The store is situated in a very large building that looks like a department store towering over the…read morestreet. I suspect it is most frequently visited by restaurant/cafe owners or those with massive families who stock up on huge bags of rice, pulses and other products available in 'bulk buy'. They do, however, sell single portions of things for the lone shopper who enters anyway despite the huge 'cash and carry' exterior, such as myself. I managed to find cans of Coconut milk for only 59p each which is almost half the price of other retailers. My whole basket came to less than a fiver, which would have been more around the £8 - £10 mark in most other shops. They sell vegetables, breads, and meats fresh or frozen. Biscuits, sweet goods, kitchen wear such as baking trays and other handy bits and bobs, and various cosmetics such as bath/shower gel etc. Susan is right about the name being somewhat confusing as it is mainly foods from Asia and Africa and not the common British conception of 'continental food' (deli style West European). If you are after the latter (Italian, French, Spanish etc) you are probably better off going to a deli in town or a chain supermarket.

Great shop on the former Fforde Grene site. Good access and…read moreplenty of parking- even open until 10 most nights! Specialises on pulses/spices/grain/meat/breads/veg and sauces I would associate with West Indian/Pakistani/Asian and possibly even Greek cooking. I'm a regular here to stock up on spices/chick peas and even black peppercorns as they're so cheap! I also frequent the butchery for Mutton or Goat to do in a curry. Prices are fantastic, packages have a variety of sizes to suit your needs and it's like an Aladdin's Cave. Go have a snoop around, I bet they stock something you'll want to buy at a great price!

Eastern Foods is a large shop with a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in the roofed outdoor…read moresection. They have huge sacks of potatoes, onions and rice for sale - great if you're running a food business or just live in a house with many other people. I have a feeling the 'organic eastern foods' referred to on the sign are probably in packets on shelves inside and probably doesn't include the veg as you'd think it would be labeled as such. In this 'outdoor' section they also have frozen foods. Inside is a well-stocked grocer's selling a wide variety of products of 'Eastern' origin including shelves stacked high with large bags of grains and pulses, and a variety of herbs and spices. They also have many items you'd expect in your average Leeds grocer. This shop is off the beaten track if you're only familiar with Leeds city centre and the areas nearby but for locals it must be brilliant to have such a well-stocked shop with such variety within walking distance.

Offering up much the same exotic fruit and veg as its equally vaguely-named counterparts in Hyde…read morePark, Eastern Foods has the added advantage of being situated far from the student crowds and having prices that reflect this. Miles away from anyone who might think it was worth paying a quid for a mango, this shop instead sells good quality, organic (although this is not clearly labelled) fresh fruit and veg at very reasonable prices, ensuring there's always a crowd of locals peering into the assembled boxes and crates to see what's in today. Good for those hard-to-find ingredients or just if you fancy trying something different, just be prepared to wait to get served or face doing battle with some formidable looking pensioners for first place in the queue.

This branch of Sainsbury's is a fairly decent size store, although it isn't the size of a large…read moresupermarket you can do a weekly shop, it is okay while you are in the Leeds city center, being on The Headrow next to the St John's centre. Inside it is a typical Sainsbury's, albeit a little old fashioned and in a way their is so much empty space, especially at the self-service and manned checkouts, where there is so much space wasted, so the range could be much improved. There was a decent yet small selection of most things, so if you are looking for some essentials odds are you probably are going to have to settle, for example you might not be able to get your favorite flavor or brand of crisps, drinks or chocolate bar for example. The staff didn't seem too helpful, they did come to the checkout when I needed them to approve my transaction, the checkouts could have been kept tidier, to keep rubbish such as receipts away, rather than cluttering the space. Overall, this is a decent place to call in while in Leeds center looking for essentials, but could be much improved and without a huge amount of similar competition nearby, it doesn't seem to be eager to compete, with the nearest alternative supermarket being a large Morrisons store which is a place to do your weekly shop, rather than call in to get essentials, which works out a hassle in a way, while comparing this store and considering its' location I feel two stars is fair.

