“Street Meat” is defined as a variety of meat sold by a street vendor. In reality, it is so much more than that.
In New York City, street meat has become one of the most accessible foods- whether it be for your Tuesday 12 PM lunch, quick pick up dinner on the way home, or that 2 AM Saturday morning meal you inevitably regret. There are countless vendors from FiDi to Queens but one name has become synonymous with the infamous dish, the Halal Guys!
For over 25 years now the three partners who started as hot dog vendors have expanded their carts so successfully that they have now been able to open up 2 restaurants and look to expand nationwide. Not an easy feat for a street meat vendor but not a shock to anyone that’s been before either. The Halal Guys take what can be viewed as an unattractive dish, even the name “street meat” is questionable, and turn it into what could be called a delicatessen.
The reason the Halal Guys make 6 figures is that this plate of street meat is absolutely delicious.
Above you see “The Combo”: chicken, gyro, and falafel over a bed of rice. It’s called the combo because all 3 available meats are on the plate. All plates are served with warm pita and the magic that is white sauce. The white sauce is the secret that makes this already tasty dish, as good as it is. The gyro is very well seasoned and the falafel as great as all falafel is. The chicken is a bit dry but forgiven when mixed with the sauce. All that’s missing is a veggie (only served with iceberg lettuce) to make it one of the most comprehensive meals you can have here, especially at the price ($7). If you are looking to get just one meat- get the gyro and have as traditional of a plate as you can. If you are a fan of spicy, their Hot Sauce is known for its incredible kick and I recommend taking this one drip at a time as it is very hot.
Foods in the city can oftentimes be overhyped, especially in the Times Square area, but the Halal Guys are an iconic food staple even a native New Yorker will recommend time and time again. Don’t forget to ask for extra white sauce!
