Salahodeen Abdul-Kafi left a 14-year career in tech to open Kafi BBQ, a halal Texas barbecue restaurant in Irving, Texas. In its first year, Kafi made about $2.3 million in revenue without serving pork, one of the highest-margin items in traditional Texas barbecue.

Kafi makes everything from scratch, including halal wagyu brisket, Iraqi-inspired sausage, beef-bacon Texas twinkies, fresh bread, and pistachio desserts. But running a halal barbecue spot comes with major challenges, including high meat costs, custom equipment, delicate lamb casings, and a menu built around expensive ingredients.

Still, Salahodeen believes that one day, his joint could earn a Michelin star.