Bagels: Cheaper than wraps?
By Catriona McGrath
Since Peter is ‘ill’ with what he claims is swine flu, I will kindly fill space on CheapEats. Fortunately for him, I’ve been looking for a forum for my sandwich rant.
Like many people I’m a fan of the sandwich. Stick pretty much anything between two slices of bread and I’m fairly certain I’ll have a decent lunch.
Well, at least that’s how I used to feel. But now I’m sick of being handed a dumpling wrapped in bread and having to pretend against all evidence to the contrary that this is in fact a ‘sandwich’ in the traditional meaning – all the while paying for the privilege.
There’s a Centra around the corner from where I work with one woman at the deli counter who you can trust to make a decent sandwich. You can sense the entire queue, like me, mentally calculating the number of people in front of them versus the number of people making sandwiches (factoring in each individual sandwich maker’s speed) trying to figure out if they’ll actually enjoy their lunch today. And then you see the relief spread across the face of the lucky b*&%rd whose numbers come up (Sadly, never me). There should be a sandwich makers course where sandwich makers are forced to eat their own sandwiches for a week, or until they finally figure out that the filling can be spread to the edges of the bread and doesn’t have to stay in the blob shape of the spoon they used to scoop it out and –
Ahem! Sorry about that, I got a little carried away… I’m sure you’ll want me to stick in something positive too. Um, it’s significantly cheaper to buy a filled bagel in Fresh in Smithfield (Dublin) than to get a wrap, sandwich or roll. Usually the bagel is less than €3 euro for two or three fillings. And it’s just as good – unless, of course, you get a deli person from the Blob School of Sandwich Makers for your bagel, in which case you end up with a whole of filling and a wall of bread to work through before you get there.
Where’s your favourite place for lunchtime sandwiches? And have you noticed a price difference between bagels, wraps, rolls, and sandwiches?
Tuesday 25 August, 2009 at 10:44 am
Simon’s Place in Georges St Arcade. Big filling sandwiches with lovely fillings and Dublin’s nicest bread:
http://www.cheapeats.ie/2009/03/24/review-simons-place-georges-st-arcade/
But sometimes you can’t beat a crispy roll from a convenience store. Provided, of course, that you strike it lucky with your server.
Tuesday 25 August, 2009 at 11:47 am
Not much worse than an ill-made sandwich. I got a sandwich in Kerry once that was basically two slices of bread with a whole tub of coleslaw upended between them. There was supposed to be turkey in there but the coleslaw drowned it beyond recognition. What is the Irish fascination with sloppy coleslaw all about?
Tuesday 25 August, 2009 at 11:48 am
Speaking of Fresh, I sat in there at lunchtime last week got a chicken caesar panini and a big mug of tea there recently for a fiver. I’m not convinced on their grocery prices but thought this was excellent value (and the panini was delicious).
In contrast, CafeJava charged me 5.75 for a take away bagel!
Tuesday 25 August, 2009 at 11:59 am
I saw a girl recently get a demi-baguette with butter, lettuce and mixed peppers. What was that about?
Tuesday 25 August, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I HATE poorly made sandwiches. On Baggot St, the difference between the slop you get in Spar and the carefully made sandwiches in Munchies, the Unicorn deli or the Bagel Factory is massive. But Spar is so much cheaper I’m often tempted back. Cheapskate.
Tuesday 25 August, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Silver Spoon in Castleknock Village, really good value and nice fillings,their home made carmelised red onion chutney is to die for!I usually get loads of fillings and ive never paid more then €3.75 for a sandwich/roll/wrap. They also do really good value and tasty salad plates. 🙂
Wednesday 26 August, 2009 at 1:23 am
for the cheapest-skates among you…a small brown roll from centra (29c) + a banana (around 30c)… made by ripping open the roll and wedgin the ‘nana in…cheap, vegan and pretty good for when you have less than a euro for lunch.
not everyday though 🙂
Wednesday 26 August, 2009 at 9:58 am
Marks and Sparks do a range of sambos for only €1.50 like egg mayo and plain cheese. Now one euro fifty is exactly what I would expect to pay for two slices of bread and a slice of cheese. Yeah for reality.
Wednesday 26 August, 2009 at 12:34 pm
All true, but don’t forget that with the power to choose from the unnecessarily large selection in most delis, comes the responsibility not to order a filthy mess of a roll that not even the most diligent spreading could rescue.
Wednesday 26 August, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Sarah Gostrangely: hurray for banana sandwiches! I did just this when I was on the Camino, always worked out cheap, filling and nutritious.
Wednesday 2 September, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Fothergills Deli in Roselawn Shopping Centre (D15) were offering a free slice of rhubard crumble or vanilla sponge with every sandwich/wrap/roll etc today! huge slices too an unexpected midweek treat which made my work mates jealous esp when i heated it! 🙂
Tuesday 27 October, 2009 at 12:46 pm
sandwich are over rated!!! I want a meal