Indian Street Food Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Hemant Bhagwani |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Indian street food and regional curry dishes |
| Owner | Hoshang Bakshi |
Indian Street Food Company operates as an Indian dining establishment situated in the Leaside area within Toronto's midtown district.
History
Founded in 2015 by Toronto-based restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani, who also created the fast-casual brand Amaya Express, this venue replaced Bhagwani's former upscale restaurant, Amaya The Indian Room, at the identical address.
The concept centers on street food specialties and regional curry dishes sourced from various parts of India. Bhagwani, originally hailing from New Delhi, India, crafted the menu drawing inspiration from family culinary traditions and popular snacks commonly found at Indian railway stations.
Upon opening, the kitchen was staffed by three co-chefs, each responsible for a specific section: one managed the street food preparation area, another operated the tandoor clay oven, and a third oversaw the curry cooking station.
In 2017, Bhagwani exited the restaurant industry by selling this establishment. The current proprietor, Hoshang Bakshi—an immigrant from Afghanistan—took ownership in late 2019.
No Tipping Policy
At its inception, the restaurant attracted considerable local media coverage for implementing a firm no-tipping policy, which contrasted with typical practices throughout Canada and North America. Instead of accepting tips, a fixed 12% administrative charge is applied. According to Bhagwani, this approach guarantees equitable employee compensation and includes a revenue-sharing component. Indian Street Food Company was pioneering in Toronto as the first sit-down venue to publicly adopt such a policy.
Recognition
The restaurant received the prestigious Bib Gourmand award during Toronto's 2022 Michelin Guide event and has retained this honor through 2023 and 2024. The Bib Gourmand recognizes establishments delivering "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." Notable dishes highlighted by the Guide include deep-fried cauliflower glazed with sweet chili sauce, alongside their offerings of chaat and thali platters.
The Globe and Mail praised the creative menu featuring items like "chaat on wheels," eggplant fries, and tandoori lamb chops, underscoring its robust flavors and regional variety. Nevertheless, the review remarked that the restaurant faces competition from newer Indian eateries in Toronto known for their innovation.