THE GOOD ‐------------------ + Combo Mix Gyro with Chicken and Lamb was verry, verrrry good. Meats were tender and juicy and toppings were perfect. + They let you add multiple toppings (red onions, onions, black beans, chick peas, lettuce, tomatoes, white/green/hot/BBQ sauces) to your gyro/platter and they have them all listed out on the cart menu. + They accept credit cards, but they charge a 3.9% transaction fee (so bring cash if you can!) THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- + Prices are pretty steep now for gyros ($8.25) and platters ($10.25 - $10.75) in 2025, but sadly it's the going rate for a lot of carts. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS ------------------------------------- = No line and wait at 12:30 PM on a Thursday. read more

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- Fast service for grab-n-go lunch - Friendly vendor - Good portion size; combo gyro has chicken and lamb mix with topping options (onions, black beans, tomatoes, corn, lettuce, chickpeas) at no extra cost - Food was fresh - Price is average for a halal cart in Midtown - Feels/looks clean for a city street cart - Accepts credit cards; conveniently located right outside Citibank if you wish to pay cash - Note: actual location is 32nd St and Park Ave read more

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Quick, cheap, and satisfying chicken over rice meal for $8.75. Yelp is telling me to write more but that's all I have to say. read more

Rafiqi's - Chicken over rice $8.75 - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

there's so many halal trucks in the area but this was one of the best lamb over rice's i've had in a while! the lamb isn't dry and i loved that the vegetables actually had a lot of variety (corn, onions, not just iceberg lettuce). the combo is ~$9 and with the hefty serving size, i think it's better value than a lot of the other carts around. read more

Rafiqi's - lamb over rice with white sauce only - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

Great chicken and rice with place! Loved it. The chicken was hot and tender, the sauces were great. Would recommend this place if you are looking for NYC style chicken and rice. read more

I was given an annoyed attitude when I requested one obviously cooked hot dog, vendor retorted by saying its not done and turned his back on me to pretend he was busy. Apparently the man didn't think the dollar fifty was worth the bother. So to those that are reading this, advoid Rafiqi's food cart on 17th street, near the Petco store, customers deserve better treatment then from some money grubbing grouch. read more

Rafiqi's - Rafiqi's food cart on 17th street. - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

Rating out of 10: 7.5 Came here for their lunch special. Got a lamb over rice and paid $7 (they sign had .99 after the 6 with marker). The rice is very light. Actually probably the lightest halal cart rice I've had. The lamb was minced /shredded to small dots. I asked for no salad thinking the guy will give me more rice. Sadly he did not Is it the best halal I've had? No Would I go back? Eh maybe, I might try to find another halal cart nearby read more

Rafiqi's - Lamb over rice - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

This is the best halal in the city. In my opinion it even beats out halal guys. The meats are consistently tender and melt in your mouth. I always ask for extra white sauce, and they also have a garlicy green sauce that's delish, but I often forget to ask for it. I'm wary of food truck hot sauce being too spicy so I haven't asked for it yet. I always get it with "everything" which usually includes lettuce, tomato, onion, corn, chickpeas, and sometimes olives. The guys are always super friendly. More often than not, they are located at 31st and Broadway, unless the weather is awful. Tried to get lunch here after a snow/ice storm and ended up getting sub par halal somewhere else. When it comes to street carts - if there's a line, it's a good sign! read more

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I remember eating from their Halal cart years ago near Chambers Street. Now, having chances upon them, I'm glad to announce that they have kept up the quality all these years. I had a chat with the older man at the cart and he offered me a free soda (which I declined because I already had a jug of water) because I made him felt nostalgic. The most New Yorker thing you can do is eat Halal food at a random stair-step in Manhattan. Peak experience. read more

I got the combo platter, and it satisfied my craving for Halal food cart. It was very tasty and a great value. Everything about the combo met expectations from the chicken to the lamb to the sauces. A nice touch is that the salad portion also had some nice goodies like corn, chickpeas, and peppers. I also tried a few of the falafels but they were just so-so, and I'd probably skip next time. I would definitely come back to Rafiqi's for the combo platter! read more

