Deciding how to propose can be an exciting yet daunting life event – and one couple has divided opinion after getting engaged in an unusual spot ‘near garlic and tuna’
Lucy Marshall Lifestyle Reporter
14:56, 21 Sep 2025
Staff at Spud Bros were gobsmacked as a couple recently got engaged outside their potato van(Image: PA)
Proposing marriage ranks among life’s most significant moments for those dreaming of tying the knot. It can prove both exciting and nerve-wracking for someone planning to pop the question, as they strive to devise an original and memorable proposal when asking for their beloved’s hand in marriage. Some choose elaborate displays, others recognise their future fiancé would favour something more understated and personal.
People have found themselves split over this distinctive proposal outside a spud van in Manchester “in the wet and cold”. Viral business, SpudBros, travels across the nation with their renowned jacket potatoes and operates SpudBros Express outlets in Liverpool and London.
The co-owning siblings have catered to famous faces from Will Smith to Alex Warren, but recently they were astounded when a customer proposed to his girlfriend outside a SpudBros vehicle.
In a post uploaded to SpudBros Instagram, it captured the memorable occasion. The caption read: “It’s official… two days ago we had the first ever proposal at SpudBros! He got down on one knee right outside the van, and honestly… scenes.”
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“It’s a potato kind of love,” remarked McVities. “Let me guess there wedding gonna be potato themed,” added another user.
Numerous people expressed their frank views on the romantic gesture. “We are at a cultural low point,” one person harshly declared.
Another questioned: “Sorry you PROPOSED outside of a potato van in the wet and cold?”
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“I’d actually be mortified if I got proposed to by a street food van,” one person commented. Another added: “In the wet and cold? Outside a food truck? Christ.
“Imagine smelling garlic tuna cheese and beans while you’re getting proposed to,” another remarked.
However, others were quick to defend and support the couple. One individual said: “It’s the thought that counts, and they both look very happy. Congratulations.”
Another wrote: “For all you haters out there, you have no idea of the context behind this. Maybe she’s a super fan foodie and travelled to get to @therealspudbros. Or maybe they are just two people who love the simple things in life. Congratulations to the couple, marriage is amazing.
“I love this! Congrats to the couple,” one person said. “Wow, awww,” another chimed in.
One other pointed out: “Not all proposals have to be something fancy like on top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s authentic it’s beautiful let them be happy. Congrats.”
SpudBros is set to open a new, permanent jacket potato store in Manchester’s city centre, with the location confirmed as the former Philpotts site on Marble Street in Spring Gardens, near King Street and Market Street.