The Halal Guys Facebook photo.

The Halal Guys, the fast casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern-style chicken, beef and vegetable dishes, has opened its newest location in the recently renovated historic Hamilton Court at 39th and Chestnut. The grand opening for the University City location is set for this Saturday, March 23rd from 11 a.m. – 4 a.m.

This is the fourth Philadelphia location opened by local franchise owners Jung Ahn and Naveen Mohiuddin, who also operate locations in Chinatown, King of Prussia and Northeast Philadelphia. 

The restaurant’s dishes are served with lettuce and tomatoes over rice in platters and as foiled-wrapped pita sandwiches. Famous for its white sauce and hot and BBQ sauce drizzled over its food, all of The Halal Guys dishes (with the exception of the vegetarian options) feature high quality and responsibly sourced halal meat.

The Halal Guys began in 1990, when founding partners Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed opened up a hot dog cart on West 53rd and 6th Avenue in New York City. As business grew, they recognized a huge demand from Muslim cab drivers looking for a halal food meal and decided to offer a platter of chicken and gyro over rice instead of hot dogs. Nearly three decades later, there are over 200 The Halal Guys franchises located across the globe.

The first 100 guests will receive a free platter at tomorrow’s grand opening event, and there will be other specials and prizes. Check out this Facebook event page for more info.