"
"
Khuram Bashir, who runs the Halal Food Cart in Uptown Charlotte, is credited with bringing the first halal street food to Charlotte. Now, as the year draws to a close, the recipes from the iconic street food spot are finding a new home at a restaurant off Monroe Road — all while remaining in the family.
Daniel Tiru and Elizabeth Marmol, members of the Bashir family, have opened Halal Street Food at MoRA Point off of Monroe Road.
The Menu
Wraps, kebabs, salads, and platters are among the traditional and popular dishes served by Halal Street Food. Guests can order doner kebab, shawarma, and gyro from vertical rotisseries, or wood-fired chicken, lamb, and beef kebabs from the grill.
Pickled vegetables and sauces, such as homemade white sauce, garlic sauce, tahini, green chili chutney, and “Dare You Sauce,” can be served alongside the dishes.
Favorites like falafel are also available, as well as vegetarian and vegan options like the Vegan All the Way salad. Guests can order crepes in both savory and sweet flavors for breakfast.
Under woven chandeliers, the modern, warm-toned space has plenty of room for dining. On the MoRA website, you can find more photos and information.
The History
Halal refers to food that adheres to Islamic traditions and is Arabic for “permissible” or “lawful.” According to a 2017 Creative Loafing article, halal carts can be found on street corners all over New York, but when Bashir moved to Charlotte in the early 2010s, he opened Mi Barrio Halal Latin Grill.
With a menu inspired by the family’s restaurant Mi Barrio Halal Latin Grill, the Halal Food Cart opened uptown in 2016 at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets.
According to the Creative Loafing article, Bashir’s wife, Damaris, moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic, giving the family restaurant and cart a mix of international flavors.
The Halal food cart is still open seven days a week at 101 N. Tryon St.
