The highly acclaimed and widely appreciated halal chain, Halal Guys has recently opened at the Cerritos Promenade to crowds of “foodies,” which the city has in no small supply.
The new location is nestled in between Jamba Juice and El Roccoto, and in a close proximity to the Cerritos Mall, which makes it’s placement, in one word, ideal, but the placement is not the only element of Halal Guys on South St. that makes it an eatery of notoriety.
Everybody knows that the hummus is the heart of any Mediterranean restaurant and one of the key elements by which to judge the quality; the hummus is to die for, whether you’re a texture person or a taste person.
The recipe uses the right amount of oil to allow the hummus to be smooth and not chalky without leaving an unpleasant aftertaste; and the garlic is not over-powering, which makes the restaurant an excellent place for a casual date, if you’re a college student on a budget.
Rivaling the hummus, the tabouleh is to live for. It does it’s job of being a pallet cleanser, it’s not bitter or hard to swallow and it is visually appealing with fresh cilantro and tomato.
Of course, the sauces are excellent; particularly the hot sauce and white sauce.
If you like your food to punch you in the face as I do, ask for a lot of the hot sauce; but be warned, it’s warm roast does nothing to tame the fiery flavor of the pepper.
The white sauce offsets this flavor perfectly and is also good on it’s own as it brings a certain moistness and character to the meat and pita, which it needs.
My only complaints are that the pita is both starchy and thick in width, which makes it hard to swallow; and the french fries leave something to be desired on their own, thought paired with the halal make a great vehicle for meat and sauce.
It is precisely the format of the food that gives the Halal Guys’ cuisine a charmingly urban feel which is complimented with the bright and bustling atmosphere and streets of New York decor.
Go to Halal Guys to reward yourself for a good job on an exam or presentation well done or simply for pleasing dining experience.
