The friendly-neighbourhood delivery guy

FAISALABAD: The explosion of mobile apps and websites means foodies are increasingly turning to them to get their favourite chow delivered to their doorsteps instead of dining out or getting takeaway.

However, the costs associated with running these online services mean they either charge heavy delivery fees or have high minimum order amounts, making them unaffordable on a daily basis for many. This especially presents a problem to students and young professionals living on their own who find it difficult to cook for themselves on a daily basis.

Enter 45-year-old Faisalabad resident Abdul Rauf. In his hometown, at least, he has turned into something of a godsend for students living in hostels next to GC University and people in the motorcycle market next to the Jinnah Colony area.

With nothing more than his trusty motorcycle and a smile on his face, Rauf delivers two budget-friendly home-cooked meals a day to more than 60 students and other people at the motorcycle market.

Carrying boxes of food prepared by him and his wife, he starts his delivery runs at 10am and works tirelessly every day till until after Maghrib prayers. His customers can enjoy half a plate of vegetables for Rs30 and roti with daal for as low as Rs6.



Talking to The Express Tribune, Rauf says he has been making his delivery runs for the last year and a half. Although rising prices and inflation keep him from turning in a good profit, the delivery man says he finds greater fulfilment knowing he is serving others.

“I want to provide for my household and my children… I want to make sure they get a good education,” said Rauf. “Even though I’m not able to save much because of inflation – I don’t have any high expectations of the government fixing it – I am content with what I do.”

“The spirit of serving … knowing students who come to Faisalabad from far-flung areas are able to enjoy home-cooked food everyday… this is what keeps me going,” he adds.

While the affordability of the meals Rauf delivers is a huge factor in building him a sizeable client base, he believes taste has at least as much to do with his food’s popularity as its price. “My customers like my food because it is not as spicy as other commercially available dishes,” he said. “After working as a chef in Saudi Arabia for six years, I do believe I’ve become a good one.”

Talking about his stint in the Kingdom, Rauf states that the rising cost of living there prompted him to return. He also missed his family and in particular, wanted to be with his kids to see them grow up.

Upon return to Faisalabad, Rauf initially set up a food cart in Model Town. Eventually, however, he found delivering meals by motorcycle a better business model.

Rauf says all food items he delivers are prepared by him and his wife at their Model Town home. He says his wife begins preparations for the next day while he is making his final round of deliveries. Boasting about the missus’ cooking skills, he claims she makes more than 300 rotis a day.

Conversations with some of Rauf’s clients reveal how much they appreciate the 45-year-old’s food deliveries.

Qasim, a student from Jhelum, says Rauf is nothing less than a godsend for him and other students because of his affordable home-cooked meals. His views are shared by Aijaz, a microbiology student who has been ordering food from Rauf for almost a year.

“I fell sick countless times in the past because I had to rely on junk food,” recalls Noman, an engineering student who hails from Burewala. “I’m so glad I found a better alternative in Rauf.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2019.