Tucked into a strip mall that has seen better days, I would never have guessed how good Pita Pita is. That's what Yelp is for I guess. Chicken Shish Tawook = excellent -- cooked and seasoned perfectly. But I really couldn't find fault with anything. The service at the counter was friendly without being annoying, food was prepared quickly and the price was extremely reasonable.
(5)
Gerry L.
I've been going to Pita Pita since they opened. I'm a huge fan of this type of food and try a lot of different restaurants; Pita Inn, Naf Naf Grill, Reezas, Alhambra's just to ne a few. Pita Pita is by far the tastiest of them all. There food is tastier then all of the more expensive ones as well as the ones in their price range. Don't be fooled by any review under a 4 or 5. This place is the best!
(5)
Lena M.
Wanted to try this place after reading the reviews. Placed my order online (very convenient). Pick up was convenient too, it was ready to go. Pros - easy ordering, ready when stated, salad is good. Cons - ordered extra pita & garlic sauce - didn't get it. The beef shawarma was dry and chewy. The chicken kefta kabob was unevenly spiced and cooked so half of my pieces were overly charred and not edible. The hummus was half full even though we ordered a small size (I guess it was a small, smaller than the small at Pita Inn). It was way too lemony too, couldn't taste the chickpeas or the tahini, just lemon. Pita was grilled so it made it dry and chewy. Ordered the baklava and disappointed that it's not made in house, but by a bakery in Chicago. $5 for the box... I could get the same box cheaper in the city. Overall - very disappointed. I can see why they're always offering deals online. Saving the gas and will stick with Pita Inn.
(2)
Melissa H.
I forgot to take pics of the food from here, but in all honesty not missing much it was not memorable. I just had a surgical procedure yesterday and was craving some Mediterranean food. My husband found a Groupon for Pita Pita and I saw great reviews for this place. Of course I had to try it out. I must say my husband was a saint to come here as he dislikes Mediterranean food while I love it! We walked in and I immediately saw for drinks they had Powerade! I was so happy to see this drink option because my surgery required me to drink electrolytes such as this and high sodium foods. Ok, perfect.....but it went downhill from there...... There was a large party in there as well as other filled tables. We noticed after ordering there was only ONE straw left in the straw dispenser and very few napkins left in the napkin dispenser. We had to ask the employees to fill both dispensers up. Keep in mind we dined here at 3pm in the afternoon right before dinner rush and after lunch rush. I noticed a certain stench that smelled of B.O. It was a rather disgusting scent that almost made me lose my appetite. I realized as soon as our food was served it came from an employee. You would think working in the service industry you would try your best to have good personal hygiene especially around customers. I ate my food as fast as possible so we could leave the awful stench. It made my dining experience here very difficult to enjoy. The food was bland except for the salad that was the only thing going for them, but how hard is it to ruin salad?! I ordered the meat plate so I could get a whole variety of taste and options of meats they offer. The meats especially the Beef Kufta reminded me of frozen meat you would get in a frozen dinner meal....YUCK! I couldn't even eat it and gave it to my husband. Won't be dining here again and next time I'm in need of my Mediterranean food fix I'll be heading to their competitor that I have been dining at for years in Wheeling. Hint....Hint.....Nudge...Wink UPDATE: Last week the owner reached out to my husband and I regarding our negative experience here. I appreciate the owner reaching out to my husband and I.
(2)
Brian P.
Quick, tasty and surprisingly good value. Had the chicken schwarma. Came with salad, pita and rice. Brought to the table vs serve yourself. Real forks and plates. Nice place for a quick bite. Baklava was dry but otherwise pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Mark D.
Ok, after 3 times here, Pita Pita has earned a fifth star from me. Their food is delicious, the taste is consistent, the staff is friendly and accommodating and the pricing is reasonable. Highly recommend!
(5)
Brenda M.
This restaurant is much better then the competitor! I know everyone has their preference, but I normally don't like falafel and I tried it here and LOVED it! I had the chicken shawarma wrap. The chicken was not dry and seasoned perfectly. Very good. The portions are huge. I had to take half home and I never do that :) Service was fast and friendly. Place was clean. This is my new go-to for Mediterranean!
(5)
Dave V.
So now that i am addicted to this place and have been here WAY too many times, i wanted to update my review. The service has never faltered from my original review. They are very nice and very customer oriented and they get shit done. If one slips through the cracks and something gets messed up, they make sure it gets fixed and the customer always walks away happy. I have since expanded from the wraps and now i almost always get the mixed chicken entrees. It seems pricey but really you are getting a ton of food and can likely leave 2 people very satisfied off the one entree. If you have never heard of or never tried muthawama, do yourself a favor and get it. NOW! It's an amazing, creamy garlic god send and we never order without getting an order of that or the tomato and eggplant (if you like tomatoes you will love this). Their kufta is seasoned so perfect and is always cooked right and by far they have the best pita around. It's a thinner pita and i have never seen anyone have the same style but it is also just sooo delicious. One thing i almost never get at any Mediterranean restaurant is falafel. It's usually dry and nasty and i don't know how or why people eat it. NOT the case here, i actually enjoyed every bite of the perfectly cooked, not dried out appetizer. I can literally go on for a while but idk why you are still reading this, get your ass over there and yelp that shit!!!
(5)
Reem S.
I went here with a bunch of my friends so they could try Palestinian food. The decor is very nice and staff is very friendly. They have these ginger ale drinks that are Really good. The food: The beef shawarma is super tasty, as well as the stuffed grape leaves. The hummus was just alright. I've had better. The tabouleh was also yummy. I had the meat and veggie platter. The falafel was actually good and I don't usually like falafel. I would d definitely come back for the beef and stuffed grape leaves. All my friends finished their plates, even the ones who were unsure of the flavors :) would definitely return. I want to try the baba ghanoush next.
(4)
Kelly L.
