A growing regional chain of halal restaurants has opened its newest location in downtown State College.
Sizzling Bites opened its doors on Thursday at 129 S. Pugh St., a property that had remained vacant since Sheetz closed in 2023. The restaurant marks the company’s fifth location as the fast-casual chain continues expanding across Pennsylvania.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Hours may extend to 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends, when Penn State is in session, according to management.
“The main thing that sets us apart, I’d say for places like us, is our big menu,” general manager Rohid Malikzada said. “We have different foods for different groups, like the falafels that we have, we have some mixture, the gyros, we got platters, tenders, everything. Most of this stuff, 90%, is homemade. Everything is freshly made at the moment.”
The menu features platters — ranging from $11.99 to $12.49 — with chicken, lamb, falafel, fish or a mix, with rice, sauce, fries and salad. It also features a variety of gyros ($10.99) and salads ($8.49 to $10.99), loaded fries ($10.99 to $11.49) and loaded mac and cheese ($10.99 to $11.79).
Other offerings include chicken sandwiches ($10.99), and Cajun chicken tenders with different spice levels (starting at $4.99 for two); sides like onion rings, falafel, chicken nuggets, fries and mozzarella sticks; and desserts.
The chain targeted a college market because of its large portions, pricing and extended operating hours geared towards students and late-night customers.
“The reason why we open around the college area, mostly it’s because of the pricing that we have for the amount of food we provide. The late night hours that we have, it’s mostly very good for the students,” Malikzada said.
Malikzada said the team hopes the new location becomes a reliable addition to the downtown dining scene.
“We’re excited to be in this area, and I hope we don’t disappoint,” Malikzada said. “We’ll try our best and as fresh as things we could do for you, for everybody around this area.”
According to Malikzada, a grand opening for the fast-casual restaurant is planned for August, when Penn State’s fall semester begins and students are back in town.
The family-owned chain was founded in Bethlehem in 2024 by Abdul S. Wali and has since expanded to Easton, Reading and Scranton, with additional growth planned.
“From the very beginning, my dream was to open a restaurant not just to serve food, but to serve people,” Wali said on the restaurant’s website. “My love for the restaurant business has always been about more than cooking – it’s about creating a warm, welcoming space where families, friends, and neighbors can gather and feel at home. Sizzling Bites was born from that passion, a reflection of my dedication to sharing flavors, building community, and serving with genuine love for people and the craft of hospitality.”
