BK Jani: Bringing Bold Pakistani Flavors to Brooklyn
Discover BK Jani in Brooklyn, NY—home to legendary halal lamb chops, burgers, and Pakistani street food. Meet Sibte, the chef behind the flavors!
From Lahore to Brooklyn: Filling a Void in New York’s Food Scene
When Sibte Hassan moved to New York City, he noticed something missing: a great halal burger. Growing up in Lahore, Pakistan—a city obsessed with grilled meats and bold flavors—Sibte was used to eating well. But when he couldn’t find anything that matched the food back home, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
“I could not find anything, so I started on my own,” he says. What started as cooking for friends quickly turned into a full-blown business. Even though he had no restaurant experience, their encouragement pushed him to take a leap of faith. Now, BK Jani has three locations serving up some of the most talked-about Pakistani street food in the city.
No Business Plan, Just Passion (And Really Good Food)
Unlike most restaurateurs, Sibte didn’t draft a business plan or map out a five-year strategy. In fact, he jokes that he has “zero expansion plans.” Instead, he follows his gut—and it’s worked. “I literally go with my gut feeling,” he says. “If I get inspired, if I want to do something, I just do it.”
That intuition has led to BK Jani’s loyal following. “I am only going to cook what I would like to eat,” Sibte explains. His personal favorites became the foundation of the menu, and the quality speaks for itself. BK Jani’s menu is packed with bold flavors, high-quality meats, and no compromises.
The Must-Try Dishes at BK Jani
If you’re visiting BK Jani for the first time, Sibte has a few strong recommendations. First on the list? The famous lamb chops.
“People drive from Boston, Maryland, and Philadelphia for these,” he says. “They can’t find them anywhere else.” Grilled to perfection with a charred exterior and juicy interior, they’ve become a signature dish.
Then there’s the Lahori Burger. Sibte calls it the one item that captures the essence of BK Jani. It’s spicy, bold, and loaded with flavor. “If I were to distill this restaurant concept into one item, that’s the Lahori burger,” he says.
For burger lovers who want something a little different, Sibte recommends the Johnny Burger or the 808 Burger. And if you’re sharing plates, don’t skip the beef stick—a spiced, grilled filet that’s charred on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Oh, and yes—everything is halal.
Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs: “Don’t Wait”
Sibte’s advice for anyone looking to open a restaurant is simple: start now. “Don’t wait,” he says. “If you don’t do it today, somebody else is going to do it.” For him, failure isn’t something to fear—it’s part of the process. He encourages would-be restaurant owners to focus on what they love to cook and share that with the world.
“You’re not McDonald’s, you’re not Burger King. You’re yourself,” he says. “You need to have the satisfaction of people who appreciate what you’re doing.”
What’s Next for BK Jani?
In true Sibte fashion, he’s not making big expansion plans. Instead, he’s focused on perfecting his craft. “I’m just finessing my little recipes here and there,” he says. “I have zero financial plans, zero business plans. I just go with the feeling.”
That mindset has worked so far, and it’s clear BK Jani’s fans appreciate the authenticity. Whether he’s running his original Brooklyn spot or his location at The Hugh in Manhattan, Sibte’s focus is always on the food—and the people who love it.