Marks & Spencer Simply Food

I have a problem with this M&S. It’s not their fault, they’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing, they’re functioning very well as a little supermarket. They’re perfect for stopping in for a grab and go lunch, or even for a more thorough shop if the prices don’t bother you. I fully recommend their «Meals in for 2» when they’re running them, as they’re surprisingly good value. I also like the chicken and basil pasta, the soups, the fresh breads and so on.
So what’s the problem? The cookies. They do these packs of about 10 all butter cookies in some really delicious flavours. Worse still, these are normally on 3 for 2 offers, so I end up buying 3 packs. That would be fine, of course, who isn’t happy when they have 30 delicious cookies? I mean, it even means that you can try out all the flavours, right? Yeah, you can. Diet ruined. Completely and utterly ruined. Sure, I could share the cookies with my office mates, but we both know that isn’t going to happen, don’t we M&S?
Joking aside, this store is ideally placed if you’re on Byres Road and need to grab a few groceries. It’s got a slightly weird layout that tends to cause congestion around the sandwiches and the queue for the tills is kind of slow, but it’s not bad. It would be cool if they did a greater range of wine and beer but they don’t have endless space. I’d also love it if they did some of their healthier snacks in individual packs as well as the multipacks they currently offer.
It’s kind of pricey, but it’s an M&S — there are cheaper supermarkets nearby if that’s what you’re looking for. If you can buy in bulk a lot of their multi-​buy offers are pretty good and that probably makes it more worth it. So look out for those.

I don’t often shop in M&S when I’m at home, purely because when you’re on the road the first thing you find out when you’re in a new town is where the nearest M&S is, and you then proceed to live on M&S food all week!
So although I don’t often shop here, it is conveniently located just off the main drag of Byres Road and I do sometimes pop in to get a wee salad or a sandwich for lunch if I’m out and about.
Markies do seem to have got the balance right in their small food shops — there’s always something that you will want to buy, even if you’re a fussy eater like me who doesn’t do meat or dairy. This one is no exception, and although it pales in comparison to the huge branch out at Knightswood, it’s still a great place to have in the West End.

A surprisingly well stocked store considering its size, with a good range of lunch items, staples and pre-​prepared meals. The bakery section is particularly good, with an excellent selection of fresh bread and high quality pastries. My only annoyance is their constant need to rearrange the shelves, sometimes making it impossible to find things when you’re in a hurry!

It’s a Okay store but nothing to tell anyone about. I would rather cross Byers road and head to Waitrose instead. They have more variety than the Marks and Spencer does. It’s very small by comparison and you can find okay items and things you might need in a pinch.

Sometimes I’m surprised by places. Years have gone by with me pouring scorn on M&S, mostly to do with a reaction to those flippin *put on sexy voice* ‘this isn’t just any old salt sachet, this one will have sex with you… honest it will’ adverts.
Now though i have to give credit where credit is due. Popped in here with the mother unit and she picked up some £10 quid for a full meal deals, which were tasty, well priced and more than enough eating to go around two adults and a three year old.
Simple as that.

This M&S gains a star because its getting a bit better queue wise — sometimes I do still stick my head in and decide to keep walking but this is getting less
Its a bit weirdly laid out, as some of the city centre supermarkets tend to be, and I still think the alcohol selection could be better — less rubbish fizzy cocktails, more wine, beer and ciders please!

This isn’t just any M & S… OK, shoot me. It had to be done.
M & S is a reliable, big, British-​institution of a supermarket. This west-​end branch of the dedicated Simply Food is a nice example of a convenient, high-​end food store for convenient, high-​end food.
It’s nicely laid out, has a good selection of all the usual M & S offerings: lunch, fruit, salads, microwave meals, meat, deli items, soups, jars and cereals.
The staff here are all friendly. The shop is kept clean despite the constant influx of customers. The food you can buy here is all dependably delicious (although the Dine in for £10 offer usually sells out within the day it’s put up, so be quick!)
It has been overshadowed since the opening of Waitrose as it definitely more a «convenience, ready-​meal» store, and offers very little ingredients for your own home-​cooking. And the vegetables, fruit and plain meat they do offer is very over priced. But for a pizza, bottle of wine, and decadent deserts (M & S deserts are unrivalled, even by Waitrose) pop in!

I was delighted when this Simply Food opened up when I was at uni. So close and so luxurious, it was perfect for a pick-​me-​up lunch. Their food is fantastic and I am never, ever disappointed and even their sandwiches work wonders. If more of a boost is needed they serve fresh coffee and have an instore bakery (mmmmm). Knowing you will always get something good means you don’t mind paying out a bit extra.
The layout is lovely too and kept very tidy and clean and the staff are great — yet another boost to the day! I hope there is a place for both M&S and Waitrose here. Personally, I think so.

I remember the excitement of the M&S Simply food opening on the corner of Great George Street — it was the buzz word at parties for months…
Anyway, the excitment went on for many moons — with guilty snack trips for cakes in the early evenings, and indulgences at lunch time or at the end of the day feeling too lazy to make a proper dinner.
Now I’ve moved further away though, the novelty has dissipated and I rarely go back. But it is a safe, homely and luxurious feature of Byres Road — as far as supermarkets go anyway! — and I will defend it till the day… Waitrose moved in.

Ok, I’m being bad and reviewing a huge chain. BUT, I have my reasons, if you’ll just let me explain…
Firstly, the food: Marks and Spencer food adverts do not lie. Their food is awesome. It may cost that little bit more, but I’m not going to lie — I’d rather have a Marks and Spencer Cajun Chicken Taglitelle for £3.10, than a Somerfield Cardboard Taglitelle for £2. Living round the corner for 2 years didn’t help either — «I fancy some food… oooo M&S Sandwich…». Damn my feable bank balance!
Secondly, the staff: The staff in here must go through a rigourous training régime where they are told, on no accounts, must they ever stop smiling. They’re always so happy! And helpful! Better than that, there are two men who work on the tills, (cannot remember their names — sorry!), who are just great. If you’ve had the crappest day in the world (you ripped your tights stepping onto the subway, then a car ran through a puddle and soaked you, then you missed lunch from having to do someone elses work… etc, etc), these guys will cheer you up no end. Both seem to survive on happiness — they will always ask you how your day was, what you’ve been up to, and comment on your food (and if you’re a regular, they even get to know your name for a bit of banter), which when you’re feeling a bit low, will perk you right up — and yes, it may come across as annoying at times, but you’ll never forget their beaming faces. Who says customer service isn’t everything?!
Well done M&S, once again, you’ve surpassed yourself. Any white chocolate chip cookies going spare?