The Halal Guys Sets Up Shop On Atlanta's Buford Highway

In the early 1990s, the proprietors of The Halal Guys operated a hot dog-focused New York City street cart with one location on the corner of West 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Midtown. However, The Halal Guys quickly discovered a market for takeout halal food. Since then, the business has flourished into a wide-reaching national brick-and-mortar chain with 200 locations worldwide. The Halal Guys offer fast-casual American Halal Food, which is essentially a new category that blends savory Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. One of the newest locations recently opened its doors on Buford Highway in Atlanta in January.

Start by choosing between a sandwich or platter. The next decision is the protein: chicken, beef gyro, combo, or falafel. I chose the platter of falafel, which the staff topped with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, rice, cheese, pita slices, and sauce. Each bite and combination of ingredients was packed with zesty and spicy sauces.

The Halal Guys sauces are famous in their own right. The proprietary "White Sauce" (the recipe remains secret) is creamy and smooth yet tangy, while the "Red Sauce" is spicy. The two pair perfectly together and complement either the meat or falafel. The lettuce and tomatoes add a fresh crunch.

If you are still somehow hungry after finishing your meal, order the flaky baklava pastry, which is sweet, sticky, and filled with chopped nuts. We encourage you to save room for dessert!