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Chicago fans of Halal Guys' white and red sauces have a three-month wait. The first of five Chicago Halal Guys will open in June near the Viagra Triangle.
The Chicago franchise owners of the cult-favorite kebob chain announced plans they're taking over the former Empire Restaurant at 49 W. Division St. near the Clark and Division CTA Red Line stop. Halal Guys on Division will stay open late on the weekends, representing another late-night food upgrade for the Rush and Division. Velvet Taco opened last month around the corner. That strip of Division is already home to a few late-night fast-food spots (Five Faces, Georgio's Gourmet Pizza, Mr. Gyros) that serve patrons after the bars close.
The Gold Coast locale will mark the Halal Guys first entrance to the Midwest; the New York-based food cart turned chain is also expanding to California. The same franchise owners who are opening in June plan four additional Halal Guys in Chicago. They have yet to reveal those locations, so stay tuned.
