Queens Center Halal Carts

I went to the one near the train station at grand avenue and I think their food is more authentic in terms of that middle eastern flavor. I got a falafel wrap here it was ok. a little bit fell out while I was trying to eat it walking to the mall. overall the food was ok but I prefer the halal cart by Gino’s pizza and subway

Three carts all competing for the thousands of shoppers at Queens Center Mall. The two closest offer for $ 4.00 while the furthest cart sells for $ 5.00. I decided to go with the middle cart since it seemed to get a little bit of traffic.
I ordered the standard Chicken over Rice ($ 4.00) with hot sauce and white sauce. I was a bit concerned when I saw him put on a used slightly discolored latex glove. I watched him grab the lettuce from the bin behind him with his covered hand, then scoop some rice from the pot into the tray. He proceeded to break up the rice with his hand to fluff it up and give it some air, also as to give the perception that it was filled up. Some chicken was thrown on top along with my sauces.
I wasn’t expecting much for a Queens halal cart, but I was pleasantly surprised that my platter lived up to many standard halal carts in Manhattan. The chicken was tender and moist, but slightly underseasoned. I was also surprised that the rice was fluffy, despite him breaking it up, which usually denotes it’s day’s old rice. The rice was standard with nothing to rave about. And the lettuce was fresh and crisp, nothing from the ordinary. To sum it all, it’s a solid cart, but it doesn’t really urge me to come back except for the fact that it is slightly cheaper, however the overall quantity is slightly less than the Manhattan counterpart. However put, it’s still a satisfying meal.

You can’t beat the $ 4 falafal platter.

Quick, cheap and convenient! I ordered falafel over rice and I can’t complain. For $ 3.99 I get a huge platter filled with onions, green pepper, diced tomato, some lettuce, and falafel over a bed of basmati rice. I found it interesting that he cut up the falafel, which confused me at first but as I was eating I was glad he did!
It’s not the best halal but it hits the spot. I always order from the guy in between the other two carts because he’s always got a smile on his face. Even though I highly doubt he remembers any of his customers, but who knows! This guy is so friendly but I feel like they switch stations, but I digress.

ah, halal carts, you know the deal: cheap, delicious, and quick food that’s good during the day and amazing when you’re a bit inebriated!
these guys are conveniently located near a train station AND a major shopping area. food seems standard for cart food, though the hot sauce is not as hot as I hoped.
interestingly, they slice and dice (or at least the one guy did) the falafel if you get a falafel wrap. I actually like this more than the usual «leave ‘em in the spheres» tactic, as you can sample falafel, tomato, cucumber, onion, lettuce, and whatever else you chose in a simultaneous orgy of flavor.
oh my.

Just outside the Queens Center is a parked station of Halal carts, usually 3 in total, who all are feeding the hungry masses of people (namely me) who can’t stand the food court.
I haven’t seen Halal cart competition this fierce since I worked near the Flatiron district and Midtown. For all I know, these guys are on the same team and part of the same network, but something tells me they’re all trying to one up each other.
The prices are probably the cheapest I’ve seen in any Halal cart. One week they were $ 2.99 and then another cart decided to sell their meats for $ 1.99. And this is for a mixed lamb /​chicken combo! That’s a real recession special!
This is certainly no Sammy’s (
) and not close to 53^rd and 6^th (
) but for less than $ 3 for a platter there isn’t much complaining one can do.
A handy little tip is to go to the neighboring McDonalds (
) and use the tables there in the back. If you feel guilty about this, then buy something at the counter and bring it back there. I suggest a $ 1 32oz Iced Tea.