Posts tagged halal

King of Falafel and Shawarma

I went up to Astoria and tried King of Falafel and Shawarma – 2010 Vendy Award Winner. They had their big trophy on display. Not such a bad of a line for lunch time, compared to the popular carts in the city.

I got the Freddy’s Junior (Chicken and Kefta over rice platter). Huge platter for $7. I like the pickles they put in there. Overall a very clean tasting dish. Not overly spicy. I didn’t feel like my butt was going to explode. That would’ve have been a problem, being so far away from home.

King of Falafel and Shawarma – 30th St & Broadway. Astoria Queens, NY 11106

Full story »

Halal Truck on East 11th St & 1st Ave (East Village)

Rusty and I were watching the Denver game last Sunday at O’Hanlon’s in the East Village, rooting for our boy Tebow. Yikes!

During half time, I walked around to try to figure out what’s the meaning of life after I just saw Tebow get smashed, smothered, and diced. I passed by the Halal truck on the South-East corner of East 11th St and 1st Ave. I’ve passed there many late nights before and it always smelled so good. Most of the time I see a cart there, but this day it’s a truck.

Got the Lamb & Chicken combo over rice with white sauce, hot sauce $6. Dang. This is some of the best and spiciest Lamb & Chicken combo I’ve had in a long time. The rice is very similar to the Famous Halal Guys on 53rd & 6th. But I like this better. They put slices of jalapeno in there for extra spiciness. The chicken is not chopped up as much as most halal carts. The flavor was tangy and spicy. I just might have a reason to go back to root for Tebow tomorrow.

I suppose being a professional athlete has it’s ups and downs just like the challenges of real life. Maybe last week loss is just a stepping stone to success. I hope Tebow learns from last week and becomes the best NFL winner in the world. So keep Tebowing.
JOTU%20Tebowing%20small Halal Truck on East 11th St & 1st Ave (East Village)

Full story »

The Halal Guys at 52nd St & 6th Ave

I was walking around Midtown looking for a late lunch at around 3:30. Dang, that line at 53rd St & 6th Ave is super long even between normal meal times. Then I saw the same Halal Guys cart a short block South on 52nd St. The same umbrellas, the same yellow bags, the same T-shirts advertising 53rd St –but this one had no line.

I got a heavy platter of Chicken and Lamb over Rice ($6). It all looked the same and seemed to taste the same or similar from what I remember and from the Midtownlunch Street Meat Paloozas. Although it was super spicy, because I asked him to add more hot sauce after it looked like he only squirted a little on my food.

Well now that I’ve learned that not all Rafiqi’s are the same, I still can’t imagine that everyone in that long ass 53rd St line has compared them both and decided it was worth the wait. Makes me wonder about businesses that try to expand. The demand is definitely there, but the demand doesn’t want to walk a short block away.

Full story »

Rafiqi’s New Beef Options

Rafiqis Philly Beef with Cheese Platter NYC Rafiqis New Beef Options

I’ve been noticing that most of the Rafiqi’s Halal carts now have “New Beef Options” … Philly Steak sandwiches, pita wraps and platters. I got the Beef Rice Platter ($5.50). The guy pulled out a couple of thin rectangle slices of Philly Steak-style of raw beef and slapped it on the griddle. Cooking and chopping it up, asking if I want onions and cheese –yes, please.

The Philly Steak platter was surprisingly delicious. Of course, top it with white and the green hot sauce.

I only trust the Rafiqi’s on 6th Ave between 19th & 20th St, Manhattan to make this. I’ve been trying other Rafiqi’s that have been popping up in the area recently and they don’t compare. Even though it appears to be the same ingredients and toppings, the salad just taste better and the meat is cooked right at 6th. I’ve also spent hours walking around trying to find a Rafiqi’s that hasn’t raised their prices yet. There are a few out there, but then I realize I’m just trying to save 50cents.

