Swindled by a sandwich

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Posted at 12:31PM, 08 October 2008 by Andrea McGinniss - sub-editor, bbcgoodfood.com

I'm sick of being ripped off. And now that we're having our credit crunched it hurts even more. That toasted cheese Panini that isn't melted in the middle; the £4 fruit smoothie that is more froth than fruit; overly packaged supermarket fruit at more than a pound per pop; a chain-shop coffee that is milky and weak. And that's just from the handful of shops beneath our office.

Look around and you can see we're surrounded by overhyped, disappointing food products. I fully appreciate the power of good copywriting but quite frankly, it's getting ridiculous.

A ham and egg sandwich from Pret A Manger, in their words, becomes: 'Wiltshire cured ham, free-range egg slices, fresh tomatoes, red onion, Italian matured cheese, English mustard mayo and salad leaves on our seedy bread (with no less than 7 different types of seeds and grains!)'. No less indeed! Though tasty, it's still just a ham and egg sandwich, and comes in at a hefty 582 calories. And it's not cheap either. Whinge.

Look around and you can see we're surrounded by overhyped, disappointing food products...

I like to think of myself as quite an easygoing kind of person, reluctant to kick up a fuss. But things are changing. Last year I was pushed that bit too far by a lunchtime wrap. It had the nerve to call itself 'Full o beans'. But as my photo proves , it was anything but. Feeling particularly ranty, I wrote in and complained. I got a voucher back, but that wasn't the point. I didn't want another 'Empty o beans' wrap for free, I just wanted what it promised on the packet. Is that too much to ask?

I know I'm not alone in my frustration as these (rather disturbing) images prove . Sadly, it's not just fast food which is failing to live up to its promise. I think all the healthy, organic, local, ethical, sustainable claims of the more noble-intentioned (and pricey) chains can distract us from the fact that chain lunch bars just aren't very good.

If it gets any worse, God forbid, I'm going to have to bring my own lunch in, and get out of bed five minutes earlier on these cold wintry mornings. We need better value and we need it now!

Have you been left feeling ripped off by sub standard sandwich bars? And what can we do about it?

Comments

Donna

8 October, 2:42PM
Donna

How about sandwich bars who only put the filling along the diagonal...

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philw2008

8 October, 3:08PM
philw2008

I agree! Things have gone too far. A certain Italian (for eat) sandwich bar near my office is selling a small tub of flaccid pasta for Â£5! It must cost about 25p to make.

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Suzanne

8 October, 3:13PM
Suzanne

Those ad photos versus the real thing are really interesting, and very gross. To avoid having a tantrum every lunchtime, just make extra dinner the night before (and try to exercise restraint when you fancy a second helping) and bring it into work. Saves a fortune - and you know what goes into it.

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Elaine

9 October, 7:04AM
Elaine

Totally agree. Often feel like bought sandwiches have been made so far ahead and chilled so much that they taste v bland or, worse, the salad is all slimey. I definitely prefer making my own and often do a small side salad to eat alongside. Feel like I'm getting two lunches then!

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AdrianB

9 October, 7:10AM
AdrianB

I think it's that realisation moment when you're at the supermarket or deli and see a good packet of quality ham for 3 pounds and an organic loaf for 1.50 and it's enough food to make three days worth of sandwiches ... but it's still only equivalent in cost to the single ham and egg buttie that they want to sell you from the sandwich aisle.

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Holly

9 October, 7:59AM
Holly

All well and good commenters, but making lunch (or even dinner) every day is easier said than done, if only there were more hours in the day, I would love to. But I work hard and love going for dinner, I do often have left overs for lunch but I also love buying lunch and trying new things - and yes, the quality is dropping. Luckily for me, over here in Melbourne there is always a fresh sandwich or cheap sushi, but I have found myself missing M & S when something else is craved - I hate to say it, but there is a lack of garb and go salads - esp. where i work. Thank god for the canteen - and that's always saying something! A good point, well raised Andy.

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Andrea

9 October, 10:41AM
Andrea

Thanks for the suggestions. Oh how I miss cheap, fresh sushi! I have to say that, like Holly (although not as often since she abandoned me for Melbourne!), I tend to go out quite often so often don't have leftovers to use up. I will, though, make more effort to pre-plan. Have even bought tupperware and planning on making interesting things with lentils, veg and salad. Wish me luck!

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Chris Brack

9 October, 11:05AM
Chris Brack

Well since i have no life over here in the Sunny South West of Ireland (well for today anyway) I make the effort to make my own lunch and do bring it in to work the next day. The trick is to have a well stocked cupboard - ensure to have pasta, rice, lentils, tins of beans, tomatoes,spices and some fresh herbs and veg and you too can eat fresh tasty food every day.

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foodideas

9 October, 11:50AM
foodideas

I long ago stopped buying lunches out - as the writer says it does actually only take about 5 mins to make your own - its cheaper, you know what is really in your food - and it can be fun. If your office has a microwave all the better - I take yummy soups, salads, fruit etc - I have lost 3 stone in 10 months - and I am the envy of colleagues, with their limp offerings (sandwiches I mean)

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rozmorgan

10 October, 1:23PM
rozmorgan

I'm constantly disappointed by vegetarian sandwiches which rely on cheese as a protein. I'm lactose intolerant but love vegetarian food and cooking. It's rather sad that a cheese sandwich is considered the veg option!

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Ali S

11 October, 8:19PM
Ali S

Luckily for me, I only work part time (the benefits of having a 3 year old!) so on the Tuesday when I'm not working I make sure that tea is a slow cooked soup or something similar or roast veges. No hassle for me to stick in a container and nuke at work the next day. I have even been know to make these meals the same time as I've cooked tea, so I've then got 2 days worth However, the M&S cheese and celery sandwiches are still to die for at Â£1.25 I think ....and only 2 mins dash across the road...

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sheppy

13 October, 5:55PM
sheppy

It's all about the time factor. You can't put a price on your time. You'll regret making all those sandwiches in the mornings when you're old.

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the Ships Cook

15 October, 9:35PM
the Ships Cook

Food is a necessity, but is to be enjoyed. Savour making your lunch the previous evening with some music on in the background, and a small glass of wine. Why would anyone want to buy pre-packed sarnies! It takes less time to make them than it does to queue up and buy them, so isn't it a 'net time saving' over 24 hours? Perhaps this should inspire a 'packed lunch' area of the Good Food Site, with top tips, and time saving ideas?

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unkdysfunk

30 October, 7:51PM
unkdysfunk

Ive sworn that the shop bought sandwich is the final option when I decide that id rather stay in bed for 5 extra minutes than make my lunch (very rare, and usually cider related). I got fed up years ago with the standard and price of shop bought sarnies, theres a certain celeb chef (who remains nameless) whos range of sandwiches where the final straw for me 1 lunchtime, for someone to bang on about the finest ingredients when they are on my idiot box and then put there name to the god awful product was quite insulting really.

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