Food critic Harrison Webb sampled lunchtime meal deals from major UK supermarkets and high street chains, ranking M&S as the winner despite its higher price. The M&S meal deal, costing £6.99, impressed him with its feta and slow-roasted tomato pasta bowl, salted caramel millionaire's shortbread, and diet pink lemonade. However, he admitted the price left him feeling annoyed.
Tesco's Standard Meal Deal
First up was Tesco, where Clubcard holders can get a meal deal for £3.85, or £4.25 without the loyalty card; a premium option costs £5.50. Harrison chose a chicken caesar wrap, cheese and onion crisps, and a bottle of Pepsi. He noted the wrap was heavy on Caesar dressing and garlicky, but declared it good value.
Co-op's Member Price Deal
Next, Co-op offered a meal deal for £3.75 for members, £4.10 for non-members, with a premium option at £5.50. Harrison selected a cheese and onion sandwich, salted caramel chocolate brownie, and San Pellegrino Limonata. He found the sandwich tasted like coleslaw and wasn't sold on it, but praised the brownie as 'banging'. Overall, he considered it not too bad despite the main course letdown.
Greggs' Big Deal
At Greggs, the Big Deal costs £6. Harrison upgraded his snack to a sausage roll at no extra cost, alongside a chicken and bacon club baguette and a double espresso (extra shot 50p). He described the baguette as plain and simple, ideal for fussy eaters, and was won over by the sausage roll, exclaiming 'magnifique'.
M&S Takes the Crown
Marks and Spencer's £6.99 meal deal impressed Harrison thoroughly. He chose a feta and slow-roasted tomato pasta bowl, salted caramel millionaire's shortbread, and diet pink lemonade. He described the pasta as 'banging', the lemonade as 'banging', and the shortbread as 'so good'. However, M&S meal deals are only available at railway stations and airports, not high street stores.
Sainsbury's and Morrisons
Sainsbury's meal deal costs £3.95, with an upgrade option to £5.50. Harrison selected a BLT sandwich, sausage roll, and peach iced tea. The BLT had generous filling but tasted very lemony, and the sausage roll had too much pastry. Morrisons offered a standard deal for £3.75 or premium for £5.50. Harrison chose a chicken triple sandwich, sausage roll, and Red Bull. He said Morrisons came out on top for value, with a stuffed sandwich and a sausage roll with more meat and good proportions.
Final Rankings
Harrison ranked Morrisons third, Greggs second, and M&S first for quality. He said: 'And then in first place, my personal favourite quality-wise, M&S. It was so simply laid out. Quality was great. Ingredients were great. Tasted great. It was just the most expensive, which is kind of annoying.'
