If you are in New York City and are craving for some of the delicious street foods the metropolis has to offer, then you should try this popular option.
All you need to do is take a walk or ride a cab to the corner of 53rd Street and 6th Avenue in the borough of Manhattan and voila – you see a food cart with guys wearing yellow shirts, busily attending to a long line of eager customers.
Halal Chicken and Rice NYC on 53rd and 6th – About “The Halal Guys: Gyro and Chicken”
This street food cart is not like any other meal stops in the city. It is said to sell the best chicken and rice meal in the whole of New York City! This will principally explain the ridiculously extensive waiting line for the cart.
Men in Yellow Busy Making the Famous New York Chicken and Rice
“The Halal Guys: Gyro and Chicken” is the proper name of the business. However, many people prefer to call it “The Platter”, “The Chicken Guy”, “Gyro Spot” or “Chicken and Rice”.
It is exactly located at the intersection of 6th Avenue and West 53rd Street in Manhattan.
This simple food cart has become a landmark in New York City. Tourists and locals flock to the area, especially at dinner time.
A huge percentage of them probably are repeat customers. The street cart has been in the vicinity for years, and is constantly attracting the masses with its best tasting gyro and chicken servings.
Halal Chicken of New York City – What to Expect
Salad Layer of Rice Topped with Shredded Chicken and Pita Bread – White Sauce Yet to be Added
What makes this cart so popular is not only the salivating smell that emanates from it, but also the distinctive taste of the food on the platter.
The favorite food they serve is a meal with chicken, juicy roasted lamb, pita bread, rice and salad.
The platter only costs $6 each, so it is definitely an affordable and stomach filling dinner option.
Here is what you get as a part of the platter: Salad (lettuce and tomatoes), a layer of rice topped with a layer of shredded chicken (or lamb or a combination of both), pieces of pita bread and your choice of sauces (white, red or barbecue, or any combination). You can buy soda or water at a nominal additional cost.
The Secret Sauce of Tasty Halal Chicken and Rice of New York City – White Sauce
A huge part of the secret to the delectable dish is the white sauce that comes with it, which tastes like creamy yogurt and complements the taste of the meal perfectly.
There are also two other sauces, the barbecue sauce and the red sauce.
The red sauce, as customer reviews aptly describe, is one of the spiciest and hottest things you would ever taste! So you need to be extra careful in the amount of red sauce you sprinkle your meal with, and not to mistake it with the barbecue sauce for your tongue’s safety.
The Halal Guys: Gyro and Chicken of New York City – Operating Time
Today, the Halal Guys already have four carts in the area. The original cart, situated right in front of the Hilton, is open from 7pm to 4am.
The second cart, which is right across the street from the previous cart in the southeast corner of the location, is open both at daytime and nighttime, opening at 10 am and extending until 5 am. So if you want to try out the meal at lunchtime, this cart will be available for you.
The third cart is at the southwest corner of 7th avenue, serving at noon.
The fourth, which has been added recently to the line of carts, is at the corner of 52nd Street and 6th Avenue.
Of the four, the most famous and phenomenal in terms of customer patronage and waiting lines, is the original cart which opens at dusk till dawn.
The Halal Guys: Gyro and Chicken Street Cart – How to Reach
The Halal Guys – Their Uniform
You can always take a taxi to 53rd and 6th. But if you want to travel by train, here are your options:
- Take the B, D or E subway trains to the 7th Avenue stop
- Take N, Q or R trains to the 49th Street or 57th Street / 7th Avenue stop
- Take the F train to the 57th Street stop
- Take the 1 train to the 50th Street stop
- Take the E or M trains to the 5th Avenue / 53rd Street stop
New York Chicken and Rice – Tips to Beat the Lines
New York Chicken and Rice Street Cart – Long Line for The Halal Guys
If you want to try their food but want to avoid the long lines beside its night cart, you should go early – ahead of its opening hours.
Weekends are also their busiest – that is the time when the lines are the longest.
But even if you encounter a long line, there is no need to worry, because the line moves pretty fast – thanks to the efficiency and systematic service of the men in yellow.
You just have to spend half an hour enjoying the cityscape or even mingling with the people beside you while waiting for your turn.
New York Halal Chicken and Rice – Things to Avoid
You need to be warned, however, that due to the impeccable reputation of this New York City chicken and rice street cart on 53rd street and 6th avenue, there are imposters lurking around the other parts of New York City.
The Typical Yellow Plastic Bag of The Halal Guys
They are feeding on the cart’s fame and are able to fool some people to believe that their gyro is the same as the original Halal’s.
Beware! Though the lines are shorter, you are not getting the same thing!
So how do you know if the chicken cart is the real deal? Of course, the exact location is a great determinant, since they have been stationed there for years.
You can also look at their signature yellow bags. Imposters don’t offer the same when you order their food.
New York Chicken and Rice – Go For It Now!
So if you want to eat out and have street food, or want to enjoy a delicious cheap meal to go, don’t forget to try the Halal Chicken and Rice street cart at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue.
Dining on a budget has never been as delightful in New York City!
Other New York City Attractions Near The Halal Guys
- Central Park
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Times Square
- Rockefeller Center
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Broadway Shows
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