To be a true New Yorker you have to have a Gyro or Falafel sandwich from a street cart. This is one of the best you can get them from. If they aren't there, the guy on 87th and Broadway is great too. For some reason they have both been closing up earlier (before 6 PM), making take home for dinner not an option anymore :( read more

Came here to grab some lunch a couple of times. They don't put the salad on the plate till your order, which is something that I hate that the other carts do ... nothing's worse then a cold salad, well for me at least. There's a man and a women that's always in the cart, and both of them are very nice. Not to mention that the food is pretty good and decently priced as well. I'll probably be making quite a few more visits here while I'm living in NYC. P.S. If you love spicy foods, make sure you ask them for extra hot sauce ... just ask for extra white sauce while you're at it, it's just as delicious. read more

solid chicken over rice. Usually Red sauce is spicer but you can probably load it up bec it's not that spicy. idk if it's your normal halal food but it tasted pretty good. read more

I dream about going back to NYC because of this place. I'm serious. It's sad, but I don't think I will ever be able to eat at another halal eatery without comparing it to the delightful experience I had within his styrofoam box. I could cry of joy with every delectable, mouthwatering, nummy (yes I said nummy) bite. I'm talking about the Chicken and Rice plate- Hot, juicy seasoned chicken over a bed of yellow rice. The secret white sauce and secret red sauce to top it off (extra of both please). Side of lettuce and tomatoes to help cool off the spicy. MmmmmM... words cannot describe the taste, nor feeling I get from eating this... it just can't. Everybody needs to try a halal cart at least once in their life... make it a good one. In fact, make it this one. read more

I dream of flying back to New York just to eat at the Halal Carts. For a measly five dollars, you get a generous portion of rice, lamb, chicken, or beef, lettuce, and spices. My mouth is watering as I write this review and I'm on the verge of depression because I live in California and do not have the luxury to walk down the street and have access to these carts. I have yet to find anything comparable in CA. I tried the lamb and chicken plate. The chicken was a little dry but nothing extra hot sauce can't fix. The lamb on the other hand, was magnificent to say the least. This is the equivalent to steak and lobster when having drunken munchies. It might mot be everyone's cup of tea, but it definitely butters my biscuts! This could easily feed two people, but i dont reccommend it, INDULGE in the amazingness! I ate this two consecutive nights and tried to get it the last night I was in New York, but didn't for convenience reasons and I have never forgiven myself since. I envy New Yorkers so much because of these carts, BRING THIS TO CALI ASAP! read more

The trademark chicken on rice was pretty good. It was like some sort of a Mediterranean par-boiled pilaf rice. But it wasn't "Biryani" as some led me to believe. read more

I'm sad to say that the gentleman who used to tend to this truck is never there anymore. The new servers are less hygeinic with the food handling and I've gotten sick several times due to the lack of gloves and hand-washing. Avoid. read more

This is the place where i go when i'm in NY and need halal. It has yet to disappoint. Perhaps because it's my first experience and i loved it...but i have tried other places (namely 53rd and 6th) and found this to be my favorite! Combo is $5.50. The chicken and lamb are seasoned and cooked perfectly...the pieces of meat are a good size and retain flavor. The rice is plump and delicious...it comes with lettuce and the sauce (white and/or red). I've had it 4 times in my two visits to nyc and it stands as my favorite late night snack. i'm back in michigan...and drooling...and will probably drool all over my pillow thinking about how i can sneak back to NY for more halal. read more

Halal Cart - i just drooled on myself. - Food Stands Near Me - New York, New York

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I'm definitely coming back to NY just for the Halal Cart. It was soooooo good that I don't even know how to describe it. I've never had anything like it. And the price was cheap. read more

The Halal cart on 86 and Broadway is on par with most carts in the city. While it's not going to blow your socks off, it will definitely satisfy your late night craving for a gyro or chicken over rice. I tend to lean towards the chicken and rice. The staff has always been friendly and obliged my request for LOTS of red and white sauce. If you have some time on your hands or want a sit down meal, try Halal Guys on 95th and Amsterdam. A solid step up in terms of food and well worth the walk or short train ride. read more

My favorite Halal Food Cart, always love the lamb gyro. Ahmad takes pride in his work, unlike others in the neighborhood. Avoid the one at 86th and Columbus at all costs, the worst. read more

Not that good, really I have had better. 4am is no excuse for crappy halal. This truck needs to get in the game, I am going to try 77th and B'way. Thanks Andrew L. read more

just got a falafel wrap- so flavorful and hot ! can't beat it for $5! The white sauce is really nice and it's not too fried. Always quick and always great service. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for cheap eats/a quick bite near 86th read more

