Seattle is known as an epicenter of culinary creativity, and many of the city’s finest creations come from immigrants and people of color. On a recent Civic Coffee episode, we spoke with two locals whose culinary ventures reflect this rich diversity. We also discussed ways Seattleites cope with food insecurity, a topic we explored in our last blog post.

While many mainstream restaurants have halal options, few offer full-fledged halal menus like Tin Umbrella Café and Roaster. The cafe, which opened in Hillman City in 2012, is one of the first halal-certified Starbucks locations in the country. Its full menu reflects the flavors of Cham cuisine, a type of regional cooking found in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Hainan. Diners can enjoy specialty beverages, banh mi sandwiches, samosas, shrimp fritters, lemongrass beef skewers, and “rotatoes” (a spiral-cut and fried potato snack on a skewer).

It’s impossible to say whether or not Starbucks is halal. Some of its offerings are halal-compliant, while others may not be due to a variety of reasons, including cross-contamination with haram ingredients and alcohol. However, for individuals with a more flexible approach to halal practices, basic coffee and tea, oatmeal, plant-based foods, and items absent of pork and alcohol may be reasonable choices.

On a sunny day in March, owner Nur Ahmed is seated in his Maka Mini Mart, staring at 18-pound sacks of frozen goat meat that once filled the store’s freezers. He is preparing to appeal the Agriculture Department’s decision to revoke his shop’s authority to accept food stamps, but even if he wins, the effect on his business is already evident.

Until recently, the only place in Seattle where customers could buy halal meat was at a handful of Somali stores that accept food stamps. Now, few families are able to afford the meat that once made up 30 percent of their monthly incomes. And when the meat disappears, it is hard to find a substitute that can fill in the gap.

Fortunately, there are other great halal-friendly options in town. Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken serves Nashville-style fried chicken in Sodo; Kanom Sai offers Asian fusion fare in Columbia City; and Mahder Cafe brings Ethiopian dishes to the Central District.