Halal burgers and cheesesteaks: Why new Route 130 diner has special menu

DELRAN − It's not the first time a diner or other restaurant has operated at this Route 130 spot. But, it might be the first time a diner there has offered a halal versions of traditional greasy spoon fare.

Millside Diner and Cafe, located at 2929 Route 130 South in Delran where Nick's Home Town Diner and then Throwbacks Bar and Grill once operated, is the result of a friendship turned partnership between a chef and owners of the Four Seasons Market, a Turkish and Middle Eastern food market next door to the diner.

Chef Ufuk Karagoz and market owners Akin Yalcin and his wife Emine are Turkish American and Muslim, factors that influence how and what diner food is prepared for the optional menu.

But aside from a few desserts, however, and the gyro pita sandwich of Middle Eastern origin made with lamb roasted on a round, upright skewer, no other Turkish or Middle Eastern items are on the standard menu or the halal version.

What is halal at Millside Diner and Cafe?

Zaragoz said the separate menu, which carries the same selections as the regular menu, caters to Muslims who must adhere to traditional Islam food selection and preparation requirements known as halal.

There is no pork on a halal menu, which also forbids certain vegetables or other produce known to contain traces of alcohol. Halal food also is prepared separately to avoid cross-contamination with non-halal food.

"We have separate kitchen grills for halal, which also requires livestock to be slaughtered in a particular way," explained Zaragoz, who worked for nearly 12 years as a chef at the Swedesboro and Cinnaminson diners and befriended Akin after becoming one of his market customers.

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So where does the diner obtain its halal meat and some other products? From the Four Seasons Market conveniently located next door at 2525 South Route 130.

Market caters to Muslims in South Jersey

The market sells groceries, kitchenware and candy and also has a bakery that makes and supplies desserts to sell at the market and diner, such as several versions of baklava, made with filo layers, nuts and honey or milk.

The Yalcins opened their thriving market 14 years ago and have since remodeled and also expanded because of demand.

"When the building next door became available, I decided a diner could be successful and would be an opportunity to offer a halal menu using some of my market products to attract both my market customers and others who follow the requirements of Islam," Akin said. "I reached out to Ufuk to be a partner."

He and the chef said an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 Turkish families live along the river towns in Burlington County alone. Market customers also come to the Four Seasons from Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The diner's oldest waitress, 82-year-old Ruby Thompson, said she was happy to be hired and working again. Some of the diner's new customers recognized her from her prior waitressing jobs at either Short Hills Deli in Cherry Hill or F&M Restaurant, Deli and Catering in Mount Laurel, both now closed.

The diner is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. while the market is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

For information call 856-393-7098 or visit the diner's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Millsidediner

Carol Comegno loves telling stories about South Jersey life, history and military veterans for the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Have a story to share, call her at 856-486-2473 or email  ccomegno@gannettnj.com. Support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: millside diner cafe delran halal menu