Best of the best! Family owned, clean restaurant with great prices and huge portions. The falafel is not to be missed, but everything I've had here has been out of this world!
(5)
Angie R.
Ordered for pick up and sadly I was not impressed. I ordered the meat and veggie entree which is chicken and beef shawarma and it comes with hummus, falafel, Arabic salad and rice. I did like the chicken, it was tender and very flavorful but the beef was very dry, so dry I couldnt even eat it. The rice was just ok, the salad was good and I enjoyed the hummus. I didnt try the falafel so I can't review that. Overall it wasnt horribly bad but I had high hopes for this restaurant. I will try them again, perhaps it was an off day for the beef shawarma.
I had so much hope for this place but what happened? Definitely no rivalry for pita inn. Ordered the falafel pita and the pickled vegetables inside were way too sour. It was so strong the smell, I took it home and it stunk up my whole place. I couldn't eat it. The falafel was nothing great either, very dry. The pita was breaking apart when I try to eat the sandwich, this made eating very difficult. The person who took my ordered asked me twice whether I was eating in or taking out. Why!? At the beginning and end of my order. Also, the wait took a while, why does it take so long just to make a falafel sandwich. The worst part is I saw with my own eyes the person preparing my sandwich in the back dropped my sandwich together with the foil and white paper bag, he then picked it up from the floor opened my sandwich and rewrapped it and gave it to me. This really made me very vary to eat the food. This place was a mess, I am not coming back.
(2)
Abhinav S.
Bought the $10 for $20 worth amazon local coupon for this. Went with a friend here. I ordered the Chicken Shish Tawook and my friend ordered the Chicken Kufta Kebab. The kebab was well marinated and delicious, the pita bread was super fresh. The place is clean and has a relaxed atmosphere. Definitely worth the visit
(5)
James S.
Had the beef shawarma.....mmmmmm, delicious! We could have shared an entree as the portions are huge! Little sauces were just right and the falafel was up three with the best I've had! Will definitely come back again!
(5)
Bob R.
This is the second time we went to Pita Pita in Palatine - although I'm not sure why I didn't check in last time. We really like this place. When you go in, you order at the counter. Above the counter is a lighted menu. Their prices are reasonable, and the food is great. I was really hungry, although my wife was not. So, I orders mixed chicken and beef Shawerma with Hummos, Baba Ghanouj and a Jerusalem Salad. Lots of food, in fact way too much. The Shawerma is served with a mound of yellow rice and a salad. The salad is lettuce, cucumber, tomato with olive oil and mint. They also serve Pita. Their Pita bread is baked fresh there. Unlike other Middle Eastern restaurants I've been to, they grill the Pita halves before service. This added crunch with the softness of the Pita was really nice. We did not buy the Yelp $10 for $15 special. But, we did use the check in offer of a free side to get the Baba Ghanouhj. I'm plenty full, and we had lots to bring home with us.
(4)
Andrew T.
The absolute best Mediterranean food this side of Rt. 53! :) They have a lunch menu during the day and their full menu always. I normally get the chicken shawarma and felafel and humus, all of which is delicious. My family has been coming to this restaurant for years. We have also used their catering for a private party - everything has been fantastic!
(5)
Randy H.
**Update 5/17/2015: The owner (Mustafa) reached out & addressed my negative review. He apologized for our experience & offered for my wife & I to return for a FREE 2 apps, 2 entrees, 2 drinks on him. His gracious offer made me want to update my review & share with others the effort made by the owner to correct the problem & invite us back for a "2nd try". I think more owners/management should address negative guest experiences & make an effort to correct the issue. A sincere thank you to Mustafa for his attention to our poor visit. I wish him nothing but the best going forward. I must preface this with, my reviews are few & far between, so you either gotta really impress me or disappoint for me to post a review. That being said, today was my first time dining at Pita Pita. This was my wife's choice (she's a big Pita Inn fan) & we had a Groupon ($11 for $20 worth of food), & this will probably be the last place she picks without my input... My 2 Star rating explanation: Atmosphere: basic, low ambience. Sterile feel Music: nothing familiar, perhaps Middle-Eastern in origin if I had to guess Menu: pretty easily understood. No frills. Prices: $8-$12 Dislikes: Beverage area wasn't stocked. No straws, few napkins. Silverware looked dirty, had to search for clean ones. Food presentation was simple & tasted bland. Tzatzki sauce was thin & nothing special. The salad was somewhat warm because it was served on the same plate as rice & beef. Rice was plain (yellow) not complex. The beef I ordered resembled mush more than it resembled ground beef & didn't have much flavor. The 2 onions & 1 tomato that came with the meal didn't impress either. Likes: Food was hot. Spicy red sauce in the bottle had a good heat & flavor profile *Tip: Drown everything in this to make the meal palatable. Pita bread, was above average & probably the best part of the meal. My recommendation: save your money & drive down the street to a grocery store & purchase an Encore microwave dinner, because the food here is of lesser quality. *the "restaurant" stank of Body Odor & Farts
(3)
Valerie W.
What a great alternative to Pita Inn, and closer to my parents house too. I don't live anywhere near this area anymore, but Pita Pita has been on my list of places to try for a long time. When I was up at my mom's on Monday and she suggested take-out from Pita Pita for dinner, I was all about it. We ordered for 5 - and the bill came out to between $50-60, including an appetizer and extra pitas. I had some trouble deciding - my mom was telling me about how great the wraps were - with thin thin bread rather than a pita. She got a wrap, so I decided to try something different after she agreed to let me taste a bite. I ordered the meat & veggie entree, which had both beef and chicken shawarma, hummus, falafel, Arabic salad and rice, although I subbed Jerusalem salad for my rice for $1. The appetizer was baba ghannouj, which we ordered a large and were given for half price due to the yelp check-in offer (a free small appetizer.) Service was a little slow, I believe they were understaffed, but extremely friendly. Plus, how can I argue with slow service when I can clearly see my dinner being made to order? I can't. We were given a few free falafel to try also! I really enjoyed the beef shawarma, the chicken was a little dry for me. I may get criticized for saying this - but the hummus is better than Pita Inn. It's creamy and lemony and delightful. The bite of my mom's shish-kebab wrap was heavenly as well. I will definitely try a wrap the next time!
