Please read this review before eating here. I am extremely concerned about the hygiene standards at this establishment and would strongly discourage anyone from eating here after seeing how they clean the grill. I live here in East Village - I have eaten here multiple times and actually enjoyed the food. While walking home late last night, I saw one of the employees standing BAREFOOT on the actual grill where the chicken is cooked and displayed. He was crouched in a squatting position with a metal brush in his hands scraping the bars. His feet and soles were filthy with dirt and grime - and his equally dirty pant legs were draping over the grill as well. Right next to him, he had placed his shoes - these ancient, disgusting open-toed sandals) on the adjacent grill where the cooked chicken is placed for warming. His shoes were visibly oozing a combination of slime, oil, and grime. I am baffled why he didn't at least have the decency to put leave his shoes on the floor. He was casually chatting with one of the chefs who was closing up the shop - this is not an isolated incident or a deviation from their usual protocol. I wish I had taken a photo because I wanted to vomit after remembering my past meals here. To the business owners - this behavior is absolutely disgusting and I hope you see this review.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2

After reading some good reviews, I was kind of looking forward to going here. It's not the kind of place that really stands out in the landscape, but sometimes those are good. Imagine my surprise when it kinda sucked... Sigh. First, they have a bunch of steam table food, which is always dicey at best. Most of it didn't look appetizing. I got chicken, which they cook on a grill at the front of the restaurant. Going to a chicken place and ordering chicken seemed like a good idea. The dark meat was okay. The white meat was drier than... well it was dry. Yuck. I got it with rice and salad. The rice had some kind of sauce over half of it, which I asked the guy about, and he told me it was "green bean sauce". It was sort of like a tomato-ey red sauce with green beans. Passable, but unexciting. And the salad was a crappy Greek salad thing. Oh well... The one thing I can say is that the place has value. they had a huge sheet of baked ziti that the guy would cut off big squares of and serve (after reheating in a microwave). Never mind that a microwave is not a great way to make pasta tasty, but if what you want is just a big brick of carbs for cheap, you might be happy. Otherwise, avoid.

I havent been here in 7 years all because of the rude treatment of the man behind the counter, I used to come here every day for lunch and sometimes on weekends for a fresh quick dinner run. The chicken is fresh and cooked, great old school style but the attitude and charging paying customers for sauces was too ridiculous for me. I wanted to buy an extra sauce to take with me and the price was 75c if i remembered right, I had 50c and already bought 30 dollars worth of stuff, I asked if 50 cent was ok and was shot down harshly and told no and made to feel like I was being unreasonable. The sauce which was behind counter in little tupper takeaways is GIVEN FREELY FOR PEOPLE DINING IN AT THE TABLES. I never went back. Contrast this halal chicken place with Falafel King in queens who gives out free falafel for people waiting in line for their food. kindness makes food taste better.
Food: 5
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

I was really hungry after working out nearby and decided to check out this place instead of eating McDonald's for the 2nd time in a day, and I'm so glad I did! I got the lunch special 1/4 chicken with rice and salad which came with 2 pieces of pita. Very filling, I had leftovers. They added beans to the rice, and everything was so on point. The salad was basic but very nice and fresh (tomatoes weren't measly), the rice and beans were delicious and the chicken was amazing as well. I love their hot sauce also and added that on top of my rice. It's a no-frills spot, super affordable, AND healthy! Not to mention that the people working there are very kind. Thank goodness for this spot being right around the corner from my gym, will definitely be back to support this small business!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10

It's been a few years but I used to live nearby and would get falafel sandwiches and platters here all the time. I'm glad to see this restaurant is still open. Other reviewers are right about the service but, as the saying goes, it is what it is. The atmosphere is great, however. You feel like you've stepped away from the East Village by crossing the threshold. That also brings me to the reason I wanted to post this review: yes, the prices may be higher than what you pay for street food ... but look where the restaurant is located. It's amazing that they're still in business and serving food that's as reasonably priced as it is. I shudder to think about what their rent is. Hopefully they're around for a long time to come and I'm going to make a point to go back next time I'm in the area.
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 5

This is the worst restaurant I have visited till now . I ordered grill chicken over rice, while eating I found a long hair and I called the manager, when I showed him the hair in the rice plate, he said he could not see the hair and took the plate back to the kitchen and he removed the hair came back to me and said that there is no hair. The manager was elderly therefore I did not made big fuss with him. He could have just said sorry or gave me a new plate of rice. I didn't even ask for a refund. When he gave me the plate I just threw everything in the trash can in front of him and said him that you didn't do a good job. At last when I paid him and leaving he just gave me a smile of mockery as if he had done grate job tricking me. I wish there was option for giving no star .

