunch you defiantly save a lot this way. You can save the money you  didn't spend or you can splurge and get deserts and drinks while you're at it: Do yourself a big favor and don't buy these pre made drinks, I ended up pouring my gin and tonic out and was left sober.

Pina Colada/Gin & Tonic

The stores selection of sandwiches is quite impressive here are a few with prices.
1. Aromatic Duck  by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

Maybe the duck flew south for the winter?
2. B.L.T. by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

Little to complain about.
3. British Ham & Cheddar by Marks & Spencer (£1.40)

Very frustrating.
4. British Ham & Salad by Marks & Spencer (£1.75)

Yippie, salad! 
5. Chicken by Marks & Spencer (£2.00)

Bland and blander.
6. Chicken & Bacon by Marks & Spencer (£2.25)

Yes, it's even good for you.
7. Chicken & Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes by Marks & Spencer (£2.25)

Tasty, but cluttered.
8. Chicken & Stuffing by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

Like a roast dinner, in bread!
9. Chicken & Sweetcorn by Marks & Spencer (£2.00)

Amazingly moreish.
10. Chicken Salad by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

Well made and well priced.
11. Chicken, Avocado & Bacon by Marks & Spencer (£2.50)

Quality over glitz.
12. Club by Marks & Spencer (£2.70)

For the spare bread lover.
13. Coronation Chicken by Marks & Spencer (£2.25)

Lovely but mean.
14. Crayfish & Rocket by Marks & Spencer (£3.00)

That's the way to do it.
15. Egg & Bacon by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

Oddly bland.
16. Italian Job by Marks & Spencer (£3.50)

Michael Caine would approve.
17. King Prawn & Bacon Caesar by Marks & Spencer (£3.20)

An expensive muddle
18. Oakham Chicken & Pancetta Caesar by Marks & Spencer (£3.50)

A big expensive mess.
19. Poached Salmon by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

You never knew fish could be this good.
(Review posted: 30/12/2005)
20. Prawn Mayonnaise by Marks & Spencer (£1.50)

M&S give us a lesson in blandness.
21. Red Salmon & Cucumber by Marks & Spencer (£1.50)

I didn't know fish ate cucumber.
22. Roast Beef & Horseradish by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

High quality, mid-price.
23. Sausage & Ketchup by Marks & Spencer (£1.60)

Oddly, this actually works.
24. Seafood Cocktail by Marks & Spencer (£1.50)

One of the better examples of this sandwich.
25. Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese by Marks & Spencer (£2.20)

Posh nosh for a fair price.
26. Tuna & Cucumber by Marks & Spencer (£1.40)

Dryer than Oscar Wilde and not nearly as fishy.
27. Turkey, Bacon & Stuffing Feast by Marks & Spencer (£2.50)

How not to do a Christmas sandwich.



Source: http://www.sandwichguide.co.uk/store.php?store=Marks%20&%20Spencer