First time here, no one on line, everything was leftover and already made, just sitting there for who knows how long ... worker was not paying attention and on his phone when I pulled up which is really bad on top of the infamous debate of how sanitary vendors are? I had the combo which includes your regular lettuce and tomato but this place also has corn and beans with it. The plate itself was nicely presented and good portions but the quality was no good .. actually tasted fine but the meat texture was burnt which I'm guessing it was from being over cooked on the grill. Never had so many crispy and crunchy pieces before unless it's their thing. Definitely took away the quality of the meat and made it dry. I actually have a tummy ache after eating it now and hope it goes away sooner than later. I would hate to take this place off my list after 1 try as I normally don't like trying a place only once if it was off. For the price point of still being under $10, the portion is good and I'm willing to give it another try, hopefully this being a fluke and having a more fresher experience next time... that's if my stomach ache does not stay read more

My daughter and I were just passing by 3rd avenue and 38th and found the truck (later we visited there but it seems to have moved to other places). We tried a falafel sandwich and wow it was so authentic and great value ($6.50). The chef was so kind and smiling. We will find out and visit again read more

I used to love coming here daily for lunch during work. Never had any issues, food was awesome service was awesome. I come for lunch today 02/01/22 at 12pm and behold new employees. I'm totally cool with that, but service was horrendous. I ordered a chicken and lamb over rice, if you zoom into my photo I got no lamb except that one tiny piece on the left by the salad. The way they dump sauce onto your platters makes you wonder what you did to anger the person. I understand it's a $7 platter but I will not return. read more

Rafiqi's - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

I've been getting hit with really intense halal cravings this summer, so I've been trying out different carts throughout the city. I've had Rafiqi's on my list for a while now, but I don't think it stood up to other nearby halal carts. I'd say it's probably a 3.5, but I'm rounding down given the ubiquity of halal in this city. I got my usual - chicken over rice with extra white sauce and a little hot sauce. The white sauce here is extra tart so beware if you're like me and perpetually ask for extra white. It can get a touch too acidic at times. The meat is tender and moist. It's colored orange with seasonings but doesn't particularly have much flavor other than a "dark meat" warmth. The salad here is standard lettuce with thick slices of red onion and a single thin slice of tomato topped with a smattering of black beans, chickpeas, and canned corn. It's also now $5.75 I think, not $5. read more

Had a lot of halal carts in NYC this past weekend, Rafiqi's was rated higher than most and I agree. Though I was disappointed in the falafel (not fresh) I couldn't put the chicken and rice down. Highly recommended over the countless others. read more

Its 11:55, and he is peckish. The lunch in the office is a cold jaw-breaker sandwich and some green leaves. Blech. Its Tuesday. Its raining. "FML", he thinks. He grabs his umbrella and goes downstairs, exits the building, turns right. And smiles. He has a smiley face looking back at him. ^^ Story of my life ^^ Like clockwork, once a week, its Rafiqi's lamb over rice. The food here is simple and I always get the basic lamb over rice with white sauce and a small splash of the hot sauce. The hot sauce is not crazy spicy (I'm looking at you Biriyani Cart). The helpings are large. The rice is soft and puffy, almost creamy in the mouth. Reliably gets me over the hump. read more

