After a brief switch to a meat-free menu that upset many loyal patrons, Guru’s Indian Cuisine is back to serving non-vegetarian dishes under new ownership.
Return to Tradition After Customer Rebellion
The restaurant’s original owner, Priya Guru, made the decision to transition to a fully vegetarian menu, driven by her concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and ethical sourcing. A vegetarian herself, Guru believed it was the right step for her nine-year-old establishment.
However, the change did not sit well with many of the restaurant’s regular customers. As a result, sales plummeted by 85% between April and July.
A New Direction Under Family Management
Facing financial losses, Guru considered closing the restaurant. But her nephew, Samarth Joshi, stepped in to take over the business, offering a solution that would keep the restaurant open while honoring his aunt’s ethics. “I told her, ‘Let me just step in so you can keep your ethics,’” Joshi explained. As an omnivore, Joshi made the decision to reintroduce meat and seafood to the menu, which helped the business begin to recover.
A Commitment to Animal Welfare
Even with the return of meat dishes, the restaurant continues to support Guru’s passion for animal welfare. Joshi agreed to donate a portion of the restaurant’s profits to Guru’s Guardian Angels, a nonprofit founded by Guru and chef Ashni “Baba” Kumar. The organization focuses on rescuing and sheltering stray animals across the globe.
With the familiar favorites back on the menu, Guru’s Indian Cuisine is seeing a revival, drawing in customers once again while maintaining its ethical commitments.
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