Adel's Famous Halal Food

"The ubiquity of halal carts is a double-edged sword. They’re popular, sure, but taken for granted. The best offer quick, affordable, all-in-one meals that check every box: protein, carbs, acidity, a bare minimum of lettuce, and, of course, white sauce. Start with Adel’s, and return as often as your patience allows. Sitting in the shadow of Radio City, it routinely draws hour-long lines. Sounds like a drag, but a container stuffed with fragrant rice, chicken, and lamb under a blanket of their tangy sauce will always be worth it. At roughly $10, it’s one of NYC’s last great deals. Chicken and lamb over yellow rice" - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, bryan kim, sonal shah

"Iconic, overrated, touristy, essential—Adel’s is called all sorts of things. The street vendor across from Radio City regularly draws hour-long lines, which makes it a bit divisive. It’s annoyingly busy, and it’s also an exceptional example of a classic NYC genre: grab-and-go halal. Eating here every day isn’t a wise use of your time, but if you haven’t been at least once, fix that. It might take anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes, but eventually you’ll make it to the front of the line, where employees in tees the color of traffic cones shovel chopped meat into takeout containers under blindingly white lights. There are a few different options, but let us steer you in the right direction: Get a combo of chicken and lamb over rice, hit with a deluge of tangy white sauce and a decorative squirt of ruby red hot sauce. Call it touristy. Call it overrated. Nothing can change the fact that Adel’s is one of the most satisfying $10 meals in the city. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Food Rundown photo credit: Alex Staniloff Chicken And Lamb Over Rice Chicken—scarlet red and cumin scented—is our protein of choice at Adel’s, but for a one-and-done experience, get the mixed plate with both chicken and lamb. When it comes to rice, you can choose between spicy and yellow, both of which are fluffy, fragrant, and not especially spicy. Go with your heart. Just keep in mind, white sauce is non-optional. It’s the real reason you’re here." - Bryan Kim

"The halal cart on the corner of Church and McDonald Avenues is one of the best in NYC, mostly because of the bright red, tandoori-style marinade used on the chicken, which is spicier than most (the lamb is also excellent). A chicken pita is only $5, making it the best value in the neighborhood for lunch or dinner. The flavor varies a little depending on who is on the grill, and that’s one of the things we love about this spot." - carina finn koeppicus