The Halal Guys Opens in Manila!

2013 is a highlight for me because the whole family went to NYC for the holidays. Our main agenda was to attend the New Year's Eve celebration, an epic, bucket list-worthy experience that I will nevereverever forget. Aside from that, we also went to other touristy / must-go-to spots like MOMA, the broadway, and the Empire State Building.

One of the New Yorker experience that we had was lining up and eating at The Halal Guys. 

The Halal Guys is a street food cart located at the 53rd St. and 6th Ave in New York City. They started in 1990 as a hotdog cart, however, founders Muhammed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed thought that hotdog was not satisfying so he switched to in-demand halal selections like chicken, gyro meat, rice, and pita - the ones currently served in their menu. 

And so, freezing during December in NYC, we ate on our foil plates generous servings of rice, falafel, pita and white sauce with the other tourists and locals.

But there's no need to take a trip to New York's 53rd and 6th any time soon, because The Halal Guys are set to open TOMORROW their first international location here in the Philippines, with their first store at 5L, Mega Food Hall, SM Megamall.

Went to the private event last week because I miss Halal Guys' Falafel! And yehey, because there's no need to lineup this time, hehehe.

“Whenever I'm in New York, I make it a point to eat at The Halal Guys. I'm a huge fan,” Jaime Daez, the man responsible for bringing in the world-famous food cart shares enthusiastically. “Their food tastes great! I don't know of any other restaurant in New York that offers that kind of value for money.”

I felt that the Philippines' servers and crew are all ready for the opening. Everyone's attentive, friendly, and fast - good service, in my experience.

And ang DAMI nila!

Buzz system so you can look for your seats while they prepare your food:


Manila can anticipate a complete experience of the wildly popular menu--the very same menu offered in the famous New York food carts and brick-and-mortar shops.

The Halal Guys Manila, Philippines Menu + Price List:

They offer different sizes of plates:


What I had: New York Size Falafel over rice with large Coke!

Kilig when I first took a bite! Brought so much NYC feels, I kept on texting Ate and Cea. Hope I can go back here with my sisters!

At the event with Sarah, Jackie, and Krissy:

In celebration of its grand opening in Manila on the 13th of October, The Halal Guys have a special treat in store for Filipino fans willing to brave the long lines! The Halal Guys will be giving the first 100 customers in line one free New York size chicken and gyro combo platter with a drink, all in the spirit of the famously long lines at the carts in New York City, and all in the hopes of assuring customers, that the wait is truly worth it.

For more information, like The Halal Guys Philippines on FACEBOOK, and follow @thehalalguysph on Instagram and Twitter.


PS: Aside from this stall in Megamall's new food court, I heard that The Halal Guys is opening a BGC High Street branch soon - in front of Fully Booked (same owner). I can't wait for that, it's like NYC food cart all-over again! :)