This place has amazing chicken done on a charcoal grill. I had a chicken leg with some salad and rice with beans. Everything was delicious. The chicken was so good I had to order another leg. There is no waiter service as it is counter serivice and you order and take you food to the table. Definitely not a fancy place just a few tables in there. The also have fresh Salmon steaks. I definitely need to go back and try that. The home made italian dressing is awesome. I would definitely recommend this place, for the price it is great!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Half Chicken, Whole Grilled Chicken

For years I been enjoying the charred smokey flavor of Big Arc Chicken. Seasoning on their chicken along with the charred smoky flavors, will certainly bring an exciting sense of satisfaction to your heart. In addition, baked zitis, fish, and lintel soup served with a touch of lemon juice, will make you feel like you are home away from home. When it comes to pastries, many are available, my favs is Baklava. Big Arc Chicken can seat about 18 -24 customers. They can be very crowded after 8:PM. I usually try to be there at midday for lunch or 6:30 PM for dinner. The restaurant does not provide parking accommodation. Parking and feeding your meter for 40 mins to an hour should be good. Enjoy!!!

In A Nutshell: -My well-traveled wife had a single mission in mind while traversing the "Lower East Side" of New York City - find and devour Koshari. -Real quick, koshari is considered the national dish of Egypt. -We found Big Arc Chicken via Yelp, gave 'em a ring and they said to "come on down!". -You won't find koshari on their menu, so they made it for us :) -It was my first time eating this awesome dish filled with rice, lentils and macaroni - COMFORT FOOD at it's finest. Overall, if you are kicking it in one of the coolest, hippest neighborhoods in the world - Lower East Side, NYC make sure you come to Big Arc Chicken and request Koshari! It's the shizznit.

I asked for a whole chicken to go, they gave me and charged exact price, whenever I opened it at my home I saw one leg with quater is missing. I am surprised . this type of cheating should not expect from them. I live so far away from Manhattan, it was not possible to return back. My question is if you do it intentionally, please stop. Requesting all-to-go customers - please check before leaving the counter that your ordered food is okay.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2
Recommended dishes
Whole Grilled Chicken

I love this place. Only for very specific dishes, but still amazing. Their chicken is REALLY cheap -- it's hard to beat less than $10 for a whole grilled chicken anywhere else -- and delicious! It can be a little salty sometimes, but that's the way I remember having middle eastern grilled chicken when I lived in Saudi Arabia. Shawarma is decent too. Wouldn't try any of the buffet-line kinda food, but as far as I can tell, it's a really authentic and cheap place for some really decent fare. Trying to come here LESS often because eating all this grilled chicken can't be too healthy.

Great food. It's Egyptian. However their attitudes don't match the taste of the food. Don't expect any politeness from the staff. Pretty rude. Especially to non white patrons. However I am here to rate the food so that is 4 star. It's a nice place to have some great food. If you can ignore the staff.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Half Chicken, Whole Grilled Chicken, Lamb Shank, Salmon Steak and Salad

Food - Ordered a grilled whole chicken to go. It's good - I definitely preferred the dark meat portions as they were juicer, and I found the white meat to be dry, but that is something I generally think about white meat. It came with a couple of pitas, though I found them to be a bit dry too. The orange rice, and the stewed carrot potato peas sides are good and go well together. Service - seemed fine. Ambiance - it's nothing fancy. There are some tables for seating, but this is a place I rather order my food to go.

