A Liverpool institution, Home Bargains - or Home and Bargains to us - is always a popular option for a quick shop.
It’s the kind of store that you go in ‘just for one thing’ and then leave with 12 bags filled with discount fairy lights, noodles and a new tool box.
Home Bargains has an 'identical twin' called Quality Save - and it will blow your mind sells all range of things, from homeware and dog toys to toiletries and fresh food - but can you live off only eating from Home Bargains for a week?
Home Bargains has an 'identical twin' called Quality Save - and it will blow your mind
Here’s what I found:
The big shop
Home Bargains is usually one of the stops during my typical shopping routing, but normally it would be for basics such as soups, crisps and sweet treats.
I did struggle to think of just what I’d be able to get, especially when I would usually pick up whatever I fancied on the day - this meant meal prep was going to be difficult.
Still, I went armed with a shopping list of basics and decided I just needed to focus.
As I never eat breakfast until I get to work,I usually settle on pastries or yogurts but with no yogurts in sight at Home Bargains Great Homer Street, I grabbed a 6 pack of croissants and some breakfast bars.
I was concerned that I’d be stuck with soup and noodles for lunch everyday, but it turns out - thankfully - I was wrong.
While there wasn’t much fresh food on the shelves, I did manage to pick up items such as pre-cooked chicken, cheese, crackers, part-baked rolls, tinned tuna and microwavable rice.
I was disappointed in the lack of fresh food available, there was no salad available at the time and minimum meat and poultry.
I did manage to get a few chicken breasts and a packet of bacon rashers, so I did feel quiet successful in my fresh food mission.
I loaded up my trolley with eggs and bread, along with soups and noodles I’d undoubtedly be relying on.
I also managed to pick up a fajita kit, frozen fish fillets, chips, pasta, as well as jars of pasta and curry sauces.
With a full a full trolley of meals prepped to go, I felt ready for the week ahead.
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The lack of fresh food was an issue
While it is possible that the stocking issue could have been a problem just at the time I’d chosen to do my shopping - 1pm on a Sunday - the lack of fresh food was disappointing.
The shelves which usually house the fruit and veg were almost bare, leaving just grapes, tangerines and two punnets of strawberries.
This meant that I wasn’t able to get salad, fresh potatoes, or any vegetables.
I bought what I could, but got an even worse shock the following day when I found that the strawberries I’d purchased were rotten.
The rest of the fresh products were fine, and decidedly cheaper than some other supermarkets - I managed to get two packs of Moy Park chicken breasts (0.425 kg each) for £5.
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There were some great meals to be made
With a large range of dry stock available, there were plenty of dishes that could be created.
I would never claim to be a good cook, but I did manage to pull together a large pasta bake and garlic bread for four for under £7 and fish, chips and mushy peas for two for less than £3, both a which were fairly decent.
Lunch, while a little bit more difficult when having to consider the restriction of taking it to work, worked out well too.
Using BirdEye Steamfresh Golden Vegetable rice and Chillers barbecue chicken, I was able to make lunch for two days, while also making good use of the Koka noodles and Heinz tomato soup.
Cheaper isn’t always better
While Home Bargains does stock plenty of brands, there are certain things you just shouldn’t skimp on.
One of my favourite dishes is fajitas so I decided to treat myself; Home Bargains stocks Santa Maria fajita kits, which come with wraps, flavour packet and a sachet of salsa.
I found the meal to be incredibly dry and lackluster - I’ll be sticking to Old El Paso from now on.
It wasn’t healthy
Despite wanting to eat well, it just wasn’t on the cards at Home Bargains.
Had more fresh products been available or if it had stayed fresh for longer it definitely would have been easier.
Instead, the only option seemed to be going back on a daily basis to see what was on offer - not very convenient if you’re doing your weekly shop.
I resisted the cheap alcohol...barely
With an entire aisle dedicated to alcohol, it's hard to avoid the calling of cheap wine and cider.
But, looking in my trolley and seeing the lack of healthy foods did but me off venturing any further down the aisle.
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Final thoughts
Despite the lack of fresh foods, the shopping was quite easily done - meal prepping was the hardest part of it all.
If you’re going to do your weekly shopping at Home Bargains, I’d recommend planning ahead and seeing just what you’ll be able to get.
If fresh food is a deciding factor, it could be worth shopping elsewhere for those necessities before hitting up Home Bargains for your dry stock.
The tinned products, dry food, bread, eggs and chicken were great and are well worth the money.
But, Home Bargains will definitely have to step up its fresh food game before it can be compare itself to supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda.
I never thought I’d say I was looking forward to a healthy meal.
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