The Halal Guys Now in The Philippines

Congratulations Jaime and Chris Daez on the launch of Halal Guys.

The wait is over. Filipino fans have every reason to celebrate because the iconic American-Halal street food franchise has arrived in Manila.

Anyone who has been to the Big Apple would agree that the experience of traveling to New York is never complete without a visit to the world famous food cart. There’s nothing like marveling at the magnanimity of New York’s local scene while enjoying a hot platter of the delicious halal meat generously covered in their inimitable sauces. No matter the weather, the food cart gathers foodies from all over, who are more than willing to wait in line for the exotic yet mysteriously comforting fare. But there’s no need to take a trip to New York’s 53rd and 6th any time soon, because The Halal Guys are set to open their first international location here in the Philippines, with their first store at 5L, Mega Food Hall, SM Megamall.

Heart2Heart is so excited to see the Halal guys !! The guys behind the famous food truck in New York City.

The Halal Guys started in 1990, when founding partners, Muhammed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed, opened a hotdog cart on West 53rd and 6th avenue. Due to the demand for quick and affordable Halal street food, specifically from the Muslim cab drivers, they decided to convert their cart into the city’s first Halal Street Food cart. Since then, the Halal Guys has steadily become the largest and most beloved American halal street food concept in the world.

Going Global

Currently, there are 5 food carts and 2 brick-and-mortar restaurants in New York. With the support of franchising giant, Fransmart, the brand is expanding across the US and around the world. The first stores that opened outside of New York, are Chicago and Costa Mesa, California. Plans are underway to open stores in Houston Texas, Philadelphia and Washington DC, among others. The Halal Guys, which has been dubbed as the next big thing in fast, casual dining, is also expanding globally, with the Philippines as its first international location. Other international franchise locations that are in the pipeline, include Malaysia, South Korea and Toronto.

I was so touched listening to the Halal Guys and Jaime when they spoke, truly a dream come true! “Whenever I’m in New York, I make it a point to eat at The Halal Guys. I’m a huge fan,” Jaime Daez, the man responsible for bringing in the world-famous food cart shares enthusiastically. Their food tastes great! I don’t know of any other restaurant in New York that offers that kind of value for money.” “According to Yelp, The Halal Guys is the highest rated restaurant in New York. I am very excited to bring that same experience to Manila.” Manila can anticipate a complete experience of the wildly popular menu. The very same menu offered in the famous New York food carts and brick-and-mortar shops, and the same menu that made The Halal Guys famous worldwide. This includes everything from the rice platters (chicken, gyro, combos) to sandwiches (chicken, gyro, combos); from falafels down to their iconic white sauce and hot sauce. Manila can anticipate a complete experience of the wildly popular menu. The very same menu offered in the famous New York food carts and brick-and-mortar shops, and the same menu that made The Halal Guys famous worldwide. This includes everything from the rice platters (chicken, gyro, combos) to sandwiches (chicken, gyro, combos); from falafels down to their iconic white sauce and hot sauce.

Chicken Over Rice

Chicken Sandwich

Gyro Over Rice

Gyro Sandwich

Combo Over Rice

Falafel Over Rice

Falafel Sandwich

Combo over rice at Halal Guys – Yummy!

And as Jaime Daez recommends, make sure you put lots of the white sauce

The Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Michael Klecheski and his wife Eloisa were at the opening of Halal Guys. I was so happy when Eloisa told me she reads my blog . She heard about it from Sasa and Richard since they lived in Moscow too for 3 years. After which they lived in Kazahkstan for 2 years and now in Manila