Absolutely delicious! There was a time when I was eating here too often - you can't beat the price, and the food is just delicious. I can't figure out what they put in the white sauce, but it's addicting. read more

I never know how I feel about Halal Carts because the food always smells so good but I'm unsure if my stomach can handle all of that. So I went out on a limb and decided try to eat at the Halal Cart because fuck it. To my surprise, my stomach could handle all of the food. It was delicious and it has a weird sensation of giving you a craving to get more. Maybe that's the secret to the success of Halal Carts. But anyway, when you mix the white sauce with the rice and meats, each spoonful tastes like a flavor bomb. If you're looking for a quick bite, I would definitely recommend trying the Halal Carts nearby sometime. I only give this three stars because I think this cart man charges more for his food than some others. Also, I haven't been able to compare this cart's food to the famous Halal Guys yet. But soon. read more

This particular cart was a block over from our hotel (Belnord) so you can imagine how often we ordered food here .... well, (based on my rating) it was pretty often. But any Halal cart will do. First of all, the gyro's were good and super chunky. They were really generous on the fillings but our ultimate favorite has to be the Chicken and Rice platter. WOW! I never knew something so simple of just chunks of grilled seasoned chicken over yellow rice & veggies topped with their yogurt and hot sauce could taste soooo good! Mmmm... I only wish they had a cart here in the bay, I've tried random places with similar recipes and.... NADA... doesn't fulfill that crave. At times, I think about planning a trip back to NYC just for Halal's Chicken & Rice.... for real!!! read more

Really can't go here anymore. The big fat guy who smokes that runs the joint is such a gruff asshole that I really can't give him anymore of my money. If you are in the 70's, there's actually a BETTER halal truck on 77th and B'way. Hands down fresher ingredients. Perhaps not quite as tasty, but it's definitely healthier, fresher, and the guy who works there with the long hair is super nice. read more

Fantastic food, and the best prices! My husband and I go at least once a week. The staff are super friendly, and the food is always incredibly satisfying. Highly recommend! My go to is the mixed gyro, and it never disappoints. Also they take credit cards, which is great if you're someone who doesn't carry cash frequently. read more

I have meals here all the time, and I have yet to be disappointed. I have eaten halal from many a halal cart, and this one has my favorite spice blend and has a very friendly owner. They are efficient, the ingredients are fresh, and the price is great. The perfect blend of street food and vegetables to make you feel less guilty about eating on the go! read more

Great food at great prices! I got the chicken rice plate. Was fresh, hot, and very affordable. Best halal cart in the city.

I prefer spots like this rather than the infamous 53rd and 6th carts. The lamb/chicken portions are similar but they're cut in bigger pieces so you get more flavor out of each bite. The rice isn't as grainy as the overcooked rice you get at 53rd and 6th. The white sauce is on par and the hot sauce has some kick but is bigger on flavor. The key here is that the hot sauce does not overpower the overall flavor of the meal. The salad also includes some broccoli and carrots. deLicious. read more

This has to be one of the best halal carts in NYC! 5 dollars for a lamb and rice plate, which is very reasonable. I've had bigger platters before, but it wasn't small at all. And the meat was perfectly cooked and in big, juicy chunks. read more

I went to Israel at the end of last year, and as a result became a bit of a falafel snob. I hadn't had falafel that good since I got back . . . until I found this place. One Wednesday night, after consuming beverages, some friends said that we HAD to go to the roach coach on 86th. It was maybe 2 AM, so of COURSE it was delicious. But it was so good that I decided I'd give the place a try in daylight. I have been to a lot of halal food stands, and eaten falafel at countless restaurants since I got back from Israel, and not just in New York. This is the ONLY PLACE I have found with falafel the way you get it in the Middle East. My friends said the gyros were really good too. I don't know what nights he's there late, but he's always been there around 2 AM on Wednesdays. If you're going to the Amsterdam Ave bars, this is your drunk food stop. If you're on a budget and sober, this is also your food stop. read more

I had a serious craving for Falafel and all I wanted was a large pita, filled with condiments, sauces, pickles, with tahina, yogurt sauce, falafel and topped with a few french fries- delish! My falafel "sandwich" got sort of close to what I was REALLY craving...it definitely filled my craving. The falafel was actually pretty good. The spicy sauce and condiments were good as well. It just doesn't compare to my Israeli falafel sandwich- oh well. I will be back though :) read more

This is my go to Falafel joint - $5 gets you something like 9 falafel balls over rice with lettuce, tomato, eggplant, onion and olives. Best $5 you can spend eating out - seriously. The quality is comparable to brick and mortar falafel joints around, but it is cheap (sandwich is $4 instead of 5-6 elsewhere) and pretty fast. I passed by this cart for a year, and am now utterly hooked. Update: One case of either food poisoning or unfortunately timed flu and I can't eat falafel anymore because of the association. Giving the second star because I got a lot of decent meals out of this cart, but it gets negative points for having a sketchy generator outage the night I got sick read more

