Standing at the corner of Pugh Street and East Beaver Avenue, it’s nearly impossible to ignore the delicious aroma of food wafting from the infamous Sher Halal Gyro food truck. If you’ve been there once, you’ve probably been there twice, and now you’ll get the chance to visit their larger establishment when they open their brand new storefront on South Allen Street.
Known for its flavorful gyros and generous rice platters, Sher Halal has been a staple of downtown State College since January 2018, so it’s only fitting that an expansion is in place. Owner Namat Rahmaa now gets a chance to feed twice the hungry bellies in town, and he does it with unmatched courtesy and grace. The most important part of the Sher Halal food cart is community to owner Namat, and he’s dedicated to keeping his community fed in more ways than one.
Since arriving in State College, Namat has embraced the community with open arms, including giving back to non-profit organizations like Out of the Cold and generously feeding daily lunches to our very own downtown Clean Team. Namat contributes his success as “all through word of mouth,” adding that his “main ingredient” is hospitality, and the proof is in the pudding. Namat is determined to cater downtown with the best food imaginable by traveling long distances to get the fresh, “everything halal” ingredients needed to keep his food truck cooking.
After having an incredible chat with Namat, I ordered Sher Halal’s beloved popular dish, the chicken and lamb rice combo, steaming hot and fresh off the grill. The anticipation for their new storefront is palpable between bites of Sher Halal’s deliciously mouthwatering meals. For years, Namat Rahmaa has warmed our bellies and, most importantly, nourished our souls. Now, with the community by his side, Namat will have another year of keeping it halal, all in a brand new location.
Sher Hot Chicken on 145 S. Allen St. will celebrate with an opening on August 22 and will include lots of space for indoor and outdoor dining, a pool table, ice cream & smoothies, and, of course, the incredible food downtown State College has come to know and love.
