Shah’s Halal Food — Restaurant in Town of North Hempstead

To put it succinctly, my life can be divided into two periods. Before shah's opened in my neighborhood and after. I remember eating this for the first time, and realizing things were never going to be the same for me. Tasting that first drip of savory goodness, it was as if a weaker, sheltered part me died, and a rugged, adventurous version of myself was born.

I like to get the combo platter over rice. Each piece of chicken is imbued with flavors so complex, it as if Krishna himself lulled these birds to sleep with his flute before their time. The lamb is divinely fresh, as if they grazed freely upon the mountains of Shangri La before the undertaker called them forward. And each grain of rice--oh, the rice!! It is so much more than a simple palanquin for the holy meats who lay upon it. It's consistency is perfection, and it's flavor is immaculate.

Indulging in this meal, I often think of it as the convergence of humanity's developments. This dish holds hopes of Mesopotamians, daring to settle in that fertile crescent, the ferocity of Karakorum cuisine, poached in enemy blood, and every other tragedy and triumph of the Levant and the Orient. Every man's dream. Every woman's lament. Every babe's cry.

When I drive by and see this establishment, I am a foreigner witnessing this kingdom of Mansa Musa. I am Columbus, setting out for the West Indies. I am a Dutch transatlantic man, witnessing a field of green and whispering a mythical word, "America" for the first time.

Ar our forefather's behest--do not live in fear or ignorance. Come forward...

Yesterday June 12th we came in at 11:40pm, knowing they close at midnight. Dining chairs were up while 2 of them were cleaning/throwing garbage. They gave unwelcoming filthy looks as we walked in no hi no hello or smile. As if we came to hurt them.

My brother in law is visiting from California, is a fan of Shah's he wanted a quick bite and wanted to sit, knowing they close at 12. At 11:46 pm as he was paying; and we were discussing whether to sit or take out; the lady said with a fake smile "we closed now". Mind you, an asian gentleman was sitting and started eating 2 minutes ago on the booth. When she said that I told her "yeah you close at 12. Not now" while she stared at me. Management, if you need to verify check your cameras. Also you need to train your staff accordingly.

I worked in restaurants before and yes, it is tiring... and you want to go home early.. but you are on the clock. Why did you pick a job that closes at midnight?

This experience was very unwelcoming and unpleasant. They don't deserve to be in the service industry. My brother didn't want to bother them so he was like fine we will take it to go. His quick bite because a to-go. Because...

My kid had a hankering for street meat, or otherwise known as halal. How surprised was I to find out that a new one had opened up in our neighborhood. Went with the chicken and lamb over rice. The person in front of me got some kind of gyro and the chicken was piled high giving me a reassuring feeling that there would be a real debate of quality over quantity. Got the lettuce, Greek salad, peppers and onions (my kid's weird) with white sauce and spicy sauce on the side. The server actually recommended it warning that it was spicy. She was right. Ok. So the meat was ok and tasty. It wasn't the same as eating fresh off the cart since the portions are precooked and held in a warming tray. The white sauce tasted mayo based and like I said, the spicy sauce was actually spicy. The Greek salad bits were refreshing but not what I was used to. My daughter said she felt kind of sick afterwards, but isn't that part of an authentic experience? The price was fine for what you got. With coming back if you...