Although café culture thrives in Glasgow, every so often a new opening with an extra touch of character and creativity arrives to truly shake things up.
In the past few weeks, social media has been flooded with posts about Homemade – a sandwich shop in Partick which sells out within hours opening almost every day.
Owner Caitlin Hutton has learned fast, going from working in events co-ordination to running one of the most exciting new spots in the city in just over a year.
She said: “I feel like I’ve arrived here by accident sometimes.
“People ask me about Homemade and how it came about, and I tell them that it feels like I’ve had a go at everything since I started.
"It’s changed direction so many times since covid hit.
“It reached a point in lockdown where I just decided that I was going to say yes to everything and this is where it's lead."
Initially, Caitlin created her brand Homemade as a way to keep her Instagram account active during lockdown.
Posting how-to cooking videos soon turned into a home delivery service as her followers encouraged her to share her creations, which then lead to catering for weddings and the occasional pop-up.
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But it was one foodie fixation in particular that inspired the mum of two’s menu for her first permanent café.
She said: “I always wanted to make these really massive sandwiches.
“I used to watch the Sopranos a lot and they would be eating huge American style sandwiches and I would think to myself ‘I really want one of those'
"You know, the kind of sandwich that it would take you about half an hour to eat?
“So far the reaction has been great.
“We sell out almost every day and we even had a customer who drove all the way down from Dumbarton the last week.”
It’s no wonder that customers are flocking to the Dowanhill street eatery to try mammoth sandwiches like the French dip, a crusty baguette filled with thin-sliced roast beef, wholegrain mayo, caramelised onions, melted gruyere with a pot of beef jus on the side for dipping.
Despite fears that her idea of the perfect lunch might not be shared by locals, Caitlin now feels totally at home in her cosy café and hopes that Homemade can continue to evolve as freely as it always has done.
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She said: “I was a wee bit worried about opening up in the West End initially because I wondered if people would really want to try these big, messy, sandwiches when there are so many healthy places and juice bars about.
“But people seem to love them and it’s a really nice street we’ve moved on to.
“All our neighbours have been so supportive.
“Going forward I’d really like to have a night time menu that is a total flip with a more supper club and small plate vibe.
“We’re going to get our coffee machine set up first thought – that’s a must.
“Life is very hectic at the moment, but it’s been so amazing.”
For more information about Homemade, click here.
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