I was actually really giddy when Sainsbury's appeared smack bang in the centre. I'm not really a…read moresupermarket snob, but sometimes, Sainsbury's just produces stuff that really hits the spot and tastes just lovely. It's a rarity when you prefer the home brand stuff to the actual branded products. And for me the Sainsbury's brand seems to do this rather nicely, especially the Taste the Difference range...can anyone say quad chocolate cookies? yum!! The central location makes it nice and easy for those folk out there who don't and can't drive to access all their groceries and get on to public transport route home, without too much hassle. Technically it's a supermarket, but to me it's more the size of a large Sainsbury's Local. That's not to say there isn't plenty of good ole Sainsbury's merch going on in there. There's even a coffee baked pastries section, along with the cigarette and newspaper kiosk, fresh meats and breads/bakery, crisps, chocolate, food in jars aisles too. But my new favourite novelty has to be the self serving tills. They still excite me. But aside from being super fun, they're incredibly practical, as the queues often get quite large in here, but they don't last too long due to the many self checkouts. The only thing I can find fault with this Sainsbury's is that the staff always seem harrassed, and maybe they are, but suck it up dudes, put a smile on your face, they always look shocked or put out when you ask them where something is, and there's a look of 'how am I supposed to know' about their chops. Aside from that little blip, it's grand.

This is a medium sized branch of Morrisons and one of the better options for a super market in…read moreLeeds city centre. Most of the facilities you'd expect from a supermarket of this size are available, including butchers, bakers, fishmongers, deli counter, and so on. The branch is large enough to house a certain amount of home ware and some clothing as well as a section for magazines, books, DVDs and games. Perhaps because of the slightly strange shape of the store, the alcohol section is accessed separately with its own entrance and set of checkouts. I suspect this probably makes things slightly more efficient. Staff are generally helpful and friendly, although the store is well enough laid out that I haven't often needed help to find things. The only thing the store is really lacking is a cafe, but given that it's located in the city centre and within a shopping centre this isn't really much of a loss.

This branch of Morrisons is located in Leeds, in the Merrion Centre shopping centre…read more It is a nice branch, and does stock a great gluten free frozen range compared to some of my local stores to the Manchester area. They stock the Toad in the hole for £1.99 which I have found hard to source down. It follows the traditional Morrisons layout As far as I am aware it does not have a cafe. Although, my review can not be very detailed as I have not had a proper look round and done my weekly shop round the store, obviously with frozen goods being defrosted by Manchester and who would want to carry goods, around Leeds, then to the train station, then to Manchester and then to get home? This branch seemed to me smaller than some of my local branches but still it is funny as i had a better range. From what I seen, this is quite a nice Morrisons store however it does have quite a few disadvantages - Located inside a shopping centre, so you can't just park and run in for a weekly shop, it is more of a store for a top up shop while in the city centre. - It did not have a cafe, please correct me if I'm wrong but it just didn't have a cafe. To be fair, Morrisons cafes are extremely poor and do not cater for gluten free but still I like them being their to collect a drink, however to be fair, with it being located in a city centre it isn't really needed but still it could be a good idea to have a drinks machine at least. I would of gave 3 stars if it had easy parking and wasn't in a shopping centre, however when you consider this, I feel 2 is alot more fairer.

Rashid Bros is a combination of a green grocer and a convenience store. It has a decent sized…read morevegetable section outside covered by tarpaulin where you can find a wide variety of veg, both bog standard and slightly more exotic stacked in cardboard boxes and wooden pallets. Inside it is a reasonably standard convenience store selling kitchen cupboard essentials, sweets and chocolate, crisps, drinks and toiletries among other things. In a back room is a meat counter selling halal meat and poultry. They also provide a money transfer service. When I popped in to but a packet of crisps with only a ten pound note the bloke behind the counter was very friendly and welcoming and instantly struck up a conversation. It's good when people are nice innit? I think it certainly deserves an extra gold star!

Super Shandez is a large convenience-type store selling a huge range of Asian foods including a…read morelarge variety of herbs, spices, nuts, tinned food, sweet pastries, condiments, sweets, halal meat, grains, pulses...the list goes on. Someone with a limited knowledge of Asian food (like me!) could spend ages browsing the well-stocked goodies, tempted to try just about anything! For the local Asian community this must be a great shop, selling so many ingredients and foods that are missing from the British equivalent. Though speaking little English the friendly woman there tried her best to answer any queries I had was very helpful. Due to the huge variety of products here I'd be very happy to call this my local shop!