(4)
JH K.
This place is a hidden gem! My husband and I struck up a conversation with the owner Mustafa while out shopping and next thing we know we are enjoying an amazing Mediterranean dinner at Pita Pita. There are so many great things about this restaurant. The food is so delicious and fresh...with sooooo much flavor! We ended up sharing the mix meat plate and the vegetable plate and devoured it all! Then wrapped up our meal with a sampling of their delicious desserts. The environment is tastefully decorated and spotless. The staff are all very friendly as well. It's been a year or so since we've had excellent Mediterranean food and have now found the perfect spot in the burbs! A++++
(5)
Stephen M.
I've been coming here since they opened. I am very happy to see this restaurant make it. The food is always very delicious, service is always pleasant, and the best part is every experience is the same. If you are looking for a Mediterranean fast food or sit down restaurant in the northwest burbs this is my go to spot. Highly recommend. Will not be disappointed.
(5)
Les A.
DELICIOUS !!! Staff was super friendly. There wasn't one thing I didn't enjoy there. The white garlic sauce is phenomenal !! Yuuuuummmm.
(5)
Jon H.
For a strip mall restaurant, this place is great. The food is authentic and tasty, and the atmosphere is good for an "order at the counter" restaurant. It's usually got some nice music playing in the background.
(5)
Garrett T.
My new favorite suburban restaurant. This place gets 10/10 on all aspects. The mixed meat plate has huge variety, all of it good. But the star of the show is there muthawama - a creamy garlicky potato dip that makes you want to literally lick the plate afterwards. Seriously. Get it. Coffee is awesome too, flavored w cardamom.
(5)
Raj K.
Service is friendly and food is brought to your table unlike other Mediterranean eat outs. I ordered their mixed chicken entree comes with shwarma, kufta, shish Tawooq...all the three were flavorful and juicy...hot sauce can be little more spicy to give that kick to those juicy kebabs:)...place is clean ...only drawback salad was too salty and hummus not great
(4)
Cadeidre W.
I stopped by here on my way home from a walk. First thing you notice is the ambience it's beautiful inside. The young Arabic guy was just as beautiful and very helpful. I got the "meat and veggies" please note that the veggies are the sides hummus rice falafel and Arabic salad. The only reason I'm not giving a five star is because the rice was overcooked. But all in all it was tasty and affordable I'll be going back!
(4)
Rachel D.
DELICIOUS food! Great for vegetarians. I get the Veggie Plate and it has falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, baba ganouj, pita bread, and your choice of salad. The baba ganouj is the best I've ever had. And the portions are huge. They've recently redecorated and the new ambience is clean and sophisticated. Food prep is not super fast but that's because it's freshly made when you order and it's worth the wait.
(5)
Rich R.
Went on the basis of great reviews, and was surprised to find it vaguely average. The beef shawarma was bland, chicken slightly better, the side order of hummus was crazy small, and the preparation of four standard shawarma plates took for-freaking-ever. The included cucumber salads tasted mainly of cilantro. Finally, the baklava was pre-packaged and a bit dry. I would say, if you're in the neighborhood it's filling food, but don't go in expecting a hidden gem of tastiness. On the up-side, there is a spacious seating area, which you'll need while waiting for your to-go order (you might want to call it in, or go elsewhere, if you're in a hurry).
(3)
Mervat H.
The best Mediterranean restaurant I've ever been to. Everything that I've ever ordered has been delicious, but my favorite is the shish kebab, so tender. The service is also great! And the place is newly remodeled, with beautiful pictures hanging and very light music to enjoy. Kid friendly as well
(5)
Restaurant Vigilant E.
While situated in a strip mall off a major road, this place is impossible to find for some reason. Once you locate it, you always remember, but the first time it is very difficult to locate. Honestly though, I can't say enough good things about this place. While very casual, the interior is very clean, modern and inviting. The staff are very friendly as well. Prices are VERY reasonable in my opinion. I have visited twice in the past 8 weeks or so and both times had a great experience. It is clearly family run and the staff seem to take a lot of pride in the business and putting out a great product. Here is my run down on what I have tried there: Hummus - very fresh and clearly made in house. Excellent texture with drizzled olive oil and plenty of pita bread Babbaganoush - also made in house. I am used to it being a smidge thicker, but good flavor and was happy with the dish. Would probably go with the hummus over the babba though. Chicken Shwarma Wrap - Excellent both times - grilled chicken marinated to perfection. A very fresh and flavorful dish! Stuffed Grape Leaves - Plentiful, cheap, freshly made in house. Definitely a fan. Their soda fountain could use a bit of fine tuning (the carbonation was a bit off), but the Mr Pibb isn't why you go there right? The food is great - super fresh and healthy. The price point offers excellent value. The interior is clean, modern and comfortable. The location, while difficult to find initially, is pretty convenient once you have initially located it. Highly recommend!!!
(4)
Arley C.
Instantly a new favorite, in my humble opinion, the best Middle Eastern restaurant in the area. I've been a regular at the well known Pita place in Wheeling since moving to Buffalo Grove but after eating at Pita Pita, those days are over. The beef kufta is as authentic as you will find anywhere, seasoned just right and grilled to perfection. Their hummus, baba ghanouj, and falafels taste homemade, just the best I've ever had. Great food, good service, and fairly priced, can't really ask for much more.
(5)
Alina T.
Delicious Mediterranean kitchen! I love every dish from this place. Always taking out. Inside is always nice, friendly stuff, quick check out and food preparation. Healthy delicious food. Also good for vegetarian people.
(5)
Phil S.
