Rami Ali and Talha Shahid seem to gravitate to gritty spaces.
Their first location for Gotham Halal, a permanent food trailer that serves smash burgers, fries and dirty sodas, is set behind a gas station and vape shop at the intersection at the corner of West Ridge and Long Pond Roads in Greece.
Now they've opened the second location in what only could be described as a concrete wasteland in Henrietta. But somehow, Gotham Halal seems to suit the area.
The new trailer - substantially larger than the one in Henrietta - is covered with comic book-style illustrations. Its setting offers substantially more outdoor space for customers to sit outside and enjoy their food, as well as for parking.
Uber thin burgers, smashed on the grill and grilled until
brown and crusty, can be ordered with one, two or three patties. A falafel smash burger is available as well. A variety of topping options is offered.
The menu also has a couple of spicy creations. The Gotham Heatwave is a double smash burger topped with pepper Jack cheese, fresh jalapeños and Gotham Sauce. The Gotham Red Moon has crunchy Hot Cheetos and fresh jalapeños inside, and the bun is coated with crunchy Hot Cheetos.
Fries are seasoned and served smothered with Gotham sauce (which can be ordered on the side). Loaded fries add ground beef, bacon, sautéed onions and jalapeños to the equation.
Dirty sodas are based on lemon-line soda mixed with fruity syrups and topped with a vanilla cold foam. The flavors include strawberry, watermelon, mango, peach, pineapple, green apple and blue nightfall (blue raspberry and coconut).
While some people associate "halal" with Middle Eastern cuisine, it generally describes food and drinks that are allowed under Islamic dietary law. That's why, for example, you'll find beef bacon on the Gotham Halal menu, as Muslims are forbidden from consuming pork.
Gotham Halal is at 900 Jefferson Road in Henrietta; its hours are 4 p.m. to midnight daily. Its Greece location is at 2534 West Ridge Road; its hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday.
Tracy Schuhmacher has been food and drink reporter for the past 11 years. Notice a food establishment open or close near you? Email her at tracys@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Gotham Halal adds Henrietta location for smash burgers, fries
