Houston is a potluck of many different cultural traditions and backgrounds. Visitors and residents alike find this in the spectrum of restaurants the city has to offer. And while going to a restaurant for the first time can seem like a daunting task, for civil engineering junior Zain Mohammed it is just another day on the job.
As a child growing up in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed loved eating out. After moving to Houston in 2006, he ‘was inspired by television personalities Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri, who both became successful documenting their various adventures with food. Realizing a new fascination, Mohammed decided to start writing a food blog aptly named Zain’s Halal Reviews.
“The blog was created from a passion that I have had since I was a little boy,” Mohammed said. “My dad used to take me and my sister out to eat when I lived in Saudi Arabia. He would take me to the local restaurants because he knew I liked trying things that I [didn’t] usually get at home.”
Because of his Muslim background, Mohammed can only eat food which is prepared according to Islamic law, known as halal. For example, meat has to adhere to certain guidelines before being slaughtered. It must be a healthy, fully grown animal and the slaughterer must be a person of Muslim, Christian or Jewish faith, using only an instrument that is sharp and has a cutting edge.
“Many people regard halal food to be very unhygienic and cruel,” Mohammed said. “In reality, halal meat is regarded to be the most humane method of slaughtering meat.”
In addition to writing his blog, Mohammed is an active member of the Muslim Student Association, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, and Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies. Originally, Mohammed started Zain’s Halal Reviews because he had nothing else to do when finished with schoolwork. He says that time and money are key factors in being able to juggle school activities and the blog.
“Whenever I have time after finishing schoolwork and when I have cash and no organization meetings, I go and try a place,” Mohammed said. “I usually keep a budget of about $20 unless I go for a special occasion with my family.”
Now, with a supportive network of family and friends, he is trying and make a name for himself with his restaurant reviews.
“My parents at first laughed at the idea of me writing a blog,” Mohammed said. “Now, they are proud of the work I do and hope that I succeed and become famous.”
Check out his food blog at zainshalalreviews.blogspot.com and on his Instagram, thehalalreviewer.
I have read this guy’s reviews, and as a prominent member in the Muslim and foodie community I can say with absolutely certainty that this “blogger” is nothing more than an amateur with a poor palate. He lacks respect in his reviews and completely strays away from trying complex flavors and profiles. He also seems to be another one of these “Muslims” who just eat Halal to please their parents and don’t necessarily care about why or what the spiritual connection is. It’s a shame to see the MSA “foodies” like this guy disrespect the religion as well as the art of distinguishing flavors.
You must know him on a personal basis to come up with that claim…..
these people are terrible Tehaum! if a guy wants to write what he feels, then let him! and if he is wrong, then the marketplace of ideas should find a respectful, legitimate way to override him. not by posting all this cursing about him!
He was in chemical engineering with me… He should probably spend more time studying and less time eating.
This kid is straight idiot. I have met him multiple times and he always goes on and on about some shitty ass places. Over the past 2 years I have seen this guy put on at least 20 pounds. It’s sad cause he uses reviewing as an excuse to stuff his face like a fat animal.
He claims he is in chemical engineering but flunked out of first classes and had to switch to civil engineering. It’s only time he will fail that too.
Advice: stop being an idiot and actually study instead of stuffing your face.
“as a prominent member in the Muslim and foodie community” you sound so humble, don’t you…
Hi Houstonian and outsiders I’m food blogger as well I have gone outside of the United States plus I go many franchise which serves Halal meat places like dubai or United Kingdom. This Halal Reviewer has a food blog but doesn’t listen to his own followers demands also he wants people to pay for his meal. The wrost I started this long before he started as being a alumni from the University of Houston from the Hilton Hotel and Restaurant Management school he an average foodies he doesn’t like feedback. He has horrible personal skills like talking also. I want you guys check out my instagram it called the food_travel_shop. I go travelling to foreign and exotic destinations. Plus I shop at unique clothing boqunites and finally I eat restaurants which serves Halal also I go places which serves vegetarian and seafood choices. If you need any advice just call me at 7162180137
This kid is straight idiot. I have met him multiple times and he always goes on and on about how he loves to eat at some shitty burger place. Over the past 2 years I have seen this guy put on at least 20 pounds. It’s sad cause he uses reviewing as an excuse to stuff his face like a fat animal.
He claims he is in chemical engineering but flunked out of first classes and had to switch to civil engineering. It’s only time he will fail that too.
Advice: stop being an idiot and actually study instead of stuffing your face.
Damn… yall are being really rough on this kid. Obviously something is wrong with him so maybe you guys should leave him alone and let him do whatever he pleases. Keep on doing you blogs man I’m sure somebody enjoys them!!! 🙂
This fat f*ck literally tried to ruin my halal restaurant business by trying to slander our ingredients. I can assure to all who question our integrity that we only serve not only halal but zabihah food. And to Zain… If you want to call us out please come do it to our faces first you punk bitch.
wait you said earlier to stop being rough on him, and now you’re cussing him out? what kind of…
I’ve known this guy for a while and he is not a true Muslim. I’ve seen him drown in alcohol before at parties as he wastes his parents money by failing his classes. He is a homosexual going out with a guy to these restaurants he rates. This guy…. Practice what you preach people.
Why are you making flase accusations? What are you gaining from it??
wtf is a flase accusations?
Hmmmmmm idk maybe claiming you are quite knowledgeable in the area of his sexual orientation just cuz he’s eating at a restaurant with a male friend. I know the guy personally. Amd you are absoluyely incorrect in that matter. Have you seen his grades???? If not then dont assume things from what u hear. Ohhh also when you say practice what you preach, he’s never preached anybody.
