Let the smells bring you in! (Greggs in general)

Member Name: cdsmiler81

Product:	Greggs in general
Date:	15/10/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fresh food, good value, tasty, consistent.

Disadvantages: Some products have disappeared in my local store

Possibly the best value for money lunch you could pick up. I've frequented Greggs for many years, especially in my old job where I was a 2 minute walk from the local Greggs and they would do the yummy mini corned beef pasties. Excellent value for what they are, and always fresh.

Greggs seems to pride itself on it's products being fresh and 'baked in store'. I'm not sure how accurate the last part is, as the cakes and bread don't seem to be baked on the premises. The pastries all seem to be backed on site though (albeit from frozen products) but this does provide a lovely warm alternative to a sandwich or wrap - especially nice on a cold day!

The sandwiches and wraps at Greggs are a new discovery for me. Since changing jobs, the local Greggs to me now is a bit further away (probably a good thing) and it being in the centre of an upper class rural town, there are some items that they don't seem to do there. The mini corned beef pasties have gone now for instance. So it's normal size pasties or nothing, which is a shame. I have no idea if this is just a local decision, or maybe they've gone from all stores? Anyway, I digress. I have started trying more of their rolls, sandwiches and wraps over the past year. The soft baguettes (savoury cheese especially) are always good, but the bloomer sandwiches are currently my favourite. Lovely thick fresh bread, with a slightly unusual filling (ie not your usual ham & cheese) - Chicken Orleans, Chicken & Mango, Tuna Crunch... it's really nice to find a tune related filling that doesn't include mayonnaise for once!

The cakes are consistent and excellent value, and a rare treat for me! That's the benefit of a chain branch - all the cakes (and other products) should be of the same quality regardless of which store you visit.

The service in the stores is consistantly good. Even if there's a queue coming out of the door - as there often seems to be at lunchtime; the stores just arn't big enough! - I've never had to wait more than about 5 minutes! And the staff are always polite!

Throughout the year they put on seasonal items - normally sweet stuff, but also savoury. I've seen Easter related items, and Halloween items are out now (great for trick & treaters, or for your own children). But I have to praise them on last year's (2008) savoury Christmas special editions. There was a chicken, stuffing and cranberry pasty, and a similar filling sandwich - the sandwich especially reminded me of my own favourite 'left overs' sandwich I always make over the Christmas period. They are certainly getting more inventive with their 'specials. For example, the current Halloween pasty is basically a steak bake, but with a spicy twist (Tabasco sauce). Simple, but effective! Keep it up Greggs.

The last thing I'd like to mention is their website - pop on there occasionally and you'll find vouchers for 'by one get one free' or special meal deals. Especially good around the times the themes special items come out - it entices you to try one of the newer items for a very reasonable price!

I shall leave my review there...as I'm now feeling very hungry!!

Summary: Brilliant cheap reliable lunch option!