After being contacted by Mustafa, I decided to give Pita Pita another try. And I'm glad I did because the food was much better this time around. I ordered the Mixed Meat plate and my wife ordered the Beef Kufta. Although the Mixed Meat plate is a buck more than most of the entrees, it's worth it because they really pile on the meat. If you're trying Pita Pita for the first time, I recommend getting the Mixed Meat plate because it provides a great variety of almost everything they have to offer. This time around the Shawerma was moist and flavorful and everything else tasted great and wasn't overcooked. I especially liked the char marks on the some of the meat as it added great flavor. Although most of the food was great, I'm still not a fan of the thin and flimsy bread and the rice is nothing to get happy over but the hummus was fresh and earthy and the falafel was fresh. The fries were of the frozen variety with that crappy breading coating but why I ordered fries at a Mediterranean place is something I'm still questioning. The service was great just like last time but my experience with the owner pushed my new rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. This is the reason why I prefer independently owned establishments over chains. They just care more.
(4)
D J.
The mixed meat is delicious. Great service. Take out went faster this time. Just as good as Pita Inn. Thank you Pita Pita.
(4)
MTML D.
I believe another reviewer stated that this place is better than Pita Inn. I hate hate hate to say it but I have to agree. I have loved Pita Inn for years and today when I ate here at Pita Pita the first thing I thought was "Damn I just left Pita Inn for something new". In three bites I knew I was done with Pita Inn. The food is crazy fresh and the flavor of my Chicken Schwarma was nice. Moist chicken with a beautiful marinade. Rice that is moist and hummus that is super fresh. The gents and ladies that run this place have hit it spot on. Keep pushing with this. 100% No doubt good food
(4)
Bill T.
A buddy of mine recommended this place to me. I did not have much previous experience with Mediterranean food, but I was open to trying it out. First time visiting, I was instantly hooked. The food here is addicting. I try to visit this place at least once a week. That mixed meat plate is so good. The spices they use.. it's delicious. The Falafel is very good too. Great staff, very friendly. Every time I visit, I over hear other customers compliment the staff and ask them questions about how the food is prepared. They have somewhat recently remodeled the seating area since I have been visiting. Nice, mellow atmosphere. Also, BYOB which is nice. Order ahead options available by phone and through their website which is very convenient. Nice gem kind of hidden in Palatine. The only negative I could give this place is that there is not a location next door to my place. Always a pleasure.
(5)
Hassan G.
Food was great, I would recommend the Meat Platter the best i have had in a while. Place was nice and clean, and the price was reasonable.
(5)
I. M.
I tried the Falafel. Very good! Restaurant is clean and customer service is good. I'm definitely going back
(4)
Brent G.
Quick summary: Similar concept to Pita Inn, but half the flavor, half the value, and half the portions. I debated between 2 and 3 stars, so I'll start by listing what they do well: 1. The ambience is nice - a clean, modern restaurant where you feel instantly comfortable. 2. The pita bread was warm and fresh. Here are the reasons why I was generally disappointed: 1. I ordered the "All Meats" special, which priced at 6.99, puts it somewhat in line with the 4.99 special at Pita Inn. My plate was 40% rice, 35% salad, and 25% meat. The meat was scraps and bits - at no point was there any clear indication of an actual piece of an identifiable thing. There were most likely bits of shwarma, kifta, and chicken in there. The portions were too small to distinguish. 2. The flavors were bland and muted. The interior decorations led me to expect authenticity, but everything generally tasted like nothing. I did not get any spice, seasoning, hint of the exotic. As Middle Eastern food goes, this was a disappointing experience. 3. I ordered the small hummus to accompany my meal. I received about 2 table spoons of hummus. I'm not expecting a massive portion when I order a small. I am expecting more than that though. The hummus was watery, lacking in substance. None of the creamy goodness I expected. I visited Pita Pita because Pita Inn is about 5 miles further down Dundee. Next time I will drive the extra 5 miles. I'm willing to consider the possibility that the kitchen was just off that day, but based on my experience, I'm struggling to understand the high ratings. It's adequate, but I won't be returning.
(2)
Jennifer P.
Reasons I love Pita Pita: 1) They only get better. Case-in-point: I KNOW their falafels have gotten bigger since my initial review. They have a great layer of flavor (with a hint of lemony goodness), and I know they make them by hand as they toss 'em into the fryer. 2) They always have deals: Groupon deals, Yelp Check-In deals, and Facebook Check-In deals. 3) Portions are VERY generous. I'm a girl who can EAT, and my favorite entree (Veggie Plate) lasts me two days. 4) They're passionate and hard-working. Tonight there were only two guys: one cooking ALL of the food, and the other guy manning the register, getting extra plates and cups, directing a little kiddo how to use the water feature on the fountain machine, serving and bussing tables, and organizing To-Go orders. Holy multitasking, Batman! He did it all with a smile and never once let on he was stressed out. I'd be pulling my hair out. 5) They remember their customers (or at least make an effort to learn your name). The Multitasking Register Guy interacted with some of the regulars and even remembered my name, AND brought out my To-Go order from behind the counter and nicely handed it to me! 6) They try to "right" any "wrongs." I HATE to put it out there ('coz I love 'em so much), but last time I got take-out, they forgot to include the pita bread. (Hey, sh!t happens, right?) I called and they were apologetic and took down my name to ensure I was comped on my next order. Also, tonight they were (SADLY!) out of stuffed grape leaves when I got there during the dinner rush. I was soooo looking forward to them, but they nicely subbed something else (falafel, nomnomnom!). 7) They try to make their customers happy: Again, apologizing for waits, thanking customers, and giving extra sauces upon request. Customer service is HUGE in my book, as is (obviously) great food. Speaking of food... time for me to chow down on that Veggie Plate!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Berto W.