Full story »

Spiciest Lamb over Rice – R&Z Halal Truck

Does anyone else have this problem where you can’t decide what to eat for lunch and end up walking around for an hour? I guess with so many choices, it’s a good problem to have.

I ended up trying this halal truck on the southeast corner of 32nd Street and Park Ave, Manhattan. There’s a couple of halal carts in that area that seem to competing with the whole Rafiqi style toppings bar. I asked for everything on my lamb over spicy rice platter, which included chickpeas, black beans, corn, olives, cilantro, both grilled and raw onions, lettuce, tomato, a slice of pickle, white sauce, hot sauce. That hot sauce is the spiciest I’ve ever had from a cart or truck. Crazy good if you’re into the heat. Make sure you get the spicy rice too. I was sweating so much eating it in the park, I had to take it back to my cold AC office to finish up.

Only thing was that the lamb tasted like a salty hot dog. But pluses go to the two older guys in the truck. One of them smiled and thanked me genuinely. I’m not sure if he had teeth.

R&Z Halal Truck – southeast corner of 32nd Street & Park Ave, NYC 10016

Full story »

Halal Food Cart 5th Ave and 21st St

It’s a beautiful day to get skin cancer. I grabbed a platter of Fried Fish over Rice from the Halal Cart on 5th Ave (between 21st & 20th St). They had three different rices. A brown one, a light yellow one and a bright saffron yellow one. The light yellow had some vegetables and the rice had big granules.

Overall a decent plate of fish and rice. The guy also tossed on some chicken. Same thing happened with the two people ordering fish ahead of me. Isn’t that a little presumptuous?  Maybe it’s just the company I keep, but usually I assume most fish eaters are pescatarian (vegetarian except for fish/seafood). Most of my friends would have freaked if someone threw chicken on their fish/vegetarian platter.

I took it back to Madison Square Park and sat with all the young folk on the lawn, where they have the new Echo sculpture. It’s surreal sitting next to it. A lot of people taking photos and everyone else acting like it doesn’t exist.

I took a Fatbooth photo of Echo.
The%20Echo%20Sculpture%20 %20Madison%20Square%20Park%20NYC%20Fatbooth Halal Food Cart 5th Ave and 21st St

Full story »

Mia Zee Halal Cart’s Chicken Biryani

This is that street cart Chicken Biryani I was talking about before. See, looks just like Chicken over Rice. Maybe it is mixed up and has ground pepper on it. This was $6. I think Chicken over Rice is $5. Taste decent for Chicken over Rice though, but maybe just order Chicken over Rice? …5th Ave and 25th St.

01 Chicken Biryani Mia Zee Halal Cart Mia Zee Halal Carts Chicken Biryani

Full story »

I Really Like Rafiqi’s on Six!

I’ve always been hesitant to go to a Rafiqi’s Halal Street Cart. I always think of them as the chain… the McDonald’s of NY Street Carts. But after walking around for an hour in the cold rain, I decided to get the Rafiqi’s (on Avenue of America’s/6th Ave between W 19th & 20th St) lamb & chicken over rice $5.50. I got a little bit of all the toppings (corn, cheese, olives, green peppers, onions) …all free, same price. And of course the green hot sauce everyone in front of me was asking extra of. Dang. This one meal was great! Reminded me of the $8 Chicken Bowl in Gainesville, Florida. I don’t think they exist any more, but it was that good.

I had it again a couple days later with just chicken over rice $4.75. I never get just chicken. I always think it’s too bland. But these guys do it good.

And just today, I tried the Rafiqi’s on Park Ave and 24th. It looked like the same food. Same Toppings, same price, but unfortunately not the same flavor. Dang, not all Rafiqi’s are equal. But here’s to the one on 6th Ave and 19th St! Green sauce it!

Other thoughts: Halal with cheese? Is that illegal?

Rafiqis Halal Cart Lamb and Chicken over Rice I Really Like Rafiqis on Six!

Full story »