Mega Popular Chain Halal Guys Preps Second Seattle Location for End of the Year

South Lake Union’s lunch options are about to get a little more interesting. The well-loved Middle Eastern street food chain Halal Guys — which started as a New York food cart before growing into an empire — is expanding to a second Seattle location at 333 8th Avenue North (sharing a building with Facebook). Barring delays, the new outpost will open by the end of the year, and it is currently in full-on hiring mode.

When the first Seattle Halal Guys opened in Pioneer Square two years ago, the place was quickly packed. At the new spot, customers can expect the same customizable signature offerings, including chicken wraps, gyros, and falafel platters, drizzled with white and hot red sauces. The shiny steel, red-and-yellow decor will also be similar, although the South Lake Union location will be more than twice as large as the Pioneer Square outpost, with seating for 40 both inside and outside.

Halal Guys was founded by Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka, and Abdelbaset Elsayed, who remade their hot dog cart into an American Halal superstar in 1990 after realizing that many Muslim cab drivers in Manhattan were looking for a place to buy meals. Now, it’s a global giant, with more than 200 franchise locations around the world.

These two Seattle outposts are the only ones in the Pacific Northwest, though. Local Halal Guys franchise owner Vince Cao tells Eater more are in the works as well.

• Halal Guys [Official]
• Halal Guys Seattle [Instagram]
• Meet the Company Taking Halal Guys Global [E]
• Prepare For the Halal Guys Onslaught With This Quiet Preview Inside [ESEA]