Halal Guys opens first Iowa franchise in Coralville

CORALVILLE — A new franchise has opened in Coralville after almost two years in the making.

The Halal Guys, the first chain for American Halal cuisine to enter Iowa, opened its first location in the Hawkeye state on Dec. 21 at 3220 Redhawk St.

The new location was opened by local franchisees Ahmed Ahmed, Hassan Karoam, Asma Elmahdi, and Siddig Siddig, who have been lifelong friends since immigrating to Iowa more than 20 years ago and attending grade school together, as well as college at the University of Iowa.

“For us, it’s not just about food; it’s about celebrating the community that nourished us,” Ahmed said. “We’re proud to give back by bringing The Halal Guys’ fresh and bold cuisine to the place we call home.”

The friends and business partners announced plans for five Iowa stores in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Des Moines in early 2023.

“Iowa is a new, untapped market for The Halal Guys that we are very excited to be expanding in,” Ahamed previously told The Gazette. “These five stores will be the first of hopefully many more throughout the state.”

The menu features signature platters and sandwiches filled with a choice of falafel, chicken or beef gyro, as well as desserts like baklava, chocolate baklava and baklava cheesecake.

The fast-casual Coralville location also will serve fried chicken wings tossed in barbecue sauce, with a choice of dipping sauces including white, red, blended herbal white, smokey barbecue or hot chili barbecue.

Founded in 1990, the restaurant claims to be the only Middle Eastern fast-casual brand with more than 100 locations internationally. It is growing rapidly, with 400 more locations being planned worldwide.

The concept, which was started at a hot dog stand by three Egyptian immigrants, was popularized by word-of-mouth through Muslim cabdrivers in New York City after the owners realized the market for the same kind of halal platters they serve today.

The restaurant started opening brick-and-mortar franchises by 2014.

“We’re excited to expand The Halal Guys to another state and join the Coralville community,” said Margaret Carrera, chief development officer at The Halal Guys. “We look forward to welcoming new fans to our restaurant as we introduce them to our delicious American Halal food.”

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.