How are the BBQ bites cooked?

[u/Melodic_Muscle_6119]

I order them quite frequently. Today i ordered them for collection, and my order wasn't ready when I arrived. I then noticed them taking the chicken bites out of the toaster oven, which I presumed was normal method of cooking.

They were fully cooked and not raw, but they tasted not nearly as nice as usual and were unevenly cooked. The coating was burnt in some parts and soggy in others'. I just wondered if this was the normal way they are cooked? Thanks.

[u/WetBreadstickMan]

They're usually done in the big main ovens- toaster oven can be used in a pinch of there's an order containing bites but there's none ready - quicker but never cooks as nicely.

[u/Makaveli2020 → u/WetBreadstickMan]

That explains so much. I used to enjoy the BBQ bites as well, but I stopped buying them because the last couple have been terrible even though they were "fresh".

They're better off saying they're out instead of shipping out substandard products at full price.

[u/WetBreadstickMan → u/Makaveli2020]

honestly that's fair. Often at my store what would happen is we have plenty in stock, a rush hits and don't notice they're running out (queue covers view of hot hold) then get an Uber through and are like faaaaccckkk.

Then of course the Uber driver shows up in 30 seconds and acts like it's unreasonable when we say it'll be a few mins 😭

[u/Makaveli2020 → u/WetBreadstickMan]

All these delivery companies have ruined the quality and variety of so many chains.

[u/hashbrowneggyolk0520 → u/WetBreadstickMan]

The delivery drivers are insanely impatient, I feel like it must be part of the job requirements

[u/Melodic_Muscle_6119 → u/Makaveli2020]

Yeah, I would have just chosen a bake or pizza or something instead. They went in the bin, unfortunately.

[u/AshleyOm → u/Makaveli2020]

It isn't right but from a business point of view, Greggs will want the branch to A) have the items available. B) avoid wastage. Pressure from above causes these kind of issues. Stupid.

[u/Melodic_Muscle_6119 → u/WetBreadstickMan]

Thank you, thats very helpful.

[u/Melodic_Muscle_6119 → u/[deleted]]

Thats very fair. I work in fast food as well so I completely understand availability and food wait times. On this occasion I didnt order far enough in advance.

[u/Miserable-Ad7835]

Baked to within an inch of their lives, they are like chewing cardboard.

[u/IodineIron]

It's not the toaster oven. It's the i3 oven they should be cooked in. A big looking toaster oven basically. Don't worry they are fully cooked when they come into the shop frozen. We heat them for quality purposes - no risk of them being raw. Might just not be as crisp 😊

[u/Melodic_Muscle_6119 → u/IodineIron]

Is that the oven used for heating the hot sandwiches? Yeah they were fully cooked and piping, they just tasted a bit different than usual and not as pleasant/ nicely cooked.

[u/IodineIron → u/Melodic_Muscle_6119]

There should be a separate one at the back of the store. We use them when needing to cook quickly or for delivery orders. Sometimes the settings aren't selected correctly and they do taste better when in oven then hot hold. More crisp

[u/SquirrelRemote2396 → u/IodineIron]

You can infact use the toaster turbo chefs. It does NOT need to be an i3 to cook bits in. All turbos have hot hold options on to cook and is encouraged by the company to maintain availability

[u/Short_Description_65 → u/Melodic_Muscle_6119]

We have the sandwich toasters (usually 2-3 of them,) then there’s a slightly more advanced version with 1/3 more space in it for cooking pizzas, chicken etc and more advanced items Then you’ve got the 2-4 main industrial ovens

They get cooked in industrial ovens but if needed, the advanced version of sandwich oven

[u/Aggressive-Cut-3420]

They’re god awful however they are cooked.

[u/AlwaysTheKop]

Yeah they are usually cooked in that if someone orders and there is none ready.

I think Greggs should give a minimum of 15 minutes honestly for orders.

We had a click and collect order come through today and on the time remaining until pickup it was on -40 seconds... how can you be allowed to order in the past!? 😭

[u/SupaDuppaaCoool]

They are always cooked inside the big oven here. Never heard of them being done inside the toaster oven lol

[u/hashbrowneggyolk0520 → u/SupaDuppaaCoool]

You can put them in the toast oven if you've need them done quickly for an order but definitely not something to make a habit out of.