A rural Missouri Stuckey’s has transformed from a traditional roadside stop into an unlikely destination for Muslim travelers by adding halal burgers and biryani to its menu. This location near Doolittle represents part of a broader expansion, with only about 60 Stuckey’s stores remaining from what was once a dominant road trip chain with hundreds of locations. 

Meeting an Unserved Market Need

The initiative began when co-owner Shabaz Raza noticed a clear gap in the market. “People stopped at our stores to ask, is there any halal food? Is there any halal food? They would buy salads, you know, but they wouldn’t buy anything else,” Raza explained. Recognizing both the need and business opportunity, he and his partners have now brought halal food to 10 Stuckey’s stores across the country and several other gas stations through their food group, Turbo Joe’s Fresh Foods, with positive and profitable results.

Serving a Diverse Customer Base

The store has attracted multiple customer segments beyond traditional roadside travelers. Truck driver Mohammad Paras, who delivers across the West Coast, explained the challenge: “I cannot go in the city because I’m driving a truck. I’m always on the highway. Normally, I had to eat plain cheese pizza because I cannot eat pepperoni and that kind of stuff if it’s not halal.”

International students from the nearby University of Missouri Science and Technology have also become regulars, with almost all of the store’s DoorDash orders coming from university students. The location has evolved into a social hub where students gather in the evenings for chai and samosas.

Authentic Cuisine and Cross-Cultural Appeal

The menu features freshly prepared dishes made by cooks Teddy Goud and Ritu Rani, including traditional biryani prepared with marinated chicken and layered with spiced rice. The authentic preparation has attracted customers beyond the Muslim community, with one family ordering 20 samosas twice weekly.

Operational Challenges and Solutions

Operating a 24/7 halal kitchen requires separate ovens, air fryers and grills to keep halal meats separate from bacon, and when inventory runs low, the store manager makes the hour-and-a-half drive to St. Louis to source halal meat from Middle Eastern and desi grocery stores.

The expansion reflects the broader demographics of America’s trucking industry, where immigrants make up about 18% of truck drivers according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a sizable number coming from India and the Middle East.

This innovative approach demonstrates how traditional American roadside businesses are adapting to serve the country’s increasingly diverse traveling population while creating new revenue streams.

Original Article:

Kuziez, U. (2025, August 6). New halal menu is a hit at Stuckey’s roadside stops. KUOW. https://www.kuow.org/stories/new-halal-menu-is-a-hit-at-stuckey-s-roadside-stops