Review: The Auld Tram in Dundee – well-loved for a reason or overrated?

This well-known Dundee lunch establishment serves large sandwiches six days a week, but is it worth the hype?

The Auld Tram, like our outstanding buskers and the Desperate Dan statue, is a well-known landmark in Dundee’s city centre.

At noon, the street food stand, which was formerly a working tram in the nineteenth century, is often crowded with hungry customers.

It’s been a few years since my last visit, but I recall how large the sandwiches were.

Dodging shrieking seagulls, I walk the short distance from the workplace to the distinctive gourmet destination, expecting for excellence.

The Auld Tram in Dundee: what to expect

The vintage green and beige tram is located on Commercial Street in Dundee. Soup, sandwiches, coffee, and baked goods are among the options on the menu.

I seem to have made it ahead of the lunch rush, or at least between hectic moments. But a wait immediately forms behind me; I must have arrived at the perfect time.

The Auld Tram only accepts cash. As a member of Generation Z, I will admit that I rarely carry cash.

Fortunately, a coworker generously lends me a tenner so that I can buy lunch here.

At many eateries, £10 will not buy you much.Perhaps a panini with crisps and salad? I’m curious to see how much it costs in the Dundee location, which is known for its affordability.

It’s too cold to eat on the surrounding benches, so I take my pick back to the office. I halt by The McManus to tie my shoelaces (a beginner mistake), and a seagull almost steals my meal.

Fortunately, the bird does not succeed. But I hold my Auld Tram lunch with newfound zeal for the last few steps to The Courier office.

Here’s what I got for £9

In Dundee, the Auld Tram sandwiches – or “tramwiches” – are popular.

There are numerous other office workers in queue with me, already preparing their orders. It is in an ideal location in the city centre for those going out on lunch breaks.

When I visited this week, the sandwich options were smoked salmon (£4.50), roast beef (£4.50), gammon hock (£4.50), chicken and bacon mayo (£4.20), tuna mayo (£4.20), Ploughman’s (£4.20) and more.

There were also coffees, other hot drinks (including, surprisingly, Bovril), and soft drinks.

Two enticing bakes glinted from the cases, and a sign advertised cauliflower, chilli, and thyme soup (£3.50, plus bread and butter for an additional £1).

I ordered the chicken and bacon mayo sandwich (£4.20), a cappuccino (£3), and a Millionaire’s shortbread (£1.80), totalling £9.

The thick bread is a standout feature of the sandwiches here, but that doesn’t mean they scrimp on the stuffing. The bacon and chicken mayonnaise mixture is about 1 inch wide.

It’s rich and creamy, with large chunks of chicken, rather than a soft, mushy spread. It’s salty but not overly so, and the chicken has a nice flavour to it.

The traybake had the ideal balance of chocolate, caramel, and shortbread base.

The chocolate is hard and cracks satisfyingly as I bite into it, while the caramel is rich and gooey without becoming slimy or rigid.

It pairs perfectly with the warming latte.

Verdict on Auld Tram in Dundee:

There’s a reason why Auld Tram is so popular in Dundee. It is another place that is subtle, relaxed, and serves simple dishes nicely. It isn’t showy or over-the-top, and it doesn’t boast about its popularity.

The personnel here is always polite, and your sandwich is created fresh while being served promptly.

It’s worth the effort to obtain some money for the filling, inexpensive lunch it will provide.

Auld Tram has earned its place in Dundee’s heart. And for those who haven’t tasted it yet, where have you been?

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com