Vilnius & Co sells food from Lithuania, Poland and Russia. Due to my Polish ancestry and having…read morespent several summers in Poland as a child I have a huge amount of nostalgia for Polish food, particularly pickled gherkins (Ogorki)...I've always loved them, maybe partly due to a Polish advert that featured a dancing gherkin and children singing the Polish word for Gherkin over and over in a catchy tune...well it worked on me! And imagine my delight when the window display of this shop features a huge image of a jar of luscious looking Ogorki! The shop is easily visible from a distance due to its huge yellow and red sign, and upon approaching, the images of jars of yummy looking ingredients and displays of fresh food draw you in. Well if you like Polish, Lithuanian or Russian food, or just fancy a change there's plenty to satisfy, with all the kitchen cupboard essentials including jarred and tinned food, dairy and bread, fresh meat, soft drinks and beer. The shop is well-stocked and neat and tidy, making browsing a pleasure. This shop makes me want to go for a picnic immediately with cheese and gherkin sandwiches and Polish beer! Yum!

Love Vilnius&co!!!!!!!!!!!…read more My favourite shop ( in the most revolting area). More diversity in the products would be welcomed. My partner is British and he says he discovered new food world for himself and claims it's the best food on earth ( of course if you know what to buy and how to prepare) . Hope in a future you could move into more respectful area, because you worth it:)

It's hard to go into Lidl and not shudder slightly at its almost tangible bargain basement…read moreatmosphere and eerie lighting. But, let's face it, you're not there for ambiance. You're there for cheap groceries, and Lidl's Chapel Allerton's branch has them in spades. That, of course, is the place's strength and very reason for being. There are plenty of items in there that you'll get significantly cheaper than you will elsewhere, branded and otherwise. You can also pick up a better range of fruit and veg than discount supermarkets have traditionally offered, which is a definite plus. It's all very no-frills, and if you're in any way particular about your week's dinner menu, you won't get a full week's shop out of the place. It does its job of offering all your basics (and a fair amount besides) well, though. That's something that's especially welcome in an area where your alternatives, if you don't have a car, are basically Tesco Express and Somerfield, neither of which is the cheapest place to buy a crust. If you remember your own bags and don't lurk in Lidl's gloom for too long, you and this discount supermarket will get along just fine.

Lidl...my sister used to live round the corner from one in Manchester and when I used to visit it…read moreusually ended up being the the booze-run destination for the evening. There was always some ridiculously cheap wine-like drink or mysterious spirit such as 'Vodkat' not quite vodka but near enough...and when you're a skint student you're not that picky! Quite what we were drinking I'll never know! It's when you're going through truly penniless times that the temptation of Lidl is too great and if you shop at supermarkets anyway, I'm not exactly sure of the hard facts, but ethically I can't imagine it's hugely different. They sometimes sell such a random assortment of things...they always have bags full of partially smashed Eastery chocolate shapes and we once found some 80s-style 'space boots' in a size one that my tiny footed friend managed to cram into...they looked pretty amazing but it's things like this and the eclectic assortment of other clothing items, accessories and gadgets at eye-wateringly low prices that makes the ethical qualms really hit home. How is it possible to make a profit from such cheap prices? However from the cheap strip lighting, cheap and cheerful 'décor' and rather haphazard presentation it's obvious they are definitely cutting corners cost-wise. One hangover from my Manchester Lidl days I occasionally allow myself are their crinkle-cut Crusti Croc crisps. Amusingly-named and deliciously crunchy, they are almost addictive! I wouldn't happily shop here on a weekly basis but an occasional purchase when I'm passing allows for the satisfaction of my morbid fascination with the garishness of it all...and that creepy lighting!

Walked in to get my regular meal deal a plain ham no mayo sandwich ready salted crisps and water as…read morea man approached me he fathomed the words out of his "mouth what a nonce" Food was yummy though

Tesco is often very cheap, and a lot of people I know swear by the Tesco nearest them as being…read moretheir main source of, well, anything! They do it all now don't they?! The usual food, booze and toiletries once found in our good old supermarkets are now comfortably lodging next to clothing, electrical goods, magazines, a cafe, mobile phones, car and housing insurance...and probably a whole lot more. If you haven't already noticed I do like a good bitch at things now and again and I'm afraid Tesco may be one of those things..I can't quite decide. They are just sooo convenient. So much so that they drive all our nice little independent shops away and out of business. I do shop in Tesco occasionally I have to admit, I just hope that one day the world is not just full of giant Tesco shops that do everything, stripping everything of it's individuality and interest....but I'll stop ranting about it and let you decide what you think on the matter. This branch is a Tesco Express, so is a mini version of the big daddy's and doesn't have a clothing range or any TV's. Just the usual. It is open from 6am till midnight which is really handy if you're a early or late shopper or come home early/late from work. It's parked right next to a petrol station too in case you are half way through a long journey and desperately need a bite to eat as you load up your car.