Things have been quiet on the Halal Guys front, but there’s a good reason for that: they’re all disappearing en masse. The mega popular New York City restaurant chain was much hyped when it arrived in Houston by way of 3821 Farnham St. But it looks as if that location, among others, have been subsumed by another, similar restaurant chain.
Gyro Hut has quietly taken over three Halal Guys locations, specifically 3821 Farnham St. in Montrose, 3008 Ella Blvd. in Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, and 11700 Westheimer Rd. in West Houston, CultureMap Houston first reported. For whatever reason, the corporate Halal Guys website has not updated its map.
Both Gyro Hut and Halal Guys have yet to respond to Chron’s request for comment.
Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed started Halal Guys as a humble food cart in New York City. The cart gained a reputation as a fast, inexpensive halal spot and took off from there. Today, the fast-casual restaurant resembles Chipotle in which customers can choose various proteins, vegetables and pita, and its special not-Tzatziki white sauce in a tin platter or sandwich.
Halal Guys first arrived in Houston in 2016 by way of Farnham Street. Masroor Fatany and AYG Food Services became franchisees and secured rights for the Greater Houston market and other parts of Texas. Between 2016 and ’24, Fatany and AYG opened several locations inside the city and its surrounding suburbs, including in Pearland and Katy.
But by 2024, Fatany and AYG began diversifying their restaurant portfolio. Specifically, the group acquired franchise rights to Layne’s Chicken Fingers, the popular College Station restaurant chain.
It would appear Halal Guys fell by the wayside. A location shuttered in Katy’s Cinco Ranch. Another in Downtown Houston at 609 Main St. appears to have been replaced by a Layne’s.
Today, only two Halal Guys locations appear to be operating: one off Louetta Road and another in Pearland.
Fatany and AYG did not respond to Chron by publication time.