7-Eleven vs. Ministop

A college student’s budget is near-impossible to manage. Between having to pay for food, school supplies, events, and everything in between, some college students watch their allowance slowly trickle away as the week rolls on by. As students become hard-pressed for cash, they search for easier ways to find their daily necessities.

And that’s where convenience stores come in. These havens for college students are affordable and easily-accessed shops where everything students might need is sold at reasonable prices. Everything from cheap snacks to hot meals can be found in these convenience stores. But among the many similar stores along Taft Avenue, which is really the most convenient to go to?

Taking on this challenge, we decided to compare two of the most famous of these stores in the hopes of deciding which convenience store reigns supreme. Is it 7-Eleven, at the foot of One Archer’s Place? Or Ministop, at the base of EGI?

Ministop: Sweets and quick Treats

Jeff and Rex begin their quest to search for the ultimate convenience store by entering the narrow glass door of EGI’s Ministop. As soon as the two boys take their first steps inside, they are welcomed with an enthusiastic “Welcome to Ministop, Sir!” by a cheerful staff member. Returning a gentle nod, the writers get down to business.

The writers first realize that the store is filled with all sorts of inexpensive but delicious-looking snack items which include cookies, nuts, and other finger foods. ₱20 donuts from the popular Dunkin’ Donuts are available in this Ministop branch. So, if one has their loyalty vested in a donut company, and that donut company just happened to be Dunkin’ Donuts, Ministop is the way to go. The popular Chips Ahoy! cookies are also available in both snack size and family size. Sinful chocolate treats from Goya to Ferrero Rocher are present at varying prices, while other college staples such as bread and cup noodles are on sale as well. Student necessities such as yellow pads (the health points of all college students), folders, mini notebooks, and plastic envelopes are also available, although they are not abundant. All in all, the snacks and school materials available in this Ministop store are great in number, and all of which are familiar to the average college student.

7-Eleven: Bananas and brew

The writers make their way to the 7-Eleven at the base of One Archers, eager to compare the inventories of both stores. Upon entering, they find several of the supplies and snacks being sold in Ministop on sale in 7-Eleven as well. The same pieces of yellow pad, as well as the same chips, crackers, and chocolate are all on display. Cup noodles of both the Lucky Me and the spicier Korean variety are on sale as well. Different kinds of bread, along with several sandwich spreads, are also being sold, while the freezer is where several variations of ice cream are kept. For donut fans, do not fret: 7-Eleven sells donuts from Mister Donuts at only a slightly higher price.

Despite initially seeming similar to their EGI counterparts, the writers soon notice the differences in the goods being sold. 7-Eleven has fruits on sale, from oranges to bananas, appealing to the health-fanatics of the student population. More striking, however, is the brewed coffee machine stationed near the back of the store. Caffeine is in the lifeblood of several college students, and hot coffee is one of the reasons students have a knack for pulling off all-nighters. 7-Eleven capitalizes on this by selling hot brewed coffee with affordable prices.

Ministop: Pork barbecues and chocolate waterfalls

Feeling quite famished, the writers return to EGI where Jeff purchases Ministop’s Pork Barbecue rice meal, part of their set of Toppers. Ministop’s Toppers are hot rice meals that are well known to any cost-minimizing college student. While he was eating, he noticed how small the meal was. As he takes his first bite, he realizes how odd the barbecue tasted. “This is barbecue?” he thinks to himself. Although after some time with the meal, he realizes that it is not as bad as he initially thought. Besides, it only cost him ₱49 anyway.

Jeff looks up and quickly notices that their rice meals have varied dishes such as chili pork, beef kebabs, lechon kawali, and the bicol express. Prices of these hot rice meals do not exceed the ₱60 which makes them the perfect cheap and quick lunch for all of those running on the clock.

After dining, Jeff decides to purchase Ministop’s popular Chillz ice beverage. The cashier gave him a cup, a detached top, and a packet of chocolate crumbs. “Ooh, self-service,” Jeff murmurs to his co-writer. As he pulls the lever, he watches the icy dark chocolate liquid fill his cup like a waterfall. Jeff takes a strong first sip, and releases a satisfied “ahh”.

7-Eleven: Busog meals and blended beverages

Jealous of Jeff’s hot food, Rex searches for a cheap yet filling rice meal in 7-Eleven. The fried chicken catches his eye, but he is dismayed to find that it is only sold as one piece—ordering two pieces of chicken would cost double (unlike in Ministop where one can order two pieces of fried chicken for less). Grumbling in disappointment, he thinks about ordering one of the more wallet-friendly P30 Busog meals before realizing that it is far smaller than he initially thought. They say you get what you pay for, and in this case, it seems like ₱30 isn’t much.

Acknowledging that you really have to pay more for a decent meal, Rex forgets about the small meal with the misleading title and instead orders a much more appetizing meal of tocilog for ₱60. He notices that some meals are being sold at ₱40, although they seem too small as well. Feeling confident in his tocilog, Rex makes his purchase. The meal is more expensive than Ministop’s Toppers but he cannot complain – it is large enough and the taste is passable. Afterwards, he purchases one of 7-Eleven’s famous Slurpees and enjoys the frozen drink’s cool, refreshing taste. The Slurpee is one of 7-Eleven’s trademarks, and it does not disappoint.

After several trips to both convenience stores, the writers realize that neither store is a clear cut above the other. 7-Eleven can boast about selling fruits and hot brewed coffee, not to mention cheaper rice meals. It seems like you must pay more, though, if you want a meal that will actually fill you up. On the other hand, Ministop has the edge in terms of cheaper donuts and more variety with their meals, as well as paying less for two pieces of fried chicken, a college favorite. When it comes to the myriad of snacks and drinks being sold, the differences seem marginal. The writers agree, though, that despite their differences, both stores fulfill their role as quick and easy stops for students in the area. Whether it’s a midnight snack you’re looking for, or perhaps a hot meal, or even last minute-school supplies, these convenient stores are open 24/7, ready to serve.