I know some people would get rafiq'd out if they got sick from a cart, but for me it comes and goes, it passes and then it's over. I can't be sure it was this that did it, and it happens every now and again because I try so much food, so I'm not going to act like it's some Halloween Rafiq Show and tell horror stories about it. You could probably get sick from any place, and the other Rafiq's haven't had that effect on me, so I'm assuming it was just a one-off. Hopefully. Sometimes this greasy sort of food can go right through you, and... I'm not really selling the place very well am I? Damn. What to get: Combo with all the sauces - no salad What else: This food made me sick (I think), but cart food often has that effect so I'll let it slide. I have tried four or five different Rafiqi's locations and I've had similar experiences at all of them, with a couple of notable exceptions. (a) One time this particular cart in Koreatown made me really sick, but the food still tasted great and Cart food tends to go right through me anyway, so I'm not going to downgrade their star level for this. I know other people would. (b) One time the cart at Union Square tasted absolutely awful. Despite that, the Union Square location is my fave. But this review is about the one in Koreatown, which was - I think - the third one I visited overall, so let's focus on that. This particular Rafiqi's is pretty standard. Service is fast and not particularly friendly, nor is it unfriendly. The guy that served me was just quiet. It seems like an average Rafiqi's Cart. It's not as popular as the Midtown one I reviewed. Halal Guys and Biryani Cart get more business (and rightly so, in the case of Biryani), but if you want to sample all the best of NYC street meat, you have to give one of the Rafiqi's a try. Perhaps skip this one based on me getting sick, but I'm fairly confident that won't happen to you. From this particular location I ordered the combo (which is gyro meat and chicken, with rice, covered in sauces). I had yet to learn my lesson, and I got it just the way it comes, which is with Salad. If you get it, I recommend skipping the Salad, which is often a little old and nondescript anyway. The salad tends to go bad if you save some of the food for later, and besides, it's next to all the piping hot stuff so it kind of gets weird quickly, and doesn't microwave well at all. Not that I like to microwave stuff, but how else are you going to re-heat a combo? I think it's pretty awesome that the guy has a huge Rafiqi's empire and so many trucks all over Manhattan. I wonder when (if?) he's going to expand into the other boroughs. According to my notes I have tried 5 Rafiqi's total, but there are about 15 of them... it really is an empire. I like to try different locations so that I can decide which ones are better, if any. So you can look forward to reviews of the others at some point. By the way if you're willing to venture out of Manhattan, then you must go to Sammy's Halal in Queens. But if not, then try Halal Guys (the famous one), Chicken Tikka at Biryani Cart (my fave by far in Womanhattan), and any of the Rafiqi's too. And if the only people that ate here were nerdy types, then it'd be Rafiqi's & Geeks. read more

I'm a fan of Rafiqi's. The location of this cart first attracted me. Its about a block away from Penn station. The price is great at $5 for a chicken and rice platter. The food is pretty good as well, and the portion that they serve you is pretty sizeable. One thing that seems to differentiate this cart from the others is that they give you a choice of different veggies, for no additional charge. I usually get the corn and tomatoes. Sometimes, they have green sauce available here too. Its quite good. I flavor my chicken platter with hot sauce, white sauce, and green sauce. The mix of the three sauces go well together and make for a good tasting chicken platter. There is seating off to the right of the cart. Although during busy times, its a bit hard to find. read more

Rafiqi's - Rafiqi's cart - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

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Solid halal food truck with very generous portions and $5 rice platters (gyro, chicken, or combo). You can't beat that! Plus the veggies include corn and olives, and the entire combo tastes great drenched in extra white sauce. Not Adele's but a very solid option in Herald Square. The staff is nice as well and very fast. read more

pretty standard cart food.... there whole ploy is that they will put tomatoes.. peppers.. onions.. black olives and corn into any of there dishes for no additional cost... but who really wants corn and black olives in chicken and rice..... Hot sauce is pretty good. pasty. They have falaffle sandwiches for 3 dollars. cheap... quick. read more

Rafiqi's - 3 dollar.falaffle sandwich - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

to the guy under who said they keep getting the order wrong, maybe you're just an idiot who doesn't know how to order. From my experience, this truck has good food. The staff is bunch of hard-working people who keep the line moving and I've yet to experience them "mess up" any orders. I like Rafiqi's truck much better than the halal guys, which has a weird after-taste when you're done eating. Their food also doesn't make you just ate bunch of crap like the halal guys. For $5, you'll get a tasty meal which also won't make you feel disgusted. read more

Rafiqi's.... I have a love/hate relationship with the place. Their meat is flavorless and tastes the same, but when drenched in white/hot sauce taste great. You feel very satisfied after eating here, but the day after you're left sitting on the toilet regretting your decision to eat here. Given the negatives, I eat here twice a week and this trend will probably continue. read more

This review is for the Rafiqi's cart on 31st St but it applies to all their carts throughout the city. Some of the reviews make it sound like this one is unique but it is not. All of these chicken, lamb and rice carts in the City taste the same, which is to say bland and very salty. Having had the BEST chicken and rice from The Chicken And Rice Guys in Boston, I can tell you that they are the gold standard mainly for their spiciness and excellent white sauce. Really missed the garlic from Rafiqi's white sauce. The one good thing is price. At $5 Rafiqi's is a buck less than most of the competition, with the exception of the cart across the street who is also priced at $5. I did like the corn, onions and beans that we're optional (no extra charge) but you do need to ask for them when you place your order since they do not automatically put it on your plate and get annoyed when you ask after the fact (like I did, having thought the dish was served like the pictures on the side of the cart). One last comment, there were a lot of chopped chicken bones on this dish so be careful. I didn't experience that in any of the other chicken and rice meals that I had either in NYC or Boston. All on all, an intetesting, well priced experience but nothing to go out of your way for or stand in a long line to get. read more

i got tha chicken Gyro omg they way they made it was amazing and delcious they are tha best hands down. read more

