Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Halal cart chicken and rice is sliced grilled chicken thigh over yellow turmeric rice with lettuce, tomato, white sauce and chilli sauce. A New York City street-food default since 1990.
The Halal Guys opened a single hot-dog cart at 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in 1990. The three Egyptian founders (Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed) switched to halal-prepared chicken and gyro within months to serve the area's Muslim taxi drivers. The yellow rice, the chopped grilled chicken, the lettuce shred and the chilli-and-white-sauce squeeze bottles all set the template that every halal cart in the city has copied since. The original cart still operates from the same corner; the company now franchises globally, but the editorial answer remains the cart.
4 editor picks for Halal cart chicken and rice in New York City, ranked by editorial score. All New York City signature dishes · Halal cart chicken and rice across every city.
The Halal Guys cart at 53rd and 6th has served halal chicken and rice in Midtown New York City since 1990. At W 53rd Street and 6th Avenue New York.
OrderChicken and rice with white sauce
TipThe original cart sits on the southwest corner; a second cart on the southeast corner is the same kitchen. The line is shorter at the southeast.
King Souvlaki of Astoria has grilled pork and chicken souvlaki on a Queens corner cart in New York City since 2006. Open tue-sun 12:00-22:00.
OrderPork souvlaki pita
TipOrder pork souvlaki on a pita, fries inside the pita. The chicken is well-cooked; the pork is the better cut.
Sammy's Halal cart on Broadway in Jackson Heights, New York City has served Bangladeshi-style biryani and grilled chicken since 2001. Open daily 10:00-22:00.
OrderChicken biryani over rice
TipCash only at the cart. Ask for extra green sauce; the bright cilantro version is the menu's hidden detail.
The 53rd and 6th late-night cart corner is a New York City institution: three carts side by side, the Halal Guys and two rivals, feeding bar crowds.
OrderLate-night chicken and rice
TipOrder from whichever cart has the shortest line; the three menus are nearly identical at this hour.
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