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Journalism of Courage
Written by Neha Rathod
Ask any Punekar living away from the city what they miss the most and the conversation will inevitably drift to the city’s street food. And at the very top of a list of everyone’s favourite haunts sits the Garden Vada Pav, a modest stall opposite JJ Garden in Camp.
The aroma announces itself around three blocks away. The intoxicating blend of gram flour batter hitting hot oil, the sharp tang of fresh chutney, and the warm embrace of soft pav creates an invisible trail that draws people like a culinary GPS. By the time you reach this iconic corner, your decision is already made—diet plans can wait another day.
One of Pune’s honest food carts running for over five decades, Garden Vada Pav has been every dieter’s favourite cheat-day spot. While each piece is packed with nearly 300 calories, the indulgence is not counted here, but celebrated. “When something tastes good, you should not think about calories,” laughs Chetan Naiku, one of the third-generation business owners of the eatery. He says, “Being fit is important, but being happy is also part of good health. I work out every day, but sometimes one vada pav gives me more joy. Burn the calories later — why burn the joy?”
The story of Garden Vada Pav began in 1972 when Parvati and Kashinath Naiku arrived in Pune from a small village near Ahmednagar, now Ahilyanagar, in search of work. While watching labourers and students struggle to find affordable, filling food during their short breaks, they saw an opportunity.
“Our grandparents began the food stall with simple bhajis and pav,” recalls Chetan, pointing to the well-choreographed rhythm of his kitchen. “When they sold vada pav 50 years ago, it was just 50 paise,” he recalls his grandfather telling him.
What began as a means of survival has today transformed into a legacy. From a modest cart run on simple principles, the venture has grown into a proud family institution under the care of Kashinath’s four sons: Rajendra, Sanjay, Nandu and Deepak. Today, the third generation of Naikus — Dhiraj, Chetan, Akshay and Deep — carry the legacy forward with the same hands-on dedication. “It’s not just business for us,” says Chetan with quiet pride. “We are a big joint family. Four brothers and now their sons…all living a shared dream. This is not what we do, it is who we are.”
Garden Vada Pav today serves over 5,000 pieces daily, each costing Rs 25, across its four outlets. The numbers have changed dramatically, but the recipe that Parvati Naiku perfected carries her legacy in every bite.
Chetan fondly recalls an incident with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, also nicknamed ‘Vada Pav’ by his fans. “During a short stay at one of Pune’s five-star hotels, Sharma craved the snack. The hotel discreetly ordered from Garden and served it, but he instantly recognised the taste — he had savoured it before and knew it was from our stall. Later, the staff told us the story, adding another proud chapter to our legacy.”
Over the years, the Naikus have served Bollywood stars, sports icons, and even international dignitaries visiting Pune on various occasions.
Ayushmann Khurrana confessed he had heard a lot about the place and made sure to stop by for a quick bite on his last visit to Pune. Singer B Praak, too, drove down to savour Maharashtra’s favourite snack. From Shabana Azmi to Suniel Shetty to Jackie Shroff, when celebrities crave street food in Pune, it is Garden Vada Pav that invariably finds its way onto their plates.
Dignitaries, too, have joined the list of admirers. Japan’s Ambassador to India, Hiroshi Suzuki, once shared a video of himself on social media relishing the Garden vada pav during a Pune visit—though he confessed it was “a bit too hot” for his taste. The Consul General of Canada, Jordan Reeves, described his first taste of it as “love at first bite.”
A few years ago, the Naikus added Masala Tak—a chilled, spiced buttermilk—to their menu. Paired with a piping hot vada pav, it became an instant hit, cementing Garden’s place as a true Pune institution where flavours meet stories.
“People eat vada pav everywhere,” says a regular customer, sauce staining his fingers as he savours each bite. “But they remember the Garden. This isn’t a snack anymore. It is Pune’s DNA.”
Today, they run four company outlets in Camp, Nal Stop, Kharadi, and Hadapsar, along with the newly opened Garden Café in Camp serving a variety of snacks. Yet franchising isoff the table. “No shortcuts, no compromise. That is why Garden stands strong when others fade,” says Chetan.
While many success stories chase rapid expansion, the Naikus dream of being right where it all began—at JJ Garden gate—even 15 years from now. “Same place, same taste, same love. We will be right here to serve Pune,” he says with a smile.
Neha Rathod is an intern with The Indian Express.
