Gully's Burger Delite's niche is that its menu is 100 percent Halal.
That focus, which makes the food permissible for Muslims to eat because the meat and poultry are slaughtered according to Islamic law, has made the small eatery a destination for folks around metro Atlanta. It's tucked away next to a gas station at the corner of Grayson Highway and Webb Gin House Road in Lawrenceville.
Owner Mostafa G. Mahmood also receives frequent catering orders to supply burgers and more for get-togethers such as religious meetings and birthday parties. His largest order: 350 double cheeseburgers, grilled chicken platters and cheesesteaks.
ON THE GRILL
Mahmood juggles four orders on our Saturday lunchtime visit, flipping beef patties and throwing chicken, hot dogs and sliced lamb meat for gyros onto the grill, then adding cheese for some folks. We like how the buns, hoagies and pitas also are warmed up, receiving grill marks, too. Other customers, who are Muslim, explain how eating at Gully's eliminates their concerns that fare from other fast-food places could violate their religious guidelines because of the way the animals are treated and killed.Hearing the background to the beef doesn't take away from the expected taste when eating a burger. The hamburger is Gully's version of the Whopper, with a big bun holding a beef patty, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard. Our juicy cheeseburger has a little too much chopped onion, which is easy to remove.
The gyro is an excellent mixture of meat, lettuce, tomato and a creamy cucumber sauce. It's surrounded by a warm, fresh and thick pita that could pass for being homemade. The Philly cheesesteak has a soft bun that doesn't get soggy once off the grill, and a satisfying blend of white cheese, shredded beef, mushrooms and onions. Peppers are also available on the sandwich. An alternative is a chicken cheesesteak and Gully's special burger steak, which has ground beef with the cheese, mushrooms, onions and peppers.
OTHER OPTIONS
Pass on the fries, which lack seasoning and crispiness. The onion rings are another side (but were not available during our visit), and Gully's offers chili cheese fries, too. Fried chicken, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches also are on the menu. The mild hot wings are meaty and have some heat to them; other sauces are hot, barbecue, teriyaki, lemon pepper and honey mustard. Canned and bottled Coca-Cola products are available.ORDERING EARLY
Mahmood has spent more than 20 years in the restaurant business, which included operating Subway and Blimpie franchises in other states. When he moved to Georgia, he decided five years ago to open a Halal restaurant with American food. It's described as a fast-food restaurant, but during our visit, the multiple orders result in a 30-minute wait. Most customers call in their orders, which is a smart choice. With only four tables, to-go orders are popular. The eatery is a bit messy, with dirty floors and a built-in trash can in need of a wipe down.• Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Sundays
• Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard
• Reservations: No
• Price range: Burgers and sandwiches, $3.89-$5.99; wings, $6.49 (10)-$28.99 (50)
• Recommended dishes: Cheeseburger, cheesesteak, gyro
• Verdict: A grill with a clear focus.
