Da Nannas Fish and Chips on Robert Street was ranked 19^th on Monday afternoon, although was in the top 15 last week, with voting in the Australian Fish and Chip Shop Awards remaining open until May 31.

For local couple Laurel and Graeme Wernhard the chance to own their own business has been a dream come true, and the success that has followed "a bonus."

"Laurel has always worked in the food industry, and I am good at lifting heavy things," Mr Wernhard said.

"Tamworth needed a real fish and chip shop, and this is something we always wanted to do - it is a dream come true for Laurel."

Mrs Wernhard also has the secret to that success in her recipe books, although apart from using only the freshest available fish those secrets are locked away.

"Everything we do here is homemade from the batter to the burger mince and onion rings," Mrs Wernhard said.

"We work hard but we also have a lot of fun - we are more concerned with putting smiles on faces than making a million bucks."

The business, named after their late "firecracker Little Nanna" opened in March with just four staff, but two months later have increased that to 11 to keep up with demand, and are now looking for extra staff to open on Sundays.

"We are pretty chuffed - it was an instant hit when we opened the doors," Mr Wernhard said.

"To be nominated for the award was a real surprise and very humbling - we weren't sure we wanted to accept the nomination because we only just opened."

Last week Da Nanna's became the first local business nominated in the Quality Tamworth Business Awards, with one excited customer sneaking a nomination in on Thursday night before the awards officially opened on Friday.

"That was totally surprising," Mr Wernhard said.

"We are a bit old school with customers - we like to have a chat and a laugh and the customers seem to like it too.

"It has all been fairly exciting, and a lot of fun."

To vote for Da Nanna's in the Fish and Chip Shop Awards click here.