Showing my little brother a great time in New York City is important to me. My partner wanted to show him the luxury side of things but I just wanted to show him EVERYTHING. Although, we did many things you expect, like Time Square, Central Park etc. The one thing he could not give up on is The Halal Guys. He needed The Halal Guys. Everyday he asked us to take him. In between meals, he asked. As we walked through main tourist attractions, he asked. Even as he was full of amazing New York City food, he asked when we can go to The Halal Guys!

Considering New York City is a city where things are expensive, it’s great to find street cart vendors selling great quality food for cheap. Not only is New York City street food cheap, it’s everywhere.

Halal Guys Back Story

Halal guys opened in New York City as a street cart in 1990. Originally, it sold food for late night taxi drivers looking for great authentic halal food. In the most recent years, it’s made a great name for itself. In fact, prices have increased a few times since then.

The original street cart is located on the corner of 53rd and 6th street. Although, now that they’ve expanded, there are a few carts in the nearby area. Today, it’s become a franchise. You can find many locations throughout the US. However, those locations are actual restaurants, not street carts.

Let me back up a bit, there’s a lot of Halal food carts throughout New York City, but only one franchise is known as The Halal Guys. They sport a yellow and red logo. Don’t get confused. However, I’m sure all the Halal street food venders are good.

Getting Back to the Halal Guys Experience…

That’s where my little brother comes in. As a broke college student, there’s a Halal Guys restaurant near his campus. He knows the menu really well. Therefore, when I decided to take him to NYC. This was his first request. The original Halal Guys!

As we made our way to see the cart. I seriously thought it was going to be a myth and the corner was going to be empty. The closer we got, the more people with yellow Halal Guys take-out bags, I saw.

I then realized, this is a real thing! I got excited for my little brother. He then whips out a frequent buyer card and tells me he’s going to use it. To which I respond “They’re not going to take that. It’s not a restaurant. It’s a cart… and this in NY. They don’t care… Just so you’re prepared when they reject it.”

As we get close. We see the cart. The line is not long. 5 people deep. I give my brother some money. The menu is small but it makes it easy to order. I order a chicken and beef rice dish for about $8. A little expensive for a street cart, but it’s way cheaper than a restaurant.

I pile the hot sauce and find a seat on the side-walk planter with my brother. I begin to dig in. It is so delicious! I don’t know how I could have gone without eating Halal Guys my entire life.

To be completely honest, they give you a lot of food for $8. The quality is great. It’s very tasty. Now that I’ve tasted it, $8 is cheap for what you get.

Next time you’re in New York City. Make sure to get some Halal Guys. Although, I got pretty lucky with the line. I’ve heard the wait can be as long as 45 minutes.

Let Me Break It Down For You:

You’ll find Halal Guys on the corner of 53rd and 6th (which is their original location.)

Depending on what you order it’s about $8 per dish, give or take…

It’s delicious… seriously good!

Lines can be long

It’s worth it and cheap.

They DO NOT take frequent buyer cards at the original street carts!

Check out their website for more info: https://thehalalguys.com