We try TikTok inspired Newton Aycliffe Spud Hut

Next thing you know, you’ve been sucked into the potato void, watching multiple videos of hungry customers tucking into their delicious tatties with every topping you could imagine under the sun.

But now, it feels like ‘SpudTok’, as it is called online, has finally come to Newton Aycliffe’s Industrial Estate. And I was very eager to find out if it lives up to the hype.

I mean, how good can a jacket potato be?

Spud Hut, Newton Aycliffe pictured owner Julie Rowland and Corell Keller (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

When I arrived at the industrial estate on Wednesday morning (December 3), I was quite surprised by the humble exterior of the unit – if you drove past, you probably wouldn’t notice it.

However, as I approached, cars could be seen pulling up left, right and centre, eager to secure their place in line – fully prepared to battle the cold winds to get their hands on the latest steaming hot spud.

After ordering my own, I spoke to the owner, Julie Rowland, who told me that she decided to take the leap and set up her very own business after the unit went on sale six weeks ago.

Julie and her family have run the nearby Aycliffe Autos on the industrial estate since 2012. When a unit came up for sale six weeks ago, they decided to branch out.

The menu has a huge selection to choose from. (Image: THE NORTHER ECHO)

She said: “My husband opened the garage here in 2012, and our three boys work for us, as well as my brother and nephew.

“This unit came up for sale, and my daughter‑in‑law said, ‘Try it,’ so that’s what we’ve done.”

After opening on Monday (December 1), the 51-year-old said the response has been “incredible”, and she has already had two sell out days in a row.

When deciding what topping I wanted to go for, the hut provides a wide selection from cheese, tuna, beans, coronation chicken, coleslaw, prawn mayo and hot daily specials.

Spud Hut opened on Monday to raving reviews. (Image: THE NORTHER ECHO)

Despite being completely spoilt for choice in terms of toppings and variety, I decided to go for a classic cheese, as unfortunately, I had only had my breakfast a few hours prior and wasn’t quite ready for chicken jalfrezi at 11am. 

Price wise, you pay £4.50 for a potato with butter, and one pound extra for a potato with one filling.

It’s then an extra 50p for toppings like cheese, coleslaw, jalapenos or crispy onions.

And the hot daily specials, including chicken jalfrezi and BBQ pulled pork, come to a total of £6.

My first impression was, immediately, the portion size.

There was a generous helping of cheese, which was quickly melting away on the piping hot potato, with a huge portion of coleslaw and salad on the side.

After letting it cool for a while, I eventually took my first bite – and was immediately impressed. 

The crispy skin was cooked to perfection. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The cheese was strong enough to have an impact on the overall flavour of the meal, rather than simply blending in.

But my favourite part was the crispy potato skin, which was cooked to absolute perfection, with the crispy onions on the top sealing the deal.

Overall, I’d recommend taking a trip over to the industrial estate to try out Spud Hut – I think it is a great addition to ‘Spud Tok’, and anyone who is a fan of a spud needs to try out Newton Aycliffe’s latest addition.

It’s a brand new, home grown Newton Aycliffe business which is well worth supporting.

The staff were friendly; the food was piping hot and tasty, and was well worth the money considering the portion size.

So if you’re ever out and about and want a quick and speedy meal, why not drop in? I think I may need to take a trip back to Newton Aycliffe soon.