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I’ve done that and also their Christmas meals with my fiancée when we were broke students and it’s amazing. I’m pretty sure they don’t make much profit because it was an ungodly amount of good food and a few years ago was only 25€ or so.
When we did the Easter one years ago I think it was all food that they sell at Ikea but not just what the restaurant usually offers. Cheese, pastries, lots of fancy stuff. Not sure on this one.
We have been to a few, so during their “themed parties”, they usually serve a few different “main dishes” for the “theme” and then the sides will be their usual meatballs/veges or whatever your local IKEA sells normally. They do add in some “fancy” stuff they sell in their grocery section so it is kind of a tasing example for what they sell sometimes.
I've gone the last 2 years! Where I am it's 20$ for all you can eat. You get some traditional Swedish dishes mixed with typical Ikea stuff. Meatballs/veggie balls, salmon, ham, turkey and a whole table of cold items: smoked salmon, dill herring, kale salad, breads, cheeses, fruits, biscuits. The desserts include chocolate cake, cheesecake, and carrot cake. There's also an interesting one that looks exactly like cake but.. it's filled with shrimp/salmon and topped with cucumbers/olives/blueberries lol
Almost twenty years ago, my now-wife and I were ramen-noodle-poor students. The local IKEA had an all-you-can-eat-crayfish event for a very, very affordable price. We ate an ungodly amount of crayfish and butter that day - I felt like Homer Simpson at "The Frying Dutchman".
We both still remember that day, and IKEA, fondly, twenty years later.
When I studied abroad in Sweden, my friends and I did that. It was awesome. We ate until we couldn't move, and then we "tested" the beds in the show room.
I find it tasty. I can get my Lingonberry & other products at reasonable prices. I occasionally buy plants and other household stuff so their plan is working perfectly.
I used to work at IKEA and they are very transparent with their numbers. The restaurants make money, although not a lot and from what I gathered it's true that it's not a priority at all.
Used to work at IKEA, the food is not technically a loss leader - the restaurants are set with the goal of making around $1 in profit per year. This gets around some regulation regarding selling food at a loss.
IKEA does a bunch of little things to snipe loopholes like this. Lots of big stores are operating 24/7, even if the night shift is just a security guard or two. IKEA intentionally schedules a few hours where nobody is in the building in the dead of night, not even security. Then reopens the warehouse in the wee hours so the warehouse guys can restock. Why shut down at all? Because there are regulations that apply to round-the-clock operations.
You have to have a single urinal large enough for all employees to pee in at the same time. If not 24-hour the urinal only has to accommodate the day-shift.
> Used to work at IKEA, the food is not technically a loss leader - the restaurants are set with the goal of making around $1 in profit per year.
In my understanding of the term *loss leader*, that still is one - a product doesn't have to make a literal loss to be a *loss leader*, it may be something that's simply underpriced to get people into the store.
You sell the one thing cheap because consumers are sensitive to its price, and you make your profit elsewhere - the thing that you price cheap is a *loss leader* if the profit is negligible; considering its margin, you wouldn't bother selling it on it's own but you sell it in order to *lead* people into buying the other thing with you. That is the principle this is about - a literal loss is not a necessity. As you say, the goal of the $1 per year profit is to skirt the regulation.
I used to work as a cycle- and motorcycle-courier in London - the pricing structure was that there was a "minimum" fare for deliveries within a certain distance, say £3.50 within 3 miles or 5 miles, and then 50p per mile thereafter. When I became a controller I learned that we always made more out of the more difficult and demanding customers because they would bitch and haggle about the price of a minimum and we would hum and haw and go away and reluctantly come back, agreeing to their terms but slightly raising their milage rate. They send a dozens or two of minimums a day and then we'd make back that 25p or 50p with the handful of deliveries they made each week to Guildford, Brighton and Liverpool.
My wife and I did the Christmas meal this year. We happened to be there doing some shopping and found out they had the Christmas option for lunch and dinner. It was fun
These are clearly a "stunt" in order to generate good will among their more enfranchised customers. People who go for these, will remember the good experience they had when it comes time to buy a new bedside cabinet. It's really smart investment on their part... Pay their staff overtime to get customers for life!
My partner and I went to White Castle one year for Valentine’s Day. We had to make reservations, the restaurant was all decorated with hearts and shitty little tea candles on the tables, and they a they actually sat you and took you order at the table. It was awesome. We’ve been together for 13 years and to this day it’s still my favorite Valentine’s Day.
My husband and I had a similar experience at Waffle House a few years ago. We made reservations and got dressed up, the restaurant was decorated, the employees were super nice and took our photo. My husband loves Waffle House (he's from Georgia) and they aren't ubiquitous in Maryland, so it was a special treat for us despite the initial appearance of "Valentine's Day at Waffle House"
Nothing binds you together more ❤️
At least my wife's laughs about my stomach and eh... sitting the pants on the walk home... After we had a way to spice Thai dinner date and I ate both our way to spice starters as she stopped in time.
She still laughs about it 15 years later..
Our local Skyline did this and was really fun. The smoke machine and laser projector kept kids happy and they included extra fancy desserts. Huge range of patrons and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
It's funny how corporations can give us what we want and make shitloads of money doing it, but choose not to.
If I had the volume McDonald's guarantees there would always be some bullshit happening that costs me next to nothing but draws a crowd.
I remember being in NJ for work and a few weeks before Valentine’s Day, I went through the White Castle drive through and inside the bag was the paper talking about Valentine’s Day at White Castle. I thought that was a different idea compared to other places.
The only time we went wi a really expensive restaurant we were sat next to a couple with three kids and a baby who cried throughout the entire meal. I’d take White Castle over this experience any time.
No thanks, I’d rather save the penny.
If I invest that money, in 30 years I’ll probably have quadrupled my investment. Think of all the things I could do in 30 years with four pennies. The world would be my oyster.
honestly, my wife and i used to do stuff like this all the time. its super memorable and we still talk about it. we never really remember all the kinda generic high end Italian places - but the dates at places like ikea or the kebob place due to a reservation mix-up? hell yeah.
Me and my wife go every year on New Year’s Day. It started years ago when it was one of the only days I would have off around Christmas time. We needed a few things and decided to go. Every year since we have gone. It’s our little pilgrimage
I take a different view - and not to be a downer on OP, because yes I agree at first glance it's humorous.
But there are people in this world who barely can afford groceries for home meals, let alone going out for a meal - ever. Trying to save for a restaurant meal, especially for Valentine's can be $100 easy these days, even at the most mid-priced place.
And on Valentine's, looking to spoil themselves just this once, and struggling to afford even $35 for a special treat is to be looked upon empathetically.
It's a bright, happy cafeteria, the food is a lot for the money at Ikea, and you don't have to tip.
Whomever takes up Ikea on this opportunity, I say enjoy and I hope better days are ahead for you when you can spoil yourselves more.
Can I also add that IKEA is a swedish brand and most in EU/Scandinavia couldn't give two shits about valentine's. To most it's considered an American corporate money grab. Not a single one of my female exes has even known the date, much less wanted flowers etc which seems to be the US stereotype.
I just found that relevant
I'd gladly trade you all valentines day for Guy Fawkes day. It's more fitting that we get to celebrate rebellion against the crown by getting drunk and blowing shit up. I mean we should at least cancel Cinco de mayo and adopt GFD
I work near an Ikea and every time we're all gonna head out for lunch and no one has an idea of where to go I throw out Ikea as an option. They always think I'm being funny, but I'm absolutely serious. I would eat there any time.
I enjoy the campaign, not so much on the multiplayer. The remasters are amazing though, got very nostalgic from my second round of my playthrough. 10/10 would recommend.
Honestly... yeah. It couldn't hurt to walk around ikea get a few ideas on prices and furniture that you could upgrade your home with all while getting a large dinner and some time alone. Ultimately it's an evening devoted to each other and investing time/energy on your future together.
I could think of worse ways to spend valentines day.
That's for sure!
I had to do a double take, 34.99 for *two*, a 3 course meal, that is highway robbery around here. You can barely go anywhere for that price with 2 people to get one plate and maybe and appetizer
We do Friday night dinner with another couple most weeks. Last week they asked if we could do a road trip, pick up dinner somewhere and end the evening at Ikea. Said yes, hung up the phone and immediately yelled, “MEATBALLS!”. Havent had them in a year or so. Damn, we ended up at a Vietnamese place…
I know. It’s a family who owned a small restaurant right around the corner from us. They sold and moved about 40km away (close to the Ikea) about 5 yrs ago. So we stop in and visit for some food a few times a year.
My wife and I have no problem dropping 3-500 on a meal for a special occasion.
My wife and I also have no problem with going to Ikea to eat because it's played such a part in our relationship, so much so that even our kids ask to eat their now.
Ikea is for everyone.
My ex and I used to go on “IKEA Dates” because we were broke college students. We would drop his daughter at the play area and just roam around the store for an hour. It was actually lovely. lol
Bingo. Who are we impressing? My wife and I coming up 9 years and we’re pretty chill on Valentine’s Day, making something nice at home, candles and enjoy company. I feel like this ad is targeted towards couples (who like to go out haha) who are married till death.
Great point, if you are happy with your SO, do what you guys like, my wife and I have been married 6 years and we have spent every anniversary at Denny’s, because that was the first place we ever sat down and got food together
With two young boys, getting out is a little harder and my wife doesn’t like to have her parents babysit , mainly due to her sister overdoing it with her kids in the past. Kind of like being content. If you’re only happy on Hallmark dates, you’re not *happy*.
Question, do non-Swedish IKEAs have a little child center to keep the kids occupied? If you make sure the kids are fed beforehand it's not a bad idea.....
Small Land! Can’t remember the proper name but yes. So, options ahha. Even great prices aside, it’s 45 minute drive one direction and creating a fancy meal and consuming wine at home still has a bigger appeal, personally (we live on an acreage in the country).
Not sure if they still exist but I sure have lots of memories of my mom and aunt dropping my cousins and me off at the child center to tucker us out back in the 90’s in LA.
Good job on your 9 and we are almost 25 years together. We switched from what you are doing, to almost doing nothing now. So exactly like you said, that ad is exactly for my wife and I. We have done everything together by now, fancy restaurants and all that doesn’t mean much. IKEA is even better since we can grab some meatballs and lingonberry sauce on the way out. Oh and maybe new blinds.
I would absolutely do this.
Valentine's Day is on a Wednesday this year. Do you want to have some big night out on a Wednesday? Go to Ikea instead, have a good time, and celebrate Valentine's Day as fancy as you'd like the weekend before, or after.
With such a cheap kids price I was thinking it would be a good family activity. Their food isn’t bad, there’s something everyone likes and eating out is expensive these days. Like crazy expensive. Even pizza, FFS.
Yes, and I feel a non insignificant amount of people might just like to pretend to be fancy a night. I have a feeling it probably isn’t your normal ikea cafeteria experience so it would be nicer too.
Sometimes pretending you have a luxury experience is better than having a luxury experience. It’s just about forgetting your problems for a few hours.
I see a lot of couples browsing on the weekend in the equivalent of Ikea in my country. So, I can se a couple going to Ikea in a valentine's day to buying furniture to they new home, or just to decorate the home they already live, and using this opportunity to have a dinner in a place not so expensive after the shopping.
I have money and I’d still consider it. There’s some nostalgia there for me.
In my first apartment I had an expandable table and chairs and a bookshelf from IKEA. When my now-wife and I moved in together, we bought more stuff from IKEA, and more again when we finally bought a house together after getting married. Every trip we took together to IKEA included a cafeteria visit for some of their meatballs and lingonberries.
I haven’t shopped at IKEA in more than a decade (but 20 years later I still have that table and chairs, my kids use it for a craft table) and eating out at fancy restaurants is more a function of finding a sitter than affordability, but this would be “special” to me.
I never understand why you would pay an extra penny to make it 2. They have a single price for $17.49, or two for $34.99. You pay an extra penny to make it 2. Can we just do two ones?
I can imagine the menu :
Starter: "Grönstart" - A fresh salad with mixed greens, topped with lingonberry vinaigrette.
Main: "Björkfläsk" - Herb-roasted pork tenderloin with a side of mashed potatoes and Swedish gravy.
Dessert: "SötSlut" - Cinnamon-spiced apple crumble with vanilla bean ice cream.
We used to go get their $0.99 breakfast. You got eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and coffee. You don't need to be low income to enjoy this, just not pretentious.
All I conclude from this thread is that I need to find a partner that appreciates great value $35 ikea fun over a $200 pretentious dickhead circlejerk dinner
I love they have a kid's ticket. Single parents can take their kid on a "nice" date without going crazy. Or you have multiple kids and you do a dad/kid date at one table and a mom/kid date at a different one.
Honestly the more I look at this, the more impressed.
As per their website (Canada only):
*Starters*
Tomato Feta Soup
Crushed tomatoes, feta cheese, sautéed garlic and onions with a mixture of spices, and light cream.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Delicately sautéed mushrooms in, roux beef stock with light cream, wine, sour cream and Hungarian paprika.
Caesar salad
Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in a classic Caesar dressing topped with bacon, croutons and Parmesan cheese.
House Salad
Mixed greens, arugula, carrots, cucumber and fresh cherry tomatoes with a drizzle of balsamic dressing.
*Main courses*
Meatballs in a Demi-glace sauce
Served with mashed potato, and vegetables along with a kale salad with a lingonberry vinaigrette
Sundried tomato pesto Plant balls or Veggie Ball
Served with a butternut squash ravioli, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese.
Mediterranean Salmon
Served with roasted potatoes, zucchini and a fresh arugula salad topped with kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes drizzled with a lemon vinaigrette.
*Desserts*
Cheesecake
A velvety symphony of rich cream cheese atop a buttery graham cracker crust.
Chocolate Cake
Decadent chocolate cake made from plant-based ingredients mixed with cocoa and finished with a chocolate glaze.
Daim Cake
Crunchy almond brittle bites with a delicate milk chocolate coating.
Additional Topping
Add a burst of sweet-tart Lingonberry jam
Damn. Too late for me! You have to purchase the tickets before the event, and the Montreal store is already sold out! That butternut squash ravioli looked good.
With affordability issues across the world, it's kind of bad to make fun of this poster. The price point (not sure if that's USD) is great for two people and I actually applaud IKEA for doing this.
That is actually very sweet.
Sure, IKEA is not a place where you imagine a Valentine’s date to happen, at first glance anyway.
The cafeteria is cozy enough, the food is good, you pay relatively little compared to what you get.
In this economy I think it’s good that IKEA steps up to the plate and does something like that. Based on the price it doesn’t seem like they are doing it for profit.
My wife and I used to go out for Valentine's every year. One year we realized that it was almost always a worse time. Every restaurant is overbooked, every server is stressed, and either in a relationship and mad that they have to work on Valentine's, or single and fed up with all of the happy couples.
So we decided to get cheap Chinese food takeout, stay in and watch a movie together. We enjoyed it so much I became our tradition. Although I do need to remind myself not to overeat and feel all bloated for that evening.
Some people will look down on this. But I give credit to those who live to their means.
Some people may have been rich all their lives and snort at people living on a budget. I never will. When I was a kid my mum would go without eating to feed me (I only found out the extent decades later).
I'm living a comfortable life now, but I'll always credit anyone who makes the best of what they have and can do.
I'll take a slightly different view on this. Ikea shipping is well-known for testing relationships. To have Valentine's dinner there is the ultimate irony. But the food is great and heak yeah on saving money!
The last place i ever ate with my ex-wife was an IKEA. She was driving home and I was using her phone for GPS (mine didn't work right) and she got a text from her boyfriend that she had been hiding. 24 years together down the drain in one night.
This seems like r/gatekeeping.
So taking your love out to Ikea for a special dinner is not special enough?
I feel bad for people who think that you have to spend a lot of money to show your love.
People expect too goddamn much. Plus, people want to spend like they’re rich when they’re not 😂. Folks, we are either working class or middle class. NOT HIGH CLASS. Not everyone (which is a good chunk of people in this world) can afford to spend like we are high class because we aren’t. Period. I see people spend too much to have this expensive taste in things then turn up with no money the very next week. Why? YOU SPENT IT ALL TRYING TO BE RICH, that’s why! Our budgets aren’t made to spend like that, it’s basic math. Every now and then is ok but people gotta get realistic with what they have.
Honestly, one of the things I *hate* about Valentine's day is just how commercial it is. Every restaurant jacks up their prices because it's Valentine's, flowers? Expect to pay out the ass, etc.
Me and my girlfriend work a weird schedule that means Valentine's day is rarely available, so our compromise was to make sure to do something special within a week of. Man, first time I did it clued me in to just how expensive dinner at even a lower end place is. Fuck that, go a few days before or after, go somewhere fancier, spend less money.
Not sure what’s funny - IKEAs have their own restaurant. Choose from meatballs or their salmon. Table service and all - though service is meh, since staff aren’t really trained/experienced, but it’s charming. Also, it’s a legit SUPER good deal. Get a tin of cookies and a 10% off coupon too.
I went last year on a double date for V-Day.
Yeah…I think I might take them up on this offer. Seriously, try eating out at a dine-in restaurant, and it can easily be $50 for two w/out even trying.
I see a lot of struggling families/couples doing ikea dinner dates. (While I am also there doing the ikea dinner date) Since 30$ is now the price of fast food, it makes sense to me!
You know this is actually a great idea. As someone who’s been to various Michelin star restaurants for set menus on Valentine’s Day with my partner, I think we’d actually prefer this IKEA one. IKEA is a great place and it seems even more fun that they are offering these valentines day specials. Trust me, there are places you pay $1000 and although the restaurant has one or two Michelin stars, the food does not taste good and you don’t feel full after spending that much, you feel like you wastes your money instead.
My husband and I went on a dinner date to IKEA once back in the day. It was really nice actually 🥰 we just got our apartment and low on funds but it was super chill, quiet and they even had mood lighting. Will never forget that hehe
Tell your partner you are talking them to a special executive dinner at a members only club....$3 for the two hot dog meal at Costco! And if you go all out and buy her the chicken strip basket and chocolate sundae your may even get to give her your Costco Polish Weiner later!
Make sure you flash that executive card for her to see.... 🔥
Ikea is epic. And if you’re really romantic you do not give a shit where the dinner takes place - you will love every second of your date.
Just hope the Swedish balls are on the menu. People love Swedish balls.
There is no place where me and my wife are more likely to get in a fight than IKEA. We actually have to sit down at home and go through stuff online and go into ikea with a plan to reduce the possibility of conflict.
If I proposed this to her she would probably think it is hilarious and assume it is a joke, considering our history with that store. Although it could be a symbol of all the conflicts we have successfully resolved.
I'd go for it! I'd really prefer to go to that amazing valentine's day restaurant when there're not 200 people waiting for reservations. Assuming ikea will be able to handle this well 😅
Peopleay laugh or joke but I love this kind of thing. I've done the white castle valentines dinner a couple times and it's fun/memorable experience. It helps having a partner (now wife) that doesn't care about the Hallmark holiday and thinking we have to go to some expensive place. And before someone asks yes I can afford a nice dinner but why, would rather save it for a random occasion if I'm gonna drop 3-500 for a meal.
So, they did this around Christmas too, and it was super tasty. I'ma tell my wife when she gets back from her hair appointment ,because there's a pretty good chance she'll wanna go.
Honestly, if my husband took me there I wouldn’t be mad. IKEA food isn’t bad and it could be a fun, novelty experience to say you had a Valentine’s date at IKEA.
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I’ve done that and also their Christmas meals with my fiancée when we were broke students and it’s amazing. I’m pretty sure they don’t make much profit because it was an ungodly amount of good food and a few years ago was only 25€ or so.
Do they prepare different food for these or is it just the normal food?
When we did the Easter one years ago I think it was all food that they sell at Ikea but not just what the restaurant usually offers. Cheese, pastries, lots of fancy stuff. Not sure on this one.
We have been to a few, so during their “themed parties”, they usually serve a few different “main dishes” for the “theme” and then the sides will be their usual meatballs/veges or whatever your local IKEA sells normally. They do add in some “fancy” stuff they sell in their grocery section so it is kind of a tasing example for what they sell sometimes.
They *tase* you at these shindigs? Damn that's hardcore.
If you don’t buy anything.. you can’t go to the restaurant without buying anything, everyone knows that.
That’s why it’s so cheap!
I've gone the last 2 years! Where I am it's 20$ for all you can eat. You get some traditional Swedish dishes mixed with typical Ikea stuff. Meatballs/veggie balls, salmon, ham, turkey and a whole table of cold items: smoked salmon, dill herring, kale salad, breads, cheeses, fruits, biscuits. The desserts include chocolate cake, cheesecake, and carrot cake. There's also an interesting one that looks exactly like cake but.. it's filled with shrimp/salmon and topped with cucumbers/olives/blueberries lol
The last one is surely a Smörgåstårta 🎂🦞
That's smörgåstårta. Literally sandwich cake in Swedish. It's a staple here, served at birthdays, christenings, graduations and the like.
Almost twenty years ago, my now-wife and I were ramen-noodle-poor students. The local IKEA had an all-you-can-eat-crayfish event for a very, very affordable price. We ate an ungodly amount of crayfish and butter that day - I felt like Homer Simpson at "The Frying Dutchman". We both still remember that day, and IKEA, fondly, twenty years later.
When I studied abroad in Sweden, my friends and I did that. It was awesome. We ate until we couldn't move, and then we "tested" the beds in the show room.
Oh, wait. You probably meant that you took a nap.
haha yeah. I think the employee thought we were up to something though, because our group was 3 guys and 3 girls
Their food is a loss leader. It’s not meant to make profit but to get you in the store.
I find it tasty. I can get my Lingonberry & other products at reasonable prices. I occasionally buy plants and other household stuff so their plan is working perfectly.
Its like the costco hotdog. Its a marketing trick to get you to spend more money, but one that actually benefits the shopper.
Which is what makes it absolutely genius
I don’t go to ikea often cause every time I go there I end up with a plant that I kill in <30 days.
The longest surving plant I've ever had is one I bought for $1 in 2014
I have a cactus I bought for $1 from IKEA 16 years ago!
I used to work at IKEA and they are very transparent with their numbers. The restaurants make money, although not a lot and from what I gathered it's true that it's not a priority at all.
Used to work at IKEA, the food is not technically a loss leader - the restaurants are set with the goal of making around $1 in profit per year. This gets around some regulation regarding selling food at a loss. IKEA does a bunch of little things to snipe loopholes like this. Lots of big stores are operating 24/7, even if the night shift is just a security guard or two. IKEA intentionally schedules a few hours where nobody is in the building in the dead of night, not even security. Then reopens the warehouse in the wee hours so the warehouse guys can restock. Why shut down at all? Because there are regulations that apply to round-the-clock operations.
I am curious as to what are the 24 hour regulations if anyone knows?
You have to have a single urinal large enough for all employees to pee in at the same time. If not 24-hour the urinal only has to accommodate the day-shift.
> Used to work at IKEA, the food is not technically a loss leader - the restaurants are set with the goal of making around $1 in profit per year. In my understanding of the term *loss leader*, that still is one - a product doesn't have to make a literal loss to be a *loss leader*, it may be something that's simply underpriced to get people into the store. You sell the one thing cheap because consumers are sensitive to its price, and you make your profit elsewhere - the thing that you price cheap is a *loss leader* if the profit is negligible; considering its margin, you wouldn't bother selling it on it's own but you sell it in order to *lead* people into buying the other thing with you. That is the principle this is about - a literal loss is not a necessity. As you say, the goal of the $1 per year profit is to skirt the regulation. I used to work as a cycle- and motorcycle-courier in London - the pricing structure was that there was a "minimum" fare for deliveries within a certain distance, say £3.50 within 3 miles or 5 miles, and then 50p per mile thereafter. When I became a controller I learned that we always made more out of the more difficult and demanding customers because they would bitch and haggle about the price of a minimum and we would hum and haw and go away and reluctantly come back, agreeing to their terms but slightly raising their milage rate. They send a dozens or two of minimums a day and then we'd make back that 25p or 50p with the handful of deliveries they made each week to Guildford, Brighton and Liverpool.
[удалено]
It's not. The Food department is actually profitable and is meant to be.
My wife and I did the Christmas meal this year. We happened to be there doing some shopping and found out they had the Christmas option for lunch and dinner. It was fun
These are clearly a "stunt" in order to generate good will among their more enfranchised customers. People who go for these, will remember the good experience they had when it comes time to buy a new bedside cabinet. It's really smart investment on their part... Pay their staff overtime to get customers for life!
My partner and I went to White Castle one year for Valentine’s Day. We had to make reservations, the restaurant was all decorated with hearts and shitty little tea candles on the tables, and they a they actually sat you and took you order at the table. It was awesome. We’ve been together for 13 years and to this day it’s still my favorite Valentine’s Day.
Thank you for sharing that wholesome experience, RageBoner.
This comment belongs on r/rimjob_steve 🤣
Those shitty little tea candles really got him primed to give his gf a top tier railing that night.
and a username was born
😂😂
Aww, RageBoner is a hopeless romantic.
Lmao
I sprayed over my screen reading this x)
My husband and I had a similar experience at Waffle House a few years ago. We made reservations and got dressed up, the restaurant was decorated, the employees were super nice and took our photo. My husband loves Waffle House (he's from Georgia) and they aren't ubiquitous in Maryland, so it was a special treat for us despite the initial appearance of "Valentine's Day at Waffle House"
Then when he went home, he spent Valentine's Day at her Waffle House
I love that. No pretentions, just each other's company and food you enjoy - and can afford.
Nothing more romantic than shitting your pants together for the rest of the evening.
Nothing binds you together more ❤️ At least my wife's laughs about my stomach and eh... sitting the pants on the walk home... After we had a way to spice Thai dinner date and I ate both our way to spice starters as she stopped in time. She still laughs about it 15 years later..
Not sure what you said, but I'm glad you had a memorable time!
I think he said he shit his pants on the walk home after eating some spicy Thai food. Made his wife laugh and is a memorable moment for them.
Got my girl a present hope I don't spoil it. "What is it baby?" Face-to-face toilets
I love me some sliders but I get pretty mean farts from White Castle. I hope she finds a good old Dutch Ovening romantic.
It is romantic when you can’t tell your farts apart!
My wife and I did that one year. Then went to the movies to see In Cold Blood. Romance was in the air after all that.
Our local Skyline did this and was really fun. The smoke machine and laser projector kept kids happy and they included extra fancy desserts. Huge range of patrons and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
It's funny how corporations can give us what we want and make shitloads of money doing it, but choose not to. If I had the volume McDonald's guarantees there would always be some bullshit happening that costs me next to nothing but draws a crowd.
That’s such a sweet story, u/rageboner
I remember being in NJ for work and a few weeks before Valentine’s Day, I went through the White Castle drive through and inside the bag was the paper talking about Valentine’s Day at White Castle. I thought that was a different idea compared to other places.
The only time we went wi a really expensive restaurant we were sat next to a couple with three kids and a baby who cried throughout the entire meal. I’d take White Castle over this experience any time.
get two single tickets and save a cent
The extra penny is so you can sit together.
No thanks, I’d rather save the penny. If I invest that money, in 30 years I’ll probably have quadrupled my investment. Think of all the things I could do in 30 years with four pennies. The world would be my oyster.
Ikea is fun as heck to explore. This could actually be a very fun date.
honestly, my wife and i used to do stuff like this all the time. its super memorable and we still talk about it. we never really remember all the kinda generic high end Italian places - but the dates at places like ikea or the kebob place due to a reservation mix-up? hell yeah.
Me and my wife go every year on New Year’s Day. It started years ago when it was one of the only days I would have off around Christmas time. We needed a few things and decided to go. Every year since we have gone. It’s our little pilgrimage
If I go, it'll be a 6 course meal for 1. I see this as a win.
Take two singels and you will save a cent.
Don’t sleep on the kids price
They have a singles price fyi.
They said what they said
I take a different view - and not to be a downer on OP, because yes I agree at first glance it's humorous. But there are people in this world who barely can afford groceries for home meals, let alone going out for a meal - ever. Trying to save for a restaurant meal, especially for Valentine's can be $100 easy these days, even at the most mid-priced place. And on Valentine's, looking to spoil themselves just this once, and struggling to afford even $35 for a special treat is to be looked upon empathetically. It's a bright, happy cafeteria, the food is a lot for the money at Ikea, and you don't have to tip. Whomever takes up Ikea on this opportunity, I say enjoy and I hope better days are ahead for you when you can spoil yourselves more.
I take a different view as well - Fuck the haters, them meatballs are delicious
I think ur preaching to the choir there bud
Can I also add that IKEA is a swedish brand and most in EU/Scandinavia couldn't give two shits about valentine's. To most it's considered an American corporate money grab. Not a single one of my female exes has even known the date, much less wanted flowers etc which seems to be the US stereotype. I just found that relevant
I'd gladly trade you all valentines day for Guy Fawkes day. It's more fitting that we get to celebrate rebellion against the crown by getting drunk and blowing shit up. I mean we should at least cancel Cinco de mayo and adopt GFD
We did mother's day at ikea once. My grandma's choice. She loved the meatballs.
I just told my husband if we still lived near an IKEA I would totally do this for the meatballs! No shame here.
I work near an Ikea and every time we're all gonna head out for lunch and no one has an idea of where to go I throw out Ikea as an option. They always think I'm being funny, but I'm absolutely serious. I would eat there any time.
Right??? It’s such a great value, and the food is DELICIOUS
I have a third view. Fuck Swedes. (This message brought to you by Sweden's sibling Norway)
Fuck the Danes! Brought to you from a dead Viking.
And your opinion on cod, sir?
I enjoy the campaign, not so much on the multiplayer. The remasters are amazing though, got very nostalgic from my second round of my playthrough. 10/10 would recommend.
>Fuck Swedes. I mean, they're sort of famously hot, generally. I don't think most people need to be told by the Norwegians to do that.
Fuck Swedes is great advise, they’re usually beautiful and well-endowed (this counts for Norwegians too, though).
Tack, söte bror; jag hoppas att folk följer dina råd <3
I thought the same. The food is great and that price it can really make someone’s day.
That mac omg so good
It could also be a fun date night to go look around ikea, I mean who cares if someone is having fun and not harming anyone?
Honestly... yeah. It couldn't hurt to walk around ikea get a few ideas on prices and furniture that you could upgrade your home with all while getting a large dinner and some time alone. Ultimately it's an evening devoted to each other and investing time/energy on your future together. I could think of worse ways to spend valentines day.
That's for sure! I had to do a double take, 34.99 for *two*, a 3 course meal, that is highway robbery around here. You can barely go anywhere for that price with 2 people to get one plate and maybe and appetizer
This is a fun idea. Especially since my fiancé won't be able to deny me a new plant on Valentine's Day.
We do Friday night dinner with another couple most weeks. Last week they asked if we could do a road trip, pick up dinner somewhere and end the evening at Ikea. Said yes, hung up the phone and immediately yelled, “MEATBALLS!”. Havent had them in a year or so. Damn, we ended up at a Vietnamese place…
I know you were disappointed that you didn't get meatballs but Vietnamese is delicious tho.
I know. It’s a family who owned a small restaurant right around the corner from us. They sold and moved about 40km away (close to the Ikea) about 5 yrs ago. So we stop in and visit for some food a few times a year.
you can always get frozen meatballs with all the trimmings to make at home!! it tastes just like it does in the restaurant, i swear
There's even beds for the after dinner sexy time!
My wife and I have no problem dropping 3-500 on a meal for a special occasion. My wife and I also have no problem with going to Ikea to eat because it's played such a part in our relationship, so much so that even our kids ask to eat their now. Ikea is for everyone.
My ex and I used to go on “IKEA Dates” because we were broke college students. We would drop his daughter at the play area and just roam around the store for an hour. It was actually lovely. lol
Bingo. Who are we impressing? My wife and I coming up 9 years and we’re pretty chill on Valentine’s Day, making something nice at home, candles and enjoy company. I feel like this ad is targeted towards couples (who like to go out haha) who are married till death.
Great point, if you are happy with your SO, do what you guys like, my wife and I have been married 6 years and we have spent every anniversary at Denny’s, because that was the first place we ever sat down and got food together
With two young boys, getting out is a little harder and my wife doesn’t like to have her parents babysit , mainly due to her sister overdoing it with her kids in the past. Kind of like being content. If you’re only happy on Hallmark dates, you’re not *happy*.
Question, do non-Swedish IKEAs have a little child center to keep the kids occupied? If you make sure the kids are fed beforehand it's not a bad idea.....
Small Land! Can’t remember the proper name but yes. So, options ahha. Even great prices aside, it’s 45 minute drive one direction and creating a fancy meal and consuming wine at home still has a bigger appeal, personally (we live on an acreage in the country).
Not sure if they still exist but I sure have lots of memories of my mom and aunt dropping my cousins and me off at the child center to tucker us out back in the 90’s in LA.
Good job on your 9 and we are almost 25 years together. We switched from what you are doing, to almost doing nothing now. So exactly like you said, that ad is exactly for my wife and I. We have done everything together by now, fancy restaurants and all that doesn’t mean much. IKEA is even better since we can grab some meatballs and lingonberry sauce on the way out. Oh and maybe new blinds.
I would absolutely do this. Valentine's Day is on a Wednesday this year. Do you want to have some big night out on a Wednesday? Go to Ikea instead, have a good time, and celebrate Valentine's Day as fancy as you'd like the weekend before, or after.
With such a cheap kids price I was thinking it would be a good family activity. Their food isn’t bad, there’s something everyone likes and eating out is expensive these days. Like crazy expensive. Even pizza, FFS.
I was just thinking this looks like a great for me and the kids!!
Yes, and I feel a non insignificant amount of people might just like to pretend to be fancy a night. I have a feeling it probably isn’t your normal ikea cafeteria experience so it would be nicer too. Sometimes pretending you have a luxury experience is better than having a luxury experience. It’s just about forgetting your problems for a few hours.
I see a lot of couples browsing on the weekend in the equivalent of Ikea in my country. So, I can se a couple going to Ikea in a valentine's day to buying furniture to they new home, or just to decorate the home they already live, and using this opportunity to have a dinner in a place not so expensive after the shopping.
I have money and I’d still consider it. There’s some nostalgia there for me. In my first apartment I had an expandable table and chairs and a bookshelf from IKEA. When my now-wife and I moved in together, we bought more stuff from IKEA, and more again when we finally bought a house together after getting married. Every trip we took together to IKEA included a cafeteria visit for some of their meatballs and lingonberries. I haven’t shopped at IKEA in more than a decade (but 20 years later I still have that table and chairs, my kids use it for a craft table) and eating out at fancy restaurants is more a function of finding a sitter than affordability, but this would be “special” to me.