Tucked into a strip mall that has seen better days, I would never have guessed how good Pita Pita is. That's what Yelp is for I guess. Chicken Shish Tawook = excellent -- cooked and seasoned perfectly. But I really couldn't find fault with anything. The service at the counter was friendly without being annoying, food was prepared quickly and the price was extremely reasonable.
(5)Gerry L.
I've been going to Pita Pita since they opened. I'm a huge fan of this type of food and try a lot of different restaurants; Pita Inn, Naf Naf Grill, Reezas, Alhambra's just to ne a few. Pita Pita is by far the tastiest of them all. There food is tastier then all of the more expensive ones as well as the ones in their price range. Don't be fooled by any review under a 4 or 5. This place is the best!
(5)Lena M.
Wanted to try this place after reading the reviews. Placed my order online (very convenient). Pick up was convenient too, it was ready to go. Pros - easy ordering, ready when stated, salad is good. Cons - ordered extra pita & garlic sauce - didn't get it. The beef shawarma was dry and chewy. The chicken kefta kabob was unevenly spiced and cooked so half of my pieces were overly charred and not edible. The hummus was half full even though we ordered a small size (I guess it was a small, smaller than the small at Pita Inn). It was way too lemony too, couldn't taste the chickpeas or the tahini, just lemon. Pita was grilled so it made it dry and chewy. Ordered the baklava and disappointed that it's not made in house, but by a bakery in Chicago. $5 for the box... I could get the same box cheaper in the city. Overall - very disappointed. I can see why they're always offering deals online. Saving the gas and will stick with Pita Inn.
(2)Melissa H.
I forgot to take pics of the food from here, but in all honesty not missing much it was not memorable. I just had a surgical procedure yesterday and was craving some Mediterranean food. My husband found a Groupon for Pita Pita and I saw great reviews for this place. Of course I had to try it out. I must say my husband was a saint to come here as he dislikes Mediterranean food while I love it! We walked in and I immediately saw for drinks they had Powerade! I was so happy to see this drink option because my surgery required me to drink electrolytes such as this and high sodium foods. Ok, perfect.....but it went downhill from there...... There was a large party in there as well as other filled tables. We noticed after ordering there was only ONE straw left in the straw dispenser and very few napkins left in the napkin dispenser. We had to ask the employees to fill both dispensers up. Keep in mind we dined here at 3pm in the afternoon right before dinner rush and after lunch rush. I noticed a certain stench that smelled of B.O. It was a rather disgusting scent that almost made me lose my appetite. I realized as soon as our food was served it came from an employee. You would think working in the service industry you would try your best to have good personal hygiene especially around customers. I ate my food as fast as possible so we could leave the awful stench. It made my dining experience here very difficult to enjoy. The food was bland except for the salad that was the only thing going for them, but how hard is it to ruin salad?! I ordered the meat plate so I could get a whole variety of taste and options of meats they offer. The meats especially the Beef Kufta reminded me of frozen meat you would get in a frozen dinner meal....YUCK! I couldn't even eat it and gave it to my husband. Won't be dining here again and next time I'm in need of my Mediterranean food fix I'll be heading to their competitor that I have been dining at for years in Wheeling. Hint....Hint.....Nudge...Wink UPDATE: Last week the owner reached out to my husband and I regarding our negative experience here. I appreciate the owner reaching out to my husband and I.
(2)Brian P.
Quick, tasty and surprisingly good value. Had the chicken schwarma. Came with salad, pita and rice. Brought to the table vs serve yourself. Real forks and plates. Nice place for a quick bite. Baklava was dry but otherwise pleasantly surprised.
(4)Mark D.
Ok, after 3 times here, Pita Pita has earned a fifth star from me. Their food is delicious, the taste is consistent, the staff is friendly and accommodating and the pricing is reasonable. Highly recommend!
(5)Brenda M.
This restaurant is much better then the competitor! I know everyone has their preference, but I normally don't like falafel and I tried it here and LOVED it! I had the chicken shawarma wrap. The chicken was not dry and seasoned perfectly. Very good. The portions are huge. I had to take half home and I never do that :) Service was fast and friendly. Place was clean. This is my new go-to for Mediterranean!
(5)Dave V.
So now that i am addicted to this place and have been here WAY too many times, i wanted to update my review. The service has never faltered from my original review. They are very nice and very customer oriented and they get shit done. If one slips through the cracks and something gets messed up, they make sure it gets fixed and the customer always walks away happy. I have since expanded from the wraps and now i almost always get the mixed chicken entrees. It seems pricey but really you are getting a ton of food and can likely leave 2 people very satisfied off the one entree. If you have never heard of or never tried muthawama, do yourself a favor and get it. NOW! It's an amazing, creamy garlic god send and we never order without getting an order of that or the tomato and eggplant (if you like tomatoes you will love this). Their kufta is seasoned so perfect and is always cooked right and by far they have the best pita around. It's a thinner pita and i have never seen anyone have the same style but it is also just sooo delicious. One thing i almost never get at any Mediterranean restaurant is falafel. It's usually dry and nasty and i don't know how or why people eat it. NOT the case here, i actually enjoyed every bite of the perfectly cooked, not dried out appetizer. I can literally go on for a while but idk why you are still reading this, get your ass over there and yelp that shit!!!
(5)Reem S.
I went here with a bunch of my friends so they could try Palestinian food. The decor is very nice and staff is very friendly. They have these ginger ale drinks that are Really good. The food: The beef shawarma is super tasty, as well as the stuffed grape leaves. The hummus was just alright. I've had better. The tabouleh was also yummy. I had the meat and veggie platter. The falafel was actually good and I don't usually like falafel. I would d definitely come back for the beef and stuffed grape leaves. All my friends finished their plates, even the ones who were unsure of the flavors :) would definitely return. I want to try the baba ghanoush next.
(4)Kelly L.
Best of the best! Family owned, clean restaurant with great prices and huge portions. The falafel is not to be missed, but everything I've had here has been out of this world!
(5)Angie R.
