Halal fast food in the USA is all the rage now with the success of Halal food carts around the country. But is every fast food Halal in the USA? Many tourists and locals alike are curious to know if America's most popular fast food chains such as Taco Bell, KFC, and Arby's are fit for Halal consumption.
In this article, we will explore the most-asked questions on what fast food restaurants are Halal and the best place for Halal fast food so you do not have to hassle and search for "Halal fast food near me".
Image Credit: Popeyes
Also known as Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Popeyes is a South American fast food chain that is popular for its fried chicken (spicy and non-spicy) sandwiches and chicken nuggets. Not all Popeyes store is Halal, however, a small number of franchisees do serve Halal-certified meat burgers to cater to the demand. We listed the verified Halal locations below.
Halal Status: Halal-certified in selected listed locations
Location & Opening Hours:
Image credit: Maxime Lebrun from Unsplash
KFC is one of the most successful American fast-food chains with over 27,000 restaurants around the world. It's definitely finger-lickin' good with their original fried chicken recipe, nuggets, and tasty potato sides. Like Popeyes, not all KFC store is Halal, however, there are some franchisees located in New York and Texas that serve specialized Halal meals upon request. Do check with the staff on their Halal options.
Halal Status: selected locations serve Halal options upon request
Location & Opening Hours:
Nothing beats the original when it comes to Halal street food. As America's authentic Halal fast food, The Halal Guys are truly one of a kind with its generous portions of signature gyro, chicken, and falafel platters.
You don't have to worry about long queues at this famous place as there are over 90 locations around the country to choose from. When you are ordering, request for more white sauce on your platter, and trust me, you will be wanting more!
Halal Status: Halal-certified ingredients
Location: 6th Avenue &, W 53rd St, New York, 10019, United States
Opening Hours:
Image Credit: Texas Chicken & Burgers
Do note that Texas Chicken & Burgers is not the same as Church's Texas Chicken commonly found in Southeast Asia.
Texas Chicken & Burgers is one of the rare American fast food chains that serve 100 % Halal-certified meat in all their outlets. Pioneering the Halal fried chicken segment, they have 40 locations mainly in New York City with some branches around New York and Pennsylvania. If you enjoy some well-seasoned fried chicken, this place is super value for money and worth a try! Some of their locations open past midnight.
Halal Status: Halal-certified ingredients
Location: 3486 Broadway, New York, NY 10031, United States
Opening Hours: 11 am - 2 am daily
Crown Fried Chicken is also known as Kennedy Fried Chicken and they are commonly found in the Northeastern section of the United States. Founded by Afghan American immigrants, Crown Fried Chicken attracts many customers with its extensive and affordable menu. You will find your regular Halal chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, gyro, and sweet potato pies here.
Despite the many Kennedy Fried Chicken stores across the country, some of them are not considered a restaurant chain as most of the stores are unaffiliated to each other although they share a similar menu. There are over 100 stores that serve Halal chicken.
Halal Status: Most locations are Muslim-owned and serve Halal-certified chicken
Location: 1429 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226, United States
Opening Hours: 9 am - 3 am daily
Image Credit: Sonic Drive-In
Sonic is an American drive-in fast food chain. Sonic is not Halal in the USA, however, a particular outlet in Dearborn is changing the game. This Dearborn restaurant has a Halal and non-Halal menu to cater to the Muslim population in the area. The Halal cheeseburger is their signature!
Halal Status: Partially Halal in Dearborn location
Location: 10403 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126, United States
Opening Hours: 10 am - 12 am daily
No, fast food is not Halal in the USA. This includes brands like McDonald's, Wendy's USA, Shake Shack, Chick-Fil-A, and many other popular fast-food chains. Many large-scale meats and poultry suppliers for American fast food chains do not have Halal certification and hence do not follow the relevant protocols in Halal meat slaughtering.
The truth is, most fast food chains in the USA are not Halal. Those that are Halal usually serve Indian or Middle-Eastern food, a common staple in Halal food carts as well. However, there are a selected few major franchisees that serve Halal meals on their menu.
No, McDonald's Fries are not Halal nor are they suitable for vegans and vegetarians. That is because the natural beef flavoring is added to the fries. There have been some claims that the flavoring is part of a chemical concoction and not from animal products. However, to err on the side of caution, it is best not to consume these fries.
No, Taco Bell is not Halal in the USA. Taco Bell occasionally serves pork on its menu so it is not suitable for Muslims. In addition, they do not prepare their products in a Halal-certified manner nor do they claim their meat is from a Halal-certified supplier.
We hope this article will guide you to what fast food places are Halal in the USA. If you know of any Halal fast-food restaurants that deserve to be on this list, let us know in the comments below!
