Gold Street Halal

"Gold Street Halal"

Location: Corner of Gold Street and Maiden Lane in front of Sovereign Bank branch.

Date: Friday, July 16, 2010 at 11:45am

Cuisine: Middle Eastern and American

Grub: Chicken over rice with side salad = $5 (Rabia tossed in a falafel ball and a few fries too)

Review: This nondescript silver cart with a Sabrett's hotdog umbrella on top is what a halal cart should be. Marinated chicken, freshly cooked, not greasy. Rabia, the cook, is a young guy who barely speaks English, but seemed to have no communication problem with the Asian postman hanging out with him. Rabia's pre-cooked chicken is piled high in big pieces on the side. He chops it up into bite-sized pieces when you order and warms up the rice on the grill too, adding some seasonings, sauces and a bit of vegetable. Rabia has a light hand with the yogurt and spicy sauce, letting the chicken flavors come through. HD preferred Rabia's chicken and rice to the plain chicken and vegetables I had made her. My only criticism is the uneven quality of the chicken. Some pieces were perfect white meat, but others had a bit of gristle/cartilage. The falafel was dry and flavorless. Fries don't travel well, but HD wolfed them down. Salad is basic iceberg and tomato, but fresh and crispy.

Rating: I'd return the day after tomorrow. 3 out of 4 pita.