Jay's Halal Cuisine
Afghan counter-service restaurant serving halal-prepared kabobs, chicken wings, gyros, and American classics. Open daily 10 AM to 10 PM.
Overview
Jay's Halal Cuisine is an Afghan counter-service restaurant at 3675 West Henrietta Road in Rochester, NY. Brothers Jay and Reza Mohammad, who were born in Kabul, Afghanistan and have lived in the Rochester area for over two decades, opened this dedicated restaurant after building a following through their takeout operation at Henry's Convenience Market in the North Winton Village neighborhood. Jay Mohammad developed his cooking skills working in Indian and Mexican restaurant kitchens before channeling that experience into Afghan dishes prepared with halal ingredients.
What They Offer
The menu centers on halal over-the-rice boxes — fragrant rice topped with proteins like barbecue chicken, honey mustard chicken, gyro meat, or steak, finished with a tangy homemade white sauce. Beyond the rice plates, Jay's Halal Cuisine serves:
- Chicken, beef, and seasoned ground-beef kabobs
- Bolani, half-moon-shaped Afghan flatbreads filled with potato and green onion, pan-fried and paired with a house-made green sauce
- Kabuli pulao and chicken biryani
- Manto (Afghan dumplings)
- American-style options including chicken wings and chicken fingers
- Vegetarian dishes such as vegetable biryani and paneer korma
Ordering is available in person at the counter, online through the restaurant's website, or via delivery apps. Jay's Halal Cuisine also offers catering and can accommodate private events.
Known For
Jay's Halal Cuisine is known for its rice boxes, which established the brothers' reputation during their time operating out of Henry's Convenience Market. The bolani — a traditional Afghan stuffed flatbread not commonly found at other Rochester-area restaurants — is another signature item. All food is certified halal, with signage displayed on the premises, and no alcohol is served. The restaurant maintains a counter-service format with table seating for dine-in guests.
Location & Neighborhood
The restaurant occupies Suite 4 at 3675 West Henrietta Road, situated along the commercial corridor in the Town of Henrietta south of Rochester. This stretch of West Henrietta Road runs near Rochester Institute of Technology and Marketplace Mall, making it accessible to both the local community and the area's large student population. Parking is available directly in front of the restaurant. Hours may vary by day, so checking the website at jayshalal.com or calling (585) 444-0350 before visiting is recommended.
Sources used in compiling this entry
Last updated May 15, 2026