Popular New Hampshire Restaurant Doubles Size Less Than Year After Opening

The Halal Spot on South Willow Street in Manchester is expanding into the space next door to create a lounge for customers to gather, less than a year after opening. The restaurant has taken over an additional 1,492 square foot storefront previously occupied by Fast Sign, transforming their dining experience significantly.

Meeting Community Needs Beyond Food

Being one of the few Halal restaurants in New Hampshire, the owners set aside a space in the back for a Muslim prayer room. Owner Sip Woodod explained that the prayer room was added after Muslim customers asked if they had a place to pray, noting “As Muslims we are required to pray five times at a particular time of day.”

The expansion addresses practical needs as well. “The reaction has been phenomenal, sometimes to the point where the lobby feels crowded,” Woodod said, explaining his decision to expand when the adjacent space became available.

Creating a Community Hub

The new 60-seat space is designed as a lounge-like environment where customers can study, hold meetings, or simply relax. Family oriented games like Jenga and Uno are available, and the restaurant is adding coffee and desserts to create a safe space to be able to come and hangout.

The restaurant, operated by the family behind USA Chicken and Biscuit (with locations in Manchester, Nashua and Salem), opened in November and serves New York-style street food including rice bowls, smash burgers, and naan wraps.

California Burrito Also Expanding in Manchester

Further down South Willow, California Burrito is also expanding, taking over the former Firehouse Subs location that closed in June 2023. The New Hampshire chain, owned by Raul Cabrera, is known for its namesake burritos and traditional Salvadoran dishes like pupusa.

Broader Restaurant Movement in Manchester

The expansions reflect broader changes in Manchester’s dining scene, with new establishments like Zizza Pizza opening in the former Little Caesars spot at North Side Plaza, and Raices Authentic Mexican Cuisine adding outdoor seating at their Pine Island Plaza location.

These developments demonstrate how halal restaurants are not only meeting dietary requirements but also creating comprehensive community spaces that serve both religious and social needs for Muslim families and the broader community.

Original Article:

Union Leader. (2025, August 6). The Halal Spot adds space for dining, prayer room in Manchester; California Burrito also expanding. Union Leader. https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/new_business/the-halal-spot-adds-space-for-dining-prayer-room-in-manchester-california-burrito-also-expanding/article_1a5875ba-a228-49a5-afae-6c25cfbcab03.html