The Halal Guys, the New York City-based street cart turned cultural phenomenon, opens its first Austin location at 2915 Guadalupe Street on July 15. The grand opening will feature live disc jockey performances, a raffle to win free food for a month, free platters for the first 100 guests, and swag giveaways from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Serving New Yorkers for more than 25 years, The Halal Guys bring its signature platters, sandwiches, and famous white and hot sauce to The Drag. Offering honest and approachable food, The Halal Guys has grown from its humble street cart roots to a globally renowned and celebrated fast-casual brand that boasts a cult following from coast to coast.

With an ethos of straightforward and sincere food, The Halal Guys offers a well-edited selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired dishes featuring halal certified chicken, gyro beef or falafel, served as a Pita Sandwich or Platter with rice, pita, lettuce and tomatoes. Since opening, the menu has broadened to include delicious signature sides like Fries, Hummus and Tahini and a traditional Baklava for dessert.

“The venture to Austin has been a long-time coming as we think the city aligns perfectly with The Halal Guys brand,” says Ron Steele, Director of Operations for The Halal Guys Austin. “Our carts have become iconic in New York City and we’re thrilled to bring the joy of our food to the west campus neighborhood.”

The Halal Guys legend began in 1990, when the three founding partners opened a hot dog cart on West 53rd & 6th Avenue in New York City. As business grew, they recognized a huge demand from Muslim cab drivers looking for a halal food meal. That is when the famous platter of chicken and gyro over rice was born. From humble beginnings as a New York City hot dog cart to a world-renowned international restaurant chain, The Halal Guys story is the quintessential American Dream. Fast-forward 25 years and millions of diverse customers served, The Halal Guys look to share American Halal Food all over the country and the world.

Today, the dishes are well-loved for its simplicity by locals, tourists and cabbies alike, often synonymous with lines spanning across the avenues in New York City every day of the week. In recent years, The Halal Guys have expanded with over 200 locations in development across the United States, Canada, and Southeast Asia.