I see on the Pret a Manger web site that they have several in New York. Are they as good as the ones in London? I always remember those wonderful sandwiches fondly....the egg mayonaise.....the baguette with brie, tomatoes, and cucumber....wish I had one (Pret) here in San Antonio. Guess that's another reason to visit New York.

Not any better than your average take-out sandwich/salad place. I prefer Cosi - their salads are excellent, and their bread is to die for (Zagat's calls it "the yuppie version of the Soviet bread line").

They closed many of the stores in New York--they forgot than New Yorkers don't like so much mayonnaise in their egg slad/tuna salad, and never quite caught on here!

I second Cosi! I also love the Amish Grocery on 9th Ave. at 49th. Great take out!

Yes, Pret a Manger was a bust in New York. The Times actually ran a story on its failure to catch on. Some remain, but many/most closed down.

I prefer just about every corner deli over any of the chains (particularly Au Bon Pain, which is not only mediocre, but a terrible value).

Isn't this interesting? I stay for a couple weeks a year in London and rarely miss a morning at the neighboring pret a manger where I get a really great cappucino every morning for 99p (well, actually they raised it about 10p last year, I think). And I became addicted to the very hot and very fresh cheese and ham filled croissants. I only got sandwiches and things from them a couple of times, but they were delicious. I always said I wish there was something that good in New York -- where I always felt the chains don't begin to compare and have much higher prices. But let me guess -- when they opened in New York, they probably made their prices much higher than in London.

You know Patrick, it really wasn't the prices, I think - they were pretty comparable to the stiff competition for NY's lunch trade. I think it was the usual combination (too rapid expansion without the solid customer base, high real estate costs) mixed with a crucial lack of understanding of the NY market - every body is extremely health conscious and the sandwiches did have too much mayo! I remember having this conversation with a couple of friends who had remarked fondly about the Pret A Mangers in London - but not liking the versions here . . . and I think people tried the food once and didn't go back - even after management changed the product - I think it was too late. Interesting, the different taste, eh?