New York’s halal carts are more than just a quick meal—they’re a cultural institution, a symbol of immigrant resilience, and now, the centerpiece of Ramy Youssef’s new animated series, #1 Happy Family USA. Premiering on Prime Video in April, the show follows an Egyptian Muslim family navigating life in post-9/11 America, with Youssef voicing the patriarch, Hussein, a former doctor turned halal cart vendor. The cart becomes a powerful metaphor for the family’s struggles, blending humor with the harsh realities of immigrant life.
The halal cart isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. Designed to reflect early 2000s New York, the yellow metal cart, adorned with Papyrus-font signage and handwritten notes, feels instantly familiar to anyone who’s walked the city’s streets. Hussein’s cart even evolves throughout the series, mirroring his personal journey—like adding a note clarifying the similarities between halal and kosher after 9/11. “It’s a living, breathing thing,” Youssef explains, highlighting how small details reflect larger societal shifts.
For Youssef and creative director Mona Chalabi, the cart also serves as an economic indicator. “You immediately understand this isn’t a wealthy family,” Youssef says, emphasizing how the show tackles class with subtlety. Chalabi, who based the cart’s design on real 2000s-era vendors, notes its timelessness: “Everything else in New York has changed, but the halal cart remains iconic.” The show’s humor shines in moments like Hussein parking outside Fox News—a nod to Youssef’s own memories of seeing vendors juxtaposed against corporate backdrops.
But beneath the laughs lies a deeper commentary. The title #1 Happy Family USA is deliberately ironic, capturing the performative patriotism many immigrant families adopt to fit in. “There’s this tension between the image they project and who they really are,” Youssef says. The show’s release coincides with real-world struggles—halal vendors now face deportation threats, adding urgency to its themes. As Youssef puts it, “The show is funny, but the reality is pretty scary.”