Texas barbecue goes halal at Irving restaurant
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Wagyu barbecue alongside beef tallow fries. Photo: Gregory "Stuffed" Castillo/Axios
A new Irving restaurant is giving Muslim diners a chance to experience traditional Texas barbecue.
Why it matters: North Texas restaurants that adhere to halal standards are branching out beyond traditional South Asian and Middle Eastern fare, giving Muslim diners a range of options.
Driving the news: Ramadan is set to start this weekend, and halal restaurants are preparing for a month of early-morning breakfasts known as suhoors and special dinners known as iftars.
- Halal food is prepared following Islamic dietary rules.
Zoom in: Pitmaster Salahodeen Abdul-Kafi opened Kafi BBQ in December after he left his career as an engineer in Silicon Valley to pursue his passion for smoked meats.
- Abdul-Kafi moved to Irving in 2022 to be part of a bigger Muslim community. He cooked brisket for his friends at his mosque and then signed up as a vendor at a suhoor festival during Ramadan.
What to expect: Kafi BBQ's menu honors Texas barbecue traditions while weaving in flavors from Abdul-Kafi's Iraqi upbringing.
- "I wouldn't necessarily call it fusion. I'd say it's Texas-style barbecue influenced by my childhood," Abdul-Kafi tells Axios.
- That philosophy is clear in the wagyu brisket, a barbecue staple that Abdul-Kafi accentuates with a sumac-infused citrusy herb bark, adding a bright, tangy depth to the smoky beef.
- The house-made Iraqi sausage is inspired by the kebabs his father made at home.
The intrigue: The restaurant's moniker isn't just a family name. In Arabic, "kafi" is what you say when you're full.
What else to order: Don't skip the French fries. They're fried in beef tallow, just like McDonald's used to do before changing its recipe.
- The cardamom banana pudding's warm spices blend seamlessly with the creamy custard, balanced by whole slices of banana.
What's next: Abdul-Kafi says he'll have some special Ramadan menu items, including chai.
- Ramadan hours: 5pm–2am Friday and Saturday and 5–10pm Sunday
🎥 Worthy of your time: Watch our video review on Instagram.