Is halal food available in the United States?

Yes, halal food is widely available in the US with over 13,000 halal restaurants. Major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit have excellent halal infrastructure. Supermarkets like Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods stock halal-certified products. The halal food industry in America is worth over $20 billion annually.

Which US cities have the best halal food?

New York City leads with the most halal options, including The Halal Guys food carts. Dearborn, Michigan has the highest concentration of Arab-Americans with abundant halal restaurants. Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and the DC metro area also have excellent halal dining scenes.

Is The Halal Guys actually halal?

Yes, The Halal Guys is halal-certified and has become an iconic American halal brand. Starting as a New York City food cart in 1990, they now have franchises nationwide. Their chicken and gyro platters over rice are popular with both Muslim and non-Muslim customers.

Halal Food in United States: North America Guide

Halal food in the United States refers to meals prepared according to Islamic dietary laws, with meat slaughtered following proper Islamic rituals and ingredients free from pork and alcohol derivatives. The US halal food industry is valued at over $20 billion annually, driven by a growing Muslim population and increasing mainstream interest in halal products. For specific country guides, see our comprehensive directory. Explore United States travel for more information. Explore halal food for more information.

With over 13,000 halal restaurants and dedicated sections in major supermarkets, halal food has become increasingly accessible across America.

How Accessible Is Halal Food in the USA?

Halal food accessibility varies by location:

Excellent accessibility:

New York City: Highest concentration of halal restaurants
Dearborn, Michigan: Largest Arab-American community
Chicago: Diverse halal scene
Los Angeles: Growing halal options
Houston: Large Muslim population

Good accessibility:

Washington DC metro area
San Francisco Bay Area
Dallas-Fort Worth
Atlanta
Philadelphia

Limited accessibility: Rural areas and small towns

Popular Halal Foods in America

The US offers diverse halal cuisines:

American halal:

The Halal Guys platters (chicken, gyro over rice)
Halal burgers and hot dogs
Halal fried chicken
Halal food trucks

Ethnic halal cuisines:

Middle Eastern (shawarma, falafel, kebabs)
South Asian (biryani, tikka masala)
Mediterranean (hummus, grilled meats)
Somali and African cuisines
Turkish and Lebanese

Fusion options:

Halal Mexican
Halal Chinese
Halal Korean BBQ

Halal Certification in the USA

The US has multiple halal certification bodies:

Major certifiers:

IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America)
Islamic Services of America (ISA)
Halal Transactions of Omaha

Key points:

No nationwide halal regulations
State laws vary (New Jersey has stricter labeling laws)
Decentralized system unlike Malaysia or Saudi Arabia
Some vendors falsely label products as halal
IFANCA certifies major brands like Nestlé and Kraft Heinz

Best Cities for Halal Food

New York City

The Halal Guys: Iconic food carts and restaurants
Jackson Heights, Queens: South Asian halal
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn: Arab-American community
Astoria: Middle Eastern options
Manhattan: Diverse halal restaurants

Dearborn, Michigan

Highest concentration of Arab-Americans in the US
Nearly every restaurant is halal
Lebanese, Yemeni, and Iraqi cuisine
Al Ameer and La Marsa: Popular restaurants

Chicago

Devon Avenue: South Asian halal corridor
Bridgeview: Arab-American community
Crispy Cones: Halal food trucks
Diverse ethnic halal options

Los Angeles

Anaheim (Little Arabia): Middle Eastern halal
Artesia (Little India): South Asian halal
Shay’s Filipino Halal Eats: Food trucks
Growing halal scene

Houston

Large and diverse Muslim population
Hillcroft area: International halal restaurants
Middle Eastern and South Asian options

Halal Supermarket Shopping

Major retailers stock halal products:

Walmart: Halal meat and products sections
Costco: Halal chicken and products
Whole Foods: Halal-certified options
Target: Some halal products
Ethnic grocers: Specialty halal stores

Specialty stores:

Balady Market (Brooklyn)
Turkiyem Market (New York)
Local Arab and South Asian grocers

Is the United States Muslim-Friendly?

The US is generally Muslim-friendly:

Legal protections: Religious freedom guaranteed by Constitution
Mosques: Over 2,000 mosques nationwide
Halal accessibility: Good in urban areas
Islamic schools and organizations: Available in most states

Notes:

Experiences vary by location
Islamophobia incidents occur but are legally prohibited
Urban areas more welcoming than rural areas

US Muslim Population

The Muslim population in the United States:

Estimated 3.45 million (about 1.1% of population)
Growing due to immigration and higher birth rates
States with significant populations: New Jersey, Michigan, Texas, California, New York, Illinois

Practical Tips

Use apps: Zabihah, Yelp (filter halal), HalalTrip
Dearborn, Michigan: Best halal concentration in US
Food trucks: Many halal options in major cities
Verify certification: Standards vary by certifier
Ethnic neighborhoods: Best for authentic halal
The Halal Guys: Reliable national chain
Supermarket sections: Growing halal availability
Ask about sourcing: When certification is unclear