Featured FoodMay 10, 2021

One of Houston’s favorite halal restaurants is opening a new location that will focus on traditional Jordanian cuisine.

Abu Omar Halal, which got its start as Houston’s first halal food truck in 2011, is set to open its fourth Houston-area brick-and-mortar restaurant on Saturday, March 13, near the Galleria. That restaurant, at 6377 Westheimer Road, will join about 20 other Abu Omar Halal food trucks and stationary restaurants in Oklahoma City, Tampa, Florida, Anaheim, California and elsewhere throughout Texas.

The new location will feature a revamped menu, focusing specifically on the cuisine of Jordan, including dishes like ouzi, a savory pastry with ground lamb and rice wrapped in phyllo dough; mulukhiyeh, a leafy green usually braised with spices like coriander, garlic and lemon juice; and kabseh, an aromatic rice dish served with chicken or other meat. The restaurant will also offer a new line of fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies and desserts including some made with ashta, a thick clotted cream.

Longtime fans of Abu Omar will also still be able to get some of the classic halal dishes the restaurant is already known for, including shawarma, falafel, and kabobs.