The Halal Guys, a fast-casual franchise, celebrated its grand opening in New Rochelle at 23 Lecount Pl. on Friday, Oct. 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the city's Chamber of Commerce.
The restaurant serves authentic halal food like chicken, gyro, and falafel platters and is the first to open in New Rochelle's newly-created "Vanguard District," an area focused around Anderson Plaza and bounded by North Avenue, LeCount Place, Main Street, and Huguenot Street.
The district is planned to be a "vibrant hub" of retail, dining, and entertainment meant to attract visitors and offer more incentives for businesses to come to the city.
The new Halal Guys locale's owners, Joe Hafez, Mohammed Rashad, Nazmul Huda, and Zia Huda, expressed excitement to be opening in New Rochelle.
"This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from our city officials and the Chamber of Commerce, who have been instrumental in helping us spread the word. We are grateful for their partnership and excited to bring our beloved flavors to the community," said Hafez, continuing, "We look forward to serving delicious meals and becoming a cherished part of New Rochelle!"
To make the interior a bit more interesting, the restaurant boasts a "special design concept" telling the story of The Halal Guys brand, including subway tiles, manhole covers, and polished concrete floors to "create an urban, concrete jungle vibe," Chamber of Commerce officials said.
The eatery also features a mural depicting the New York City skyline.
As for the food, the New Rochelle locale will feature a new menu item: Halal Guys Chicken Wings, which are prepared to "golden crisp perfection" before being prepared with BBQ Sauce. Customers also have their choice of classic White or Red Sauce, Blended Herbal White Sauce, Smokey BBQ Sauce, or Hot Chili BBQ Sauce on the side.
The eatery will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will serve takeout, indoor dining, and catering.
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