Not a nice outside, but the food inside is fantastic and a good value. Have a shawarma rotisserie and grill that add heat to the small dining room. The food is great, have been trying to replicate this rice pilaf in my home without success. Kefta kabob(ground lamb) and chicken are well spiced and tasty. My preteen kids loved the food as well. Don't judge by cover, this is where cabbies come post shift, so bonus points for authenticity.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

The place is very stink and I saw a rat in the kitchen while going to the bathroom. The whole place is dirty and food is overrated. I am not sure why the city have not closed this place down for hygiene and health violations. I got diarrhea after eating their food and I couldn’t use their bathroom as there was a long line of people holding their stomachs waiting to use the bathroom.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Recommended dishes
Lamb Shank

Price says $6 I get charged $7. When I asked about it they simply just told me “its a dollar more now.” What happened to the days of having to tell you the price before you order something. I was also forced to take my order to go because they are closing. Also informed about this after I ordered. The hours say 11AM to midnight. It’s 1pm and now I have a falafel sandwich with nowhere to eat it that costs a dollar more than advertised.
Food: 3
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

Quick, delicious, fresh food. Delightful staff in a great area, got a shawarma and it stuffed me. $8. Brother got the the chicken sandwich filled with salad $8. Wife got the chicken plate with 1/4 chicken. rice, beans and salad. Washed it down with fresh and delicious baklava. Will keep an eye out next time we are nearby!
Service
Dine in
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Half Chicken, Baklava, Shawarma

Me and my wife's uber driver Islam took us here, it's his family's restaurant. He and everyone there was very hospitable and kind! The food was DELICIOUS!! He even bought our food and there was a lot of options. We had chicken,rice, veggies and several different dipping sauces. My favorite was the eggplant one. It had amazing flavor. Would definitely recommend and we will be coming back when we visit NY again. Shout out to Islam for the great food and good time!!

It’s a no frills spot. The food lacks some seasoning. I think simple salt and pepper would make the chicken that is well made just bland. I will definitely give it one more try. Hopefully it was just a bad day.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 2
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Arc Especcial 1 2 Grilled Chicken

The food was ok but a bit pricey for what it is. The workers are very unpleasant and after all of that discomfort I arrived home to find out that they forgot to put part of my order even though I asked them if everything was in the bag, I couldn't go back because I would have to walk 30 minutes back. I will never go back.
Service
Take out
Food: 3
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 1

OMG This place is very very popular. They have the best grilled salmon in manhattan for a very reasonable price. They also have tasty whole grill chicken. And when I say grill it means they are really grilled. And they have other dishes too. But if you think based on the outlook you are gonna miss everything. They are really quick and friendly. This is one of my favorite place in Manhattan.

Cheap, good food. Minimal communication from the service team made it a bit difficult to figure out the flow of the place, but if you’re a regular you’d get used to how things run.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: No
Takeout: Yes
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

My new spot. Have gone the past two days. First time got a 5 buck falafel sandwich which was tasty. Next day I got back for the 11 dollar 2 chicken breast special. This plate was huge served over rice and salad. Pita on top as well. I recommend getting it with white sauce. Chicken was delicious. Amount of food for the price is top notch. Will be going back a lot

Quality food for the price. The grill chicken is on the dry side so make sure they don't forget to include the sauce. All the sides I've tried are delicious comfort food: Cole slaw, baba ganaush, mousaka (eggplant stew), white beans. I like them better than the chicken! Will definitely go back to explore other items. A great option for weekday dinner.

More like BEST Arc Chicken! But seriously, this place is the best. It’s cheap and the food is great. I get the ¼ chicken special, the shawarma, or the falafel sandwich. Everything is fresh and high-quality. Head’s up though, the flavors here are on the subtle side. The chicken is plain, grilled chicken. The flavors aren't big, but they’re good.

Good for quick bite. $14 for two legs, rice salad and pita. Strong value. Chicken is crispy on the outside, tender on inside. Lives up to its name. Soccer game on the TV, people speaking arabic.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

A real hole in the wall. Been there many times. Always good food. Authentic middle eastern cuisine. Chicken is well seasoned - moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. Price is very reasonable given it's location in the heart of the city. Very friendly staffs, especially the elder man who is always there.