Why are you all picking on this guy for! Let him do what he does don’t be rude you idiots! Atleast he has a hobby, another thing is don’t make up bullshit about he parties and stuff as i personally know him and that is not true one bit he is the total opposite!
Zain has frequently admitted to me that smokes marijuana before going into any resturaunts he rates. He claims, “it makes that shitty halal BS taste better when ur high as f*ck.”
He also tried to pressure me many times to smoke marijuana with him and I refused. He once threatened my family because I told him I would call the police if he kept trying to sell me Marijuana.
I view marijuana as a horrible drug and it makes you stupid like Zain is. I hope that one day Zain realizes how bad chronic marijuana use it and goes to rehab for his horrible addiction.
Zain f*ck u! Ur stupid, lazy, fat, and have a serious drug problem.
Let’s see your real man and any proof you have to this. All tough behind a keyboard huh? Show your real face and watch it get beat like a ragdoll
Come Fight Me B**tch! U Know Where I Be At. #uranidiot #bitch
Do you even halal phaggot??
You guys commenting are a bunch of cowards. Atleast be man enough to show yourself.
Damn you look like such a boss with that pic brah… too bad you look like a slug in real life you fat f*ck.
Hit me up tough guy.
UPDATE: I have just communicated with the person in question and it is starting to seem like these accusations are true but he has decided to receive help and possible treatment for his problems. I’d like to thank those who have brought these problems to the light in order to help our Muslim brother and now is the time we stick around and support him through his much needed rehabilitation.
what the hell are you talking about? Zain doesn’t need any sort of
*Any sort of rehabilitation/treatment. Whoever you are, you’ve got a twisted sense of humor.
Classic case of a bunch of immature cowards saying stuff online hiding behind a screen name. Not only attacking his blog, but his personal life and religion. Ever heard of constructive criticism? ChemE is a tough major and not for everyone. I bet you half the people on here talking about switching majors are not even in engineering anyways so you aren’t even qualified to make a judgement about that. Obviously there are some other issues here at play that we don’t even know about so you should probably keep your mouth shut. Life kinda has a way of dealing with assholes like you all. I truly hope one day you talk some crap to the wrong person and you get a good old ass beating for it.
Seeing this is honestly very saddening. I’m not great friends with Zain, but I know he’s a great guy and he means nothing but good with his intentions. Shame on those of you who slandering his name with false claims and baseless accusations. The talk of Zain smoking, drinking or using any sort of drugs is laughable. What I find even more pathetic is the proclaimed “Muslims” on here saying someone isn’t a true Muslim. That is for Allah to decide. Furthermore, speaking in a disrespectful manner such as this about someone Muslim or not is unacceptable. Let the Muslims in this thread also remember what month it is, and the forgiveness we should be seeking instead of backbiting and making hurtful and slanderous claims behind usernames to hide your real identity.
Zain is a good guy and no matter how much you try to ruin his reputation those around him will see him for what he is and will also plainly see the good in his heart.
What does his personal life have to do with anything? The guy enjoys his hobby and benefits those that have never been to a particular restaurant. Everyone flaws in different ways. Don’t know zain personally, but I enjoy his blogs. No need for unnecessary slander
Zain keep doin the reviews man they are awesome idk where all these people that are negative are coming from but just remember they would never say this to you in person especially around any of your true friends like me. Maybe some of you are trolling but cyber bullying has its limits.
This guy Is a straight idiot that thinks he’s the best Muslim in the world. But in reality he’s not better than anyone else he party all the time I have seen him do lines at a party and act all wild. But if u see him in person he thinks he is always right and better than everyone else also in reality only reason he started the review was because he a fat ass that lives to eat all day
Everyone here that is cussing deserves a punch to the face.
you feel like punching me in the face? bring it on you ***got. I know multiple fighting styles, and I also carry a switchblade with me at all times. Something ****ing tells me that you’d be better off keeping your arms down at your sides. If you can’t ****ing put “cause” and “effect” together in that pathetic brain of yours, I’ll help you out here. You’ll be standing face to face with me, and let me ****ing tell you, it’ll already be too ****ing late to back down at that point. You might decide “well ****, I might as well stay true to my word and throw a ****ing punch”. This is where you will go wrong. I hope you don’t have a job that requires two ****ing hands, because you’re going to be missing one after I’m done with you. I’ll casually divert your fist off to the side, as you suddenly realize you may have gotten yourself into something you can’t back up. You’ll try to regroup and pull your arm back, but that wont be easy when I jab my spear-pointed Benchmade switchblade straight through the bone in your forearm, and proceed to rip your entire ****ing forearm and hand off in one quick pull. At this point, you’ll probably spend 2 seconds in shock. I say 2 seconds, because thats the amount of time you’ll have before I reverse the knife in my hand, and uppercut it straight through your throat. You’ll spend your last few seconds gurgling blood, and wondering where you went wrong. After that, I’ll be forced to take care of any witnesses who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing a few quick choke slams can’t fix, followed by a nice gentle slice across the jugular with the Benchmade.
Now, mother****er, you sure you want to go through with that punch?
u are 1 ****ing cheeky **** mate i swear i am goin 2 wreck u i swear on my mums life and i no u are scared lil bitch gettin your mates to send me messages saying dont meet up coz u r sum big bastard with muscles lol ****in sad mate really sad jus shows what a scared lil gay boy u are and whats all this crap ur mates sendin me about sum bodybuildin website that 1 of your faverite places to look at men u lil ****in gay boy fone me if u got da balls cheeky prick see if u can step up lil queer