The frozen pre-made dinners are quite good. I've recently eaten the mushroom risotto, chicken masala, macaroni & cheese, green vegetable medley. After a quick microwave warming the flavors and textures of all were surprisingly satisfactory.
Last year while staying in Paris I did sample the frozen dinners at the Picard stores. I bought 5 different dishes. All were awful, all were trash. How the Picard franchise remains open is a complete mystery to me, so the French must also eat really crappy food when they don't want to prepare a proper fresh meal.
... Back to Budgen's. Market size is 75% smaller than a Tesco. Selection variety therefore is less numerous. Upside is that what is on display is usually pretty good quality and the prices are competitive especially with discounts on sale items. All fresh produce and bread I've purchased here made me quite happy. The store is sparkling clean, well lighted.
My only gripe: the wine selection is mediocre. Lots of low priced generic, factory produced wines from Australia, South Africa, Argentina, etc. As France is just across the channel why are there not more French good quality wines in stock?
Still, I'm a happy Budgen's customer. read more