How to be middle class: the deskfast croissant debate
Monday, September 6, 2010 at 10:39AM 
I'm not sure when it happened, but there was definitely a point (I think in the late 1990s) when eating breakfast at one's desk (ie rather than at home) became an almost obligatory part of the working day. Over shop-bought toast, croissants, coffee - or your own museli stored at work if you were healthy and organised - the events of last night/the weekend were discussed, current TV analysed, workmates bitched about, projects planned and the state of the company dissected. The actual "watercooler moment" was always more of an American phenomenon than a British one; for years now, the work breakfast, or deskfast as we like to call it, has been the true worker-get together moment.
And the best of all the topics that can be discussed? Surely it's that of the actual breakfast itself. Who does the best bacon sandwich? Brown sauce or or tomato? Do you go for croissant, pain au raisin or pain au chocolat or what? Don't you think Dorset cereals have too much dried fruit in them? Does he really only eat one banana and rice milk? With more and more coffee shops catering to this wonderful trend, the debate seems to be getting more specialised too. Well, it does at the MCH offices. This morning we've been frothing up our regular row over chocolate croissant, and which retailer delivers the best combination of crispy, buttery crust, warm dough and dark melty chocolate that makes this Queen of the Deskfast feel just sightly like an illegal, under-the-counter morning pudding?
It's come down to Pret A Manger and Tesco, with all other challengers falling aside, but as of this morning, it looks as if Tesco is taking the ultimate crown. Our opinions are below. Do feel free to tell us yours; this is important.
Billy Im a Tesco man, because I don’t like someone choosing my croissant for me. The lady in Pret is very friendly though.
Dan Pret. I think the jumbo croissant in Tesco is a ridiculous size, and it's a throwback to a giant mars bars when they were too big to get in your mouth and gave you mouth ache. That said I do get a vague buzz out of telling the cashier no I don’t have a club-card each time he asks me. Also, the Tesco bakery smell makes me want to gag
Joy Tesco. I always thought Pret had the best chocolate croissants – warm...rich & chocolatey..crispy - until I was tipped off to try Tesco. Not only do they taste exactly the same and are sold warm at the beginning of the day, but more importantly the Tesco ones are cheaper. Bonus.
Emma Tesco. I think Pret often overcook them and the pastry is therefore a bit dry. Also, the last time I got one from Pret, it was so hot I burnt my mouth on the first bite, that wouldn't have happened in Tesco where they're just nicely warm in the mornings.
Tori Tesco. Because they’re fresh, crispy & soft - how croissants should be, good amount of chocolate in the chocolate ones.
Katy Tesco. Because they are cheaper and it feels good knowing you've spent less on something that actually tastes better!
Reader Comments (8)
Eating your breakfast at work? Good God, you London media types! What happened to bacon and eggs? I like a good plate of devilled kidney myself.
M&S have the best pains au chocolat. But only the fresh ones, not the prepackaged, they're awful.
I once made the mistake of buying the prepackaged pain au chocolat fromTesco.
i dont want to talk about it.
Without Predjudice:
Tesco products are a bloody disgrace. Here may the matter lie.
Pret lamentably does do a bloody good breakfast selection - Ham and cheese croissant and sturdy coffee. Sorry.
I remember those hellobilly - never again!
they are both disgusting. ever tried the eggs benedict muffin at EAT? thats even more disgusting. best breakfast is at simpsons in the strand.
A bowl of porridge will see you through, and sustain you. Pain au chocolats everyday. Pffft, I don't know, these media types. You don't let your children have nutella on toast everyday do you? Or crisps after dinner?
The key is here, well, you'll all get FAT.
Ah but Jess, if you check out the new Nutella ads, you'll see it contains milk and hazelnuts and is therefore good for your children.
Slightly off topic I know, but those ads makes me puke. They might as well advertise fags as counting as part of your five a day on the basis that tobacco is a vegetable.