Meet Halal Platter! Shah Ghous is the Manager and Co-owner of Halal Platter. Learn more about the business and their delicious dishes below.
What made you want to start a food truck business?
Shah Ghous is from the Bay Area which is extremely diverse when it comes to different cuisines. Ghous was inspired to start Halal Platter because he thought it was so amazing how one spice, vegetable, or meat can taste so different in each cuisine and he wanted to share his culture to others.
What are ways Chico State students can help other local businesses like yours?
Some of the best ways to help other local businesses is by supporting food trucks and family owned businesses on campus to bring the community together. Ghous says, “students support the business as much as the business supports the students.”
What is one of the best-selling items and how does it make you different from other food trucks?
The best selling item is called the “Chicken Super Fries.” This meal contains fries, rice, chicken or lamb covered in tikka masala sauce, and finally topped with white sauce and siracha. These fries have an amazing flavor with many different spices and it is filling. Sometimes you can make two meals out of it! This is unique to Halal Platter because there is no other food truck with this genre of food on campus. “We bring Afghan culture to Chico’s campus,” says Ghous.
What is an item on your menu that is underrated, and you think more students should try?
There is not one item that is underrated, but Ghous thinks it is important to add the tikka masala sauce on to your meal. This sauce can go on any item on the menu because it adds so much flavor to the food.
What is your favorite part about running/working in a food truck?
The best part about working in a food truck is the fast-paced enviornment and learning how to manage work and make food in a small space.
What is the best aspect of being able to have your food truck on campus?
The best part of having a food truck on campus is the Chico community because all the students, faculty, and staff they serve are kind and willing to try new food. Halal is also a mix between Eastern and Western cultures and they like how students immerse themselves in these cultures by trying these foods.
What are some gluten-free options on your menu?
The gluten free options are lamb over rice and chicken over rice. This includes rice, your choice of meat, lettuce, and topped with any of the sauces.
Do you have any vegan and/or vegetarian options?
The vegan and vegetarian item that Halal Platter serves are falafels. These are made out of chickpeas, fava beans, and other spices.
Halal Platter can be found on campus Monday-Friday at one of our various designated food truck spots on campus, and sometimes at Nettleton Stadium supporting Chico State Athletics events.
Follow Halal Platter (@halal_platter) for new menu items, operational updates and more.
The food truck program at Chico State is brought to you by Associated Students Dining Services. Chico State students, staff and faculty can use FlexCash, ReDD$, and Wildcat Dollars at participating food trucks. For more info, click here.
