Food Review: IKEA Restaurant, Braehead, Glasgow

By Emma @glasgowfoodie

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Mountains of meatballs at IKEA

Unless you've been living under a Rökk, you'll be aware that IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad died just the other week, aged 91, so a fitting tribute to the man and his revolution of interior decoration was called for. What better way to do this than eat a budget meal of meatballs at IKEA?!

It has been a while since my last requirement for tea lights that I almost got giddy with the array of scented candles on this visit. I keep calm and decide that meatballs first, will prevent me from buying more "bits" for the house.

Through the metal parallel bars and past the rows of Daim cakes to the hot counter. There's fish and chips, pasta and curry on offer but I only have eyes for meatballs, mash, gravy and lingonberry sauce which is dished out without any real love but it's what IKEA is famous for, other than furniture right?

After navigating the checkout and drinks area, a clear table is found. Just as you would expect, the decor is minimalist and furnished with IKEA products.

Onto the meatballs. Well, they are OK and probably as I remembered - filling comfort food with no lumps or unexpected tastes. Just pork and beef in a creamy sauce with buttery mash and a sweet jam sauce. It's cheap and cheerful but just what was needed for this cold winter's day. The creamy sauce is like an American gravy so add a splash of mustard if you feel you need to liven up the plate.

I settle back with a cup of tea and a cinnamon bun just to keep up the post-lingonberry jam sugar rush and am content that I'm travelling home by car as you really need one to get to/from here. I have done the lengthy bus trip before but if you are travelling into Glasgow afterwards check whether Rangers are playing at home as the traffic after a match can add 30 minutes onto your journey.

TL;DR

+ You get what you pay for

+ budget-friendly food

- Service without a smile

- Awkward to get to without a car

Where:

IKEA, 99 Kings Inch Drive, Braehead, Glasgow