Ehh, I've tried to be a fan of Pret, but it just doesn't seem to want to happen. To be honest, I only go there for the food in the first place, but even so, it doesn't seem to agree with my taste-buds. My most recent experience has pretty much sealed the deal that I won't be heading back in a great hurry.
The boyfriend and I decided to go to Pret for lunch one Sunday afternoon. We ventured in and browsed the vast display fridges for something to eat. I opted for a hot wrap, having had one a week or so before and found it decidedly average - I wanted to give them a second chance! The boyfriend also picked up a hot wrap - he went for jalepeno chicken, I went for BBQ pork. I also grabbed a can of sparkling apple juice and we stood to browse the hot drink menu. Whilst we were browsing the menu, one of the servers called out that if we were ready, we could come down. I replied that we were just looking and she smiled and went about her business. If only her colleague who eventually served us was equally as pleasant. I went up to pay first, put my things down and said 'hi' to the lady behind the till. I was met with a sour look as though I'd just said 'hi, may I punch you in the face please?' she put my things through, barked 'sit in or take out' at me and then told me the price. £5.24 - well for that price, I had high hopes for a decent wrap and drink! Boyfriend was served after me, with the same expression, dared to ask for a mint tea - a request our ever so pleasant server barked at another one of her colleagues (I might add, the tea bags and hot water were right behind her...) to make it, then didn't even bother to tell boyfriend how much his order came to. Luckily it was displayed on the screen for the till, but really? Why would you not tell someone how much you're asking them to pay?!
Anyway, pleasant server aside, we went to find a table to sit down - noting their very cool condiment bar area in the process. We decided to sit upstairs, having only just realised that this Pret actually had an upstairs in the first place. Finding a table was relatively easy, it wasn't particularly busy for the time of day - lunch time on a weekend. So we set about enjoying our food. Or trying to. Call me crazy, but when I buy something that has 'BBQ' on the label, I kinda expect a BBQ flavour. I got none. Instead, I got the spiciness that was clearly meant for the boyfriend's non-jalepeno chicken wrap. As for my drink, well, I'm not quite sure what the taste was, but it certainly wasn't apple. Now I know they go for the whole 'no artificial flavours etc...' business, but whatever was in that can wasn't apple tasting. Blergh.
Sorry Pret, you may be the first choice for many, but definitely not for me! read more