There is a small Sainsbury inside the Victoria Station shopping center, as well as a large one just down from the station - both have pretty good prepared sandwiches. Inside Victoria Station is an M&S as well as numerous fast food type places. Down one of the side streets is a Subway, Cafe Nero, and other sandwich shops. We stayed in that area in March, and had no trouble at all finding cheap places to eat near the station - of course, we aren't really that into food, so we weren't too picky.

Alright you Brits, I hear you.
My mistake in stating "working class!"
I meant the "employed" in London.
But thats coming from an American where
"all men are created equal!" Or so Mr. Lincoln said. But it is your language first and frankly, I enjoyed listening to true proper English spoken while in London. I can only wish that I could cultivate such a vocabulary and use words and phrases in such a way as you folks do.
As to the subject at hand, M and S seemed to have better selections on food and drink than Saintsbury, but hey-up the Irish.
Cheers!
Mark

Mark-va

I agree M&S food is better than Sainsburys - Sainsburys is not what it used to be.

Most UK supermarkets have tried to follow M&S's direction in food retail to some extent. Tesco's has a much improved reputation and I think their food is great and cheaper than M&S.

I would avoid Somerfield at all costs - generally ghastly.

You've lost me again, Mark, what's the "hey up the Irish" reference to?

...sorry forgot to mention...

Getting back to the original question. sar_gil, if you enjoy Indian food, you can get a reasonably priced set lunch at many of the restaurants on Brick Lane.

I think I've done it again-insulted the Irish. Well kate..here's looking at you, kid.
Cheers!

Mark,

I am so glad to see you posting on this thread again...when I read this thread early this morning I was afraid you were going to be too embarrassed. (I meant that to be sincere, I hope it sounds right when you read it))

I like a person who can laugh at themselves :)) (I have to do it all the time ;) )

sainsbury tends to be a large supermarket (meat, fish counter, etc) where m&s is a smaller place specialising in prepared foods. m&s gets a lot of workers (as in employed - so you are correct, Mark) who nip in to pick up a prepared meal on the way home from work. a direct comparasin between sainsbury and m&s is not really appropriate due to their different nature.

Waitross is, of course, has the best reputation for large market chains. ASDA (owned by walmart) one of the worst.

i second the recommendation for brick lane. bbib's recommendation is correct that if you like indian food, you will like brick lane. however, it should be noted that brick lane is famous for bangladeshi food, not indian. while many "indian" restaurants in london are bangladeshi owned, they are happy to be branded as indian restaurants. brick lane, however, is trying to build it's reputation as bangladeshi and not as indian. this is not really a vital point as it's all known here as just "curry". everyone has their favourite on brick lane to which they are loyal. ...i have two, city spice and the shampan.

Waitrose my dear - you do make shocking typos and with proper names.

type fast, spell poorly, was raised with spell check, poorly educated, usually drinking wine or beer whilst on the computer.

a well-bred (or bread for that matter) lady of the manner would never be critical of her inferior's education :-)

A good laugh is a good laugh-at others and at ourselves.
Say walkinaround, I like the use of the word "whilst." Don't see that here in the U.S. I also got a kick out of the word and the actual "queues!" A London cabbie told me last week that if various nationalities were starting something, an Italian would start a restaurant, a Russian would start a revolution, and an Englishman would start a queue! That stuck with me for two weeks.
Mark

Hey Mark-although walkinaround writes like a Brit, he sounds like an American-my guess is he's the latter, or a variation thereof.

I think the difference between M&S and the other places mentioned is that it is not a "traditional" supermarket like Tesco and Sainsburys. ALl food is pre packed to consume immediaetely and has no othewr preparation that heating or microwaving. It is slighlty pricer but above average quality and quite handy. Good sandwicxhes and salads. Also the smaller sandwich places are always good in my opinion or they would not be in business long. Pret a Manger I never really took to. I like to see my sandwiches mad in front of me :-)

One of our favorite inexpensive restaurants is Sofra, which serves middle Eastern food seasoned to appeal to Westerners. There are several in London but the one we have been to (2 years ago) is in St. Christopher Square just off Oxford Street near Bond Street tube. They offer an exceptional pre-theater dinner (about 8GBP 2 years ago). Choices include kabobs, chicken breast seasonsed in various ways, soups, salads, etc. Outdoor dining is also available with great people-watching.

Cheapest, of course, is shopping supermarkets for sandwiches, salads, fruit etc., as well as the food halls of the large department stores.

Marks and Spencers does indeed sell regular groceries that need to be cooked/ heated alongside the ready-to-eat lunch fare.

The biggest difference between M&S and other supermarkets is that M&S sells ONLY own brand items. It also has a heavier emphasis on ready-prepared meals than on separate ingredients.

So you'll find small meat, poultry and vegetable selections but not as extensive as most supermarkets. You'll generally not find as many regular staples such as baking ingredients, cheap frozen family meals etc.

You will not find Heinz Baked Beans, Hovis Bread or Walls Sausages. You won't see Muller yoghurt, Nescafe coffee or Sacla pasta sauce. ALL their items are own brand.

All supermarkets (that I am aware of) have their own brand ranges but sell them alongside the various branded versions.

Last sentence should read ALL OTHER SUPERMARKETS... (in UK)