Madison has two Restaurant Weeks and a Black Restaurant Week – now it’s time for a Halal Restaurant Week. Running Sept. 4-13, the inaugural event showcases Madison restaurants that will offer alternatives to their usual menu items prepared in the Muslim halal tradition.
Here are the details on Halal Restaurant Week.
☪️ What is Halal?
Halal is Arabic for “allowed” or “permissible,” and covers a variety of practices for followers of the Islamic faith. But in the context of dining it refers to specific food and dietary restrictions. For example, pork and alcohol must be excluded, and animals who are used in halal food must be slaughtered in a specific ritual tradition. It’s similar to the Jewish practice of keeping kosher, although the rules can differ between individuals. [WebMD]
🧑🍳 Why a Halal Restaurant Week?
While Muslims can find halal food throughout the year at certain restaurants, Bushra Zaibak said she started “Eat Halal Milwaukee” to expand the amount of available options for halal food to burger restaurants, Mexican restaurants, and more. She got the idea after her son asked to go out for burgers instead of the usual shawarma. [Madison365]
🍔 What Restaurants Are Taking Part?
These eight Madison restaurants are taking part in Halal Restaurant Week. Note that, unlike Madison Restaurant Week, these restaurants won’t have special menu items for the week, but instead will be offering halal-certified alternatives to its regular menu items.
● Lucille
● The Globe
● Baked Wings & Things
● Paul’s Pel’meni
● Mi Barrio
● Bassett Street Brunch Club
● Everly
● HWY 1
Once Halal Restaurant Week is over, make sure to check out this list of Madison restaurants that serve halal-certified food year round. [UW-Madison Muslim Students Association]