I have been going there for several years but last Sunday evening 12/11/2023 the guy working at the cashier gave me a bad look and said sauce costs money. I have no problem paying but the look he gave me its very unprofessional. Not going there anymore!!
Food: 5
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2

I love big arcs! This was my go to for an affordable, filling meal. When I say filling, I mean FILLING. They give you A huge chicken thigh and breast along with rice and beans/babaghanoush For around $10. If you get the chicken, pair it with the hot sauce (make sure it’s not watery) it won’t disappoint.

No frills spot for solid halal with vegetarian options
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Hummus
Vegetarian options
Hummus, baba gaboush, falafel, plus pita, rice, and beans

The chicken was a little dry but the falafel balls were great. I'm going back just for the falafel on pita without the salad as a sandwich. Seriously top 3 falafel balls in nyc, very unexpected. If they changed the salad up they would have an exceptional sandwich that would rival any top spot.

If you stick to the vegetarian options, this place is passable, and it's the quickest delivery in the area. All of the meat is pretty suspect. To say the staff is rude is an understatement. They seem to have a genuine existential disgust towards anyone who wants to eat their food.

BEST GRILLED CHICKEN AT AN UNBEATABLE PRICE. Let alone the bread and salad that comes with it. 1/4 chicken is enough to feed me. Last time I had a chicken this good was in a rural country side eatery in Asia. Go get it. Cheap and delicious and supporting local business

1/4 chicken for $7. Look at my photo! It's a lot of food for a good value. The moment I walked in I knew the food would be authentically regional, and it was! I could see that guys behind the counter were hard working. AC Milan game on the TV screen. Great local vibe.

A "Halal" version of the classic "Greasy Spoon". The supposedly grilled chicken is flat tasting and dripping with grease . And they shouldn't make close slaw if they dont plan on refrigerating it. The slaw I got looked more like rice gruel. I chucked the whole meal.

Love this place!! They have specials everyday so make sure to ask for those instead of just order from menu. The staff are so friendly and they love it when you appreciate the food
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

Best grilled chicken in the city. Just very small restaurant but the food is delicious. The interior & bathroom not so great but if your looking for a quick bite this is the place.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

First time was great worthy of my money 2nd meh fish was dry the last time I went was not satisfactory I called it in they didn't make it when I arrived, I didn't even take a pic the fish was burnt and dry and they charge 3 dollars for a little bitty salad

This place is little more than a hole in the wall with a few tables and chairs but the food is delicious, simply seasoned, and cheap. Not a place to take a date but if you are up for a quick delicious meal with 0 frills then it could be for you.

Their lamb shawarma pita/sandwich was exceptional— perfect seasoning on the lamb, fresh salad, tahini sauce was just right. And $7? Bargain of the neighborhood!!!!
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$1–10

They don't have exactly what you order .. They missing stuff From my order they send it short two items missing ..?! When I call them they talk to me so bad .
Service
Delivery
Food: 2
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

I don’t know why this place has a high rating. They trick you into so many things. Nothing is free. nothing is samples. There’s no kindness here. I got tricked into buying a 5$ meal and paid 15$ for a quarter chicken and rice. Jerks.

Delicious enough. The sandwiches are better than the platter. But that 1/4 or 1/2 chicken is excellent too. I wish the place was cleaner and more presentable. I felt like everything but the food needed to be disinfected.

This place is legit. No frills, always frequented by taxi drivers but the food, particular the chicken, grilled on a big open grill at the front of the restaurant, is great. The meat combo is also great. And it's CHEAP!

May this place never close, for me it's the home of good memories and nostalgia and I'm not even Egyptian !! The food is aite, sometimes it's better than that. But overall as a restaurant it just holds a lot of beauty

Delicious food, reasonably priced, friendly service. Grilled chicken with hot sauce is great. Also their grilled fish, and various middle-eastern desserts. Underappreciated gem, a must try place
Service
Dine in

Great restaurant. Bring an Egyptian friend and let them order some specialities that aren't available all the time. Or just go get a delicious piece of chicken. Share a table with some other diners and chow down.

They deserve all the money they get. For me, In Manhattan, this place is the best chicken place. They grill chicken and if you like , it is served with rice and bean and salad. 12 dollars half chicken with rice.

