Yearby's Barbecue and Waterice brings its halal barbecue to Allen

Yearby's Barbecue and Waterice, the halal barbecue joint run by Sabrina and CJ Henley, has a new home in Allen. Sabrina Henley told Community Impact the restaurant will hold a soft opening with a limited menu Oct. 24-25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 405 Central Expressway S.

The menu features brisket, lamb ribs and turkey breast, with sides including mac and cheese, collard greens, potato salad and coleslaw. According to the business's website, every brisket, beef rib and sausage "maintains classic Central Texas flavor while meeting halal standards." The name also nods to Sabrina's Philadelphia roots: waterice, a frozen dessert popular in that city, is on the menu too.

The Henleys opened Yearby's in Pilot Point in 2022 and named it after CJ's grandfather, The Dallas Morning News reported. After about two and a half years there, the restaurant had made Texas Monthly's list of the state's top 50 barbecue joints. "We took a gamble," Sabrina told The Dallas Morning News. "We stepped out there on faith because all we had in our pocket was $3,000."

The restaurant moved from Pilot Point to Plano in December 2025. According to the business's social media, it closed the Plano location in June after finding a long-term lease in Allen. Halal barbecue fans across North Texas can now find it on Central Expressway.

More information is available at yearbysbbq.com.

This story is based on original reporting by Community Impact, with additional background from The Dallas Morning News.