Recap: [Hybrid] India, April 12, Food-walk Meet-up at Pune Camp | Ardeshir & Co and Garden Vada pav center | #DilSeLocal

[AjitThite]

Hello LGs,

Here is the recap of my food walk meet-up at Camp, Pune, from Ardeshir & Sond soda factory to Garden Vada Pav Center on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 5 PM IST.

Co-host: @MathanVibranarayan

In-person attendees: @TusharSuradkar, @Durgak03, @dpalash2205, @PrasadVR and @NithinThomas

Virtual attendees: @KetanChhaniyara, @Sagarkanherkar, @Kumaarsantosh, @TravellerG sir, @PrasadVR , @Supriyadevkar , @Gurukrishnapriya mam, @SarathUpendran , @jagatji, @RosyKohli, @Gvipin

Food Walk in Pune, journeying from the legendary Ardeshir & Sons to the iconic Garden Vada Pav Center. As a passionate Google Local Guide and Connect member, I recently hosted a delightful hybrid food walk in Pune and enjoyed taking participants from the legendary Ardeshir & Sons to the iconic Garden Vada Pav Center.

Ardeshir & Sons is the oldest soda factory, established in 1884; it seems older than Coca-Cola!! We enjoyed some sodas there; it was an awesome experience. They said the sell is more in wholesale than retail, off-the-counter. We spent some time and took some photos in the retail area, as they did not allow us to have a walk into their factory, which was next door.

This walk was more than just about food actually; it was a journey through Pune’s rich history. We strolled through the Camp area, admiring the old-world charm of Dastur Meher Road and taking in the grandeur of historic Parsi establishments such as “Dorabji & Sons restaurant, established in 1878,” that whispered stories from the past.

Midway through our adventure, we stopped at Cafe Garden for a much-needed cup of tea before heading to Garden Vada Pav Center for their famous vada pav—a truly Puneri food joint.

My co-host, Mathan Vibranarayan, ensured a smooth virtual experience by managing the online attendees and conducting a fun mini-quiz to keep them interested. Much appreciated for that!!

The winner were: @SarathUpendran , @Sagarkanherkar, @Supriyadevkar , @Gvipin.
@Kumaarsantosh , @PrasadVR , @Gurukrishnapriya mam!

Participants, both on-site and virtual, engaged in insightful discussions about heritage preservation and culinary traditions, creating an unforgettable experience. Thank you to everyone who participated in this immersive walk, and especially Mathan for flawlessly coordinating the virtual segment. I look forward to more enriching explorations that connect food, history, and our incredible community!

Here are the links to my reviews:

• Ardeshir & Sons
• Garden Vada pav center opposite J.J, Garden

Cheers!

[ShreyaMusings]

Woww.. I missed this amazing opportunity to meet you all virtually.. pictures are just perfect.. keep up the good work @AjitThite dada

[TusharSuradkar]

This was a memorable meetup in recent weeks @AjitThite, and a perfect choice of food joints in very old Pune

Fortunately, they were located close to each other, so the walking was enjoyable.

I was thinking of visiting the original Ardeshir place for a long time, and glad that it was realized during this meetup.

[Kumaarsantosh]

Thanks @AjitThite. It was great to have a glimpse of the city with you all.

Many congratulations to @MathanVibranarayan for being a nice Co-host for the meet-up. The quiz was fantastic. Good job dear!

[TusharSuradkar]

Hi @MathanVibranarayan
I heard that the quiz was a fun event.
Can you share the questions and answers here, so that I can enjoy it too

[Maximilianozalazar]

@AjitThite que gran post. Se ve que lo disfrutaron al máximo​:+1:

[ShailendraOjha]

@AjitThite

Ardeshir & Sons is the oldest soda factory, established in 1884;

Funtastic Dada @AjitThite

[AjitThite]

We missed you too, @ShreyaMusings , next time!

Cheers!

[AjitThite]

Yes, we enjoyed it; more such walks need to be considered for the meet-ups, @TusharSuradkar, for the fun, a heritage walk for a change!

Cheers!

[AjitThite]

Indeed, @MathanVibranarayan did an excellent job. Your meet-up sessions on co-host have been followed perfectly, it seems. Happy for that as well. @Kumaarsantosh

Cheers!

[AjitThite]

We enjoyed it a lot; visiting a heritage place and walking along the old city is always fun.
Thanks for your appreciation, @Maximilianozalazar , after a long time!

Cheers!

[AjitThite]

I was planning for this visit for a long time but then thought summer would be appropriate to appreciate the sodas as a cold drink!

Thanks for your apprciation, @ShailendraOjha
Cheers!

[NareshDarji]

Wow, what a great meet-up!
Thank you for sharing this recap with us @AjitThite

[AjitThite]

Welcome, @NareshDarji bhai!!

Cheers!

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Thanks for showing the places @AjitThite . To tell the fact I am really travelling to all places free of cost. Hope you remember my Hybrid Meetup before such concept came. That time my husband planned to conduct such Meetup in Mahabalipuram and show the places to you all. If there are chances I will try to do.

[AjitThite]

Sure, @Gurukrishnapriya mam, you can try to complete that fact of the heritage walk meet-up at Mahabalipuram. I am sure someone from that region may help you with that.

Thanks for your kind words and presence.

Cheers!

[MerlinThomas]

It was a food-walk meetup at Pune Camp(Ardeshir & Co and Garden Vada Pav center) on April 12 organized by @AjitThite.

I was a bit late and joined directly at the Garden Vada Pav center. Vada Pav was in high demand. We sat down at cafe garden for tea. During the Meetup @AjitThite presented me with a certificate, stickers and fridge magnet for winning the virtual meet-up held on March 22, SPAM FREE Maps meet-up where I was one of the winners of the GM awareness quiz. @TusharSuradkar shared the keychain for the Chai pe Charcha challenge. @Durgak03 also shared a cool card with us.

It was fantastic meetup. I am grateful to interact with fellow Local Guides

[TusharSuradkar]

Congratulations on winning the quiz certificate and the fridge magnet, another addition to your collection @MerlinThomas

Officially, all recap posts are to be written below the main recap by the host.
So I am merging your recap into @AjitThite 's main recap.

[TusharSuradkar]

That’s a great hint @AjitThite we realized that walking was more enjoyable than simply gathering at a place.

Let’s have a small business support walk the next time - maybe in Tambat Ali or Kumbharwada.

I will organize it when local guides in Pune are available to meet.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Congratulations @MerlinThomas for winning the quiz. Hope you had a wonderful experience.