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Last night, the AP broke the news that the New York Police Department had spent months spying on Muslims in Newark, N.J. "The result was a 60-page report," AP reporter Adam Goldman writes, "containing brief summaries of businesses and their clientele." But was it a surveillance file... or just a guide to Newark's best Muslim restaurants?

"Such surveillance has become commonplace in New York City in the decade since the 2001 terrorist attacks," Goldman rightly points out. "The documents obtained by the AP show, for the first time in any detail, how those efforts stretched outside the NYPD's jurisdiction."

But as he himself acknowledges, "[t]he report cited no evidence of terrorism or criminal behavior." Indeed, it's just "a guide to Newark's Muslims." Nothing creepy about NYPD spending months monitoring Muslims outside their jurisdiction, at all. And what could be more helpful to the aspiring gourmand than a handbook of the best Halal joints in Newark? With that in mind, we've re-arranged some of the dry NYPD "notes," Zagat-style, to bring you: The NYPD Guide to Newark's Best Muslim Restaurants.

Newark Fried Chicken
942 Broad St., (973) 824-1780
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: A "medium size fast food restaurant" with "fried chicken, pizza and cold drinks" on its menu, Newark Fried Chicken is said to be "in good condition," with "seating for 10 to 15 customers."
Kansas Fried Chicken
183 Market St., (973) 242-8844
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: This "medium size takeout restaurant" is known for its "fried chicken, pizza and cold drinks." "Location is owned by persons of Afghani descent," notes one reviewer.
Mecca's Halal Restaurant
4 Branford Pl., (973) 824-5600
Yelp Rating: Four stars. ("Shockingly good," writes Andrew B. of Evanston, Ill.)
NYPD says: A "small restaurant" "in close proximity of Islamic Cultural center" "owned and operated by African-Americans," Mecca's Halal Restaurant gets another thumbs-up from our reviewers. It "has seating for 10-15 customers" and "serves Halal food."
Amin's Halal Restaurant
57 William St., (973) 621-1111
Yelp Rating: Three and a half stars. ("Very clean," says Jeff M. of Jersey City, N.J.)
NYPD says: Our reviewers say Amin's Halal Restaurant, "location below the former Muhammads Mosque" (now closed), is "medium sized" and "owned and operated by Muslims of Chinese descent." "During visit 3 African Muslim males and an Egyptian male customer were observed dining within," writes one reviewer. Wild!
Dunkin Donuts
806 South Orange Ave., no phone number
Yelp Rating: No rating. (Average rating of Newark Dunkin Donuts: Three and a half stars.)
NYPD says: "Good condition," observes one reviewer, who notes that the "store... has a capacity for 15 to 20 customers."
Utah Fried Chicken
653 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., (973) 792-1993
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: Convenience is the name of the game at Utah Fried Chicken, which our reviewers note is "in close proximity of Masjid Rahman." One drawback: the restaurant is "small."
Detroit Fried Chicken and Pizza
685 Springfield Ave., (931) 375-0013
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: Come to Detroit Fried Chicken and you might be welcomed by its owner, "Egyptian male," who's set up "seating for approximately ten customers" right "next door to Masjid Al-Haqq." "Fast food restaurant," writes one reviewer, with what we imagine to be enthusiasm.
West Indian American Halal Restaurant
347 Sandford Ave., (973) 373-7333
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: "Poor condition" at this restaurant "owned and operated by persons of West Indian descent," lament our reviewers. Nevertheless, it "has seating for 8-10 customers" and "is in close proximity of Masjid Fallahee... and Al Muslimaat academy."
Jordan Halal Restaurant
1008 South Orange Ave., (973) 399-7980
Yelp Rating: Four and a half stars. ("Great breakfasts," writes Karol R. "OMG I would come here everyday if I could!!!!" adds Candy B. of Newark.)
NYPD says: Options for "takeout and dining in" at this "small restaurant" "owned and operated by persons of Jordanian descent." But be aware that it is "small."
Chicken Holiday
1036 South Orange Ave., (973) 373-2009
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: Reviewers didn't have much to say about this "small size takeout location" "owned and operated by persons of Pakistani descent" "that serves Halal food" — but their affection was clear nonetheless.
Crown Fried Chicken and Deli
231 Lyons Ave., (973) 923-4466
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: Watch out at this "small fast food restaurant" serving "fried chicken and deli sandwiches": "Location does not have any chairs or tables inside for customers." Hope you like standing!
Amin's Halal Restaurant
430 Chancellor Ave., (973) 926-6150
Yelp Rating: No rating.
NYPD says: Get ready for some food after prayers at this "medium sized Chinese Halal restaurant" "located across the street from Masjid Ibrahim"! "Owned and operated by Muslims of Chinese descent," Amin's "has approximately three tables."
Kings Family Restaurant Inc.
327 Lyons Ave., (973) 926-2177
Yelp Rating: Three and a half stars. ("Sizeable portions," says Ron B. of Denver.)
NYPD says: How about a party at Kings Family Restaurant Inc., "a large restaurant with seating for 45-50 customers"? This "traditional Halal diner" is "owned by persons of Turkish descent" — and don't forget to bring some extra change: "location has a donation box inside for unknown Masjid."

Image by Jim Cooke, original photo via Kuzmin Andrey/Shutterstock