Starting March 9, the Halal Shack will begin serving a variety of dishes made with Impossible Burger ingredients at its more than 30 outlets in New York, California, Texas and elsewhere in the United States. The faux meat components will be available as a filling for any menu item, and can be added to bowls, gyros, wraps and salads.
The Arabic word “halal” translates to lawful or permitted in English, as opposed to “haram,” which means prohibited. Halal meats are sourced and prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary guidelines.
Redmond City, California-based Impossible Foods’ Impossible Burger, which obtained halal certification in 2018, contains no animal ingredients at all. It is made of soy protein, potato protein, coconut oil, sunflower oil and heme. The heme ingredient contributes to the characteristic color, taste and aroma of real meat.
Founded in 2017, Halal Shack has since become a fast-casual food fixture at a number of colleges and universities. Inspired by the street foods of New York City, its menu focuses on American halal food with roots in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. In addition to halal-only products, a variety of locally sourced ingredients, health-conscious, plant-based and vegetarian options are offered.
“The Halal Shack builds quality partnerships that align with our mission to unite cultures and people through food,” said Jamal Rasoully, the company’s founder and chief executive officer. “Our partnership with Impossible Foods marks an important milestone in our mission as we continue to expand.”
With retail outlets that also include airports and nontraditional retail spaces, the Halal Shack plans to open at 25 to 50 additional locations within the next five years.