Ordered for pick up and sadly I was not impressed. I ordered the meat and veggie entree which is chicken and beef shawarma and it comes with hummus, falafel, Arabic salad and rice. I did like the chicken, it was tender and very flavorful but the beef was very dry, so dry I couldnt even eat it. The rice was just ok, the salad was good and I enjoyed the hummus. I didnt try the falafel so I can't review that. Overall it wasnt horribly bad but I had high hopes for this restaurant. I will try them again, perhaps it was an off day for the beef shawarma.
(3)Don R.
Impressive. Been to a few Mediterranean restaurants. Like the others, this one didn't disappoint. Went here for lunch and had the Chicken Shawarma Entrée. Loved the flavors. Had a decent amount, enough for me to get full. As appetizer, had the Falafel. It tasted great. Will be back.
(5)Victoria W.
I had so much hope for this place but what happened? Definitely no rivalry for pita inn. Ordered the falafel pita and the pickled vegetables inside were way too sour. It was so strong the smell, I took it home and it stunk up my whole place. I couldn't eat it. The falafel was nothing great either, very dry. The pita was breaking apart when I try to eat the sandwich, this made eating very difficult. The person who took my ordered asked me twice whether I was eating in or taking out. Why!? At the beginning and end of my order. Also, the wait took a while, why does it take so long just to make a falafel sandwich. The worst part is I saw with my own eyes the person preparing my sandwich in the back dropped my sandwich together with the foil and white paper bag, he then picked it up from the floor opened my sandwich and rewrapped it and gave it to me. This really made me very vary to eat the food. This place was a mess, I am not coming back.
(2)Abhinav S.
Bought the $10 for $20 worth amazon local coupon for this. Went with a friend here. I ordered the Chicken Shish Tawook and my friend ordered the Chicken Kufta Kebab. The kebab was well marinated and delicious, the pita bread was super fresh. The place is clean and has a relaxed atmosphere. Definitely worth the visit
(5)James S.
Had the beef shawarma.....mmmmmm, delicious! We could have shared an entree as the portions are huge! Little sauces were just right and the falafel was up three with the best I've had! Will definitely come back again!
(5)Bob R.
This is the second time we went to Pita Pita in Palatine - although I'm not sure why I didn't check in last time. We really like this place. When you go in, you order at the counter. Above the counter is a lighted menu. Their prices are reasonable, and the food is great. I was really hungry, although my wife was not. So, I orders mixed chicken and beef Shawerma with Hummos, Baba Ghanouj and a Jerusalem Salad. Lots of food, in fact way too much. The Shawerma is served with a mound of yellow rice and a salad. The salad is lettuce, cucumber, tomato with olive oil and mint. They also serve Pita. Their Pita bread is baked fresh there. Unlike other Middle Eastern restaurants I've been to, they grill the Pita halves before service. This added crunch with the softness of the Pita was really nice. We did not buy the Yelp $10 for $15 special. But, we did use the check in offer of a free side to get the Baba Ghanouhj. I'm plenty full, and we had lots to bring home with us.
(4)Andrew T.
The absolute best Mediterranean food this side of Rt. 53! :) They have a lunch menu during the day and their full menu always. I normally get the chicken shawarma and felafel and humus, all of which is delicious. My family has been coming to this restaurant for years. We have also used their catering for a private party - everything has been fantastic!
(5)Randy H.
**Update 5/17/2015: The owner (Mustafa) reached out & addressed my negative review. He apologized for our experience & offered for my wife & I to return for a FREE 2 apps, 2 entrees, 2 drinks on him. His gracious offer made me want to update my review & share with others the effort made by the owner to correct the problem & invite us back for a "2nd try". I think more owners/management should address negative guest experiences & make an effort to correct the issue. A sincere thank you to Mustafa for his attention to our poor visit. I wish him nothing but the best going forward. I must preface this with, my reviews are few & far between, so you either gotta really impress me or disappoint for me to post a review. That being said, today was my first time dining at Pita Pita. This was my wife's choice (she's a big Pita Inn fan) & we had a Groupon ($11 for $20 worth of food), & this will probably be the last place she picks without my input... My 2 Star rating explanation: Atmosphere: basic, low ambience. Sterile feel Music: nothing familiar, perhaps Middle-Eastern in origin if I had to guess Menu: pretty easily understood. No frills. Prices: $8-$12 Dislikes: Beverage area wasn't stocked. No straws, few napkins. Silverware looked dirty, had to search for clean ones. Food presentation was simple & tasted bland. Tzatzki sauce was thin & nothing special. The salad was somewhat warm because it was served on the same plate as rice & beef. Rice was plain (yellow) not complex. The beef I ordered resembled mush more than it resembled ground beef & didn't have much flavor. The 2 onions & 1 tomato that came with the meal didn't impress either. Likes: Food was hot. Spicy red sauce in the bottle had a good heat & flavor profile *Tip: Drown everything in this to make the meal palatable. Pita bread, was above average & probably the best part of the meal. My recommendation: save your money & drive down the street to a grocery store & purchase an Encore microwave dinner, because the food here is of lesser quality. *the "restaurant" stank of Body Odor & Farts
(3)Valerie W.
What a great alternative to Pita Inn, and closer to my parents house too. I don't live anywhere near this area anymore, but Pita Pita has been on my list of places to try for a long time. When I was up at my mom's on Monday and she suggested take-out from Pita Pita for dinner, I was all about it. We ordered for 5 - and the bill came out to between $50-60, including an appetizer and extra pitas. I had some trouble deciding - my mom was telling me about how great the wraps were - with thin thin bread rather than a pita. She got a wrap, so I decided to try something different after she agreed to let me taste a bite. I ordered the meat & veggie entree, which had both beef and chicken shawarma, hummus, falafel, Arabic salad and rice, although I subbed Jerusalem salad for my rice for $1. The appetizer was baba ghannouj, which we ordered a large and were given for half price due to the yelp check-in offer (a free small appetizer.) Service was a little slow, I believe they were understaffed, but extremely friendly. Plus, how can I argue with slow service when I can clearly see my dinner being made to order? I can't. We were given a few free falafel to try also! I really enjoyed the beef shawarma, the chicken was a little dry for me. I may get criticized for saying this - but the hummus is better than Pita Inn. It's creamy and lemony and delightful. The bite of my mom's shish-kebab wrap was heavenly as well. I will definitely try a wrap the next time!
