The Halal Guys

I recently moved and I’m new to the area. I had a late night craving for some halal. It was close to closing so i thought maybe they would be wrapping up early but they didn’t. I got my fix and they were nice. Food was amazing and it totally hit the spot.

Stopped by this Halal Guys for a quick dinner. There are plenty of locations in this region, and the quality can vary, so we chose this one based on decent reviews. The restaurant was almost empty when we arrived. The server was kind and welcoming.

We both ordered the platters with a mix of chicken and gyro, served with rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and sauce. The portions were generous and filling. However, the quality was just average—the meat was a bit greasy with a hint of old oil, and the lettuce wasn’t particularly fresh.

Overall, while the food was satisfying in quantity, it fell short in freshness and flavor. Likely won’t be returning.

TL;DR: Decent food, but as a Döner lover from Germany, I don't get the hype. The chicken lacks flavor, and the garlic sauce is nothing special. It's alright, but nothing extraordinary.

******* Full length review ********
As someone hailing from Germany, a country where Döner kebabs are almost a national dish, I was curious about all the hype surrounding The Halal Guys. After trying their famous platter, I must say, while the food is decent, I don't quite understand the overwhelming excitement.

The chicken shawarma, in particular, was a bit underwhelming. By German standards, the meat lacked flavor and seemed slightly undercooked, which isn't something I'm used to with our well-seasoned, juicy Döner meat. The garlic sauce, which appears to be a big deal here, is just another sauce back home—nothing to write home about.

That said, I can see why locals might enjoy it. The portions are generous, and the food is relatively satisfying if you're looking for something quick and filling. However, for someone accustomed to the robust flavors and textures of Döner, The Halal Guys doesn't quite hit the mark. It’s alright from a local perspective, but it doesn’t live up to the hype for me.

I was excited to give this location of The Halal Guys a try. When I arrived I parked in the plaza parking lot. I walked in and was greeted by the staff. I ordered the chicken platter with pita bread. They gave me a side of white sauce and hot sauce. I took my platter to go. I dug in when I got home and the meal was good. The white sauce was ok so I didn't use a lot of it. The hot sauce was nice and spicy like I like it. I enjoyed the combo of rice, chicken, and salad. I had a good experience.

So excited to be part of the grand opening of the Halal Guys North Bergen location. I usually get the combo platter and cover it completely with white sauce and then barbecue sauce and a few drops of hot sauce. Today I was craving fries a La Halal so I had gyros on a bed of fries and emptied 2 packets of white sauce and drizzled some hot sauce. I dug right in and forgot to take a picture. It was so good and really hit the spot. I also tried their Hibiscus Lemonade. So. Good. For later, I brought home a baklava cheesecake slice, game changer. I also tried their falafel and hummus which tasted so fresh. Overall, I would give this location a 10/10. The food was hot, delicious, and fast service. The staff was so friendly and attentive even with the busy grand opening. Definitely taking the kids and going back.