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11 Comments

1. 

   locondcoco:

   i would go XPL. thats if you like the fact that their rice has a curried flavor to it.

   Jun 30th 2011 at 12:33 pm
2. 

   Username303:

   Thanks! I went with XPL. Truthfully, I went before seeing your response (I checked the SMP3 results).
   XPL was good, but it's still hard to beat the Famous Halal Guys for me...(or Trini Paki as well!)

   Jun 30th 2011 at 4:26 pm
3. 

   deanlo:

   My personal preferences would be Uncle Gussy's, Rafiqi's, and then XPL.

   Uncle Gussy's is something you can eat every day without feeling bad about yourself. They do everything with a Greek flare. White sauce has yogurt instead of that ranch/mayo stuff the other carts use. And some of their meats are legitimately grilled, not fried on the flat top so it's got a different flavor and feel to it.

   Rafiqi's is next up. It's flavor profile is also a lot closer to the 53rd & 6th guys than the other two and you can customize your meal with 16 different kinds of toppings (including cheese! hahaha).

   XPL has an Indian spin on it that I'm not always in the mood for. It's also probably the heaviest gut buster of the three -- depending on how you order at Rafiqi's, you might rack up more calories there. It can get a little greasy even without sauce and sometimes I feel like there's too much going on, spice-wise. Pros are you get a "free drink" (AKA smaller portion sizes) and if you're big on taking naps after a meal, this is the place for you.

   Jun 30th 2011 at 5:11 pm
4. 

   heWho:

   I haven't been to Uncle Gussy's, but I'd take XPL over Rafiqi's in a heartbeat. The rice at XPL is some of the best in the halal cart business and their meat is on par if not better than Rafiqi's imo

   Jun 30th 2011 at 5:34 pm
5. 

   locondcoco:

   Also, i wouldnt really classify Uncle Gussy's as "halal". but i agree with Dean that you can eat it everyday and not feel too badly (and i have eaten it several days straight on a couple occasions). love the grilled meats.

   oh, one other note on XPL (its been a while since i've gone since its quite a trek for me), IMO, stick with the chicken. the lamb just pretty blah, especially compared to the halal guys. but their chicken was superb.

   this is all for either future reference or to help someone else out, since we're already after the fact here.

   Jun 30th 2011 at 5:48 pm
6. 

   bob mcguire:

   I would go to any other truck or cart than Uncle Gussy's, even if that other truck was condemned by the BOH. Nick the owner of Uncle Gussy's is a first rate disgusting bigot, his favorite word is the "N" word, he uses that word like some people breath, just hang around his truck long enough, no longer tan 1-2 minutes to hear him spew his poison.
   A more despicable, rancid, disgrace of a parasite there is not. So when you eat from Nick's truck, know that you are supporting everything that is deplorable about the lowest of the lowest pieces of garbage there is.

   Jun 30th 2011 at 7:01 pm
7. 

   joer:

   Which XPL did you go to? They are not all owned by the same person and use different spice mixtures.

   Jul 1st 2011 at 9:16 am
8. 

   Username303:

   Hey guys, thanks for all the input (now for future reference). I did like XPL (48th & Park) but will definitely try the others and stick with my staples before going back. I like the idea of a customized plate at Rafiqi's. I passed the line at Uncle Gussy's at 1pm and it was huge! at least 30-40 people.
   I knew UG was greek, not halal, but catered to my lamb & chicken over rice craving.

   Jul 1st 2011 at 10:43 am
9. 

   stevenp:

   Haven't tried Gussy's either. Not a huge fan of the 53rd/6th halal guys. Last time there (daytime, east side) the lamb was just tonged from a big pile of tiny minced-up pieces under foil.I like my streetmeat in decently-sized chunks--better flavor. The Rafiqi's by me serves a consistently good platter. (19th/6th)

   Jul 1st 2011 at 3:53 pm
10. 

    Uncle gussys:

    Hey guys, have a happy and blessed fourht of July. We try our best and work hard everyday, we get hassled we come back, we have been through the ups and downs of this vending business.

    We work in the most diverse city in the world, there are thousands of people that walk by us everyday, all types of people we have been here for quite a while, there are people who stand and wait for at least 20 minutes... Y would I say that?????

    I really don't know what to say about this guy bob mcguire. I breathe respect, and I give respect. That's not right for you to say that because clearly you don't know me. That's ok .I I hope u find yourself.

    Im not focusing on the negative, folks thank you for all your support. We will strive to do our best everyday all the time. I really enjoy what we do, it's what we do, lol

    Jul 1st 2011 at 4:04 pm
11. 

    The Milkman:

    I vouche for Uncle Gus...and I genuinely feel that those guys breathe respect. It's unfortunate that somebody would go out of their way to hate like that.

    And ps...their food is delicious

    Jul 5th 2011 at 11:17 am

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