Shah's Halal Food

My husband used to eat here regularly when he was a grad student. I look forward to grabbing food from here whenever we happen to drive through Davis, and now our kids enjoy the food as well. Wish you had a location in the bay area.

Awesome food and the staff is always super friendly. It’s also really convenient — UCD has terrible food options. The dining halls aren’t always open, and the various cafes around campus will close at random times and are generally unreliable. But Shah’s is always there 👍🏽 It would be nice if their menu had more options

Got the falafel wrap and devoured it to fast to take a picture. It was a bit pricey at $11 for a fairly small portion. I finished it and regretted not ordering two, though, so that tells you how good it was. Definitely more of a halal junk food type of meal, but they also have healthier options. It's nice to see some culture in Davis, which is a mostly white town with little to offer people like me who appreciate cuisines from all cultures. There is a reason this place has been here this long and it's here to stay. Definitely worth trying and returning and supporting.

I was originally going elsewhere when I saw this truck parked outside the gas station. Super friendly man who suggested me to try the lamb and chicken since it was my first time. Super friendly experience with him. The food was so worth the 10, honestly. I was skeptical in the beginning but swallowed my tongue when I not only smelled the chicken and lamb but tasted it. Sauce is super tasty and the rice is perfectly cooked, something a lot of people can’t do. I will be coming back here often

As a mechanical engineer, Shah's was the go-to lunch since it was next to Bainer. It was and still is the best halal food I've had. Great taste and perfect portion size. If you're new to Davis, student or not, stop by this place. Super delicious food and employees are super nice.

Very nice staff delicious food price are very convenient

Four years after I finished my undergrad at Davis, I found Shah's hiding in the University Mall parking lot. Mixed over rice with spicy and their secret white sauce was as delicious as ever. If you're ever around Davis, stop by the Shah's food truck to get a bite of one of the tastiest meals around campus.

Omid Ahmadi

Very nice staff delicious food price are very convenient

The siber. stan Mapper

Despite being in a tiny food truck right next to the Silo bus hub, Shah's Halal Food punches miles above its weight in terms of food, service speed, and convenience for a regular student like me. Yes, theres other places on campus, but none are THIS good and THIS close to where I actually have stuff happening on a regular day. All the Gyros ive tried from this place have been well worth their price; having amazing food within a few minutes of walking is priceless to me. Try it if you ever swing by the Silo, they'll have amazing food even if the UC Davis-provided seating isnt the best in the world. 9.5/10 would absolutely recommend (though you shouldn't sit on the concrete seats too long, ill admit.)

Alia Rizvi

My husband used to eat here regularly when he was a grad student. I look forward to grabbing food from here whenever we happen to drive through Davis, and now our kids enjoy the food as well. Wish you had a location in the bay area.

Nathan Nevins

Awesome food and the staff is always super friendly. It’s also really convenient — UCD has terrible food options. The dining halls aren’t always open, and the various cafes around campus will close at random times and are generally unreliable. But Shah’s is always there 👍🏽 It would be nice if their menu had more options

Mika Izu

Got the falafel wrap and devoured it to fast to take a picture. It was a bit pricey at $11 for a fairly small portion. I finished it and regretted not ordering two, though, so that tells you how good it was. Definitely more of a halal junk food type of meal, but they also have healthier options. It's nice to see some culture in Davis, which is a mostly white town with little to offer people like me who appreciate cuisines from all cultures. There is a reason this place has been here this long and it's here to stay. Definitely worth trying and returning and supporting.

Aaron Scarpelli

I was originally going elsewhere when I saw this truck parked outside the gas station. Super friendly man who suggested me to try the lamb and chicken since it was my first time. Super friendly experience with him. The food was so worth the 10, honestly. I was skeptical in the beginning but swallowed my tongue when I not only smelled the chicken and lamb but tasted it. Sauce is super tasty and the rice is perfectly cooked, something a lot of people can’t do. I will be coming back here often

Erik Quiroz

As a mechanical engineer, Shah's was the go-to lunch since it was next to Bainer. It was and still is the best halal food I've had. Great taste and perfect portion size. If you're new to Davis, student or not, stop by this place. Super delicious food and employees are super nice.

Yiran Li

Four years after I finished my undergrad at Davis, I found Shah's hiding in the University Mall parking lot. Mixed over rice with spicy and their secret white sauce was as delicious as ever. If you're ever around Davis, stop by the Shah's food truck to get a bite of one of the tastiest meals around campus.

Seth Rayhan

The food will make you full and save on money if you eat out daily. We had falafel gyro, chicken gyro and lamb over rice. The price seemed a bit expensive for students but it comes with soda or water and the amount of food WOULD last until dinner or you may even skip or have little dinner afterward. BIG portion of food and delicious. When you ask for spicy, it is really spicy! :p The brothers are friendly and courteous. They are located at Arco Gas station.

Jarrod Baniqued

They have the best location on Friday afternoons! They balance good food with speed, and winningly! Their falafels over rice are worth the $8.50. Very high quality!