(4)JH K.
This place is a hidden gem! My husband and I struck up a conversation with the owner Mustafa while out shopping and next thing we know we are enjoying an amazing Mediterranean dinner at Pita Pita. There are so many great things about this restaurant. The food is so delicious and fresh...with sooooo much flavor! We ended up sharing the mix meat plate and the vegetable plate and devoured it all! Then wrapped up our meal with a sampling of their delicious desserts. The environment is tastefully decorated and spotless. The staff are all very friendly as well. It's been a year or so since we've had excellent Mediterranean food and have now found the perfect spot in the burbs! A++++
(5)Stephen M.
I've been coming here since they opened. I am very happy to see this restaurant make it. The food is always very delicious, service is always pleasant, and the best part is every experience is the same. If you are looking for a Mediterranean fast food or sit down restaurant in the northwest burbs this is my go to spot. Highly recommend. Will not be disappointed.
(5)Les A.
DELICIOUS !!! Staff was super friendly. There wasn't one thing I didn't enjoy there. The white garlic sauce is phenomenal !! Yuuuuummmm.
(5)Jon H.
For a strip mall restaurant, this place is great. The food is authentic and tasty, and the atmosphere is good for an "order at the counter" restaurant. It's usually got some nice music playing in the background.
(5)Garrett T.
My new favorite suburban restaurant. This place gets 10/10 on all aspects. The mixed meat plate has huge variety, all of it good. But the star of the show is there muthawama - a creamy garlicky potato dip that makes you want to literally lick the plate afterwards. Seriously. Get it. Coffee is awesome too, flavored w cardamom.
(5)Raj K.
Service is friendly and food is brought to your table unlike other Mediterranean eat outs. I ordered their mixed chicken entree comes with shwarma, kufta, shish Tawooq...all the three were flavorful and juicy...hot sauce can be little more spicy to give that kick to those juicy kebabs:)...place is clean ...only drawback salad was too salty and hummus not great
(4)Cadeidre W.
I stopped by here on my way home from a walk. First thing you notice is the ambience it's beautiful inside. The young Arabic guy was just as beautiful and very helpful. I got the "meat and veggies" please note that the veggies are the sides hummus rice falafel and Arabic salad. The only reason I'm not giving a five star is because the rice was overcooked. But all in all it was tasty and affordable I'll be going back!
(4)Rachel D.
DELICIOUS food! Great for vegetarians. I get the Veggie Plate and it has falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, baba ganouj, pita bread, and your choice of salad. The baba ganouj is the best I've ever had. And the portions are huge. They've recently redecorated and the new ambience is clean and sophisticated. Food prep is not super fast but that's because it's freshly made when you order and it's worth the wait.
(5)Rich R.
Went on the basis of great reviews, and was surprised to find it vaguely average. The beef shawarma was bland, chicken slightly better, the side order of hummus was crazy small, and the preparation of four standard shawarma plates took for-freaking-ever. The included cucumber salads tasted mainly of cilantro. Finally, the baklava was pre-packaged and a bit dry. I would say, if you're in the neighborhood it's filling food, but don't go in expecting a hidden gem of tastiness. On the up-side, there is a spacious seating area, which you'll need while waiting for your to-go order (you might want to call it in, or go elsewhere, if you're in a hurry).
(3)Mervat H.
The best Mediterranean restaurant I've ever been to. Everything that I've ever ordered has been delicious, but my favorite is the shish kebab, so tender. The service is also great! And the place is newly remodeled, with beautiful pictures hanging and very light music to enjoy. Kid friendly as well
(5)Restaurant Vigilant E.
While situated in a strip mall off a major road, this place is impossible to find for some reason. Once you locate it, you always remember, but the first time it is very difficult to locate. Honestly though, I can't say enough good things about this place. While very casual, the interior is very clean, modern and inviting. The staff are very friendly as well. Prices are VERY reasonable in my opinion. I have visited twice in the past 8 weeks or so and both times had a great experience. It is clearly family run and the staff seem to take a lot of pride in the business and putting out a great product. Here is my run down on what I have tried there: Hummus - very fresh and clearly made in house. Excellent texture with drizzled olive oil and plenty of pita bread Babbaganoush - also made in house. I am used to it being a smidge thicker, but good flavor and was happy with the dish. Would probably go with the hummus over the babba though. Chicken Shwarma Wrap - Excellent both times - grilled chicken marinated to perfection. A very fresh and flavorful dish! Stuffed Grape Leaves - Plentiful, cheap, freshly made in house. Definitely a fan. Their soda fountain could use a bit of fine tuning (the carbonation was a bit off), but the Mr Pibb isn't why you go there right? The food is great - super fresh and healthy. The price point offers excellent value. The interior is clean, modern and comfortable. The location, while difficult to find initially, is pretty convenient once you have initially located it. Highly recommend!!!
(4)Arley C.
Instantly a new favorite, in my humble opinion, the best Middle Eastern restaurant in the area. I've been a regular at the well known Pita place in Wheeling since moving to Buffalo Grove but after eating at Pita Pita, those days are over. The beef kufta is as authentic as you will find anywhere, seasoned just right and grilled to perfection. Their hummus, baba ghanouj, and falafels taste homemade, just the best I've ever had. Great food, good service, and fairly priced, can't really ask for much more.
(5)Alina T.