Great hot food selection
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Shawarma Sandwich, Shawarma

I only eat Halal (Kosher) foods and the restaurant must be clean. This restaurant was very clean and the service was impeccable.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

Horrible value. Ordered meat and chicken combo. They were not kebabs, but cut up small pieces of dry chicken and meat wirh fat and gristle. Would never return. It was worth $5, not the $15 this sucker paid.

This is a Halal place where they sell Middle Eastern food. All the food items are delicious and fresh. I loved eating my Lunch in this restaurant.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Delicious grilled chicken. It would be perfect with garlic sauce (toum)! I thought the white sauce was garlic but it isn't.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10

They need to improve their customer service standards. this is the second time happening.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 3

Excellent food .. If u have experience with food from this part of the globe then you will love it. The environment is not fancy at all but the food is grilled and healthy while very delicious.

Consistently good quality chicken. The chicken special with rice+salad+pita (in either ½ or ¼ chicken size) is always nice; they also have fresh grilled salmon, other meats/fish, and desserts.

The roast chicken is just so good. Really tasty and juicy. I haven't tried any sides because they all look like they've been sitting out too long, but they might be fine. Very nice staff too.

So good! I got the salmon, brown rice, beans and salad. Had a nice conversation with the staff. Where has this place been all my life? And I didn't have to ask for hot sauce! YUM! More

great food, great service. No frills but they know what they do - serve great food. I always get the half chicken dinner platter, and don’t forget to get the sauces
Food: 5

Reasonable prices for big portions of good food! Little hole in the wall that I keep coming back to
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

Love their food. Healthy, and delicious. I eat my lunch and dinner here. They got whole chicken and half or 1/4. Whatever you can handle. I always eat half chicken special.

Very good food but it's always very loud inside. Service needs improvement and please lower the volume of TVs cuz not everybody wanna listen to Arabic news in full volume

Probably better suited for takeout than dine in, but this place has absolutely delicious food. Never disappoints and the prices are unbeatable for taste and quantity.

Excellent grilled salmon !
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Recommended dishes
Salmon Grill with Rice and Beans

The food is phenomenal but the guys behind the counter are real grumpy and always ready to fight even over a piece of lemon. I'm giving them 5 stars for the food.

Chicken and portions are good, and prices are reasonable. However, I didn’t really like the atmosphere and I didn’t find the staff very nice, even kind of rude

Hi this place it was good Now the price is so expensive I never go back again But the food still good
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 2

*I've stopped by this place since 2010; wish I had the money to buy your grilled chickens Pita bread, cuz for $8+, THAT'S A GOOD BARGAIN FOR MANH!!!*

I loved there food. The staff were very nice, the interior needs some fixing but it is good
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3

One of the best middle eastern(mostly Egyptian) food in the city. They also have some seafood but not everyday. Good prices. Recomend it

Chicken is solid. Everything they do is solid, some needs salt. Kofta sammich is SO good. Place is a frikkin’ institution.

I had the lamb with rice and salad . It was so good.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Delicious roast chicken, finished over the grill for a lovely charcoal/smokey flavor. It's always busy!

Decent selection of food and assorted platters to try everything, but my orders were super dry.

Good food but got very expensive recently
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3

Cheap food. 10 buck will fill your tummy. Food quality and quantity for price you pay Is good.

Best chicken in Manhattan! I had a wonderful experience at this place!
Service…
More

Grilled chicken is really good. But, it's expensive and meal in plate is poor served.

Great food great service but defending on who is working behind the counter and grill

Food is good but service guy is soooooooooooo Sleeeepppppyyyyyyy Never deserve tips

Great quality. Nice people. Affordable food. Definitely deserves your business.

Nice place for grilled chicken and salmon..tasty Mediterranean food …

Love there grill Chicken with salad special and rate is so good as well.

Very delicious middle eastern food. Their grill chicken is amazing!

Such a great and Healthy food Especially salman fish ( Ch Bobby )

Delicious middle eastern food would love to go again

Good chicken ...fast service ...excellent price ...

Food is good but sometimes isn't fresh enough.

Love the prices here and the food is amazing!

They serving the Arabic fist