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Being a desi in Houston means constantly craving vibrant street foods reminiscent of Burns Road kebabs, Hussainabad’s shawarma and chaat, and the perfect lassi from back home. But fear not, you’re not alone in your cravings here in the heart of Texas!

Thanks to the flourishing scene of halal food trucks, the taste of home isn’t far away. And it’s not just about Pakistani flavours; we’ve got burgers and hot dogs like no other. Once you start exploring these food trucks, with their unique blends of traditional spices and American classics, there’s no going back to big, flashy restaurants.

Houston’s streets are brimming with an array of food trucks that serve up a delightful mix of traditional flavours and innovative twists. These rolling kitchens ensure that no desi ever has to feel too far from home.

Join me as we explore the top halal food trucks in Houston, each offering a unique taste that caters to our desi palates and heartstrings.

Mad Dogs

Locations: MEMORIAL2022 Wilcrest Dr, MIDTOWN 2616 Blodgette St, SUGARLAND11836 S Texas 6, AUSTIN 917 W 12th St

Let’s start with America’s favourite — the hot dog. Mad Dog, an exceptional gourmet hot dog food truck rooted in Sugar Land, has taken this classic American staple and elevated it to new heights. Since its inception as a pop-up in June 2022, Mad Dog has expanded rapidly, celebrating the launch of its first food truck in June 2023, just a year later. This beloved local establishment now boasts one food truck, two food hall locations, and a brick-and-mortar site.

I must say, their menu is much more than just hot dogs. They also serve smash burgers and loaded fries with five flavours to choose from, making it a culinary destination for those who crave both tradition and innovation. I ordered both the Mad Dog and the Elote Dog and the Mad Dog won me over completely — it’s made from a 100 per cent halal beef spicy link that gets layered with cream cheese, sriracha sauce, and fried onions, then topped with homemade curry ketchup and honey mayo for an unforgettable flavour experience.

The service at Mad Dog is quick and efficient, with digital screens facilitating easy ordering. The cook in the truck was not only polite but also customer-friendly, enhancing the overall experience.

“The dream for us at Mad Dogs is to saturate Houston with our incredible flavours, making sure every neighbourhood can enjoy what we have to offer,” shared Moustafa, the owner of Mad Dogs.

“But our vision doesn’t stop there. With your ongoing support, we aim to expand our culinary journey beyond Houston, bringing the distinctive culture of our food truck to cities across the nation.”

Crypto Burgers

Locations: Sugarland — 11836 S Texas 6, Galleria — 2829 Chimney Rock Rd, Med Center — 5800 Almeda Rd

If you’re in Houston and haven’t heard of Crypto Burger, you might be missing out on one of the city’s culinary gems.

Founded three years ago by corporate professionals and brothers Hassan Siddiqui and Abdul Siddiqui, alongside their cousin-in-law Asim Dar who brings over 13 years of restaurant industry experience, the trio has made a significant impact on the local food scene.

The buzz around this spot is so loud that after hearing numerous glowing reviews, my husband and I decided it was the perfect place to celebrate our anniversary — so you can imagine the high expectations we had going in.

Crypto Burger didn’t disappoint. Known for its innovative approach to halal burgers and fries, the menu is impressively diverse, offering something for every palate. Standout items include the Bunqua Burger and Bull Run Burger, both of which have garnered a following for their unique flavours and are #1 selling burgers.

Alongside these specialty burgers, the Spicy Metaverse Monster Fries and refreshing Mango Lemonade are crowd-pleasers, enhancing the dining experience with their bold and creative flavour profiles.

Don’t be misled by the “bacon” on the menu, Crypto Burger’s beef bacon BBQ is completely halal and is one of the most popular burgers, the Satoshi Burger. This burger is a perfect mix of sweet, salty, and savoury, topped with crispy beef bacon, onion rings, BBQ sauce, and their homemade FOMO sauce.

“We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming love and support we have received from across Houston,” said Hassan, one of the founders of Crypto Burgers and a supply chain analyst with a management degree from the University of Houston.

