This week’s campus celebrity doesn’t exactly go to our school, but he certainly is a campus celebrity! Meet Hamdy, who runs the delicious Halal food cart on the corner 115th street. Ever wonder who the guy is behind the delicious falafel and gyros that are the best kind of quick, fast dinner? Well, read on to find out!
What is your name and where are you from?
My name Is Hamdy and I am from Egypt.
How did you come to work at the Halal food cart?
I came to work at the food cart through my boss, a close friend of mine. I used to work before in Astoria, Queens in an open food cart, and when I quit working over there, I called Hooda (my boss) and told him about the situation. He told me that he wanted me to work for him and welcomed me.
What is working in the cart like?
I must be in full control of the whole unit but I have another guy (Ahmed)Â
working with me, so we share taking care of it together. I handle the gyro machine & grill side while Ahmed handles the chicken grill & falafel. We are supposed to process everything separately.
What is the hardest part of the job?
For me the hardest part of the job is when I run out of quarters and I have to give back change.
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What is your favorite part of working in the food cart?
I do enjoy my job to the utmost limit, so my favorite part is when I’m inside my cart cooking, preparing, and serving and when all these things are done while listening to music.
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What do people order the most?
People order gyro & chicken platters the most, then lamb, falafel & chicken gyros. Chicken and lamb combo platters are served 45% of the time.
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Which food from the cart would you recommend or is your favorite?
The foods I recommend are combo platters, which includes both recipes (lamb & chicken). But my favorite food is the fish platter and chicken salad.
What a nice guy! Be sure to say hi the next time you stop for your quick-Friday night fix.