Food has always brought people together as a way for friends and family to share, celebrate and gather.
For the team at Agra Tandoori, which offers authentic Indian cuisine in Burnaby, that sense of connection is more important than ever before.
“We strive to bring the taste of India for our guests to experience here in Burnaby, spreading not only the flavours of India but also spreading the culture of community,” says Owner Bhupinderjit Sandhu. “This year, we had to step outside the box to reimagine what community building can be in this new world.”
With two locations, Agra Tandoori has been able to continue to serve the Burnaby area with new procedures and protocols in place. But they also found ways to reach out and connect, such as including inspirational notes inside takeout and delivery orders and becoming more active in social media to stay in touch with loyal customers.
The restaurant began as a single location on Canada Way, then expanded to a second location at Market Crossing, thanks to steady growth and increased demand from customers.
Sandhu says the great reputation the restaurants have built is due to his incredible staff.
“We are led by four amazing culinary chefs, Daljit Banger, Randeep Paul, Mukesh Sacher and Vanshpradeep Rathore. Each one is dedicated, driven and exceptional members of our team,” he says. “Alongside myself, Hussein Ali is at the helm of the team to ensure culinary excellence. And we have a large serving and kitchen staff, who are the backbone of the team. Together we work to provide our guests with food that will leave them wanting more.”
Being able to share fantastic food and a wonderful dining experience with customers is incredibly rewarding, he adds. “We are lucky to be in an industry that focuses on making people happy by filling their stomachs. We want them to feel like family here.”
The company has implemented extensive new policies to ensure that all recommendations and regulations are carried out in light of COVID-19. “As a business we recognize the responsibility we are taking on and we take that incredibly seriously,” he says. “The safety of our guests and staff is our main priority. We truly hope that everyone remains safe during these times. Supporting each other as a community is how we will get through this together.”
For Sandhu and his team, that responsibility is a reflection of the commitment they’ve always made to their customers. “For us, excellence is constantly pushing yourself to learn, innovate and grow. Excellence is demonstrated when an organization is obsessed with improvement. We strive to raise the bar that we have set for ourselves.”
Sandhu notes that they’re now online (find them on Instagram @agratandoori and on Facebook at AgraTandooriRest) and they’re encouraging their loyal customers and newcomers alike to join them there.
“If you use social media, we would love to have you follow us—and be sure to share with us what type of content you would like to see!”
Visit www.agratandoori.ca for more information.
