The Halal Guys

Reviews

• Tim S.

  star star star star star 13 July 2026

  As someone who loves Halal carts, on my most recent trip to NYC I knew I had to make the pilgrimage to the original location: The Halal Guys.  One night, we made our way over to 53rd and embarked on what we fully expected to be an incredible meal.
  
  We went for two combo platters, one regular and one small.  The first thing you'll notice about the Halal Guys that may be different from other carts is that they offer chicken and beef, but not lamb.  Further, the sauces are in bottles on the side of the cart and are self-dispensed by patrons.  Thirdly, the platters are served with pita bread, which was something I was unused to.  While other carts throughout the city are relatively cheap, The Halal Guys are a touch more expensive ($9 for a regular platter, $7 for a small and $1 for drinks, not included).
  
  We seated ourselves on the nearby ledge and began our feast.  I dispensed a hearty amount of white and red sauce into my platter and mixed it in.  As someone who's a huge fan of the red sauce, I went a little overboard here.  It was SPICY.  Be very careful using this sauce not to make your food inedible.  The food was absolutely delicious, but I definitely found myself wishing I had used less of the red sauce.
  
  Overall, The Halal Guys is a street cart that is very much a part of NYC Street Food history, and one you should absolutely check out.

• Paul V.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 12 July 2026

  Let me be clear I've had some great Halal Guys experiences, but my most recent one was genuinely disappointing.
  
  Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere?
  
  If there isn't a robust line it's hard to argue with the speed and efficiency of The Halal Guys. I barely had my combination order out of my mouth before the plate was in my hands and I was on my merry way. Star.
  
  Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost?
  
  $9.00 for a large plate of food with as much if not more food than a Chipotle burrito is a good deal. Star.
  
  Stars 3 and 4: How was the food?
  
  What a huge letdown this was. I'm not sure what was up, but both meats were dry, the rice was dry and tasted like cardboard, and the lettuce might as well have been paper. The sauce kinda sorta saved the day, but not really. No Stars.
  
  Star 5: Would you be excited to go back?
  
  Based on this experience? No, given the fierce competition these days. No Star.

• Taylor M.

  star star star star star 9 July 2026

  The hype is real. I have spent a lot of time in NY and have never bothered seeking out the OG halal guys, mostly because I try to avoid midtown. Well, I'm staying in midtown for a conference and Halal Guys is across the street so I grab a bite for lunch. I went with the combo platter and the chicken and beef are incredible. The white sauce takes things to the next level, but do heed other reviews about the hot spice being very hot - there's a reason they give you a teeny tiny packet or that and a huge packet of the white sauce. I do recommend using the hot sauce though because the flavor is incredible with it.
  
  Overall - I'll definitely make it a regular spot in my visits. Just be weary of the curb across the street, I saw 3 people do a flip over it in the course of 15 minutes and there would truly be no worse tragedy than losing your halal meal to the streets of New York.

• Jonna G.

  star star star star star 22 June 2026

  So happy I got to try Halal Guys in New York!!! It taste so much better than the one in California. There's something about eating it here that made such a difference in quality and taste.
  
  Since it was raining the night I went, there was barely any line! I decided to get the large combination plate which was about $9. It's half chicken and gyro, salad, rice and pita bread. Don't forget to get extra white sauce because that's one of the best part of this dish. The chicken and gyro was flavorful and cooked just right. The rice and salad adds a nice touch to the dish. I wish they gave more pita bread slices.
  
  Honestly, I should have brought some back to CA because now I'm craving it.

• Jesse L.

  star star star star star 20 June 2026

  LOVE IT!
  
  I'm a fan back home in LA so I was ecstatic to try the OG location in NYC! And it DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!
  
  Chicken platter $8 with fresh meat + unlimited white sauce = heaven. Workers are also very kind! Love that they're not stingy with the sauces either. Back in LA, they charge you extra for white sauce. Here, you have the ability to pour as much as you want.
  
  Love itttt!