Greggs in Wiltshire

A little while ago, I saw a TV programme “Greggs: Secrets of Their Best Bakes” in which some top-class chefs tried to replicate the Greggs Sausage Roll. The program had explained that this brand of sausage roll is much-prized and is sold daily in impressively huge numbers. Now I really enjoy a good sausage roll, so a few days after seeing the programme, and being out at lunchtime, I called in at this Greggs branch and bought a couple, and also a cup of tea. The lady at the servery warned me that the sausage rolls had just been taken out of the oven, and would be hot. I sat and waited about 5 minutes and sipped (my also hot) cup of tea whilst checking messages on my phone. Then I bit into the first sausage roll, which was still hot, but didn’t burn my mouth. The pastry was certainly light and flaky; making that slight soft crunching sound as I bit into it. The meat was reasonably flavoursome, but the texture was just all wrong for me. Yes, I know … ‘a million lemmings can’t be wrong’ but the texture of the meat filling in these sausage rolls is just all wrong. The filling was just a light paste; like a mousse. I’ve had toothpaste in my mouth that had more density. It was so insubstantial as to be almost non existent. Then I received a phone call and as a result the second sausage roll was eaten when it was a bit cooler, but it made no difference at all, it was the same texture. I did get a little more of the flavour, which was pleasant; but the lack of texture dominated my senses, and I found I could not enjoy the experience. I have eaten sausage rolls since I was a nipper: home-made by my mother, in pubs and cafés, shop-baked take-outs from other outlets, and the sausage rolls here at Greggs are undoubtedly the most disappointing so far.

Staff are friendly and service is usually quick when using the drive thru. They accept the app and usually food is warm. On occasion a chicken bake is cold (but very rare).