Sainsbury’s Local

This is a reasonable Sainsbury’s branch on Deansgate, it looks quite nice from the outside but still the range inside is basic, and acts more of a corner-​shop picking up to go foods like drinks and sandwiches.
They did have a gluten free range here, but it was so small, they was no point it actually being in there, kind of like Jim Gilmore in the US Presidential race before he finally dropped out, still using «Presidental» terminology, I wasn’t expecting this to be a Donald Trump /​Hillary Clinton of corner shops, more more of a John Kasich, at least polling at an average level (I better stop now, before I confuse myself!)
They have a large amount of self service checkouts here, which is pretty much pointless as the store is small as it is, and never seems to get too busy to warrant all those checkouts.
The drink selection was probably just below average, like most other things from the store, however as I said it did look pretty cool from the outside with a nice sign too, and being located on Deansgate.
This store is average, but probably just below average and some of the space is used which isn’t needed and could be used for better products, such as the wide amount of scan if yourself tills. I feel as it is below average, it does not yet warrant 3 stars so 2 is much more fairer.

I wish I’d have caught the name of the guy who served me at this Sainsbury’s the other day. My word, he is a find and a half. He kind of looks like Stanford from Sex and the City and seems out of place on the tills next to the usual batch of surly Oxford Road students, because boy does he have the sun in his heart and a spring in his step.
Not only did he have a complimentary comment for my shopping, which consisted of a tub of fresh pineapple, sparkling water and two MaltEaster bunnies, but he mentioned that I was one of the prettiest people who’d been in that day. Now this is what you want from your average supermarket! As a whole though, this store is kind of a mixed bag. The narrow aisles make shopping rather like an awkward
advert and it does appear somewhat haphazard in its stock choices (I love Bex T’s description of the yoghurt and pastry sections — so bizarrely true), but as long as they keep stocking those MaltEaster bunnies at two for a pound and the fresh pineapple reduced to a pound, I’ll be happy enough, that’s for sure.
A word to the wise: have you TRIED MaltEaster bunnies? They erase all the wrongs of their choc-​ices a few years ago, which were just plain weird and powdery. Seriously, eat them. They are unbelievable. If anyone really adores me, please, do find me a giant one and I’ll forever be in your debt.

I have spent a DISTURBING amount of time in this Sainsbury’s Local. I used to work at Cornerhouse and would often find myself browsing in here on my break because I never had time to wander far from the cinema but was always in need of warmth and shelter, which the Sainsbury’s Local on the corner of Whitworth Street does well.
There is a fairly decent selection of ready made sandwiches, snacks and fruit and veg which is good if you’re grabbing something (which most people are). If you’re trying to do a proper shop you’ll find there isn’t much to choose from and they only stock the big brands which proves for a more expensive shop, and Sainsbury’s is pricey at the best of times. If you happen to be in the market for yogurt or pastries however, this is the place for you. There is an inordinate amount of the stuff when you consider the size of the shop and the piss poor selection of almost everything else. Its kind of weird, perhaps it’s a marketing trick and a way of offloading surplus stock from other stores, because I’d always find myself wandering out in a daze, Fruit Corner in one hand, Chocolate Twist in the other.
My colleagues at Cornerhouse must have thought I was pretty weird coming back with a single chocolate mousse and a raw onion bagel when I’d ‘popped out for a sandwich’. Thank you Sainsbury’s Local. Thank you very much.

When you are on your way out and it happens to be in front of this Saisburys, I must say it’s pretty good because you can buy some snacks to keep you going and of course some beers. It’s not more expensive than the others, but expect to pay enough money for your items, cuz at the end of the day you are in Saisburys. In the night time, everybody uses their cash machines, so it’s a massive queue. Last time I spent there around 20 minutes for a tenner. Annoying that was. It’s a good location for a shop anyway, even if you want to buy some stuff cuz you’re going out, or some food for home, or even some magazines to read on the bus. It can get a bit better, in the night time, more staff is needed. It’s busier than you can imagine. But all in all, same quality, same prices, same brands, standard Sainsburys.

In my first year at uni I lived in a flat with 8 other girls. With our busy social lives it was quite rare for us all to be in the same room at any given time. However, there was one exception — Tuesday nights. This was the night that one of my housemates worked late at this Sainsbury’s and would always come back with a bag of baked treats for us.
I can recommend the bagels, cheese twists, chocolate twists, muffins, panini breads and pretty much any of the goods that they sell in the bakery section. Thumbs up to Sainsbury’s for giving leftovers to their staff members rather than chucking them in the bin like Greggs do. They usually have decent offers on these treats if you have to pay for them — £1 for 2 pastries last time I went in.
Nowadays I only ever shop at this Sainsbury’s if I find myself in one of two situations. 1) About to see a film at the Cornerhouse and in need of refreshments (they don’t sell popcorn or snacks so I guess Sainsbury’s produce is allowed). 2) Getting off a train at Oxford Road Station on a Sunday night and in need of bread and cheese for the week ahead. I’m thankful for the existence of Sainsbury’s to help me out in these times of need, but, as implied by the ‘Local’ suffix, it is not a place to do your weekly shop.

This is one of the closest shops to our flat, and hence the place we head when we have run out of something, or need bagels for breakfast, or a newspaper. It is, as pointed out by Kirsten, totally unsuited to doing a Big Shop. But it is also an absolute gem if you’re living in the city centre and need something quick-​sharp.
In terms of stock here, expect their full range of fresh pastas and pasta sauces; great for a quick-​fix tasty dinner. There’s also a fairly decent veg section, but be prepared to have to buy a bag of 8 carrots, instead of loose carrots, I guess they don’t have the space for a loose veg section. But that’s fine, veg keeps for ages nowadays because it’s all fullll of GM and whatnot. The meat section is kinda limited, but they have everything you’re gonna need, and plenty of it too.
One thing this branch does stock, is strangely posh bits and bobs like dried porcini mushrooms and posh chutneys. I suppose that’s what they make of their location in the prestigious W3 development…
The booze section is jolly good. One gripe I have is that the queue (often sizeable) is alongside the wine and beer section, so it’s hard to get to, as everyone thinks you’re pushing in. Still, you’ll probably have time in the queue to browse and choose your choice of booze (that was like a little poem there. A little poem just for you.)
A genuinely decent city centre attempt at convenience, and a good place to pick up bits and bobs for dinner, unless you were planning on doing roast duck breast on celeriac mash. But if you were, you really should have planned ahead, right?

Watching Paul Auster and Wayne Wang’s magnificent Smoke and Blue In The Face last night made me wake up wishing I could move to Brooklyn. Realising I didn’t have the cash or a Green Card, I thought I’d settle for the next best thing and have Belgian Waffles for breakfast.
The gods were obviously with me as Sainsburys Local not only had half a dozen packets of Belgian Waffles but they were on special offer. £2.30 for one packet or £3 for 2 packets. Suffice to say, I opted for the latter and a packet of Union Coffee and left with a big smile on my face. As for the waffles, they tasted pretty darn good. I’m sure they would have tasted even better however, piled with cherry compote and whipped cream and washed down with a cream soda at Junior’s.*
* Junior’s is a legendary diner on the corner of DeKalb and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. It was opened in 1950 and is still run by the Rosen family. The belgian waffles aren’t listed on the menu but they serve them everyday to regulars and customers who request them!