For more than 50 years, Nan's has been serving up some of Glasgow's favourite morning rolls, proving that good food and friendly service never go out of style. The family-run roll shop, located at 57-77 Inglefield Street in Govanhill, first opened its doors in 1973 and still draws queues of loyal customers each morning.
A Glasgow Institution
Stepping inside, it's easy to see why Nan's has become such a Glasgow institution. The shop is constantly buzzing, with staff preparing hot breakfast rolls alongside freshly made salad rolls, home made soup and tempting cakes. Even when there's a queue stretching towards the door, there's an atmosphere that feels warm and familiar. Regulars chat while waiting for their order, and first-time visitors quickly realise why the shop has such loyal customers. The staff somehow manage to keep everything moving quickly despite the long queues.
Across Glasgow and much of Scotland, morning rolls are more than just breakfast—they're part of everyday life. Bakery giant McGhee's alone produces more than two million every week, showing just how important this humble bread roll is to Scottish food culture.
Cultural Significance
Legendary comedian Sir Billy Connolly once summed up the experience perfectly: "Go to Glasgow at least once in your life and have a roll and square sliced sausage and a cup of tea. When you feel the tea coursing over your spice-singed tongue, you'll know what I mean when I say: It's good to be alive."
Living just a short walk from Nan's for most of my life, I've spent countless mornings and lunch breaks making the familiar trip to Inglefield Street. Some of my earliest memories are of standing in the queue with my Granda on weekend mornings, patiently waiting for our roll and sausage before heading home. Years later, those childhood visits were replaced by trips with friends after a night out in town, convinced that only a Nan's roll could cure our hangover.
Value and Quality
Like almost every food business, Nan's hasn't escaped the effects of rising food costs. Prices have inevitably crept up, with a salad roll now costing £2.20, but compared to many sandwich shops across Glasgow, the portions at Nan's still make it feel like you're getting your money's worth. A roll and square sausage remains just £1.90.
For my latest visit, I ordered a tuna salad roll (minus beetroot and coleslaw), a chicken tikka club sandwich, and a cup of homemade potato and leek soup. All three items cost exactly a tenner, with the club sandwich at £5. While a little pricey for a traditional roll shop, the portion sizes are generous. The tuna salad roll was packed, the chicken tikka club was loaded with filling, bacon and salad, and the soup was thick and comforting.
Enduring Appeal
It's clear that Nan's isn't just another sandwich shop—it's a piece of Glasgow history that's still serving some of the city's best rolls more than 50 years after it first opened. Despite rising costs and changing times, the shop continues to draw queues of loyal customers who appreciate the quality, value, and friendly service that have made it a local institution.
