Valentines Day is a tradition in the Halal Food Guru Household. It’s a holiday where I take Mrs Halal Food Guru out for a nice dinner out on the town. A day when she doesn’t have to worry about cooking and cleaning. It’s a day the kids and I try to treat her just a little more special to show our appreciation.
But not too much, we don’t want to spoil her.
So every year I put together a list of Halal restaurants in Orlando to help husbands find the spots to take their beautiful bride. You can check out my previous lists for 2020 and for 2019 if you need more inspiration. If you are using this list to take someone else out to a special dinner, then you may have bigger problems brewing than finding a Halal spot to eat.
This year is different.
Last February, we could go out to eat without a care in the world. Dining in at a restaurant was the thing to do. Not this year. This will be the first Valentines day under a global pandemic. Some feel it’s okay to return to dine-in mode at restaurants, while others are still hesitant. There are several restaurants with outdoor seating as a compromise during this pandemic. For us, we are still hesitant to do indoor restaurant dining, so we will be dining at home this year. So, what can I do?
Should I cook dinner for Mrs Halal Food Guru?
No way, we are trying to stay out of the hospital!
So for this year, I’ ll order out and bring home the meal from the restaurant. While in years past, the restaurant atmosphere and service factored into my decision, this year they will not be considered. Because it is a special occasion, the price point isn’t weighted as heavy either.
This year, I’ll be focusing on restaurants that have takeout menu items that can withstand the car ride home without losing taste or visual appeal. It goes without saying that most meals taste better right off the grill, but there are compromises that need to be made during a global pandemic.
This family owned Middle Eastern restaurant has been a constant in my list for Valentines day picks. The food is consistently good and the portions offer good value. It has made my list for the TOP 5 Halal Mediterranean restaurants in Orlando. The restaurant is located in Kissimmee near Disney, so it can be a little bit of a drive for those that are not living in that area. For me the Mixed Grill platter which consists of Kafta, Kabob and Shish Tawook skewers is always a winner.
The owner of Sizler on I-Drive opened a spin off location in the Apna Bazaar Plaza off OBT this year. 2020 probably wasn’t the best time to open a new restaurant. However, it seems to be doing well and is popular among visitors who are going to get their Indian grocery shopping done at Apna Bazaar. They are located in the food court area behind the banquet hall so there is no outdoor seating like their I-Drive location. For me, the chicken Tikka curry is well executed with a creamy thick tangy sauce. The naan is made fresh and is so soft and doughy.
If authentic Turkish food is on your mind, this is the spot that I would pick. The food is made fresh and grill items are best eaten quickly after they are cooked, but they can be transported easily. They also have a combo platter so you can sample a little bit of everything. The price point is a little higher for the portion, but the taste should overcome that.
4. Chaat House
While typically not on my top lists for a romantic getaway dinner, Chaat house has a little bit of everything when it comes to meal choices. The desi and indo-chinese foods tend to travel well as take-out so this may be a viable option for you. They have been one of the many Halal spots that was consistently open during the pandemic. The portion to price ratio is what creates value.
Hear me out on this one. There is nothing better than bringing home a hot fresh pizza and sitting on the couch together for movie night. This might be the way to bring some calmness into the home after a long chaotic pandemic and presidency. Together you can Make Pizza Great Again. Also, when you call to place your order, you can have them place the toppings in a heart shape.
Will you be going out to eat at the restaurant or staying home this year? Let me know how you are modifying your day? While Valentines Day isn’t going to be the same in our house this year, we are going try and make the most of it. If this list isn’t cutting it for you, there are plenty of halal caterers making yummy dishes that you can tap into. If you need a suggestion, check out my boy Musti, he may even serenade you with a sweet nasheed while he cooks for you with his blessed voice!
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