The Halal Guys with Dave Schilling

"The Halal Guys with Dave Schilling" is Episode 139 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "The Halal Guys with Dave Schilling" was released on February 1, 2018.

## Synopsis

The 'boys welcome guest Dave Schilling (*Bleacher Report*, *The Masked Man* Podcast) to discuss NYC food cart turned nationwide fast food chain The Halal Guys. Dave brings along a homemade sweet treat for another edition of Snack or Wack.

## Nick's intro

"*He has only forbidden you what dies of itself and blood and flesh of swine and that over which any other name than that of God has been invoked, but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, no sin shall be upon him; surely Allah is forgiving, merciful.*"

This passage in the second chapter of the Qur'an is what most directly spells out Islamic dietary law, a set of guidelines roughly akin to Kosher law, and which most notably bans consumption of alcohol and pork.

In the 7th century, the prophet Muhammad raised a 10,000-strong army of converts loyal to his new faith and began the Muslim conquest which would spread Islam, first across the Arab peninsula and, after his death in 632 C.E., throughout the Middle East and into North Africa. In 639 C.E., the conquest of Egypt began and the Muslim army made quick work of the ruling Byzantine Empire's forces, which were thin because of its own prior wars with the Persians. In 641 C.E., the Egyptian city of Alexandria, named for the centuries-earlier conqueror Alexander the Great, fell and Egypt has remained a Muslim majority state since, though a Coptic Christian majority remains. As Islamic dietary law became the law of the land, its culinary prohibitions would heavily influence Middle Eastern cuisine: pork excised as a protein in favor of chicken, lamb, and beef.

Flash forward to 1990 when a trio of Egyptian-Americans named Mohamed, Ahmed, and Abdelbasat opened their version of that New York City street-food staple that's as ubiquitous as the pizza-by-the-slice joint, a hot-dog cart. Just two years later, tired of being yet another interchangeable vendor slinging tube steaks to harried commuters, Mohamed and his partners switched to serving a Middle Eastern menu of gyros, chicken, and pita bread - an innovation that would transform both their fates and the Manhattan food-cart scene.

The enormous popularity of their menu, including a white sauce so addictive one might think it haram, led to lines snaking through the sidewalks in 90-minute waits, and they opened more carts to accommodate the crowds. In 2013, the men opened their first storefront version of the concept, and in short order, formed a partnership with Fransmart, a franchising consultant that helped take Five Guys and Qdoba nationwide.

Now with close to 200 locations either already operating or slated to open, this New York chain founded by three Egyptian immigrants is the uniquely American success story that continues to ascribe to the Islamic law from which it takes its name.

This week on *Doughboys*: The Halal Guys.

## Fork rating

* Baba Ghanoush
 Mike Mitchell
* Hummus
 Dave Schilling

Postmates seemed to have messed up The Doughboys' delivery orders, so the fork ratings here are possibly tempered a bit. Nick had never been to The Halal Guys, so felt his rating was incomplete without an actual trip to a restaurant; Dave and Mitch had been before so had a better idea.

It wasn't entirely clear what they ordered, beyond what's listed above and a giant pile of sauces.

[**Update**: In the next episode, Nick says he got so much flak about his 'incomplete' score that he ~~caved~~ went back and upgraded his score to 4 forks, putting it in the Golden Plate Club.]

## Snack or Wack

In Snack or Wack, The Doughboys have a snack and decide if it is good or bad.

For this episode, they try a sort of cookie/cake hybrid made by Dave's wife, Maddie.

Everyone loved it, which was a real 'fuck you' to listeners who cannot try it.

 Mike Mitchell
 Dave Schilling

## The Feedbag

I've often associated fast food with shameful binging, especially in my larger days. Back in college, I once ate seven McDoubles and seven McChickens in a single sitting. I used to regularly eat two $6 burgers from Carls Jr. as car snacks on the way to pick up other food - usually a full order of carne asada fries in San Diego. Last November, I participated in and completed the Chicken McNugget Power Hour on the night of my 28th birthday.
I've mostly grown out of this behavior, but wanted to ask you guys: what's been your most shameful fast food binge and why?

## Related Episodes

* 140. Checkers and Rally's (score revision)
* DD. McDowell's
* THON21. Doughathon
* 301. Yard House 2

## Photos (via @doughboyspod)

Gyro PlatterCombo PlatterBaba GanoushHummusPitaHalal Guys White SauceWhite Sauce Nutrition Facts