Morrison Supermarkets

As far as Morrisons goes, this isn’t a bad one. They have more fresh produce on show than most other of the franchise, including fresh beets and the occasional shipment of Pomelo, which excites my partner more than is rationally expected. Then again, my obsession with fresh beets is maybe just as strange.
The staff span the gamut from surly to very friendly, so better than a lot of the big groceries, as you have to expect a certain range with so many people working there.
However! Their Free From aisle is a bloody joke, at least compared to the Saknsbury’s at Cameron Toll that I used to go to regularly when I lived elsewhere. There’s barely anything there and they don’t even have a single brand of vegetarian jelly sweets. (Come on! Get some Vegebears or Goody Good Stuffs or AT LEAST some Biona!)
I also find that their layout is incredibly confusing and I’m still — after living across the street from them for four months — struggling to find stuff there. I’m starting to get used to it, but no other shop has taken me this long to get used to.

I’m increasingly convinced there is no over all superlative supermarket that has everything I regularly need at good prices. Those days are over and prices are climbing while quality and selection are on the wane. That said, even though Morrisons is flawed, it’s a bit better than most of the big chains. I’m reviewing the Porty branch here. This store boasts a large produce area with good prices and selection, though there is a budget quality to the veg and fruit. No pretty specimens like Sainsburys but the prices make up for that. This branch has a good fishmonger, good bakery section, housewares section, seasonal items and a café of variable quality but reasonable prices housed in a small time capsule of the mid-1990’s. Booze selection is okay for beer, no great bargains here but better scope than other chains and the wine selection is quite good with good bargains. Standout bargains are the MSavers budget line. Very cheap for tinned tomatoes, pasta, breakfast cereals, tortillas, yoghurt and honey. Olive oil, cheeses, frozen peas and so on. Worth a look.

One of the better Morrison’s in the Edinburgh area. I regularly frequent this one and the Gilmerton store, and the contrast in standard between the two is very evident.
In fairness Portobello Road’s Willy M recently went under an overhaul, introducing a revitalised rotisserie, butcher, delicatessen, etc., while extending the back area to accommodate new chillers and a lovely fresh bakers.
Most notably the fresh produce area has been redesigned and laid out well, introducing a particularly good herb garden. The selection is probably the best I’ve seen.
Offers are regular and fair. I particularly love timing it right to get all the discounted butchers, bakers and candlestick mak– I mean rotisserie fare at the end of the day.
Good for a monthly shop.
Loses one star for not stocking Calippos anymore.