Shah’s Halal Food is one of the few places around UC Davis that actually understands value. The portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and you leave feeling like you got more than you paid for. It’s straightforward, efficient, and focused on delivering substance rather than pretending to be something it’s not. What stands out most is how cost-effective it is. No inflated pricing, no unnecessary posturing—just solid food that does its job well. In an area where you often feel like you’re paying extra for branding or location, Shah’s feels refreshingly honest. Ironically, that contrast highlights a broader issue with UC Davis itself. Much like many things on campus, the institution tends to emphasize image, messaging, and internal politics while struggling to deliver proportional returns. Compared to other UC schools—UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, or UC Santa Barbara—where competition, efficiency, and outcomes feel sharper, Davis often feels bloated and underwhelming. Shah’s succeeds precisely because it avoids that mindset. It doesn’t rely on reputation or optics—it earns its value directly. In a campus environment where cost rarely aligns with payoff, that makes it stand out even more.

C.

Shah’s Halal Food is one of the few places around UC Davis that actually understands value. The portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and you leave feeling like you got more than you paid for. It’s straightforward, efficient, and focused on delivering substance rather than pretending to be something it’s not. What stands out most is how cost-effective it is. No inflated pricing, no unnecessary posturing—just solid food that does its job well. In an area where you often feel like you’re paying extra for branding or location, Shah’s feels refreshingly honest. Ironically, that contrast highlights a broader issue with UC Davis itself. Much like many things on campus, the institution tends to emphasize image, messaging, and internal politics while struggling to deliver proportional returns. Compared to other UC schools—UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, or UC Santa Barbara—where competition, efficiency, and outcomes feel sharper, Davis often feels bloated and underwhelming. Shah’s succeeds precisely because it avoids that mindset. It doesn’t rely on reputation or optics—it earns its value directly. In a campus environment where cost rarely aligns with payoff, that makes it stand out even more.

For its price, it's just ok. I took a picture of the food truck so you guys can see the current prices, and for like half a box, it's lowkey steep. I know I didn't get the spicy sauce and idk if that makes it taste better, but I felt that overall, flavor was lacking. I also am not a big fan of the cubed and not shaved lamb. Idk, as a starving and broke college student, I think there are better places to go for food.

Lena Treiber

For its price, it's just ok. I took a picture of the food truck so you guys can see the current prices, and for like half a box, it's lowkey steep. I know I didn't get the spicy sauce and idk if that makes it taste better, but I felt that overall, flavor was lacking. I also am not a big fan of the cubed and not shaved lamb. Idk, as a starving and broke college student, I think there are better places to go for food.

Average gyro that was hot when it arrived, but few of the lamb chunks were tough to chew. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, not soggy, (ordered white tzatziki sauce on the side), and there wasn't an abundance of veggies to take away from the meat. Just wish they put at least one napkin in there and a fork to pick up the excess that had fallen out.

Summer M

Average gyro that was hot when it arrived, but few of the lamb chunks were tough to chew. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, not soggy, (ordered white tzatziki sauce on the side), and there wasn't an abundance of veggies to take away from the meat. Just wish they put at least one napkin in there and a fork to pick up the excess that had fallen out.

Food has gone down a step recently. But still a good option. But the low score is due to the insistent eye rolling and RBF if you don't tip them. I mean it's a food truck, we shouldn't be expected to tip.

Not great. Stars appear to be for on campus food not compared to off campus food. Edible and a bit expensive. Sauce is mayo and sour cream, not yougurt, or tahini. Get the Bbq.

J Wri

Not great. Stars appear to be for on campus food not compared to off campus food. Edible and a bit expensive. Sauce is mayo and sour cream, not yougurt, or tahini. Get the Bbq.

No complain about testiness but their Food is overpriced. They are selling halal food at the same time beg money as tips without providing any service. I don't mind tipping but what should students tip money for? They should put a machine outside for tipping who ever interested. After buying a $12 gyro the shameless man beg for money whos all customers are students.

An honest review. This place used to be good but not anymore. Their food is an average Mediterranean food. Prices are going up every single year by 1 to 1.5$. Meat portion significantly less as it used to be. Now you will get more rice and lettuce compare to meat. Customer service is ok. They have new person each week and some are ok, some are not ok. Today I bought a meal I ask for more meat and less rice and extra spicy. They charge me 3 $ extra for extra meat and 25 cents for hot sauce. For a 10$ meal paying 3.25$ extra is insane. I am not arguing for the price. The person never communicated with me for extra $ amount. I was like you should have told me that you will charge 3$. Not a good experience at all.

Golam Rabby

No complain about testiness but their Food is overpriced. They are selling halal food at the same time beg money as tips without providing any service. I don't mind tipping but what should students tip money for? They should put a machine outside for tipping who ever interested. After buying a $12 gyro the shameless man beg for money whos all customers are students.

sohail khalid

An honest review. This place used to be good but not anymore. Their food is an average Mediterranean food. Prices are going up every single year by 1 to 1.5$. Meat portion significantly less as it used to be. Now you will get more rice and lettuce compare to meat. Customer service is ok. They have new person each week and some are ok, some are not ok. Today I bought a meal I ask for more meat and less rice and extra spicy. They charge me 3 $ extra for extra meat and 25 cents for hot sauce. For a 10$ meal paying 3.25$ extra is insane. I am not arguing for the price. The person never communicated with me for extra $ amount. I was like you should have told me that you will charge 3$. Not a good experience at all.