The Halal Guys

There’s something unforgettable about eating from The Halal Guys on a cold NYC night. After walking through the city in the freezing air, surrounded by bright lights, traffic, steam rising from the streets, and people rushing in every direction, stopping for a hot plate of halal food somehow felt like the perfect New York experience. The smell alone pulls you in before you even get close. Freshly grilled chicken, seasoned gyro meat, warm pita, rice straight off the grill, and that famous white sauce that somehow lives up to the hype. Everything tasted even better in the cold weather. The food was hot, flavorful, filling, and exactly the kind of comfort meal you want after hours of walking around Manhattan. What made the experience special wasn’t just the food itself — it was the atmosphere around it. Standing on a busy NYC corner late at night with people from all over the world lined up together for the same thing felt strangely iconic. It’s one of those moments where you realize some of the best parts of New York aren’t fancy restaurants or expensive experiences, but simple moments that feel authentic to the city. The portions were generous, the service was fast despite the crowd, and the entire experience felt energetic and alive. Eating that warm platter while the cold wind moved through the streets honestly became one of my favorite memories from the trip. It may look like just another food cart at first, but The Halal Guys has earned its reputation for a reason. On a cold NYC night, that meal hits differently. Definitely one of the most satisfying and memorable food experiences I had in the city.

The line was long but worth the wait. They are actually quite speedy, it only took longer because they had to move back into their spot after the parade. Their system is very efficient so once they were up and running the line went quickly. We had beef and lamb from another cart the day before that was fatty, grisly and hard to chew. The meat here almost melted in my mouth and the flavor was amazing! I wish I lived nearby so I could eat this weekly.

Probably the most famous Halal food truck in NYC. Interestingly when I was there at 8 pm, there was hardly any queue, about 5 people infront of me. Got the mixed bowl and the food was really delicious! The meats were tender and everything just tastes so good together. Be warned that the red sauce is really spicy though.

Check out the pictures and expect to see the long lines! Worth the wait and the time to try their food. Tried the beef and chicken platter that comes on a bed of rice, lettuce, tomatoes and you need both the white sauce and the hot/spicy/red sauce. Thank me later!