Your lunch break is the brief portion of the day over which you have complete control (unless you have to get drunk with clients), so it is worth examining (subjectively) which High Street vendor is most worth your patronage.

Whether you are located in the Wharf, the City or Mayfair, chances are neither Pret nor EAT will be far from you. And so we wondered: just what are the defining features that set these two apart?

After all, you don't want to waste your valuable lunch break (all 10 minutes of it) contemplating your choices. You want to enjoy peace of mind and confidence in the little time you have.

Here's the ultimate guide to making your choice trouble-free:

It's the little things that count
Have you ever noticed that at Pret you are never provided with the necessary tools for your feast? If you need a spoon, you need to get it yourself whilst at EAT they always provide you with the right set of utensils given your selection. The point for convenience goes to EAT.

A point for the gimmick
In a time when carbs are bad but sandwiches are still good, it was only a matter of time before somebody declared some salad leaves to be a sandwich without the bread. That's what Pret's No-Bread-Sandwich is all about - the gimmick. They're still good though, in particular the Crayfish-Avocado and Tomato-Mozzarella ones, although they were never that close to being sandwiches.
 
The backbone of the business: The sandwich
While Pret has an unfortunate focus on fluffy bread triangles, EAT is doing it the French Way, with baguettes which are even crisp at 2 pm. Recommended Variety: Rocket and Roast Beef. Pret's only real contender is the Posh Cheddar Sandwich with Pickles, although they'll probably have to take this off the market once V. Beckham starts claiming naming rights.

Pret as in Pretzel
Quite simply EAT does not offer this. Purists might argue that without a German wheat beer there is no point having a Pretzel, but let's not have tradition get in the way of enjoyment.

Simple & Bold
EAT's soups are varied and good, with one drawback: They always shout "Hot Soup" when the guy with the pot walks in. Why? Maybe it's a Health and Safety regulation that requires ultimate awareness for all in the presence of hot (edible) liquids.

If these things are not be enough to make up your mind where to go this lunchtime, there is always the focus on interior design. While Pret's touch is rather industrial with tiles and stainless steel, EAT goes for an almost Scandinavian decor.

And thankfully the food is not flat-packed for self-assembly.

Here Is The Writer : Billy No Box

Billy No Box has worked in the city for six years, and currently works in Derivatives for a North American bank. He enjoys playing golf, reading books by Umberto Eco, singing "Copacabana" in the shower and at karaoke bars, and occasionally updating his blog about London and everything else.

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