One of the best halal carts in the city, in my opinion. They use lots of vegetables and the rice is very tasty. I have enjoyed their chicken and rice platter weekly for a while now. read more

While I pass by this cart on my way home from the 1 Train on a nearly daily basis, it took me 6 months to finally cave in. Now, of course, I am shamelessly addicted to their lamb and rice plate. Like any good user, I've got my friends hooked as well. Seriously, this might be the best $5 dinner you'll ever have - it's certainly the best street halal I've had in NYC. Their falafel ain't bad either. read more

One of the best Halal carts around. The people are great, and they don't skimp on the portions or rush you like at other places. It's clear they love what they do and put effort into every person's meal. This is my definition of real hustling New Yorkers and NYC comfort food. read more

Fairly clean!!! Only once had a bad meal...when I went without my Indian boyfriend (who is obsessed with their falafel). A guy threw a bunch of weird things in my falafel over rice- like leftovers from the fryer. I stopped going for a while but always look to see who was there. The perpetrator is gone so i gave it another try. I had fresh grilled beef kabab over rice this week -- since my boyfriend "needs space" and stopped coming over.... Nice to have some fast street food in this god forsaken neighborhood. read more

Better than 53rd and 6th. Believe me, I just had both in the same day. Just came back from a chicken/lamb combo at the famous stand, and I still love this one. Sure, the portions are a bit smaller, but really, at a price as low as 5 bucks, quality beats quantity for street food, and the quantity is still generous. I'm taking a two week stay in New York for a class, and every day on the walk back to my temporary apartment I stop at this place. The lamb over rice has become my regular, I don't even need to say it, the guy just sees me and makes it. The lamb is FULL of flavor, very meaty, with a good dose of black pepper (compounded by the hot sauce he puts on it, I always ask for extra). The chicken is good too, but sometimes it can be a bit dry. If it's your first time, get the combo to learn your favorite. It's the kind of food where every bite is better than the last, unlike 53rd and 6th where they just give you giant heaps of flavorless meat gravel to smother in white sauce. Make sure to keep the lettuce separate from the rest of the food so it doesn't heat up nastily. Every few bites, have a nice, cool mouthful of green. It doesn't sound appealing, just shredded iceberg, but it really is a nice touch. All in all, I love this little stand. The guy isn't too friendly, but really, people who complain about that need to get a grip. He's there to provide you with cheap culinary magic, not to be your friend. God knows how I'll survive without this stuff when I go back to Virginia. read more

Make sure you really can eat spicy things before you ask them to add spicy sauce.... it was like really hot. read more

I've had gyros in Athens and elsewhere in the Eastern Med but these a r e the best. This guy really is an artist. My wife says it was one of our best meals in the city. He made her a happy woman and that makes me a happy man. read more

This is my neighborhood Halal Cart and it's AWESOME. I can't tell you how many satisfying $5 meals I've had at this Halal Cart. For $5, you can get a huge and delicious chicken over rice meal or a lamb over rice or a combination of the two. They also have great gyros and some of the cheapest hot dogs on the Upper West Side at $1. (Even cheaper than Gray's Papaya). They cook everything fast and it comes plentiful, steaming hot, and delicious. They have so many options. The rice is wonderful. I love the hot sauce and the tahini they give you with everything. One of the best things is that this place probably never closes. I've been there at night, in the middle of the night, in the morning, and in the afternoon, and I always see them there. If you go to Lincoln Center or Verdi Square looking for Halal late at night, you'll be disappointed. They all leave suspiciously early. But this one stays strong on 86th st all night. They're reliable. They're delicious. They're cheap. They're filling. What else can you ask for in a meal? read more

Worst customer service experience today. The worker was rude and doesn't understand English and starts yelling. Just a bunch of dudes with a horrible attitude. Shame on you for not knowing customer service and patience is key. read more

Decent halal cart that has gotten better over time. The food tends to be on the bland side so make sure you go for the white and hot sauce, which is relatively mild as hot sauces go. Sometimes the chicken can be dry - I've found it's better on a pita than over rice. I usually go for the falafel, which they always prepare to order. After you go a few times they'll recognize you and give you extra without you asking. Definitely not worh going out of your way for, but acceptable if you're in the neighborhood and craving halal. read more

Not recommended for falafel - $5 for a very skimpy sandwich I finished in four bites... guess I've been spoiled by more substantial and tasty offerings near work (Midtown) and friendlier purveyors. read more

as good a cheap Gyro as you can find in the neighborhood, but i don't see what the big hub-bub is...I wasn't blown away.