“Z-Burger has officially opened its first Halal shop”

641 Indiana Avenue, NW

Ed. Note: This space was formerly home to Eats United and before them to Grand Trunk and Kabob Capital.

From a press release:

“Z-Burger, the Washington D.C.-grown quick casual American restaurant announces its first location serving halal food. Halal Z-Burger is now open at 641 Indiana Avenue NW.

[See menu here.]

Halal Z-Burger marks the brand’s sixth area shop, boasting Z-Burger’s signature hand-crafted burgers, gourmet hot dogs and 75 hand-spun milkshake and malt flavors. But in addition to serving it all halal, this Z-Burger also serves breakfast.

The breakfast menu includes thick, syrup-coated French toast accompanied by bacon or sausage and fluffy three-egg omelettes built “My Way” where guests can select their choice of meat, cheese, and vegetables to go inside. Everything on the breakfast menu is under $10, perfect to pick up on the way to work or before a walk around the National Mall and monuments.

Halal Z-Burger is largely under the ownership and creative direction of Hana Ayele, a hospitality consultant and yoga teacher that helped bring to life Butter Chicken Company and whose family ties run deep in the Washington D.C. food scene: Her relatives owned legendary Ethiopian restaurant, Etete.

“I’m excited to be able to bring my own ideas and enhancements to such a trusted, local brand,” says Hana. “Halal food is so widely consumed across the world for many reasons. And I think that it’s great we’re at a place where we can share the traditions and benefits from our various cultures with one another. Halal food can be for everyone, not just those who practice certain religions.”

Halal Z-Burger opens in Penn Quarter during a time when uncertainty looms over Washington’s downtown area since people are largely still working from home and tourists are visiting like they use to. With those challenges in mind, Halal Z-Burger offers online ordering and delivery via UberEats, GrubHub, Postmates and DoorDash. Takeout and outdoor dining is also available and social distancing and cleanliness. When things are back to normal, guests will can dine in a cool, industrial space with exposed brick and piping accented by sparkly chandeliers and a circular bar at its center from the space’s days as Grand Trunk, another dining destination for Halal. As with other Z-Burger locations, the shop’s lively interiors are designed to reflect the building and community it calls home.

Halal Z-Burger is located at 641 Indiana Avenue NW. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am-6pm.”