10 Lessons from Buying Too Good To Go Boxes (Inspired by Ed Chapman’s Challenge)

In his latest challenge, YouTuber Ed Chapman (video is below) set out to see if he could survive entirely on Too Good To Go bags. While the app is a brilliant way to save “pennies” and reduce food waste, Ed’s experience reveals that not all Magic Bags are created equal.

If you’re thinking of following in his footsteps, here are 10 things we learned from his “leftover” marathon + a few tips from some veteran users of the app.

1. The Greggs “Pastry Earthquake” is Real

For just £2.99, Ed snagged a massive haul from Greggs (interestingly located inside a Primark!). He received a mountain of sausage rolls, cheese and onion bakes, and sausage, bean and cheese melts. The lesson? If you go for a bakery bag, be prepared for a massive quantity of “beige” food that could feed a small army.

2. Expect the “Cold Comfort” Factor

One recurring theme in Ed’s video is that the food, especially from Greggs, is often stone cold. While a sausage roll is a classic British staple, eating it cold from a paper bag is a very different experience to getting one fresh from the oven. If you don’t have a microwave or air fryer handy, be prepared for a chilly lunch. See our list of MUST HAVE kitchen accessories

3. Variety Beats Volume

While the Greggs bag was better “value” in terms of sheer weight, Ed preferred the Pret A Manger bag (£4). It offered a better balance: a tomato soup, an avocado and tomato baguette, and a tuna mayo baguette. It felt like a “proper” meal rather than just a pile of pastry.

4. Beware the “Slop” (The Soup and Porridge Risk)

Ed wasn’t a fan of “liquid food.” His bags from Pret and Leon included tomato soup and porridge, which he famously described as “prison food” or “slop.” If you prefer solid food you can actually chew, you might want to avoid breakfast bags or certain cafes where “edible liquid” is the norm.

5. Check the “Value for Money” Ratio

Not all discounts are the same. While Greggs gave £12 worth of food for £2.99, the Leon bag was £6.29 for about £12.60 worth of food, a much smaller reduction. Always check the “value” stated in the app to see if the saving is actually worth the trek to the station. Equally, lots of these bags could be cooked at home for less and it would be fresh…

6. Staff Can Be “Confused”

When Ed went to Pret, the staff seemed a bit baffled by the request and had to “quickly make one up.” Don’t be surprised if the staff at your chosen shop aren’t quite ready for you; some bags are truly made from whatever is left on the shelf at that exact moment. This can also massively change the quality of your selection, depending on the staff on any given day, so don’t expect the same each visit!

7. The “Nutritional Deficiency” Struggle

Living on nothing but restaurant leftovers sounds fun, but Ed quickly realised that a diet of pastries, pizza, and cake takes its toll. By day four, he was feeling the effects of the lack of fresh fruit and veg. If you’re using the app, try to balance the “beige” hauls with some supermarket “grocery” bags.

8. Be careful of the locations

Ed found one of his bags inside a Greggs… that was inside a Primark. Many “hidden” Too Good To Go locations are tucked away inside department stores, train stations and hotels. Make sure you check the exact location in the app so you don’t end up wandering around a shopping centre lost!

9. Don’t Dress for Dinner (It’s a Messy Business)

In a cautionary tale for us all, Ed managed to “tomato the carpet” while trying to eat his Pret soup with a spoon. When you’re dealing with surplus food in random containers, things can get messy. Have some napkins, or a carpet cleaner, on standby.

10. Verdict: It’s OK…but you’re out of control on what you get

As Ed discovered, Too Good To Go is a bit of a lottery. You might get a legendary haul of sausage rolls or you might end up with a cup of “slop.” But for a few quid, it’s always an adventure. In our opinion, they can be a good option if you’re out and about anyway and you’re also a late eater (e.g. wake up late and fancy a fry-up) but quite often you’re trying to do some quick maths to make it feel better… and often it doesn’t really stack up. Mastering the art of the reheat would have undoubtedly levelled up Ed’s experience; a quick blast in the air fryer or a few minutes in a pan on the hob would have turned those cold leftovers into a gourmet feast.

One of the best parts of the app is being “forced” to try weird and wonderful food you’d never usually buy for full price but if that’s not for you then you can easily be left disappointed.

Have you tried it? Any thoughts? Let us know on our socials

Watch the full video below: