TESCO has hiked the cost of its popular Finest Dine In meal deal, sparking a backlash from customers.
The offer, consisting of a main, side, dessert and drink for two people, previously cost £12 with a Clubcard, but has now risen to £15.
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This week Tesco unveiled its new menu for the deal which has over twenty items to choose from, including nine new ones.
New Spring-inspired recipes include a Pork Crackling Joint with Cider Jus, Manchego Stuffed Chicken and Lemon & Stem Ginger Posset.
The range still includes a number of customer favourites such as Lasagne al Forno and Salted Caramel Profiteroles, alongside a range of drink options including beers, Finest wines and various non-alcoholic alternatives.
Tesco said it has improved the quality of the range, but customers have slammed the change on social media.
One user on Reddit said: “Used to occasionally buy at £12 but this pushes it for me, not simply because of the price but because of the greed.”
Another added: “I buy them (the meal deal) once a month and was happy at £12 as other half likes the red wine with it but not paying £15.”
A third said: “It was actually an “ok” deal for £12. For £15 you can just get a nice-ish takeaway. Maybe a kebab.”
Tesco said: “We have worked to improve the quality across our Finest Dine In range, investing in the ingredients and recipes, and introducing an updated menu.
“Clubcard members will pay just £15 for two people, offering a saving of up to £22.50, for a main, side, dessert and drink, including a range of beers or Finest wines, or non-alcoholic alternatives.
“Finest Dine In offers great value and is a delicious, convenient alternative to dining out at a fraction of the price.”
It’s not the first time shoppers have got worked up over meal drive prices.
In October, ready-meals fans were angry because M&S hiked its popular Gastropub dine-in deal by 25 per cent, from £12 to £15.
The deal for two – which includes a main, side and a starter or desert – is among the priciest of M&S’ dine-in offers.
Earlier this year Tesco increased the cost of its deal on ready meals, with the cost of two of its Finest ready meals rising from £7.50 to £8 with a Clubcard.
But while some shoppers feel short-changed by the £15 price tag, Tesco has recently been praised for other value-driven deals.
Fans raved over its £3.60 lunch meal deal after the supermarket added Krispy Kreme doughnuts to the snack options.
The move was branded “insane” value by shoppers, with one saying it was a “game-changer”.
A single doughnut usually costs £1.99, meaning you’re getting your main and drink for just £1.61.
Meal deal mains include sandwiches, pasta pots, wraps, sushi and salads, while drink options range from smoothies and juices to iced coffees and fizzy cans. Snacks now include crisps, fruit, yogurt, olives and even boiled eggs.
The lunch meal deal costs £3.60 with a Clubcard, or £5.50 without – making the loyalty scheme more valuable than ever.
How to get more from your Clubcard
Tesco’s Clubcard remains one of the easiest ways to cut costs at the checkout – and beyond.
You earn one point for every £1 spent, and once you collect 150 points, Tesco sends you a voucher worth £1.50, which can be used in-store or online.
But the real trick is using them with Tesco Reward Partners, where the value can double or even triple – turning that £1.50 into £3 depending on where you spend it.
You can boost your points faster by shopping with partnered brands like Vauxhall, Evri, and OVO Energy. For example, buying a new car from Vauxhall could net you 50,000 Clubcard points.
Tesco Clubcard vouchers are valid for two years, but if one’s about to expire, just spend a small amount of it – and the leftover balance will be reissued with a new expiry. So if you use 50p from a £10 voucher, the remaining £9.50 gets extended for another two years.
Clubcard Plus, which costs £7.99 a month, gives shoppers 10% off two in-store shops each month, making it worthwhile if you spend more than £40 each time.
You can also earn points by signing up to Shopper Thoughts, a survey platform that dishes out Clubcard points for your opinions.
With a few savvy tricks, the Clubcard can still unlock serious value – even as some of Tesco’s headline prices go up.
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