Halal restaurant

Adel's Famous Halal Food

MidtownManhattan

4.3· 5,196 reviewsOpen until 4AMHalal
Adel's Famous Halal Food — halal restaurant — in Midtown — Manhattan — NYC
Adel's Famous Halal Food interior — Midtown

Midtown

Manhattan

The brief

About Adel's Famous Halal Food

Open until 4 or 5 am each night, this Middle Eastern food truck prepares halal gyros.

Community Rating

4.3

out of 5

5,196 community reviews

Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.

Community-sourced rating

Reviews

What diners say about Adel's Famous Halal Food

15 verified Google reviews

4.1

15 reviews

5
8
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
Ibraheem AzizLocal guide
a week ago

Famous food cart in the thick of Manhattan. If you know, you know! The chicken on rice is a classic and despite the enormous lines, you can reasonably expect to get your food within 20 minutes as the staff run a well-oiled machine. Definitely recommend trying if you haven't already.

Oznur BasakLocal guide
2 weeks ago

Finally tried. Overhyped. The cooks are hardworking, thanks! I really appreciate their hard work but after waiting 1,5 hour in line , normally I had high expectations. But nothing was more super than other these type of food trucks. We had mix platter with spicy food and some white sauce on top with some fries. 2 platters and 2 drinks $28. If the food was phenomenal the price is ok but it was not. The waiting is the experience and I had that. Do I go back and wait in line even like 30 mins. No. It is a one time experience. Thanks anyways. Hope the other food trucks also get lucky as this one and they can make their earnings.

solmazLocal guide
3 weeks ago

The line was pretty long, but it was definitely worth the wait. The food was delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. What really made it different was the special sauce—it gave the food a unique taste that stood out from other places. You can tell why so many people are willing to wait in line. Definitely valuable and worth trying!

AlphaLocal guide
a month ago

I finally tried Adel's for the first time and now I totally get the hype. Even with the legendary line wrapping around the block, the experience lived up to every bit of the reputation.The chicken and lamb combo is a must order. The meat is incredibly tender and seasoned perfectly, served over a bed of flavorful yellow rice. I topped mine with plenty of their famous white sauce and just a touch of the red sauce. Fair warning, that hot sauce is no joke! The portions are massive for the price and the guys running the cart are super efficient.The only drawback is that there is no place for sitting, so be prepared to eat on the go or find a nearby bench. Pro tip: order from food apps if you are in a rush to avoid the huge lineups. It’s easily some of the best street food I’ve had in NYC.

Vik VijayakumarLocal guide
a month ago

Tried Adel’s Halal while I was in NYC, and for the price and portion size, it’s an amazing deal. The lines can be really long—sometimes taking well over 50 minutes—but I got lucky and arrived just as they brought the carts out, so I only waited about 15 minutes. I went for the mixed combo of lamb and chicken over spicy rice with white sauce and fries on top, all for $12.99. Honestly, the food was delicious. The meat was perfectly cooked, full of flavour, and the portion size was more than generous.I’d definitely recommend it and will be going back next time I’m in New York.

Food TravellerLocal guide
a month ago

New york atmosphere in the afternoon is amazing cant beat it especially in May. However, this food was subpar. It was more hype than anything else. I had high expectations coming here after seeing all the reviews but when I actually tried the food the mixed combo over rice was dry and the meat was dry not enough sauce or flavour I would definitely not come back. It was not worth the weight in line or the price. I’m not sure how it tasted before and how people liked it. Maybe it changed but definitely did not live up to what I saw online I prefer Shahs Halal food over this place any day gives you more toppings and the meat taste more fresh.

Syed Hussain
a month ago

If the line alone could scare people off, Adel’s Famous Halal Food wouldn’t be nearly as popular as it is—but it earns every bit of the hype.<br><br>I waited about 40 minutes, which honestly felt crazy at first, but once I got the food, it made sense. I ordered the combo over rice with chicken and lamb with the spicy rice, and both were packed with flavor. The meat was tender, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly, and the portions were generous. The rice and sauces tied everything together really well.<br><br>The only downside is definitely the wait, especially during peak hours, so be ready for that. But if you have the patience, it’s absolutely worth it.<br><br>Overall: 10/10 for taste, just come prepared to wait. This place deserves 5 stars.

Angelica LeLocal guide
2 months ago

Overall: 4.6/5 [delivery]<br><br>I've been dying to try this place for the longest time and finally had the chance! I'm so glad they allow online orders and delivery so I didn't have to deal with the long line.<br><br>We ordered dinner for delivery on GrubHub at 7 PM and the food came on time, was warm, and each plate was packed. Everything is super filling so a single platter can easily last 2 to 2.5 meals or you can split one with another person.<br><br>The Mix Platter ($16.72) comes with lamb, chicken, basmati rice, salad, and chopped pita. I went with the spicy rice which comes out red and has a nice subtle kick. I also added an extra 1 oz hot sauce which brought a bit more heat without being overwhelming. The meats were delicious, the pita was so fresh and soft, and the white sauce paired perfectly with everything. Absolutely worth the hype!

