Behind the excellent news output of the Daily Star is a bunch of starving news reporters. And days after the nation’s favourite Tesco meal deal combination was revealed, the bosses at Reach PLC have allowed us to eat and let us pick our favourite selection of grub.
For the two years before 2024, the Sausage Bacon and Egg Triple, McCoy’s Flame Grilled Steak crisps and a bottle of Coca-Cola was the nations favourite meal deal combination – which costs £3.60 with a Clubcard and £4 without.
However, two new options moved into claim the top spot on the 2024 meal deal leader board. The Chicken Club Sandwich was the favourite main and – to the disgust of some – the boiled egg snack, dubbed the Tesco Egg Protein Pot, knocked McCoy’s off the favourite snack slot.
(Image: Charles Wadepalmer)
The 500ml Coca-Cola remains undefeated in the favourite drink division – marking its third year at the top of the meal deal leader boards.
But what of the Daily Star team? Well, read on . . . and prepare to get hungry.
Andy Gilpin – The big bossman
I’m a man of simple tastes, so don’t judge me. I go for the southern fried chicken wrap, apple and strawberry snack pot and orange lucozade. Let’s break this down. The southern fried chicken wrap is substantial but not too filling. It’s also exotic. Southern fried? In the American deep south? Blows your mind to have such a cosmopolitan delicacy on these shores. The holy grail is to look and indeed feel a few of them to work out which is the most packed with breaded chicken.
(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
It’s the same for the fruit pot. Can you get more than two strawberries in it? If so, you are winning at life. The orange lucozade is quintessential Blighty, but should be global. Tasty, fizzy with a burst of energy to get you through the day. This combo is unpretentious, good value and with an edge of the unknown. It makes me proud to be British.
Claudia Trotman – Likes writing about cars
In truth I’ve never forgiven Tesco for raising the price of their meal deals. That extra 60p is offensive. Controversially, Boots provides a superior selection.
That aside, I’d pick:
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Chicken Tomato & Basil Pasta pot
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Naked smoothie (the blue machine one) to instantly add value to the deal
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Side, any fruit pot which is calling me. Sometimes I’ll go for the sushi maki side, or even a good old fashioned bag of McCoys (flame grilled steak, of course, if I don’t have to worry about seeing people and stinking up my breath)
Ruby Naldrett – Goes viral on social media a lot
I have the chicken Caesar wrap (I don’t like sandwiches, there’s something deeply unnerving about refrigerated bread) and either Walkers Salt and Vingear crisps or if I’m feeling adventurous I might get Prawn Cocktail.
(Image: Ruby Naldrett)
I’ll finish off with Diet Coke but ONLY if it’s in a can, if there’s only bottled on offer I’ll get a smoothie
Charles Wade-Palmer – Posh lad, posh surname, making gains
My only routine selection comes in the drinks selection but even that has come under threat during these rocky times. Naked smoothies are the most expensive so naturally I’ll go for one of those – flavour is irrelevant with those savings so I’ll rotate between the fruits. The only deviation I’ve been making away from getting in one of my five a day is the Jimmy’s Iced Coffee/ That too, has good saving potential.
Elsewhere there’s next to no consistency and if it’s off the bat of payday, who knows? I may treat myself to a Premium main, whether that be a Chicken and Chorizo pasta salad or the beef / steak chunky sandwich. I used to be partial to a chicken and bacon / southern fried chicken pasta but now I’m just not sure. That leads me onto the snack and we’re talking either a Ginsters Chicken Slice – people are still shocked it’s a snack and I don’t blame them. Pop it in the microwave for 30 secs and you’ve got yourself a second main a couple hours after lunch.
Also on the cards are the Pork Pie twin pack which is even better over Christmas thanks to the subtle addition of cranberry. The Indian Selection is a cracking choice too. If you catch me with a fruit pot – no matter how juicy the pineapple – do ask me if everything is okay.
Tom McGhie – Bigfoot lover, bigfoot in height
The Club Chicken sandwich, Thai Sweet Chicken crisps and an Innocent Smoothie consisting Strawberries, Bananas and Apples. Why? The Chicken Club towers over its sarnie counterparts, such as er…a southern fried chicken wrap. It’s substantial, it’s timeless and it blankets me in the soft, warm fires of familiarity.
Thai Sweet Chicken is self explanatory – it’s the firecracker of the trio. Contained madness. Full on braggadocio in crisp packet form. And then the Innocent Smoothie so I can tell my mum I’m meeting the daily 5-fruit-and-veg target without a guilty conscience.
Abigail Hunt – Don’t ask about her neighbour
Cheese and tomato pasta pot, Ribena and Arla protein yoghurt. Anyone getting the boiled egg needs their hard drive checking.
Harry Thompson – Lovely moustache
I’m just here for the eggs. Be that in the aforementioned protein pot or with the tangy salad cream dip for a treat – doesn’t matter either way for me, pour those damn unborn chickens down my gullet.
(Image: Simon Hamalienko)
Elsewhere, I’m looking heavily at the Plant Chef Hosin or its compadre the Plant Chef All Day Breakfast. Both are a refreshing take on a classic. Elsewhere, in a nod to the wild coastlines of our island nation, I’m also partial to a prawn mayo as its cultured.
Drink: one of those little kombucha things because apparently it’s alive and I’m kind of into that.
Jack Wetherill – Fun on a night out
My meal deal isn’t about harmonising flavours, it’s about filling a hole for as cheap as possible. I like to feel like I’m getting the most for the money, so my first pick would be the Sausage, Bacon and Egg Triple – because you’re getting half a sandwich for free essentially. Failing that, I ignore my mantra and go for either a Southern Fried Chicken or Chicken Caesar wrap, the wrap always being slightly soggy from the excessive amounts of mayo makes it even better.
(Image: Getty Images)
Then depending on my mood, I’ll go for a chicken satay or Cadbury’s Boost for the side. And for the drink either a Naked Smoothie or iced coffee, depending how tired I am (so usually an iced coffee).
Adam Cailler – Prefers Costa Coffee instead
Tesco finest smoked salmon sandwich, cheese and onion crisps and a Litpton ice tea (peach flavour). I stand by my choices.
Bekka Barnard – Wants to visit Blobbyland
Prawn cocktail sarnie, prawn cocktail crisps and an iced coffee – i dont care about my breath, you shouldn’t be close enough to smell it.
Simon Hamalienko – An actual, genuine fan of Fulham FC
As I only have a Co-op in walking distance and being a difficult vegan my choices on a meal deal are limited, so I make do with the onion bhaji & mango chutney sandwich, Proper Chips barbecue flavour, washed down with an innocent Smoothie Mangoes Passion Fruits & Apples.
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