For a long time, getting a Gorjanc roll meant committing to the drive to Hotemaže, hoping for a free table, and accepting that you might wait the better part of an hour. No reservations for small groups, no guarantees. And yet people kept going - because once you got those rolls, you forgot about all of it immediately.
Then they opened in Ljubljana. Right next to Gospodarsko razstavišče, in the centre of the city. The obvious question being - are they the same?
The menu
Yes. The Ljubljana location runs the same menu as Hotemaže - same rolls, same fillings, same sauces, served in a pleasant space with fast and genuinely friendly service. Nothing has been watered down or simplified for the city crowd.
I ordered six rolls with a mix of fillings - ham, prosciutto, and pulled beef - plus the house Gorjanc sauce. Total came to just under €18. That's on the higher side, and it's worth noting that the sauce costs nearly €3 separately. For something that really does complete the rolls, including it in the price would feel more generous. You can bring the cost down slightly by choosing from the pre-selected combinations, but you're still looking at around €16.
The rolls themselves justify it. Prosciutto and cheese is a classic for a reason - balanced, clean, exactly what it should be. Ham and cheese is the old-school choice that gets closer to the prosciutto version than you'd expect. The pulled beef was the one slight disappointment of the three - not bad, just the least interesting of the group.
Gluten-free and wholegrain options are available, as are lactose-free and vegan cheese. Good to know, genuinely useful, not an afterthought.
On the sauce
Get it. The house Gorjanc sauce at €3 is the difference between a good roll and the roll you'll think about on the way home. You can absolutely eat without it - but why would you?
The experience
Ambient is pleasant, service is quick, and the whole operation runs smoothly. No hour-long waits, no crossed fingers hoping for a table. Just show up, order, eat.
The price is the only thing that gives slight pause. Not enough to put you off, but enough to notice.
The verdict
If Hotemaže felt too far or too uncertain, the Ljubljana location is the answer. Same rolls, same quality, a much more convenient postcode. Go hungry, get the sauce and skip the pulled beef if you're only having a few.