About Marks & Spencer
Train journeys, like road trips are better with snacks. So it was today, as I travelled from London to Brighton. My train pulled into St Pancras and there was six minutes before my next. I could have run and caught the connection but opted instead to take a leisurely stroll to the platform via Marks and Spencer. Perhaps it’s the unfamiliarity but I’ve always found shopping in M&S to be thrilling. Inside, the shelves are stacked with everyday items that seem somehow exotic. These days, with prices rising and the cost-of-living biting hard, money matters but with work paying for lunch, it felt wrong to forgo an opportunity to try the Marks and Spencer Mini Cocktail Sausage Rolls.
Address
M1, Pancras Rd Unit 23 The Circle St Pancras Station, London N1C 4QL
1. Appearance
Did the sausage roll look appetising? Was it lovingly displayed in the shop window?
There were a range of sausage rolls on display in the chilled section but I went for the cheapest, clearly designed for immediate consumption.
5/10
2. Price
How much did you pay for it? Was it good value for money?
£1.75 for three dinky sausage rolls. This was more of a snack than a meal and made for sharing but I had nobody to share with.
6/10
3. Packaging
Was it carefully wrapped? Did it arrive home intact?
The rolls were nicely packaged and fit easily in my jacket pocket.
7/10
4. Weight
Did it have a satisfying weight? Was it reassuringly dense?
There was no great weight to the rolls. I wasn’t expecting to be full afterwards.
3/10
5. Warmth
Was it warm and ready to eat or cold on arrival?
The rolls were stone cold but that was to be expected. There were heating instructions but I ate them on the train, as we approached Gatwick.
1/10
6. Pastry
Was it buttery and flaky? Did it hold together?
The pastry had layers but no flakiness. Storage in the fridge had made the pastry a little stodgy and there was a pocket of air between the pastry and the filling.
3/10
7. Quality of meat or filling
Was the filling substantial or did you mainly chew air?
The meat filling was acceptable, as too was the pastry to pork ratio.
6/10
8. Flavour
Was the sausage roll delicious and well-seasoned?
The flavour was fine but there was more onion than I liked. Sauce might have helped.
7/10
9. Satisfaction
Were you left satisfied or wanting more?
These sausage rolls felt unnecessary, especially since they followed a sad sandwich, crisps and drink. I’m nothing if not committed to the cause of reviewing pastry.
5/10
10. Bonus Points
Did anything warrant bonus points? Eg. a little pot of mustard or friendly service from the staff?
Bonus point for being slightly better than expected.
5/10
sAUSAGE ROLL RATING
48/100
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