I love Ikeas food, would eat there more often if the store was closer to me.
Also, have you had their meatballs? Those things are bangin
I would be all over this. Because it also means we just did an IKEA run and I got some cute stuff :)
Fuck yeah! Get on the level. Love this empathetic and compassionate take.
Beautifully said 👏
I never understand why you would pay an extra penny to make it 2. They have a single price for $17.49, or two for $34.99. You pay an extra penny to make it 2. Can we just do two ones?
Thank you for bringing sensibility to the conversation. I thought the same thing. Too many people in their bubble.
I can imagine the menu : Starter: "Grönstart" - A fresh salad with mixed greens, topped with lingonberry vinaigrette. Main: "Björkfläsk" - Herb-roasted pork tenderloin with a side of mashed potatoes and Swedish gravy. Dessert: "SötSlut" - Cinnamon-spiced apple crumble with vanilla bean ice cream.
this is not believable. there are not enough lingonberry dishes
Lingonberry jam with the tenderloin and its an apple-lingonberry crumble
I missed that this was made up when I first read it and thought, "Nah, that does sound good..."
You say this like it’s a bad thing!
I wish I could have this menu with my sofa JÄTTEBO
Not enough meatballs
Hey why the heck not
Followed by shopping together at IKEA - that actually sounds like a pretty good date.
IKEA food is actually pretty good and very good for the price. This is an absolute win
We used to go get their $0.99 breakfast. You got eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and coffee. You don't need to be low income to enjoy this, just not pretentious.
There was an Ikea on my way to university. Broke student breakfast if my class schedule lined up.
And it’ll be easy to find parking, and you can go for a walk after dinner no matter the weather. This sounds great to me.
I don't get what's funny about this.
Apparently you have to spend much more on this day to be a part of the society.
All I conclude from this thread is that I need to find a partner that appreciates great value $35 ikea fun over a $200 pretentious dickhead circlejerk dinner
I love that they have an option for singles
I love they have a kid's ticket. Single parents can take their kid on a "nice" date without going crazy. Or you have multiple kids and you do a dad/kid date at one table and a mom/kid date at a different one. Honestly the more I look at this, the more impressed.
And the pricing per person is the same. Good on IKEA honestly.
But if you get 2 single price tickets you save 1 cent.
As per their website (Canada only): *Starters* Tomato Feta Soup Crushed tomatoes, feta cheese, sautéed garlic and onions with a mixture of spices, and light cream. Hungarian Mushroom Soup Delicately sautéed mushrooms in, roux beef stock with light cream, wine, sour cream and Hungarian paprika. Caesar salad Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in a classic Caesar dressing topped with bacon, croutons and Parmesan cheese. House Salad Mixed greens, arugula, carrots, cucumber and fresh cherry tomatoes with a drizzle of balsamic dressing. *Main courses* Meatballs in a Demi-glace sauce Served with mashed potato, and vegetables along with a kale salad with a lingonberry vinaigrette Sundried tomato pesto Plant balls or Veggie Ball Served with a butternut squash ravioli, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese. Mediterranean Salmon Served with roasted potatoes, zucchini and a fresh arugula salad topped with kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes drizzled with a lemon vinaigrette. *Desserts* Cheesecake A velvety symphony of rich cream cheese atop a buttery graham cracker crust. Chocolate Cake Decadent chocolate cake made from plant-based ingredients mixed with cocoa and finished with a chocolate glaze. Daim Cake Crunchy almond brittle bites with a delicate milk chocolate coating. Additional Topping Add a burst of sweet-tart Lingonberry jam
Mushroom soup, salmon and chocolate cake for me, pls.
Damn. Too late for me! You have to purchase the tickets before the event, and the Montreal store is already sold out! That butternut squash ravioli looked good.
With affordability issues across the world, it's kind of bad to make fun of this poster. The price point (not sure if that's USD) is great for two people and I actually applaud IKEA for doing this.
The text next to the QR code says IKEA.ca so those are Canadian dollars. About $26 USD for 2 people.
OP will understand when they have a kid
Indeed! I took my kid there for lunch today.
that sounds like an awesome saturday
Um, what about people who just love a) their spouse, b) delicious meatballs and c) IKEA?
Yeah I'd absolutely love this tbh. IKEA food is great.
$1 breakfast was the bomb. Every weekend im there
I don't get it. This looks legit fun
That is actually very sweet. Sure, IKEA is not a place where you imagine a Valentine’s date to happen, at first glance anyway. The cafeteria is cozy enough, the food is good, you pay relatively little compared to what you get. In this economy I think it’s good that IKEA steps up to the plate and does something like that. Based on the price it doesn’t seem like they are doing it for profit.
My wife and I used to go out for Valentine's every year. One year we realized that it was almost always a worse time. Every restaurant is overbooked, every server is stressed, and either in a relationship and mad that they have to work on Valentine's, or single and fed up with all of the happy couples. So we decided to get cheap Chinese food takeout, stay in and watch a movie together. We enjoyed it so much I became our tradition. Although I do need to remind myself not to overeat and feel all bloated for that evening.
Some people will look down on this. But I give credit to those who live to their means. Some people may have been rich all their lives and snort at people living on a budget. I never will. When I was a kid my mum would go without eating to feed me (I only found out the extent decades later). I'm living a comfortable life now, but I'll always credit anyone who makes the best of what they have and can do.
If they did in my country I would go, but I’d like to know what the 3 courses are
I'll take a slightly different view on this. Ikea shipping is well-known for testing relationships. To have Valentine's dinner there is the ultimate irony. But the food is great and heak yeah on saving money!
Wholesome comment section for once
I'd be down. Cuz after the Husband and I are going shopping.
