My husband and I drove 2.5 hours from Portland to IKEA in Seattle today. Our mission? Purchasing our new kitchen. But I admit I had an ulterior motive. One of the things that I miss about living close to an IKEA is being able to stop in for lunch. Their "manager's special": 15 meatballs in cream sauce, new potatoes, lingonberry sauce, soup or salad, and drink (lingonberry soda, please) all for around $6.00 can't be beat. For me, it is half the reason to go to IKEA. And how psyched was I the first time I discovered that they sold their meatballs—frozen— the marketplace. I know people either love or hate the Swedish meatball. And I know that they are infinitely better made from scratch. But...but...there is something about an IKEA meatball. They are perfect bites of savory goodness. They are equally bready and meaty, and they are ever-so-slightly perfumed with nutmeg. Tangy-tart lingonberry sauce complements them perfectly. Once our kitchen business was finished, I headed straight for the market where a bag of frozen meatballs had my name on it. Three hours later we were enjoying them for dinner. Oh, IKEA! Why won't you open a store in Portland, already?!IKEA meatballs: Why are they so good?
My husband and I drove 2.5 hours from Portland to IKEA in Seattle today. Our mission? Purchasing our new kitchen. But I admit I had an ulterior motive. One of the things that I miss about living close to an IKEA is being able to stop in for lunch. Their "manager's special": 15 meatballs in cream sauce, new potatoes, lingonberry sauce, soup or salad, and drink (lingonberry soda, please) all for around $6.00 can't be beat. For me, it is half the reason to go to IKEA. And how psyched was I the first time I discovered that they sold their meatballs—frozen— the marketplace. I know people either love or hate the Swedish meatball. And I know that they are infinitely better made from scratch. But...but...there is something about an IKEA meatball. They are perfect bites of savory goodness. They are equally bready and meaty, and they are ever-so-slightly perfumed with nutmeg. Tangy-tart lingonberry sauce complements them perfectly. Once our kitchen business was finished, I headed straight for the market where a bag of frozen meatballs had my name on it. Three hours later we were enjoying them for dinner. Oh, IKEA! Why won't you open a store in Portland, already?!
Second Helping of Slashfood - June 19
Competitive-Eating Contest to Pit Humans Against Elephants
The Backyard Boom - The Hungry Bride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2005 @ 12:40PM
mnology said...
Not sure I'd appreciate an IKEA trip inside of Portland as much as I do the trip to just outside of Seattle. It's a day trip, made all the more enjoyable by afforementioned meatballs at the end of the maze. Plus, I'd miss out on the smug enjoyment I get by showing my Oregon I.D. and not paying the sales tax on my IKEA bounty.
Reply
10-17-2005 @ 12:58PM
Ian McKenzie said...
I'm with you on those meatballs. I also like the IKEA lingonberry syrup; an ounce or so in a glass of club soda. We make a trip every few weeks to pick up a handful of bottles to tide me over. Fortunately, it's only a 15 minute drive from our place to the local IKEA. Unfortunately, we end up buying a lot more than just the syrup, each trip. 8)
Reply
10-17-2005 @ 2:29PM
CH said...
Mad Magazine had it right - the best Sweedish you've ever had in a department store.
Reply
10-17-2005 @ 6:29PM
Tony said...
For what it's worth, I have a Swedish friend and the /only/ Swedish meatballs she will ever eat are her mother's and Ikea's...so that's gotta be sayin' something.
Reply
10-17-2005 @ 6:54PM
Food Dude said...
The Dania in Hillsboro just opened a cafe inside the store. The same type of things, though on a smaller scale. Maybe it is just me (I hate being dragged through Ikea), but I thought the meatballs were better at Dania. They have them frozen too.
Reply
10-18-2005 @ 11:19AM
CS Chua said...
I am from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Like you I have fallen for this Swedish export. For years I had relished Chinese beef balls. Now I always have a pack of Ikea meatballs in my freezer. I am not into lingonberry but with Graddsas sauce, mashed potato with ample Tobasco sauce it's a very heavenly devilish combination :)
Reply
10-18-2005 @ 12:23PM
mpeng said...
I've got you all beat. When I was in Germany driving between towns, I saw one outside of Frankfurt (Kassel) and pulled in for some meatballs. mmmm
Reply
10-18-2005 @ 5:20PM
The Spoonman said...
Agreed, every time I'm in Philadelphia visiting the folks, I stop in at Ikea. I tell people it's 'cause I love the furniture (which I do), but I've never gone without being mad hungry for lunch! :) I wish they'd open one near me, too. Although, I'd prolly end up gaining 50 lbs...
Reply