Key facts
- Goldee's BBQ, a Texas restaurant, was named the No. 1 barbecue spot in the state by Texas Monthly and received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award.
- Goldee's offers halal brisket, turkey, and lamb, alongside traditional Texas barbecue items.
- Other halal barbecue establishments like Yearby’s Barbecue & Waterice and Levant Mediterranean BBQ are also gaining popularity.
- Food writer Farhan Mustafa notes that halal food is becoming an integral part of the American culinary mainstream.
- Pitmasters like Zain Shafi of Goldee's and Salahodeen Abdul-Kafi of Kafi BBQ are incorporating diverse cultural influences and high-quality meats into their offerings.
Texas barbecue is undergoing a transformation as halal establishments gain popularity, offering a unique blend of traditional flavors and Islamic dietary practices. Restaurants like Goldee's BBQ, which earned the title of the No. 1 barbecue spot in Texas and a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award, are now serving halal brisket, turkey, and lamb alongside classic offerings.
Muslim pitmasters are infusing their culinary traditions into Texas barbecue. Zain Shafi, co-owner of Goldee's, previously ran a food truck with Pakistani-infused halal dishes and brought tandoori smoked turkey to Goldee's menu, noting that halal cuts are often of the highest quality. Nupohn Inthanousay, also a chef and part owner at Goldee's, incorporates his Laotian heritage with smoked Lao sausage. At Kafi BBQ in Irving, owner Salahodeen Abdul-Kafi uses halal Wagyu beef and Iraqi spices, aiming to create the best barbecue in Texas without pork.
Food writer Farhan Mustafa highlights that halal food is increasingly becoming part of the American culinary mainstream, stating, 'Halal food is American food.' This rise in halal barbecue is seen as a positive contribution to Texas's iconic cuisine and a counterargument to anti-Muslim rhetoric. Customers like Haris Ghaffar express gratitude for the growing options, recalling a time when halal dining choices were scarce. Diners at Kafi BBQ, such as Jonathan Tate and Jon Sklar, praise the unique flavors and quality of the food, with some appreciating the care taken in preparing the halal meats.