Clay Oven Happauge NY: Photo by Brian Kachejian
I am by no means an expert in Halal or Indian cuisine. As a New Yorker, I cherish the city’s diverse culinary offerings, given that nearly every ethnic cuisine in the world is represented here. My frequent travels between the city and Long Island have allowed me to explore a myriad of restaurants and takeout spots over the years. I’m particularly fond of food carts, not the elaborate trailer varieties but the modest ones that accommodate one or two people, often found on every street corner. These carts have evolved from serving basic hot dogs and pretzels to offering a range of wholesome ethnic foods, which I find delightful.
Recently, I visited Clay Oven in Hauppauge, New York, where I encountered a menu item called Chicken New York City Style rice. Curious, I inquired about it at the counter, and the staff member informed me it was akin to what is typically sold in city food carts. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try.
I had previously visited Clay Oven and sampled several of their signature dishes, like the chicken tikka masala, which were consistently impressive. Although I’m not a connoisseur of Indian cuisine, I appreciate well-prepared, fresh food, which Clay Oven reliably provides. Their sauces are pleasantly mild, which suits my palate, though I’m aware that requesting extra spice or, basically, just spicy might be more than I can handle. During this visit, I opted against the New York City chicken and rice being spicy and chose to have it with white sauce, a milder alternative to red sauce.
The staff estimated a ten-minute wait for my order, which was accurate. When I requested a menu to bring home with me, I was informed they were out but was directed to their online presence for more information. In this digital age, it seems many establishments are reducing their reliance on printed materials, a sign of the times, though somewhat inconvenient for those who appreciate physical menus.
Clay Oven Happauge NY: Photo by Brian Kachejian
Once I retrieved my order and opened it in my car, the aroma was immediately inviting. The dish consisted of chicken enveloped in a savory red sauce over rice, generously topped with white sauce. It was substantial in portion, weighing several pounds, yet reasonably priced at around $14, soda can drink included—a commendable value by today’s standards.
The chicken was notably tender, a quality I learned comes from Halal practices, where animals are slaughtered in accordance with specific guidelines to ensure the meat’s purity. While I refrain from delving too deeply into the specifics, the result is undeniably tender and flavorful meat.
This was a perfect lunch item. It took only ten minutes to prepare, so someone on a lunch break can actually order food in a restaurant instead of ahead of time and have enough time to eat it. It was also such a large helping, I took half of it home to eat the rest for dinner. Not bad to get two meals out of a $10 dish. If you have never been to Clay Oven in Hauppauge, I would highly recommend you give the place a chance.
Clay Oven is located at 601 Veterans Memorial Hwy, in Hauppauge, NY. It is in the same shopping center as the Five Guys burger joint, which you can’t miss from Vets Highways. It is just before the crossroads of 454 and 347, right past RT 111.
Here is a link to their website…..
Clay Oven Happauge NY: Photo by Brian Kachejian
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