I actually really like their meatballs meals. And they serve them with either fries or boiled potatoes, your choice. (I prefer the fries, sorry).

Living in the DC area, we have family visit from all over the country and IKEA (and its cafeteria) has become a "tourist" destination for our family members. In fact, I'm taking my Aunt there this evening, and yes, we will be eating dinner there. I think it's just part of the experience! :D

My brother and his wife love to eat the 99 cent breakfast at the Ikea in Austin. DH and I tried it out once. It was basically a plate with eggs, bacon, and sausage. Nothing special and pretty greasy. It's nice to have the option to grab something while there, but I wouldn't go out of my way just to eat there. Although, my brother might beg to differ.

If I'm there to shop I'll stop for an open-face shrimp or gravlax sandwich with a cup of good coffee but I wouldn't go there just to eat.

But if I'm driving by I will stop at the Swede Shop to stock up on Leksand flatbread (the wedge-shaped package), Knackebrod Flerkorn (cylindrical package) and, best of all, Vasterbottonsost, a delicious cheese that's like a cross between cheddar and parmesan.

Oh yes, at the Elizabeth, NJ store the cafeteria gives you an excellent view of runway action at EWR!

#1 Reason to Dine in the Elizabeth store.... Me and my son love Plane Spotting...., especially if the planes are landing from the South approach !

I don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon! :D

They recently lowered the price on bags of the meatballs frozen, 2.5 lbs for $9 now, down from $13

Their full menu available here

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...me=localfood#7

LMAO it took me a second... :D

Why is this thread so popular? Did it get RSSed to everyone? :confused:

Well, between the two of us, we just bumped it again, so it'll still be showing on the FT homepage. :p

mmmmm... frozen yogurt!

When I lived in the city, I used to do this during sunday brunch. Always fun!

Serve with a nice chianti.

Did I forget to mention I'm Hanibal's sister?

*grin*

The meatballs don't impress me much, but I've come to enjoy the Gravad Lax. I'm not Swedish, and I've never been to Sweden, so I can't vouch for the authenticity. But I happen to find it very tasty. :)

I totally agree, it's one of my favorite dishes. And it's also so damn easy to make at home, for yourself to enjoy whenever you want.

Eat at IKEA!
 

IKEA actually has a nice menu for the price. For a family, you can get a good meal at a reasonable price. I've been able to enjoy their food in different company. It makes a great hangout...You don't even need to shop at the IKEA! Just head into the restaurant, and then leave when you're done!

Outstanding view and it goes great with a $5 plate of meatballs and some lingonberry juice. Also, the one over in Philly looks out over the SS United States, fastest ocean liner in the world...

Mrs. Riverwalk and I love shopping at IKEA but we've never lived less than 2 hours drive from it. I enjoy the novelty of the food there, so I consider a meal in the cafeteria to be an integral part of the IKEA experience. :)

the gluten free chocolate almond cake is yummo !

I had the beef ribs at the Burbank IKEA the other day--they were actually quite good. The cornbread served with the ribs was some of the best I've had that was not homemade (growing up in TN, homemade cornbread was common, so I speak from experience).

I would not go to IKEA just to eat, but it's not bad.

I like their meatballs. Maybe I could make them easier at home, but probably not as inexpensively or as immediately as I can get them at IKEA :)

Plane-spotting can be pretty decent from the IKEA cafeteria beside PDX as well, though if the weather's nice there's plenty of other places around PDX to plane-watch. But the top deck of the parking garage does not feature anyone selling Swedish meatballs. :mad:

Intresting. On that menu I'd be most tempted to try their version of the Toast Skagen. Pre-fabricated meatballs are just not enough when you have tasted the homemade stuff.

Quick snap polling:
How many people who have commented that they LIKE Ikea food (or would even go specifically to eat) live in the US?

Does that say something about the consumer, the American-friendly fare, the lack of better food alternatives, the Swedish-descended US population or something else? :D

Mmmm...Swedish meatballs. I live in the US, but spent six weeks in Sweden, and yeah, IKEA's version aren't as good as in Sweden. But for the price and the convienence when I'm shopping there, I'll take it. In fact, when I have people over at my place, I'll sometimes serve the meatballs I bought from them, and they usually get good reviews.

When I lived near an IKEA for a while, I'd go eat there periodically. The poached dilled salmon with fresh vegetables and potatoes and a rye crisp was certainly very health and pretty tasty. I think it only cost $6.00 or thereabouts.

I agree, the meatballs make a good snack while shopping there.

Of course gravlax at places like Ikea is not salmon but normally Norwegian farmed rainbow trout. The experience is quite different when tasting wild salmon based cured or smoked fish.

That is true. And on the weekends there is a free shuttle bus form the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to the Elizabeth IKEA Store.

Love the food
 

Love eating at Ikea when we go.

Lets face it, Ikea at the weekend is a nightmare due to the crowds so that leaves evenings thanks to ehir long opening hours.

Last thiung I want to do after work is go shopping and then come home and cook so the cafe at Ikea is great. Food is good, prices are good and its quick.

Like thfree refills for soft drinks, tea, coffee etc.
Bargains to be had too if you have an Ikea card.

If you're in the UK too then their stores such as Warrington, Leeds and Birmingahm make a great stop instead fo the motorway services. Quicker, cleaner and better food.

The same bag sells for $7.99 in the Sunrise (Ft. Lauderdale) store - maybe it's because the store just opened a few months ago.

My mother makes excellent Swedish meatballs, from a recipe given to her by a former co-worker who was a first-generation immigrant from Sweden. When people would taste my mom's meatballs, they couldn't believe that this was the same woman who also made killer tamales, chile verde, menudo and other Mexican dishes :)

MMM lingonberry juice! :D

Where else in North America can you get that??

Mmm indeed.. I highly recommend it. Too bad I live nowhere near an Ikea now.

The meatballs are not the same everywhere. In Israel, they are pork-free and kosher. Elsewhere, the and the rest of the food items are non-kosher.

Don't forget the cheap cinnamon rolls and hot dogs downstairs.

I love IKEA for the food. In Portland we (speaking for the whole population of Portland of course) were excited when an IKEA opened here last year. Unfortunately the food at the Portland IKEA has never been as good as is at the Seattle IKEA. The food at the Portland location is almost always tepid. I thought it was just me, but everyone I talked to agrees that the food is barely warm. And now the greatest travesty of all is that they are serving mashed potatoes with the meatballs instead of the normal boiled red potatoes. Egads!! Booo to IKEA Portland.... Yay to other locations though.

I eat there every time I go, it's an integral part of the IKEA experience for me. I even showed up early once to try the 99-cents breakfast. The breakfast was not too tasty though it was inexpensive, I much prefer the meatballs and other stuff. I try to shop there on weekday evenings if possible because the stores can be pretty crazy on weekends.

IKEA Food
 

Ate there last night.

Regualr meatballs, chips, gravy and berry sauce for 3.75 and a free cup of tea as I had my IKEA family card with me.

A bargain and always delicious.

I agree, the meatballs are amazing and you cann't beat the price!

I agree the meatballs are amazing and the price is right too.

that's the thong though... only the meatballs are edible