Shoeb PatelLocal guide
3 months ago

For a seasoned traveler in New York, the debate between the big names and the local favorites is always a highlight, and Adel’s Famous Halal Food definitely lives up to the hype. While there is almost always a substantial queue—expect to wait at least 20 to 30 minutes—the experience is a testament to why some street food is worth the patience. The energy of the crowd and the efficiency of the staff make the wait feel like part of the authentic Midtown experience.<br><br>​We opted for two platters, the mixed and the chicken, and both were absolutely amazing. In a city full of halal options, these were easily some of the best we’ve had; the seasoning was vibrant, the meat was perfectly tender, and the overall flavor profile felt a step above the standard street cart. It is a masterclass in how simple, well-executed comfort food should taste, and it’s clear why the line never seems to disappear.<br><br>​Despite the prime location and the massive popularity, the price remains very reasonable. You get a hearty, high-quality meal that offers incredible value for Manhattan. It’s a high-turnover, fast-paced operation that manages to maintain its soul and quality even under pressure. For anyone navigating New York and looking for a top-tier, reliable meal that represents the best of the city's food culture, Adel’s is a mandatory stop. I’ll definitely be joining that queue again on my next visit.

Brandon ELocal guide
3 months ago

Don't get me wrong, the food is very good and every bite was great! However, I don't think I'd get it again and it's a nice "one and done" kind of experience. Got there right before they opened and waited around 40 minutes for the food. While it was tasty, it really wasn't much better than platters I've gotten at my local spots. The rice has a nice color from the spices and the hot sauce is a lot spicier than I expected (coming from someone that's used to eating spicy food). Definitely give it a try if you're around the area and have the time but make sure to temper your expectations.

Shibi UmeshLocal guide
4 months ago

I got the mixed plater with spicy rice and hot sauce white sauce pita bread fries and salad. I got in the line in 5.52 pm and got my food an hr later. It was great above average but not the nost ultimate plsyter you might get. But it is definitely an experience. People do definitely place multiple orders at once that clogs the line. But the cooks work as hard as they can. Could be .ore spicy tho

Brian Hah • Hope with BrianLocal guide
4 months ago

Excellent middle eastern halal food. I can see what the hype is all about and why there are long lines. The food is spectacular and the price is right.<br>Customer service is friendly and they give good advice if you're unsure what to get. We got a mixed plate (lamb and chicken) over spicy rice, a lamb gyros, and a ginger ale. Open late night makes it a perfect destination after a Broadway show and/or if you're in Times Square. The vibe is very friendly and the vibe is welcoming.<br><br>5 stars and two thumbs up! Assalamualaikum and thank you!

Tanner LeavittLocal guide
4 months ago

My wife was skeptical when I told here we were going to try a Halal cart. Once she tasted the food though she was sold! We got the chicken and lamb combo on spicy rice and added fries on top. Very flavorful and perfectly seasoned. The combination with the fries and sauce just works together. We did have to wait in line for about 15-20 min, but it was worth the wait. I would recommend and will be back next time I am in NYC.

Fryad OmarLocal guide
5 months ago

When I was in New York, I visited Adil’s famous Halal food spot, which serves authentic Middle Eastern halal dishes. Located right on a bustling street, I found myself waiting in line for about 15 minutes, but it was absolutely worth it. Once it was my turn, I ordered a delicious combo of chicken and lamb over rice, and the flavor was phenomenal. The food was not only tasty but also affordable, and the atmosphere was really welcoming. The staff were friendly and made the experience even better. Overall, it was a fantastic visit!

HUSSAIN BAJWALocal guide
6 months ago

I finally tried Adel’s Famous Halal after hearing so much about it, and while the food was decent, it didn’t completely live up to the hype. The flavors were good and everything was cooked well enough, but nothing really stood out in the way I expected based on all the buzz.<br><br>The portions were fair and the seasoning was solid, but the overall experience felt more “okay” than exceptional. It wasn’t bad by any means—just not the unforgettable meal it’s often made out to be. For a place with such a big reputation, I expected more depth in the flavor and a bit more freshness in the overall presentation.<br><br>Service was quick and the staff were friendly, which definitely added to the positive side of the visit. If you’re nearby and craving halal, it’s a decent option. But is it worth going out of your way for or calling it “famous” level? Not really, at least based on my experience.<br><br>In short, good food, but definitely overhyped.

Reviews sourced from Google. Displayed for informational purposes. Ratings reflect reviewer opinions at the time of posting.

Been here? Share one sentence.

No account needed. One honest sentence about your experience. All submissions are reviewed before publishing.

0/280

Anonymous · Reviewed before publishing

Was the health and dietary information on this page accurate?

Explore

Adel's Famous Halal Food is one of many healthy restaurants in our directory. See Midtown healthy dining, healthy restaurants in Manhattan, and halal-friendly restaurants in NYC.

Adel's Famous Halal Food is listed in the Eat Real Food NYC directory — a curated database of healthy restaurants in Manhattan, verified with official NYC Department of Health inspection data.