The Halal Guys

The Chicken and Rice cart by Rockefeller Center is pretty much a NYC institution.  This is not the same as all the other street meat carts you see all over NYC.  This cart is run by the Halal Guys. Yes that's right - they even have a website!

 

More commonly known as Chicken and Rice, these guys are located on the corner of 53rd street and 6th ave 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Which corner specifically you ask?  Just look for the corner with the long line (and there is always a line!).

My view from the back of the line...

This line moves very fast though, so don't be intimidated!  And while you're waiting on line, you can think about what you want to order.  Well, to be honest, I'm not really sure what they offer as I've never seen a menu but I'm pretty sure your choices are either chicken or lamb (or mix of both if you can't choose!), and either in a platter (with rice, salad, and pita) or a sandwich.

When you get to the front of the line, its pretty amazing to see just how much food they prepare on the cart and just how efficient their system is.  With one guy taking orders and at least three guys manning the primary cart, this is definitely a well oiled machine. 

All the employees working the primary cart!

Lots of food ready to be served

Look at all the platters in the corner pre-filled with salad just waiting for the next order

Seconds after placing your order (that'll be a Chicken and Rice platter for me!) and passing over your money ($6 for the platter), your hot platter is placed into your hands within seconds and you are hustled out of line.  While they include small to-go containers of their yogurt sauce and hot sauce, make sure to walk to their sauce bar for extra sauce - conveniently located on a shelf on the side of a scaffolding!

Extra yogurt and hot sauce on the side

If you are looking to grab a drink, the Halal Guys have a full beverage cart just a couple feet away from the primary cart.

Beverage cart!

After you get your food and sauces, as you cross the street to the other side you'll notice these lonely and rogue looking chicken and rice carts - believe it or not, they are actually the Halal Guy's secondary carts that are cooking and prepping the next batch so that there will be no interruption in service!

Halal Guy's secondary cart just for prepping and cooking

And once you get home (or find a seat near the cart), grab a big glass of water and start digging away!  It doesn't look like much, but the flavors are unlike anything else.  Fragrant, satisfying, and food coma-inducing!

Piggy says Yes!

Thanks or reading - Piggy KK