One of New York City’s most beloved food carts will soon serve up Middle Eastern fare in Boston.

The Halal Guys, an NYC street food staple for more than 25 years, will open its first Boston location in July at 137 Stuart St., according to a press release. After that, the company said it will continue its expansion in the Greater Boston area by opening restaurants in the Financial District, the West End near TD Garden, the Back Bay, Downtown Crossing, and Porter Square in Cambridge, with more coming in the future. Unlike its New York City restaurants, which are a mix of brick-and-mortar locations and street carts, every Halal Guys in Boston will be brick-and-mortar.


The Halal Guys’s arrival in Boston has been a long time coming. The company first began exploring franchising options in 2014, when it announced a partnership with franchising consulting firm Fransmart, the same company that helped Qdoba expand and took Five Guys from a four-location burger spot in Virginia to a nationwide chain with more than 1,200 restaurants. In December 2015, The Halal Guys COO Mike Speck told Boston.com that the company was still finalizing locations, but hoped to open soon.

A dish from The Halal Guys. —The Halal Guys

“After 25 years, five carts, two New York City restaurants, and millions of diverse customers served, The Halal Guys is growing yet again,” said Imran Asghar, Halal Guys Boston franchisee, in the statement. “I’m thrilled about expanding The Halal Guys brand and introducing it to the city of Boston! Fans of The Halal Guys and great halal food no longer have to be in New York to experience their unique cuisine and casual dining experience.”

The Halal Guys helped pioneer what the company calls “American Halal Food,” which features plates of chicken, beef, and lamb on beds of rice with pita bread, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, jalapeños, green peppers, and a choice of several sauces, as well as fries, hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabouleh.


The company has not yet announced specific opening dates for any of its Boston area locations, but did register The Halal Guys Boston Facebook and Instagram pages, which should have updates as they come.