Wenzel's the Baker review - is it worth the trip along the A36?

My regular favourite is our local Reeves, but when my Editor asked if anyone would like to try the newly-opened Wenzel's off Southampton Road I simply couldn't refuse.

Parking at the bakery is a bit of a struggle so I decided to use the nearby Dreams car park and hopped the fence.

To my surprise, a queue of customers sprawled out of the door - this new place is popular, especially at lunchtime.

Customers queuing outside Wenzel's. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

My first impression of the interior itself is that the bakery is clean and shelves were well-stocked with fresh goods, despite arriving after the lunch rush at around 1.45pm.

There's a spacious, minimalistic seating area accented with orange and black. Most of the customers seemed to be ordering for take-out so there were plenty of free seats.

Read more: ​Langford volunteers feel 'under-appreciated' after arson attack

You have a few options when it comes to food - pre-packed sweets, pasta or salad pots, bloomer sandwiches or paninis, hot pastries, baguettes, loaves and individual sweet treats.

Some of these are included in a £5.50 meal deal that lets you pick a 'main' with either a drink, crisps or selected sweet.

Sandwich and panini selection in Wenzel's. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

The seating area. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Wenzel's coffee is average, I ordered a flat white for £2.30 and I can't say I expected anything spectacular. Although, for an extra 20p you can add a muffin.

Interestingly, iced coffee and frappes are also on the menu.

To review I picked out an egg and cress baguette (£3.65), jerk chicken panini (£4.05), sausage roll (£1.55), chicken salad bloomer (£3.15), Belgian bun (£1.30), choc chip cookie (£1.30), iced ring doughnut (99p), yummie (99p) and a marble cake (£3.50).

Our £21.08 haul from Wenzel's the Baker. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

For the record, I did not eat all of these myself, I shared them with other Journal colleagues in the office who kindly offered their opinions.

Reporter Joshua Truksa was a fan of the jerk chicken panini, he said: "It proved to be a hit in the savoury department, while my favourite was the cold chicken salad sandwich, which makes for a nice refreshing meal at midday.

"Everyone around the office agreed that Wenzels did much better at savoury items than sweets, beating Greggs at the quality and value for money of cold sandwiches.

See more: ​Charity donations stolen at River Bourne Community Farm

"For sweet items, the marble cake proved a very welcome addition to the next morning’s tea and coffee."

Print editor Christine Stock's favourite treat was the ring doughnut, she said: "I thought it was very similar to Greggs. The food was nice but I probably wouldn't make a special journey out of town to buy it."

Annette Beveridge, another reporter, said: "The marble cake was really good quality."

My plate of Wenzel's food to try. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

The jerk chicken was great, Wenzel's staff offered to toast it for me and I would certainly order it again.

I also hold the cookie in high regard as it's easy to go wrong with this sweet treat, however, Wenzel's has perfected the soft texture.

Ultimately, my goal with this review was to determine if it's worth making the mile-long trip out of town specifically for this bakery.

If you're shopping in the area I think the savoury selection Wenzel's offers makes it worth a visit but I won't be in a rush to battle down the A36 just for a doughnut any time soon.