Our project is focused on the famous halal carts in New York City. We conducted extensive research on the history of halal, famous halal carts in NYC, and the behind-the-scenes that include the realities of permits. We were able to gather information from two interviews with halal cart workers that we conducted in the city, which we included in our project. We also included photos in our mixed media collage, which we obtained during our fieldwork in Manhattan. On the surface level, while halal carts only serve as one of many food options around, there is a bigger story to be told by the workers and businesses on the streets of NYC.
Completing this project helped us explore the unique ways that halal food in NYC not only fuels us, but also connects us. Our onsite research taught us a lot about the NYC culture, and the passion and stories behind some workers, too. Halal food carts are a staple in NYC food culture, and they can also serve as a bond between workers and customers.
