Fik and Reka Saleh are no stranger to long lines and sold-out events. Fikscue, the couple’s Indonesian-Texan halal barbecue spot in Alameda, has drawn around-the-block crowds since its debut in 2023. Meanwhile, the restaurant’s new location in so-called Thrive City, the promenade just outside Chase Center, has introduced the Salehs’ unique combination of Texas-style smoked meats and Indonesian side dishes to an even wider audience.
This Thursday night’s Warriors home game against the Knicks will mark another milestone: It’ll be the first time halal-keeping fans can chow down on Fikscue’s brisket sandwiches and sate ayam (grilled chicken skewers) inside the arena itself.
HalalFest founder Irfan Rydhan expects this year’s edition to be the largest one yet: 700 fans have already bought tickets, including 250 who purchased boxed barbecue meals from Fikscue. While the deadline has passed for pre-ordering the Fikscue meals, a handful of promotional tickets for the game are still available, ranging from $120 to $275 — the latter for seats in the Modelo Cantina, whose buffet spread that night will feature all halal meats and seafood. The Chase Center will also provide a designated room where Muslim fans can pray during the game.
The promotion brings halal-keeping Warriors’ fans one step closer to their longer-term goal: having a permanent halal food vendor inside the venue Even though Fikscue’s Thrive City shop is located just a few steps away from Chase Center, purchases there still count as “outside food” and can’t be brought inside the arena. It’s a question the restaurant’s Thrive City team has had to answer “many, many times,” Reka Saleh says with bemusement — so it’s clear the demand is there.
