Empire Halal

"Catch Empire BBQ if you can—their big black truck sometimes operates around Midtown in the vicinity of West 56th Street, but they can be found parked at events in Far Rockaway and Staten Island. Call 732-955-7273 for their current and upcoming locations. They serve chicken sandwiches, pulled pork, and smoked brisket. “Get the ‘Garson,’” recommends Harney. “It’s a crispy chicken sandwich with fries, chorizo, and queso.”" - carla thomas

"Times Hungry City columnist Ligaya Mishan visits 24-hour kebab joint Kebab Empire in Hell’s Kitchen to highlight the cuisine of the Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking and primarily Muslim minority in China and Central Asia. Mishan calls the menu on point: “Lamb chops, the juices shining, are thrust on blades a foot long, crossed like swords; leg of lamb is hewn in hunks, pressed with crushed cumin seeds, black pepper and salt, then skewered. Both pick up a good marbling of char from the grill — gas, not charcoal, but still the smoke goes deep.” Recommended dishes include all of the lamb: cumin lamb, lamb kebab, lamb chop, and lamb shank. Eater critic Ryan Sutton is also on board with this place." - Stefanie Tuder

"The food came out in about five minutes, and I found a proper table in about seven; every seat was filled on a recent Wednesday. My cubes of lamb were juicy and pleasantly chewy, with a intense lacing of cumin." - Ryan Sutton