A couple of years ago, Jay and Reza Mohammad introduced their Afghan cuisine to Rochester at Henry’s Convenience Market, their business in the North Winton Village. The takeout operation has become so popular that they recently opened a counter-service restaurant in Henrietta.
Jay Mohammad says the thing that sets his authentic fare apart is “the love and the hard work I put in.”
The brothers were born in Kabul, Afghanistan and have lived in the Rochester area for the past 21 years. Jay Mohammad learned to cook while working in Indian and Mexican restaurants, starting out as a dishwasher and then in various chef positions.
The best sellers are halal over-the-rice boxes, famed by New York City’s halal carts. Fragrant rice is topped with a choice of chicken, gyro, steak, barbecue chicken, honey mustard chicken, chili chicken or chicken makhani. Of those, honey mustard chicken, more tangy than sweet, is a customer favorite. All are topped with a tangy homemade white sauce and served with a green salad.
Kabobs include chicken, beef cubes, beef seekh (seasoned ground beef) and chapli kabob (ground beef mixed with chopped onions, green peppers, egg yolk, dried peppers and Afghan seasoning). All are served over Afghan rice alongside a simple salad and homemade white sauce.
Also popular are gyros and bolani, half-moon shaped Afghan flatbreads filled with a potato and green onion filling, pan fried and served with a homemade green sauce that’s akin to salsa.
There are several vegetarian options including vegetable biryani, mixed vegetable korma, paneer korma (a curry dish made with cheese) and dal korma (made with lentils).
American dishes include chicken wings (plain, Buffalo, barbecue, honey mustard and garlic parmesan), chicken fingers, chicken drumsticks and fries.
Dishes are currently prepared to order, but as business increases Jay plans to serve some dishes from the restaurant’s steam table to offer speedy options.
The halal menu remains available at Henry’s Convenience Market at 519 Merchants Road in Rochester. The menus at the two locations are similar but the Henrietta restaurant has a few dishes not serves in the convenience store. Among them are manto, an iconic Afghan dumpling dish. Jay’s adaptation has a ground chicken and onion filling seasoned with black pepper and Afghan spices. The dumplings are topped with yogurt, dried mint, lentil curry and fresh cilantro.
Jay’s Halal Cuisine
Where: 3675 West Henrietta Road, Henrietta.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Parking: In front of the restaurant. Details: Online ordering is available at jayshalal.com; delivery is available via the major apps. Call (585) 444-0350.
Tracy Schuhmacher has covered the Rochester-area food scene for more than 10 years. Send story tips to tschuhmach@rocheste.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Popular halal spot expands from convenience store to new Henrietta restaurant
Reporting by Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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