The Halal Guys
| The Halal Guys | |
|---|---|
A line at the cart (2007)
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1990 |
| Current owner(s) | Mohamed Abouelenein |
| Food type | Halal, Middle Eastern cuisine |
| Street address | Corners of 53rd St and 6th Avenue (main and second locations) |
| City | Manhattan, New York City |
| State | New York |
| Postal/ZIP code | 10019 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°45′42″N 73°58′45″W / 40.76180°N 73.97928°WCoordinates: 40°45′42″N 73°58′45″W / 40.76180°N 73.97928°W |
| Website | thehalalguys |
The Halal Guys is a halal fast casual restaurant franchise that began as a food cart on the south-east corner of 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The franchise also has a cart on the south-west corner of the same intersection. New locations, both food cart and storefront, are being added throughout New York (including a storefront on 14th Street and Second Avenue) and around the world.
The franchise is most recognized by its primary dish which is a platter of chicken or gyro meat with rice while it also serves a chicken or gyro wrap sandwich.
The Halal Guys was founded in 1990 by Egyptian-descendent Mohamed Abouelenein, along with compatriots Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed, as a hot dog cart located on 53rd and 6th. Abouelenein, however, believed that a hot dog was not a satisfying meal, and switched to the current menu of chicken, gyro meat, rice, and pita in 1992.
The cart has caused a decline in the popularity of hot dog vendors in New York City and has influenced many imitation carts. A cart called 'New York's Best Halal Food' is also located on 53rd and 6th on the SW corner. It is unknown which cart was located at the intersection first. New York's Best Halal Food also has a strong following, and a long line of lunchtime patrons. Workers at both carts wear similar attire (bright yellow shirts) and serve the same type of food though the texture, taste, and freshness is slightly different.
On October 28, 2006, a fight that started in line ended with 23-year-old Ziad Tayeh stabbing and killing 19-year-old Tyrone Gibbons. Tayeh was later found not guilty, as the jury found that he acted in self-defense. The fight began after one accused the other of cutting in line.The New York Times once reported that the owners had hired bouncers.
In June 2014, the Halal Guys hired Fransmart, the franchise development company behind the success of Qdoba Mexican Grill and Five Guys explosive growth. Within the first year of launching their franchise expansion campaign they have closed deals for California; New Jersey; Connecticut; Virginia; Washington, DC; Houston and Austin, Texas ; Chicago, Illinois, as well as international deals for Canada, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. In total this represents over 200 locations under development.
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