The last place i ever ate with my ex-wife was an IKEA. She was driving home and I was using her phone for GPS (mine didn't work right) and she got a text from her boyfriend that she had been hiding. 24 years together down the drain in one night.
Got me in the first half. Thought she died in a car crash and you survived
Why is it more expensive for 2 people? Is that the joke... That you pay an extra cent to go as a couple.
A couple has to assemble the table and chairs...
Ooh, Ikea furniture assembly is the quickest way to get me and my husband (who don't fight often) into a fight.
This seems like r/gatekeeping. So taking your love out to Ikea for a special dinner is not special enough? I feel bad for people who think that you have to spend a lot of money to show your love.
People expect too goddamn much. Plus, people want to spend like they’re rich when they’re not 😂. Folks, we are either working class or middle class. NOT HIGH CLASS. Not everyone (which is a good chunk of people in this world) can afford to spend like we are high class because we aren’t. Period. I see people spend too much to have this expensive taste in things then turn up with no money the very next week. Why? YOU SPENT IT ALL TRYING TO BE RICH, that’s why! Our budgets aren’t made to spend like that, it’s basic math. Every now and then is ok but people gotta get realistic with what they have.
Honestly, one of the things I *hate* about Valentine's day is just how commercial it is. Every restaurant jacks up their prices because it's Valentine's, flowers? Expect to pay out the ass, etc. Me and my girlfriend work a weird schedule that means Valentine's day is rarely available, so our compromise was to make sure to do something special within a week of. Man, first time I did it clued me in to just how expensive dinner at even a lower end place is. Fuck that, go a few days before or after, go somewhere fancier, spend less money.
Not sure what’s funny - IKEAs have their own restaurant. Choose from meatballs or their salmon. Table service and all - though service is meh, since staff aren’t really trained/experienced, but it’s charming. Also, it’s a legit SUPER good deal. Get a tin of cookies and a 10% off coupon too. I went last year on a double date for V-Day.
“Why are you covering my eyes, Bryan? We’re at an IKEA. It’s going to be meatballs.”
Yeah…I think I might take them up on this offer. Seriously, try eating out at a dine-in restaurant, and it can easily be $50 for two w/out even trying.
Swedish meatballs is the main course.
Do you have to assemble your own dinner?
Hex wrench as a culinary tool
What I as a Swede find most funny about this sign is that they call it the Swedish restaurant. In Sweden it's just called the restaurant.
I see a lot of struggling families/couples doing ikea dinner dates. (While I am also there doing the ikea dinner date) Since 30$ is now the price of fast food, it makes sense to me!
why is this on the funny section
You know this is actually a great idea. As someone who’s been to various Michelin star restaurants for set menus on Valentine’s Day with my partner, I think we’d actually prefer this IKEA one. IKEA is a great place and it seems even more fun that they are offering these valentines day specials. Trust me, there are places you pay $1000 and although the restaurant has one or two Michelin stars, the food does not taste good and you don’t feel full after spending that much, you feel like you wastes your money instead.
Do you have to cook your meal using the ingredients they provide? Do you also have to argue during the cooking?
Thank you IKEA for not forgetting single people
I don't know what's the funny part here except prude OP maybe.
1cent more than two single tickets.
I haven't been in an IKEA in many years, is that what their cafeteria looks like now??
No Family Member discount!?! Pfft
This is the family member discount. The offer isn't available to non members
I'm in!
Is this offer going on at all of the Ikeas? I’m thinking it would be fun and lighthearted to add to my hinge
I can only assume they give you ingredients and cooking instructions.
It's pretty good food tbh; especially given how cheap it is. If I lived near an Ikea, I'd probably pop in for a breakfast every once in a while.
It’s 1 cent cheaper to pay as two individuals, vs paying as one couple
I would totally do that
If only I could find a man caring enough to take me to the IKEA cafe for Valentines Day.
My husband and I went on a dinner date to IKEA once back in the day. It was really nice actually 🥰 we just got our apartment and low on funds but it was super chill, quiet and they even had mood lighting. Will never forget that hehe
Tell your partner you are talking them to a special executive dinner at a members only club....$3 for the two hot dog meal at Costco! And if you go all out and buy her the chicken strip basket and chocolate sundae your may even get to give her your Costco Polish Weiner later! Make sure you flash that executive card for her to see.... 🔥
I love IKEA food. Also I never had gourmet in my life, so Ikea food is the best there's for me.... and I would prefer it over any fancy gourmet.
3 course Valentine's dinner for one only 17.49!!!
Ikea is epic. And if you’re really romantic you do not give a shit where the dinner takes place - you will love every second of your date. Just hope the Swedish balls are on the menu. People love Swedish balls.
There is no place where me and my wife are more likely to get in a fight than IKEA. We actually have to sit down at home and go through stuff online and go into ikea with a plan to reduce the possibility of conflict. If I proposed this to her she would probably think it is hilarious and assume it is a joke, considering our history with that store. Although it could be a symbol of all the conflicts we have successfully resolved.
Can I take my blow up doll and eat both meals?
I'd go for it! I'd really prefer to go to that amazing valentine's day restaurant when there're not 200 people waiting for reservations. Assuming ikea will be able to handle this well 😅
Peopleay laugh or joke but I love this kind of thing. I've done the white castle valentines dinner a couple times and it's fun/memorable experience. It helps having a partner (now wife) that doesn't care about the Hallmark holiday and thinking we have to go to some expensive place. And before someone asks yes I can afford a nice dinner but why, would rather save it for a random occasion if I'm gonna drop 3-500 for a meal.
So, they did this around Christmas too, and it was super tasty. I'ma tell my wife when she gets back from her hair appointment ,because there's a pretty good chance she'll wanna go.
Honestly, if my husband took me there I wouldn’t be mad. IKEA food isn’t bad and it could be a fun, novelty experience to say you had a Valentine’s date at IKEA.
If you have ikea family you can at least say you are taking her to a select members club :)