Halal Guys’ First Washington Franchise Picks Pioneer Square

Last month, Eater reported on the forthcoming Seattle expansion of the insanely popular chain The Halal Guys. Now comes word that the brand’s first Washington State location will land in Pioneer Square at 105 Yesler Way this spring.

Seattle diners can expect the same menu that was first popularized at the business’s flagship food cart, which launched in New York City in 1990 with gyro sandwiches, chicken-and-rice platters, baklava, and hummus.

The company was founded by Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka, and Abdelbaset Elsayed, who remade their hot dog cart into an American Halal street-food concept after realizing that many Muslim cab drivers in Manhattan were looking for a place to buy meals.

Their business has been wildly successful, drawing long lines and allowing the trio to roll out more than 200 franchise locations around the world. The Halal Guys push shows no signs of stopping: to name a few, Los Angeles already has a number of locations with more planned for 2017, Chicago has a handful of outposts, Austin, Houston, and Dallas are seeing an influx, and Vegas recently got its first branch.

Stay tuned for further updates as the anticipated opening window draws closer.