A once-promising new dining addition seems to have vanished from Universal Studios Hollywood before opening day.
After months of anticipation, signage for The Halal Guys has quietly been removed from a prime CityWalk location, leaving the future of the space in question.
The fast-casual chain, celebrated for its gyro and chicken platters topped with its famous white and hot sauces, was initially announced as the replacement for the long-running Crêpe Café. At the time, the arrival was billed as part of a larger refresh designed to reenergize the shopping and dining promenade with new options.
The removal of all branding suggests those plans are no longer moving forward, though no official announcement has been made. For fans of The Halal Guys, which grew from a New York City food cart into an international franchise, the development comes as a disappointment. It would not be the first time a new tenant was teased for CityWalk only to disappear from the lineup before opening.
Looks like The Halal Guys won’t be coming to CityWalk after all, as signage has now been removed.
@UniStudios
Looks like The Halal Guys won’t be coming to CityWalk after all, as signage has now been removed. @UniStudios pic.twitter.com/TxRMytoQDI
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) September 27, 2025
CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood has been in a state of flux over the past few years. Several longtime eateries and retail locations have shuttered, including Johnny Rockets, Crêpe Café, Popcornopolis, and Dongpo Kitchen.
In their place, new names have been announced to reflect shifting tastes, from Raising Cane’s to Slice House by Tony Gemignani. Mr. BBQ, a popular all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant, is expected to open in 2026 in the former Johnny Rockets space.
Other additions have leaned heavily on themed experiences. A Hello Kitty Café and Sanrio Smile Shop debuted in 2024, drawing crowds with character-inspired desserts and merchandise. These shifts highlight Universal’s push to make CityWalk more curated, with trend-driven dining concepts and distinctive retail options.
Beyond dining and retail, CityWalk itself is being reshaped physically. Universal is constructing a new security perimeter that will fold the promenade into the broader footprint of Universal Studios Hollywood, streamlining the flow between park and restaurants. Plans for a new hotel near the entrance add to the sense of transformation, as the complex shifts closer to a resort-style identity.
The broader expansion strategy at Universal includes the upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster, set to debut in 2026, as well as additional attraction updates and infrastructure changes. CityWalk’s evolution appears to be a crucial part of that long-term vision, positioning the district as both a gateway and an extension of the park experience.
For now, though, the abrupt disappearance of The Halal Guys’ branding underscores the uncertainty that comes with such transitions. What was once promised as a flavorful new addition now stands as another question mark in the ongoing reinvention of CityWalk Hollywood.
What would you like to see at Universal CityWalk?
