I’m only giving one star as it’s not possible to score zero. All Tesco stores I had a displeasure of visiting are very expensive for the quality (or lack of it) of fresh produce they provide. My local Tesco (near Roman Rd Market in Bow) regularly stocks refrigerated food that is either out of date or very near expiry. I have on several occasions failed to check the dates, as you generally trust that the shop will actually stock fresh food. Last Onken yogurt I bought was 5 days past the date on the lid and it absolutely stank when I opened it. I also suspect that fridges are not properly maintained as the yogurt formed a layer of water on the surface resembling sick. It is also too expensive. Quality of fruit and veg is even worse for that matter. Taste the difference grapes really made me taste the difference, just not in a good way.
My biggest problem with all Tesco shops nearby (Bow, Lower Clapton Road, Morning Lane) is the fact that they try to sell a lot of food that’s few days away from being unsafe, yet they still charge astronomical prices for it. I suspect that this is the way they try to increase their failing profits, it’s just disgraceful that they try to mislead customers. I never returned the product as it was was a hassle, and I was too disgusted to even try replacing it.
If you want a good quality, tasty and fresh produce, definitely go to Lidl or Aldi, as they are polar opposites. My last comparison was Tesco hot smoked salmon, vs the same product at Lidl. Lidl’s salmon was much fresher, tastier and a whole lot cheaper than its Tesco equivalent. It’s hard to describe how awful Tesco salmon was in comparison. The pack was full of water and the smell was dubious to say the least. I’m actually being kind here, as I wouldn’t feed it to a stray dog. Again, it was 3 days before expiry, and was almost double the price of Lidl.
When food reaches the point when it’s about to expire, it should be donated to charities, as that is a better way of minimising the food waste. Instead, Tesco holds this food until it’s unsafe, and what can’t be foisted on unsuspecting customers is then thrown away. You can regularly see produce about to expire being reduced 10 or 20 pence, yet nearly unfit for consumption. Absolute disgrace, and I no longer shop at Tesco from today. I have cut up my Tesco club card and I’m moving over to Lidl permanently, even though they have no loyalty scheme.
Even though Lidl is located further away from me, it is well worth visiting due to cheaper prices and far superior quality of fresh or refrigerated produce. Lidl’s bakery produce is always amazing, and even if you arrive later in the day, you are greeted by a smell of lovely patisserie. Tesco baked goods are always more expensive and are only fresh for few hours in the morning. If you arrive in the afternoon (after work), you are confronted by saggy dry bread, half empty shelves and stale pastries that are not fit for animal feed, let alone human consumption. Cardboard is the nearest taste comparison.
Dreadful and dreary is the only way to describe this shop. I don’t know if Tesco deteriorated over the last 10 years, or we just didn’t notice how much better Lidl is. If tesco continue to operate in a same way going forward, they are definitely on their way out.
They are not even enforcing their mask policy properly. Today was my very last shopping trip to Tesco, and that was a result of witnessing a maskless customer heavily coughing in a fruit and veg section, without even attempting to cover her face. She was clearly unwell and she continued to splutter her way around the store. All of this was witnessed by staff and security, who did absolutely nothing. I simply left my basket and walked out. I’m most definitely never coming back, as this place can only take your money, in return for food poisoning and possible COVID-19 infection.
Seriously, if you want freshness, taste, reasonable prices and feeling safe, forget this thievery and visit Lidl or Aldi. You’ll be pleasantly surprised and much better off financially. I might return to Tesco one day, but that day will only come if I develop immunity to salmonella, Covid-19 and botulism. I have thrown my club card in the nearest bin.