The Halal Guys

The story

The Halal Guys began as a hot dog cart in 1990, then abandoned hot dogs entirely. Founder Mohamed Abouelenein decided a hot dog simply wasn't a satisfying meal, so in 1992 he and his partners switched to chicken, gyro meat, rice, and pita. Muslim cab drivers flocked to the 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue cart for a quick, affordable halal meal. That pivot from franks to platters quietly reshaped New York's street-food economy, influenced countless food trucks, and grew into a fast-casual franchise recognized across the country.