Rafiqi's - rafiqi's Food Truck - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

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This is my go to halal cart. It's right next to my work and the guys who operate it always seem to be smiling, even during the busiest part of lunch rush on the hottest days of summer. I wish that they would include more than the tiny scoop of each fixing (I think last time I got one piece of diced tomato), but the food is always tasty. And it's $5. $5 for a good amount of flavorful food prepared by friendly guys. I have nothing to complain about. read more

What can I say? There is just some greasy cart food that hits the spot. In my brief time working around here, this has become a guilty favorite of mine, and one of the best value meal just outside of Koreatown. Unfortunately, this area isn't exactly a prime place for good, quick eating. Worse, you're getting fleeced from establishments that are no better than the many fast food locations that surround them. Many must share the same opinion as the lines really extend around lunch time. That is no problem though as the guys who work the cart are faaast. $5 and you'll get everything you want: combo platter with chicken, bound lamb meat from the spit, runny olive juice, oily yellow rice and white sauce which is really just mayo and vinegar in place of tahini. But it is still good. No really, it is good. You want extras? Just ask. Still $5. read more

Rafiqi's - Combo lamb and chicken. Ate half and more than enough still laying there - Halal Near Me - New York, New York

Best Halal food in NYC at the best price. Combo platter is a lot of food and the best.

I don't know what's with those other guys. Bar none, the BEST lamb gyros in Manhattan. I can't find a better way to spend $4.25 on a deliciously drippy lunch. (Of course, once you're up to the $5.50 range you're looking at a Subway footlong as an option, but Rafiqi's is for my money one of the best values around.) For the record, I've never gotten sick from them nor have I heard of anyone else who did other than one of the previous reviewers. Perhaps the DMV made him nauseous? That sounds more likely... read more

Let me qualify this rating by saying that for $2 I'm not really expecting that much. Bought the falafel sandwich. Falafel was crispy and delicious. Lettuce was mildly yellow and kinda gross. Tomatoes were fine, green peppers were fine. Asked for a little bit of sauce, got a lot. I'll survive. Again, $2 for a sandwich. All I'm asking for is tastiness and some quality. On that note it delivered. This place is not going to be featured on the "best thing I ever ate" food network show, but it does the trick. read more

I have been to food carts all around the city and none have matched the flavor and value this Rafiqi's offers. $5 nets you a very large serving of chicken and lamb over rice with salad that includes corn, tomatoes, lettuce. At other places, the meat is often dry or costs more but not here! read more

I m a foodie from India exploring every corner of the Newyork to find the best place to eat. After exploring all the hyped up places I have known or yelp has known, I bumped into this place when I was crossing the 31st street. You see the review on yelp is so not reasonable, that I could see a biggggg queue people waiting for to get food. The meat I had in NYC, this is the best or top notch. You don't feel the taste of meat and it tastes really yummy. Of all the cart to get chicken/lamb over rice, this is my first preference and halal guys would definitely not be my best choice. Forgot to mention this! Best money to satisfaction value read more

There are Rafiqi's carts all over the place and this is my favorite. I get falafel over brown rice about once a week - it can be addictive and I sometimes find myself craving it. The falafel is always crispy and fresh. I personally enjoy the variety of toppings they offer. I always get "everything." "Everything" doesn't include fried onions but you can ask for those by name. For $4 this is a fantastic lunch. read more

Just take a look at the line this place gets during the lunch rush. It's worth the wait. Plus, they're only $5 for the usual $6 chicken/lamb over rice platter. The guys working there always seem to be in a decent mood and they're clean. Well as clean as you can possibly be from working outside all day. read more

I have been to other Rafiqi's locations. I always love the variety of vegetables that come with the platter. For $5, it is pretty decent, though I wish I could have a bit more chicken on my platter! The meat-to-rice ratio should be adjusted. I would raise it to a five star if the server improves this in the future. Be sure to ask for the green sauce in addition to the usual white and hot sauce. read more