Source: The News & Observer

Kawaguchiko, Japan – Triangle residents can now enjoy a taste of authentic New York City street food as The Halal Guys, the renowned fast-casual halal food chain, has officially opened its doors in Cary. This marks the brand’s first venture into the Triangle market and its second North Carolina location following last year’s successful Charlotte opening.

New York Street Food Finds a Carolina Home

The new restaurant is situated at 2000 Boulderstone Way in Stone Creek Village shopping center, joining an impressive lineup of established eateries including Tazza Kitchen, Red Bowl Asian Bistro, and Chick-Fil-A. The restaurant’s interior design pays homage to its Big Apple roots with distinctive elements like subway tiles, manhole cover accents, and industrial-style polished concrete flooring.

“We’re excited to introduce our signature halal platters and gyros to Cary’s diverse community,” said Margaret Carrera, chief development officer of The Halal Guys. “Our authentic New York street food experience has resonated with food lovers across the country, and we’re confident Triangle residents will embrace our unique offerings.”

The Halal Guys joins a growing trend of New York-inspired dining establishments making their way to the Triangle region. H&H Bagels, one of the most celebrated bagel brands from NYC, recently announced plans to open five locations throughout the area. Meanwhile, downtown Raleigh’s Union Station welcomed a New York-style delicatessen with the opening of Union Station Deli and Catering at 510 W. Martin Street.

A Menu Built on Halal Traditions

The restaurant’s menu showcases a variety of customizable platters and sandwiches featuring proteins like beef gyro, chicken, chicken wings, spicy barbecue chicken, and falafel. Customers can personalize their meals with an array of toppings and signature sauces, including the chain’s famous white sauce, hot sauce, smoky barbecue sauce, and hot chili sauce. Additional toppings range from classics like onions and green peppers to jalapenos and olives, with hummus available as an add-on.

For those with a sweet tooth, The Halal Guys offers traditional baklava alongside innovative fusion desserts such as baklava cheesecake and chocolate baklava cheesecake. Classic chocolate chip cookies round out the dessert options.

Understanding Halal Dining

For those unfamiliar with halal dining concepts, the term “halal” is Arabic for “permitted” or “lawful” and extends beyond simple dietary practices. According to the American Halal Foundation, while the concept encompasses many aspects of Islamic life, in food service it primarily refers to meat and poultry slaughtered according to Islamic law with an emphasis on humane treatment of animals.

Halal certification ensures that meat products never come into contact with prohibited items like pork, alcohol, or other “haram” (unlawful) substances during any stage of processing, storage, or transportation. Beyond meat products, many other foods can be classified as halal, including seafood, baked goods, desserts, beverages, fruits, and honey-based products.

The Halal Guys maintains strict adherence to halal standards, using meats certified by multiple respected organizations including the Halal Food Council U.S.A., Islamic Society of North America, Halal Monitoring Board, and the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of Canada.

Part of Triangle’s Evolving Food Scene

The arrival of The Halal Guys represents another chapter in the Triangle’s increasingly diverse culinary landscape. Recent months have seen several notable restaurant developments across the region, including the expansion of popular local pizzeria Oakwood Pizza Box into a historic Raleigh location and the announcement that a beloved Raleigh restaurant concept will soon open a Durham outpost.

For Triangle residents seeking authentic halal dining options, The Halal Guys’ combination of New York street food heritage and commitment to halal traditions offers a distinctive addition to the local fast-casual scene.

Original Articles:

newsobserver.com. (n.d.). This famous halal food chain has opened its first Triangle restaurant. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article305250276.html