Pizza. The ultimate comfort food. Is there anything more satisfying than a hot cheesy slice of pizza! No. No there is not. The best part is that you can top it with anything your heart desires. Except pineapple, that’s just gross.

Now a days, as Muslims, we can even pick Halal meat toppings. Back in my day, we only had vegetable options.  I had no idea what it was like to have meat on my pizza. If you’re not old enough to know what I’m talking about, consider yourself privileged to have not lived in those dark backward times. Now we have endless meat choices like, turkey bacon, beef pepperoni, Buffalo chicken, chicken tikka and lamb gyro, to name a few.

The Results are In: Instagram Poll

I did a poll on my Instagram asking about the best Halal pizza spots in Orlando. There was one clear choice, but beyond that most were unsure of other Halal spots across the town. I had put together a list a few years ago, which you can read here. But, over time, the Halal food Scene in Florida Orlando has evolved so I’m updating it for you today.

So here is my list of top Halal pizza spots in Orlando for 2021.

5.     Kabob House Grill and New York Pizza & Wings.

They now have 2 locations, the original in Kissimmee near Disney and the newer location in Orlando, near Universal Studios. The newer location opened about 1 year ago. Both spots offer 2 separate menus, one for the Middle-Eastern foods and the other for the American classics. I recently went to the Orlando spot to try the New York Style thin crust pizza. It was freshly made with a thin but doughy crust with ample greasy cheese. It definitely hit the spot. The Halal Chicken and Lamb are consistently available, but the Halal beef pepperoni was not, due to supply chain issues. I would inquire about their Halal offerings before placing your order to avoid any confusion. The pricing was reasonable and there was ample free parking. There was indoor seating available.  They have combo specials posted on their window and also coupons on their website. Service, like at the other location a little hit or miss, but didn’t really impact my takeout experience. 

4. Fried Chicken and Pizza

Located in Kissimmee on the southern end of Disney, this fast-food spot is located in the same plaza as Jerusalem. It is open late and located next to a Hookah lounge. It seems like they have the perfect business model setup.  However, their plan falls apart in one key aspect. Inattentive customer service. It is a common issue sited in multiple online reviews. I too have experienced it trying to order a pizza off the menu. They seem uninterested in interacting with customers. The food is of average quality and pricing, but can also be inconsistent based on the reviews. These factors lead to a poor experience. However, given it’s prime location near Disney, extended late hours, it may be an option for some which is why I kept it on this list.

3. Chaat House

Chaat house is a popular destination amongst visitors and locals alike. It is about a 20 minute drive from the theme park hub. They offer a vast array of menu options from Indo-Pakistani, Indo-Chinese, Middle-Eastern and American classics. The pizza come in a pre-set large size and with pre-set choices for topping choices. You can pick from their meat lover choices of chicken tikka, gyro or phillysteak, or stick to their veggie lover or cheese pizza if you are not accustom to meat on your pizza. They are a counter service operation but do have a large indoor seating area and are often quite busy. Poor customer service is the ire of many online 1 star reviews. However, many locals and visitors are willing to overlook this fundamental flaw, given their wide menu and consistent food quality.  After enjoying your hot pizza, you may be tempted by their many famous desi sweets on display.

 

2. B & B Express

Located near the southern Disney entrance, B & B Express combines both the East and West cooking traditions in a fast-casual dining setting. They offer many Indo-Pakistani classics but also some American favorites like pizza with a Desi twist. You can select from their preset options like veggie, buffalo chicken or gyro pizza. The taste and fact that it only comes in one size indicate they are using a premade crust. The value for the pizza menu is average for the area. As an added bonus, it is in the same building as the Mosque. So, you can pray all those calories you are about to consume don’t clog your heart arteries. If that doesn’t work, you can always visit the Cath Lab at Celebration Hospital which isn’t too far either.

1. Friendly's New York Style Pizza

Based on my recent Instagram poll, Friendly’s was the most popular and mentioned choice for Halal pizza spots. Located in Sanford, it is about a 45 minute drive from both the theme park hub and Daytona Beach. This is the most authentic New York style thin crust Halal pizza you will find in the area. The pizza crust is freshly tossed and created to order. In addition to pizza, you can order a calzone or Stromboli customized with any toppings you desire ( but no pineapple!). They offer great value and also have a daily lunch special of 2 slices and a pop for $4.

So there you have it, an updated list of Halal Pizza joints across Orlando. If I missed any, let me know in the comment below. Customer service seems to be a consistent issue with many spots but as the Halal food scene evolves, they will realize the importance of a good customer experience. Also, I haven't seen any specialty spots offering wood ovens or brick ovens pizza. If that happens, you know the Pizza Game in Orlando is stepping up.

Feel like I'm complaining a lot about customer service. Even thought they are takeout spots, they represent the city to many guests and also the Muslim business community to locals. Poor service leads to poor experience and eating is all about the experience. If the food was good but the experience was bad, people in general will have a hard time overlooking that. People remember how you make them feel, not just how you fed them.  Let me know if you feel the same. Will you visit a restaurant with good food but bad or disrespectful service?

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