Delicious Mediterranean kitchen! I love every dish from this place. Always taking out. Inside is always nice, friendly stuff, quick check out and food preparation. Healthy delicious food. Also good for vegetarian people.
(5)Phil S.
After being contacted by Mustafa, I decided to give Pita Pita another try. And I'm glad I did because the food was much better this time around. I ordered the Mixed Meat plate and my wife ordered the Beef Kufta. Although the Mixed Meat plate is a buck more than most of the entrees, it's worth it because they really pile on the meat. If you're trying Pita Pita for the first time, I recommend getting the Mixed Meat plate because it provides a great variety of almost everything they have to offer. This time around the Shawerma was moist and flavorful and everything else tasted great and wasn't overcooked. I especially liked the char marks on the some of the meat as it added great flavor. Although most of the food was great, I'm still not a fan of the thin and flimsy bread and the rice is nothing to get happy over but the hummus was fresh and earthy and the falafel was fresh. The fries were of the frozen variety with that crappy breading coating but why I ordered fries at a Mediterranean place is something I'm still questioning. The service was great just like last time but my experience with the owner pushed my new rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. This is the reason why I prefer independently owned establishments over chains. They just care more.
(4)D J.
The mixed meat is delicious. Great service. Take out went faster this time. Just as good as Pita Inn. Thank you Pita Pita.
(4)MTML D.
I believe another reviewer stated that this place is better than Pita Inn. I hate hate hate to say it but I have to agree. I have loved Pita Inn for years and today when I ate here at Pita Pita the first thing I thought was "Damn I just left Pita Inn for something new". In three bites I knew I was done with Pita Inn. The food is crazy fresh and the flavor of my Chicken Schwarma was nice. Moist chicken with a beautiful marinade. Rice that is moist and hummus that is super fresh. The gents and ladies that run this place have hit it spot on. Keep pushing with this. 100% No doubt good food
(4)Bill T.
A buddy of mine recommended this place to me. I did not have much previous experience with Mediterranean food, but I was open to trying it out. First time visiting, I was instantly hooked. The food here is addicting. I try to visit this place at least once a week. That mixed meat plate is so good. The spices they use.. it's delicious. The Falafel is very good too. Great staff, very friendly. Every time I visit, I over hear other customers compliment the staff and ask them questions about how the food is prepared. They have somewhat recently remodeled the seating area since I have been visiting. Nice, mellow atmosphere. Also, BYOB which is nice. Order ahead options available by phone and through their website which is very convenient. Nice gem kind of hidden in Palatine. The only negative I could give this place is that there is not a location next door to my place. Always a pleasure.
(5)Hassan G.
Food was great, I would recommend the Meat Platter the best i have had in a while. Place was nice and clean, and the price was reasonable.
(5)I. M.
I tried the Falafel. Very good! Restaurant is clean and customer service is good. I'm definitely going back
(4)Brent G.
Quick summary: Similar concept to Pita Inn, but half the flavor, half the value, and half the portions. I debated between 2 and 3 stars, so I'll start by listing what they do well: 1. The ambience is nice - a clean, modern restaurant where you feel instantly comfortable. 2. The pita bread was warm and fresh. Here are the reasons why I was generally disappointed: 1. I ordered the "All Meats" special, which priced at 6.99, puts it somewhat in line with the 4.99 special at Pita Inn. My plate was 40% rice, 35% salad, and 25% meat. The meat was scraps and bits - at no point was there any clear indication of an actual piece of an identifiable thing. There were most likely bits of shwarma, kifta, and chicken in there. The portions were too small to distinguish. 2. The flavors were bland and muted. The interior decorations led me to expect authenticity, but everything generally tasted like nothing. I did not get any spice, seasoning, hint of the exotic. As Middle Eastern food goes, this was a disappointing experience. 3. I ordered the small hummus to accompany my meal. I received about 2 table spoons of hummus. I'm not expecting a massive portion when I order a small. I am expecting more than that though. The hummus was watery, lacking in substance. None of the creamy goodness I expected. I visited Pita Pita because Pita Inn is about 5 miles further down Dundee. Next time I will drive the extra 5 miles. I'm willing to consider the possibility that the kitchen was just off that day, but based on my experience, I'm struggling to understand the high ratings. It's adequate, but I won't be returning.
(2)Jennifer P.
Reasons I love Pita Pita: 1) They only get better. Case-in-point: I KNOW their falafels have gotten bigger since my initial review. They have a great layer of flavor (with a hint of lemony goodness), and I know they make them by hand as they toss 'em into the fryer. 2) They always have deals: Groupon deals, Yelp Check-In deals, and Facebook Check-In deals. 3) Portions are VERY generous. I'm a girl who can EAT, and my favorite entree (Veggie Plate) lasts me two days. 4) They're passionate and hard-working. Tonight there were only two guys: one cooking ALL of the food, and the other guy manning the register, getting extra plates and cups, directing a little kiddo how to use the water feature on the fountain machine, serving and bussing tables, and organizing To-Go orders. Holy multitasking, Batman! He did it all with a smile and never once let on he was stressed out. I'd be pulling my hair out. 5) They remember their customers (or at least make an effort to learn your name). The Multitasking Register Guy interacted with some of the regulars and even remembered my name, AND brought out my To-Go order from behind the counter and nicely handed it to me! 6) They try to "right" any "wrongs." I HATE to put it out there ('coz I love 'em so much), but last time I got take-out, they forgot to include the pita bread. (Hey, sh!t happens, right?) I called and they were apologetic and took down my name to ensure I was comped on my next order. Also, tonight they were (SADLY!) out of stuffed grape leaves when I got there during the dinner rush. I was soooo looking forward to them, but they nicely subbed something else (falafel, nomnomnom!). 7) They try to make their customers happy: Again, apologizing for waits, thanking customers, and giving extra sauces upon request. Customer service is HUGE in my book, as is (obviously) great food. Speaking of food... time for me to chow down on that Veggie Plate!
(5)