Why do I come to IKEA? For the $1 hot dogs of course! If I’m waiting to pick someone up from the airport, or just on my way to Harbour Town, and I’m feeling really frugal, I’ll pop into IKEA for a couple of hot dogs.. nom nom!

For me, IKEA is a place to buy cheap furniture and and a range of household knick knacks. Some products might last a week, some might last a couple of years. You certainly get what you pay for at this place.

Call it clever design, but the one thing that annoys me about this place is the maze you have to walk through to get to the end of the store. I know there are shortcuts, but sometimes I feel I can’t get to the end fast enough.

Anyway, today they had a Boxing Day special. If you spend $50 or more in store, you get lunch to the value of $25 reimbursed. That’s perfect timing because my parents needed a $50 cupboard for their second kitchen.

The IKEA dining area reminds me of a school cafeteria. The food area was packed due to this lunch special that they had on, and I waited almost 15 minutes before I could get my food. I also didn’t like the way they just slopped the food onto the plate. I had to use a serviette to wipe the plate edges just so I could get a good photo.

At IKEA, they strongly suggest that you put away your dirty plates in order for them to supply you with cheaper food. Well, the table I was sitting at didn’t have any dirty plates, but was absolutely filthy. Perhaps IKEA should start supplying detergent and sponges so that people can clean their tables too?

For lunch, I ordered the Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce. The salmon fillet was a nice size and the fish was perfectly cooked. The sauce was nice and tart, while the vegetables were firm and crisp. This dish was surprisingly good for the low price point.

For dessert, I had the Chocolate Pistachio Fudge. A nice bite size piece of fudge that was thick in consistency and wasn’t too sweet.

Next up was the Apple Pie. The pastry crust was nice and firm, and the apple filling provided a nice natural sweetness. I would have preferred that the apple pie be warm but that’s a personal thing.

My lunch at IKEA today was essentially free. The food here certainly isn’t restaurant quality and I wouldn’t normally consider eating here because of it. If you really must eat here, I’d recommend that you come here on days where there are food specials on, and if not, go with the hot dogs downstairs.

WHERE: 397 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Adelaide Airport