The Halal Guys (53rd & 6th original cart)

The Halal Guys, W 53rd St & 6th Ave

Meat over rice drowned in white sauce, from a yellow cart

⚠ Watch for copycat carts

Hours

Mon-Thu 10:00-04:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-05:00 (carts may vary)

Budget

Platter $11-13

Address

Street cart at W 53rd St and 6th Ave

Started in 1990 as a hot-dog cart run by Egyptian immigrants, it grew on word of mouth among cab drivers. They lay yellow turmeric rice in a foil tray, add chopped chicken or beef gyro with lettuce and tomato, then pour on plenty of white sauce. There's no seating: people perch on the kerb by the cart or eat standing. It sits close to MoMA and Top of the Rock, so it's a common meal before or after either.