A view from the side of the cart (Note: these picture are from my most recent trip to the cart)
What follows is an account of my very first experience of the Bellerose Halal Cart (the one in front of CVS, not the one next to Subway).
It was a blistering cold night out on the town in Floral Park. A few hours of consuming a good amount of alcoholic beverages had left me with a sense of distant hunger. As the night drew to an end, that hunger grew exponentially. It was 3:30 in the morning, and nothing was open anymore! No Taco Bell, no Mickey Dee's...NOTHING! It seemed I was 'shit out of luck.' "Wait! What about that cart on the corner of Hillside Ave. and Little Neck?" It's only a short distance out of my way on the long trek home. "Screw it, you only live once," I thought. I began my walk up Tulip Ave., across Jericho Tpke. and headed up Little Neck with a sense of purpose.
I don't know what to think about the Halal cart; it seemed a little shady at first glance. Although I have heard good things from friends, I've never eaten from one of these carts before. It's definitely better than one of those greasy, stale Taquitos from the 7-11 across the street. The neon signs adorning the cart called to me from the distance.
The menu below the ordering window
I finally arrived and looked down at the simple menu posted on the side of the cart. The fare consisted of gyros (either chicken or lamb) and combination platters. I was greeted by the young guy working inside the cart and he gave me a few moments to decide. I decided to go ahead and try the chicken, lamb, and rice combination platter. Seemingly without pause the guy went to work and started grilling up the meats for my platter.
The smell emanating from the cart was making my stomach growl; it smelled awfully good. A mere two or three minutes later I could see the guy loading my Styrofoam container full of these great smelling ingredients. I was then asked if I wanted white sauce on my food. White sauce? Sure thing. "Hot sauce, sir?" As I was about to answer he warned me that it was very spicy. I told him to load it up.
The platter came with a drink and a hefty amount of food for a mere six dollars. I briskly began my walk home to sit down and try this new and mysterious fare. I arrived home and sat down with my drink in hand and container in front of me. The second I opened the container a vast array of smells hit my nostrils. It smelled spicy, sweet, and smokey all at once. I dug right in.
While I have had lamb and chicken separately in the past, I never ate them together in the same meal before. The two meats went great together, and neither one seemed to overpower the taste of the other. Among the pieces of meat were chunks of onion and peppers. It came with a side of fresh, crispy, and chilled lettuce. Underneath it all was a bed of very interesting rice. I never tasted anything like it before. The closest thing I could pinpoint it to would be Basmati rice that you can find in any Indian restaurant. It had a great flavor to it, with a minor kick of spiciness.
At the time, I couldn't figure out why there was lettuce included with this dish. I now realize it's a great way to cool down your palette from the intense heat of the hot sauce. For those of you who are afraid of anything spicy, I would definitely tell the guy to hold the hot sauce. It's pretty damn spicy, even by my standards. The white sauce, however... holy shit is it good. A simple combination of mayonnaise and vinegar, the white sauce is out of this world. It combines very well with every item in this platter.
Needless to say, I could not finish all the food in my first sitting. I closed up the box and left it in my fridge to attempt it again the next day. I went to bed, drunk munchies triumphantly stomped to the curb.
THE LOVERDICT
You've all seen one of these carts, especially if you grew up in Queens, NY or have traveled around New York City. With such a large population of Arab and Mediterranean folk, these carts are in abundance all over the NY/Metro area. Since my first visit to this cart about a year or two ago, I have frequented several other carts in my quest to expand my food horizons and educate my palette.
The gyros at this cart, while not the best, are definitely a great option if your looking for a little less food; the platters are quite a good serving size. Don't be scared by the usual lack of cleanliness and barely English speaking cooks at these carts. This food is some of the best stuff out there, and from what I've seen and heard, is what the Eastern laypeople eat on an almost daily basis. Also, if you call ahead and order, you can expect to arrive and have your food already done. Just pay the man and you're set.
I have since moved away from Bellerose, but you can still find my friends and I here. It will usually happen on the weekends, in the very wee hours of the morning, smoking cigarettes and waiting for our platters to be ready.
Halal Cart
On the corner of Hillside Ave. and Little Neck Pkwy. (In front of CVS and across from 7-11)
(718) 908-4163
The usual chef
