New York Chicken and Gyro: Opening Doors and Giving Back

Lines began forming early Friday morning outside the newest location of New York Chicken and Gyro, where three Queens, New York brothers—Moe, Sam, Hafiz and their father Habib Mehirdel—opened their third location, on East Green Street in Pasadena. It didn’t hurt that the restaurant was celebrating its opening by offering free lunches to the first 100 customers in line.

Representatives from the offices of US Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Anthony Portantino, and State Assemblymember Chris Holden, were on hand to present commendations to the family.

Vice Mayor Andy Wilson called the restaurant a “great addition” to the already vibrant Green Street business community, adding, “Restaurants such as this foster regional job growth, support local economic growth and keep the dollars in the community.”

“For our family,” said Moe Mehirdel, “community-driven involvement comes second nature. We are thrilled to open our restaurant in Pasadena—with its business-friendly environment, Pasadena is truly a wonderful place to live, learn, have fun and most importantly now, eat tasty halal style food.”

The restaurant family, long active members of the community in their New York City home, where they gave to local kitchens, food banks, shelters and hospitals, did the same on Friday, as they presented $500 checks to the Pasadena City College Culinary Arts and Hospitality program as well as the food bank at Foothill Unity Center.

“Our collective efforts to address food insecurity in our communities is critical in helping our families,” said Mike Antenesse, CAO at Foothill Unity Center. “We appreciate Moe and his family for stepping up and sharing their resources.”

The family will also provide paid internships to PCC culinary students, along with regular discounts to all high school and college students in Pasadena.

New York Chicken and Gyro is at 961 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA.