Fans are raving about this Macon spot that offers authentic halal street food
On a patch of gravel near Billy’s Clubhouse in Macon is a small, unassuming food truck from which Gee Hossain serves up authentic halal street food that he’s accustomed to from living in New York City and Detroit.
Since opening the stationary Macon Halal Eats at 1568 Forest Hill Road on March 6, the 45-year-old Bangladesh native has developed a loyal customer base by word of mouth and fans posting on social media.
“Thanks to God, people loving my food,” Hossain smiled widely as he leaned out of the food truck window. “Everything’s been steady. A lot of regulars.”
On a recent visit over the lunch hour, cars, trucks and SUVs were lined up in a row in front of the food truck as customers waited for their made-to-order certified halal dishes.
Halal is Arabic for permissible or lawful, and when used to describe foods, refers to those allowed under Islamic dietary laws.
What fans had to say
Most of the people waiting for their order took the food to go.
But Holly Gentile, a traveling X-ray technologist from Jones County, enjoyed the New York lamb and rice platter with extra special sauce from inside her air-conditioned car in the parking lot.
“It’s just really good,” said Gentile, who usually swings by twice a week.
Gentile also noted that Hossain and his team, Oly Miah and Prince Ahmed, are super friendly and offer great customer service.
“When it’s raining, they’ll bring my food to my car,” she said.
On another visit earlier this year in late April, self-described foodie Shun Riggins of Macon was parked in his truck waiting for his order. He enjoys trying new places and considers Macon Halal Eats a find.
Riggins usually stops in once a week when school is in session because his daughter, 9-year-old Khloe Riggins, attends nearby Springdale Elementary.
“Oh yeah,” Riggins replied when asked if he’d recommend the food truck to others, “especially if you want to get away from the mainstay and try something different.”
Kylee Mullis, who works at the nearby Si-Ya Smoke Shop, also gave Macon Halal Eats a thumbs up.
“It’s really good,” said Mullis, who noted that the meats are always tender. “I could eat it almost every day.”
Online reviews have been just as positive. As of Friday, the food truck averages 5 stars from 134 Google page reviews and averages a 4.7 to 5 rating among customers ordering through three different delivery services.
‘I do my best’
Hossain keeps the menu simple, having added only a few dishes since first opening.
“I do my best to make the best food,” said Hossain, who’s lived in Macon for about 2-½ years and previously lived in New York City for seven years, Detroit for 20 years and Las Vegas for two years.
In addition to lamb, the rice platters include choice of chicken, shrimp, jerk wings, or lamb and chicken. Chicken or lamb wraps and six-piece jerk wings also are offered.
The menu includes Jamaican beef patties and coco bread as well as vegetable samosas, a South Asian savory pastry he makes with Maida dough and stuffs with vegetables and then fries.
To drink, he offers canned Coke, Diet Coke and Detroit-based Faygo soft drinks, along with bottled water. Red velvet cheesecake and cookies & cream cheesecake round out the menu.
Macon Halal Eats is open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. The number is 478-407-8424. Delivery is available through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates.
