IKEA Food Court — Review by Jack's Dining Room
Västerås, Sweden — Swedish
The reviewer visits the largest IKEA in Sweden and tries their famous food court offerings. The Swedish meatballs are a standout hit with great gravy and excellent value, while the schnitzel and fish are decent for the price. The shrimp pesto salad is the only real disappointment of the visit.
What was great: Swedish meatballs with excellent gravy, generous portion size and great value at eight dollars for 18 meatballs, real chicken schnitzel with good quality meat, convenient self-service format with conveyor belt checkout
What could improve: Shrimp pesto salad looked unappetizing and didn't taste good, fish dish was not great
The Dishes
The Swedish meatballs are the clear winner of this IKEA food court adventure. With 18 meatballs served for eight dollars, they deliver impressive value. The gravy is described as really good and the meatballs themselves are not dry, showcasing why IKEA sells over 1.5 billion meatballs annually. The chicken schnitzel comes with a seasoned mayonnaise-like tartar sauce that is actually pretty good, and the chicken itself is real quality meat rather than the artificial type found at typical fast food establishments. The fish dish is less impressive, described as not great, though the reviewer maintains it's a fair deal at ten dollars for the plate. The shrimp pesto salad for ten dollars looks sus and doesn't deliver on flavor, failing to impress despite being a lighter option.
The Experience
The food court operates with a unique self-service system where you pick up a shopping cart, load it with trays, and navigate different food stations for various options. After finishing your meal, you simply drop off your tray at a conveyor belt system for cleanup. The reviewer humorously praises this Swedish technology as efficient and entertaining, making the overall experience convenient and fun.
Value & Pricing
Pricing is extremely competitive throughout the menu. The meatballs at eight dollars for eighteen pieces offer exceptional value. The schnitzel and fish plates are both ten dollars each, which the reviewer acknowledges as very good deals even when the food quality doesn't blow him away. The shrimp pesto salad at ten dollars is perhaps the one item where the value proposition doesn't quite land.
Notable Moments
I got 18 balls for eight bucks, that's a great deal. The gravy is really good.
This is like real chicken. All right, next up we have this ten dollar shrimp pesto salad. Going to be honest, this looks incredibly sus.
This is Swedish technology at its finest right here.
The Verdict
The IKEA food court is absolutely worth visiting, particularly if you're a meatball enthusiast or looking for budget-friendly Scandinavian fare. Stick with the Swedish meatballs as your must-try item and consider the schnitzel if you want something heartier. Skip the shrimp pesto salad and embrace your inner meatball lover instead. This is best for budget-conscious shoppers and IKEA enthusiasts curious about Scandinavian food culture.