“Our goal is to expand Crypto Burger throughout Texas,” he added.

Under their leadership, Crypto Burger has quickly garnered acclaim, receiving the titles of Best Food Truck and Best Burger from local food bloggers for three consecutive years — a testament to their commitment to quality and innovation in the culinary world.

Abu Omar Halal

Location: 10021 S Texas 6, Sugar Land, TX 77498

If you haven’t heard of Abu Omar Halal Shawarma in Texas, you might just be living under a rock! Starting off as Houston’s first and only halal food truck, Abu Omar Halal has impressively expanded into a fleet of food trucks and restaurants across Texas, Florida, California, and Oklahoma. Renowned for serving a wide range of halal street food and sandwiches, their signature dish remains the beloved chicken shawarma.

In addition to their well-known shawarma, the menu also features the fluffiest falafel, a savoury chicken kabob rice bowl, juicy beef kabobs, and delectable baklava.

Karachi Cowboys

Location: 12521 FM 1464, Sugar Land, Texas 77498

Next on my list is Karachi Cowboys, a name that resonates deeply with me. What comes to mind when you hear “Karachi”? Naturally, you think of authentic, fiery spices. This new food truck in the Sugar Land area has quickly created a buzz with its standout Tawa Chicken.

Intrigued by a glowing review by local food blogger You Had Me at Halal, I decided to give it a try. The Tawa Chicken is marinated in a rich blend of herbs and spices and griddled to perfection, creating a deliciously juicy and well-seasoned dish that’s served on warm roti. The addition of jalapeño provided an extra kick, enhancing the spicy flavour profile.

This food truck isn’t just about great flavours — it’s also run by a pair of young entrepreneurs who, despite being new to the food industry, serve burgers that suggest years of experience. One highlight of their burgers is the homemade patties, which are not only light on the stomach but also a delight for the tastebuds. Their menu also features brisket tacos, smash burgers, and their top-selling Glacier Lime.

“We’ve just begun our journey, and the response has been incredibly overwhelming,” shared one of the founders, Muhammad Ali. “We have customers traveling from as far as Galveston, Cypress, Waco and other distant areas to visit us. Their appreciation and support mean the world to us. We’re hopeful and excited about the prospect of expanding our presence to other parts of Houston.”

Mawa Lassi & More

Location: 11910 SH 6 South, Sugar Land, Texas 77498

Lassi in Texas? Yes, you heard that right — and in over 15 flavours no less! With the Texas heat sometimes becoming unbearable, I decided to give it a try. It turns out, this spot is a favourite among the desi community.

Located in Mossa Colony, a popular food truck spot in Sugar Land, Texas, this place is perfect for cooling off and enjoying a tasty lassi. I tried the malai and rabri malai lassis, which are famous here, and they were amazing. They had a rich malai flavor and were quite filling.

This husband-and-wife venture, originating from Bombay, India, was established on April 14, 2021. The owner, affectionately known as Rizwan Bhai, expressed deep appreciation for the community’s support, remarking, “The love and support we receive from our community will, one day, enable us to open our own shop.”

Wingman HTX

Location: 14631 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77083

Wingman TX, a newcomer to the local food truck scene, is quickly making a name for itself with its delicious wings and tenders.

Offering seven mouthwatering flavors, their Honey BBQ wings especially caught my attention, drawing me in with both their taste and affordability. At just $11 for six pieces, it’s an ideal snack option. Other flavours include Lemon Pepper, Buffalo, Spicy Lemon Pepper, Mango Habanero and Garlic Parmesan.

Chicken wings might be commonly viewed as a simple appetiser, but they actually offer a unique culinary advantage. Wings have the highest skin-to-meat ratio of any chicken part, which means they become exceptionally crispy and juicy when fried, providing a perfectly balanced snack experience. So, if you love chicken wings, you’ve got to try this.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your appetite and hit the streets! These six food trucks, and countless others like Al Mankal Grill, Austin Chai Wala, JNS Hot & Spicy, or Halal 5, are ready to satisfy your cravings with incredible halal food.