And You Thought It Was A Furniture Store!
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IKEA image courtesy of pixabay.com |
We recently visited the new store that just opened in our area and were surprised that IKEA food was even an option. My husband and I were prepared to see interesting types of furniture in the huge store. Well, let me rephrase that. We had heard from others that we should be sure to try the meatballs while there.
To be honest, I had envisioned something like Costco or a weekend at any given grocery store where there are people offering samples of food to try. I wasn't sure why IKEA would offer samples other than a sort of hospitality type gesture. Perhaps I thought that it was a way to celebrate the Swedish culture and their style of meatballs. Was I in for a surprise? You bet ya!
It seemed like there were miles and miles of furniture. The place is huge! Let me tell you the place is a virtual maze of interesting vignettes of ideas for the home or office. I oooed and ahhhhed at every corner, but I digress. There are signs overhead to guide you to different areas and at one point I noticed that the sign showed that we were on a path that would lead us to the restaurant. I said to my husband, "These people have thought of everything! Since this place is so enormous, they know a person can get hungry from all of this walking. So, they feed you too!" I should probably mention that upon entering the store we saw an area for parents to drop their children off so that they could shop in peace. Anyway, we headed for the restaurant...
It appeared that others had entertained the same thought, the place was packed with people. We got in the cafeteria style line and quickly got waited on. I chose the meatball dinner and my husband chose the salmon dinner, both were very reasonably priced. Oh my word! The food was really good. My meatball dinner included five or six meatballs, mashed potatoes and a vegetable dish of carrots and cauliflower. The potatoes and meatballs had a gravy like sauce over them and there was this other stuff next to the meatballs that almost looked like cranberry sauce. Well, I was in heaven!
I really liked the gravy like sauce that covered my mashed potatoes and some of the meatballs. I said to my husband that I would really like to get some of it to use at home. Turns out, I could get some right there in the store along with frozen meatballs and all sorts of other food items. Who knew, right?
For some reason I only purchased one packet that day. Silly me! I was delighted to see that there is an option to get the cream sauce online!
Oh, and that stuff that looked like cranberry sauce on my plate. First of all, it was extremely good and tasted great when I dipped a piece of meatball in it. It was not a Swedish version of cranberry sauce but instead it was
Lingonberry jam. This stuff is awesome! Kind of sweet but also tart much like cranberry sauce. I enjoy it with meat but it is also good on a piece of toast in the morning.
So, here is the deal. If you find yourself close to an IKEA store, you need to go inside. Prepare to spend some time there because there is a lot to see. Treat yourself to some of their food! I'm telling you; you will not be disappointed! By the way, the salmon that my husband had was wonderful. You can buy it frozen in the store, too.
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Wow, I had no idea there was food there too. We do not have one close to us but if we are never near one, I will be sure to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI had absolutely no idea there was a restaurant or frozen food in IKEA! I have a good friend who has suggested we plan a girls day out there just for fun. Knowing we can also have lunch there, makes me even more compelled to comply with her wishes. btw, my husband loves salmon too! Better not tell him in advance about the salmon though or it won't just be a girls day out. (lol)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasant surprise! Yeah, don't tell the hubby just surprise him by bringing some home. I fixed the salmon one Sunday afternoon for hubby and me. It was superb!
DeleteI have always wanted to go to an IKEA store as the furniture different friends have purchased looks terrific and one friend I've visited did over his whole kitchen using IKEA products I would never have imagined that IKEA carried food - both in a restaurant and to purchase for home. Terrific to know. I hope some day to be near an IKEA store so I can visit.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have an IKEA store within a reasonable driving distance. I haven't visited one since I moved here 25 years ago, but I don't remember food at the one I did visit back then. From now on I'll see if there's one near my route next time I drive into Ventura or Los Angeles County. Great review.
ReplyDelete