Train travel in India is often punctuated by familiar calls: “Chai, garma garam chai!”, “Vada pav!”, or “Saapad!”. But on one recent journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, passengers were taken aback by an unexpected vendor: a hawker walking down the aisle shouting, “Pizza, Domino’s pizza!”.
A Hawk-Like Pizza Seller on Rails
On board a two-tier AC coach, a young hawker carried a large Domino’s-branded thermal delivery bag, pausing at each compartment to slightly unzip it, revealing boxes of pizza inside. He called out:
“Ninety-nine rupees. Jain pizza, veggie pizza, cheese pizza, and corn pizza. Fresh!”
To many, the scene felt out of place — not the usual street snacks or chai, but a globally recognized pizza chain being hawked like local goodies.
More Than an App Delivery While Domino’s already offers in-train deliveries via IRCTC’s e-catering system, this wasn’t a simple app drop. Watching someone carry their delivery bag down the train aisle, inviting passengers to peek inside, felt almost symbolic — a blending of the structured world of quick-service restaurants with India’s deeply rooted informal hawker culture.
Was this a formal Domino’s initiative? Or did an enterprising delivery person decide to sell directly in the train, converting downtime into a micro-business opportunity? The unusual scene raised a lot of questions.
The shout of “Domino’s pizza” echoing through a moving train coach isn’t just a novelty — it symbolizes a fascinating blend of modern consumerism and traditional Indian hawker culture. Whether it’s a clever sales hack or the start of a new distribution channel, one thing is clear: the train-journey food experience in India is evolving — and perhaps, it’s never been more unpredictable or delicious.
