MUMBAI :

This iconic spot is our go-to for buttery Pav Bhaji and top-tier South Indian delicacies. Founded by Narayan Poojary in 1978 at New Marine Lines, Shiv Sagar quickly became a city favourite and expanded to multiple locations. Honouring its legacy of flavours and nostalgia, the brand has now embraced a food truck format, bringing its most-loved dishes straight to you with the same signature taste—now in a suitable, mobile dining experience.

Nikita Poojari, Second-generation Entrepreneur and Director, Shiv Sagar, says, “Shiv Sagar has always been about delivering high-quality, fresh, and nutritious vegetarian meals with care and attention to detail. The food truck, 'Shiv Sagar On Wheels,' brings this legacy directly to busy urban hubs like One BKC, offering our best-selling dishes in a convenient, mobile format. It's a way to serve corporate professionals and visitors on-the-go while staying true to our brand's core values of quality and accessibility."

The team wanted to promote ‘Made in India.’ The only option that fit their vision was the Tempo traveller from Force Motors, an electric variant, customised to let Shiv Sagar's delicious meals be in a quick, on-the-go format. This compact, zero-emission smart city vehicle with a monocoque design has a rear-mounted permanent magnet motor that drives the rear wheels. It also comes with a low floor height making it easier to embark and disembark.

"The exterior of the traveller remains the same; however, the interiors are modified based on our specific needs and requirements. One of our significant modifications, is that we have added all our equipment to electricity so we don't have to use diesel or batteries to power it. We would have preferred using solar panels; however, that option is not feasible at this stage. All the fridges and other equipment used in the regular operation are pinned to the floor or on the food truck's side panels to ensure that they do not move while the food truck is mobile. We have added energy-efficient exhaust fans, so that the heat and smoke do not accumulate inside the food truck. Other tech additions on the food truck include a GPS tracker, Internet access points as well as cameras. 

The food truck offers a curated menu of iconic favourites like Pav Bhaji, Idli Sambhar, Dosas, Sandwiches, Pizzas, as well as refreshing beverages—perfect for a quick, satisfying meal on-the-go. "Though limited, compared to our regular outlets, it embodies the signature flavours and quality Shiv Sagar is known for. We've brought the same care and quality control from our restaurants to the food truck, ensuring every meal meets Shiv Sagar's high standards. Using premium ingredients and regular quality checks, our trained team delivers dishes with precision, speed, and hygiene, adapting efficiently to the food truck's compact space," she adds.

Training is a key component in ensuring that their staff operates efficiently in the limited space of the food truck. "Our team undergoes specialised training that focuses on mastering the layout and flow of operations within the food truck. Efficiency in preparation, service, and cleanliness are essential in the mobile setting, and our staff is well-prepared to manage these aspects. The food truck offers a dynamic and convenient dining experience, letting customers enjoy their favourite Shiv Sagar flavours in a vibrant outdoor setting. It's a fresh way to take a break, savour delicious meals, and engage with our brand in a fun, relaxed environment," she says.

The food truck which is currently parked at One BKC, a bustling corporate park in Mumbai, to cater to professionals, office-goers, and visitors can be tracked and easily located on Google Maps and aggregator platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy. “We are excited about participating in future food festivals and community events. We see the food truck as a way to connect with a larger audience and bring the taste of Shiv Sagar to various communities. Participating in such events will allow us to interact with new customers and further build our brand presence across Mumbai. We are actively exploring adding more food trucks to expand our reach, especially in busy urban and corporate areas. The love we have received has been immense, and we can't wait to cater to everyone out there,” says Poojari.

Poojari sees the food truck concept as a dynamic new chapter for Shiv Sagar. "As we continue to grow and adapt to the evolving demands of our customers, we envision food trucks becoming an essential part of our brand's offering. In the future, we may explore new locations, expand the menu, and incorporate innovative technology to enhance the overall experience. Ultimately, this mobile venture will allow us to bring Shiv Sagar's authentic flavours to more people while staying true to our commitment to quality and freshness," she says.

And to ensure that the food truck runs smoothly and remains mobile, "the staff starts it daily in the evening, after operations, making sure that all the systems are running just fine and yes, it gets its its outing on a regular basis," says Poojari.