Working a lunchtime shift with Preston’s famous Spud Brothers

Charlotte Jones serving customers on the Hot Potato Tram. Pic: Emilie Mwanza/Blog Preston

We visited the TikTok viral Spudbros on Preston’s Flag Market, home to the famous jacket potatoes, boiled new potatoes and parched peas, and became Spudgirls for the day.

We were welcomed to the Hot Potato Tram by Tony Nelson who is currently running the business which was previously owned by the Roberts family.

Mr Nelson runs the tram with help from his sons Jacob and Harley who are often seen on TikTok creating videos for their following of over eight hundred thousand fans.

Lucky enough to be invited for an exclusive tour of the tram, we got first-hand experience of the spud-making process. Jacob told us how preparations for the day often begin at 6am despite the tram itself not opening till 11.30am.

Before we got to work serving eager customers, Jacob gave us an insight to how and where all their ingredients were sourced from. We were particularly impressed by the selection of cheeses on offer from local Lancashire cheese makers Carron Lodge.

Along with their oven baked jackets, the Spud Brothers also serve boiled new potatoes which they have been selling for almost 70 years since 1955.

Customers queueing up at the Hot Potato Tram. Pic: Emilie Mwanza/Blog Preston

Getting stuck in, we began serving the long queue of customers that had gathered by opening time and spoke to some of the first customers of the day who had travelled from Bolton for their potato fix.

One lady had waited for over an hour, but it was certainly worth it as the Spud Brothers fulfilled their daily tradition of giving the first and last customers their food for free.

One of the most popular orders was by far the classic three cheese and beans filling topped with the famous spicy tram sauce, not forgetting the garlic butter to melt underneath.

Hot, busy, and non-stop inside the tram, the Spudbros kept us going with their friendliness and warm smiles that makes them a firm customer favourite.

The queue only grew as we headed into the early lunch rush and showed no signs of shrinking.

On our mini-shift during a busy Friday lunchtime we saw a range of interesting topping combinations including tuna, cheese and coleslaw topped with barbecue sauce.

It was hard to resist so we soon gave in after clocking out and ordered ourselves some spuds to try.

The ‘Spudgirls’ get their jackets on

We opted for two classics, with Charlotte trying the chilli-con-carne and Emilie ordering beans, both served with cheese, spicy tram sauce, and crispy onions.

The chilli and cheese stuffed spud was spicy yet rich and creamy with the garlic sauce seeping from underneath to give a filling and delicious taste. We would definitely recommend giving it a try if you like a bit of kick to your spud.

Meanwhile the classic choice of the cheese and beans may be seen as safe to some, but it certainly did not disappoint and was perfect with the crispy onions added on top.

Jacob Nelson serving a spud on the tram. Pic: Emilie Mwanza/Blog Preston

We also made sure to try the traditional parched peas, a Preston delicacy, which Jacob had insisted were best dowsed in vinegar.

After trying for ourselves we both agreed and were impressed despite previously being told they were to be loved or hated just like marmite. They certainly make for the perfect warming snack whilst out in Preston city centre.

After having a go at serving some customers and becoming qualified Spudgirls we can say that life on the Hot Potato Tram is definitely fast-paced but also a lot of fun.

We have huge respect for the Spud Brothers team who are constantly on the go to keep hungry Prestonians happy.

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