OP_052418

opprairie.com Dining Out
the orland park prairie | May 24, 2018 | 25
The Dish
Pita Pita Mediterranean Grill specializes in quick comfort food
New Orland Park
spot offers family
recipes from the
Middle East
Cody Mroczka
Contributing Editor
Pictured is an order of muthawama — puréed garlic potato
dip, mixed with yogurt and lemon, topped with a drizzle of
olive oil — at Pita Pita in Orland Park.
The Hammad family
grew up eating and then
perfecting the Middle Eastern,
Mediterranean-inspired
tastes they now share with
several Chicago-area communities.
Pita Pita Mediterranean
Grill in Orland Park
is the latest family-owned
and -operated venture for
the Hammads, branching
into southwest suburbs
from the northwest suburbs
of Palatine, Hoffman Estates
and Lombard, where
the business has cultivated
a following for its modern
take on traditional cultural
cuisine.
“The Hammad family is
very passionate about Mediterranean
food,” District
Manager Joseph Lozano
said. “We serve fresh, alternative
food that we try to get
out in 10-12 minutes. It’s
non-expensive. Our mixed
meat combo has three types
of chicken and beef. It’s a
big portion, big plates that
you can split with someone
or the family.”
For co-owner and General
Manager Bilal Hammad,
cousin of owner Mustafa
Hammad, Pita Pita’s dishes
are a throwback to his childhood.
“It’s not your traditional
tastes or techniques,” Hammad
said. “The family tradition
makes it feel like
you’re back in the Middle
East.”
Whether a meat-lover,
vegan or vegetarian, Pita
Pita’s variety of appetizers,
entrées, salads, wraps
and sandwiches are prepared
with fresh garnishes,
lemon, olive oil, and spices
and herbs such as cumin,
parsley and mint. Common
ingredients and sides found
in multiple dishes include
grilled onion and tomato,
diced cucumber, lentils,
rice, and tahini sauce, made
from ground sesame seeds.
Popular appetizers include
hummus, stuffed grape
leaves, falafel, baba ghanouj
(a grilled eggplant purée)
and muthawama (a puréed
garlic potato dip, mixed
with yogurt and lemon, and
topped with olive oil).
“The muthawama is lifechanging,”
Lozano said.
“Usually, people that come
in once, they come back in
again.”
Hammad recommends
new customers try a mixed
meat or vegetable entrée
to sample the tastes to see
what they like. Because of
the generous portion sizes,
Lozano said a good plan
is to split platters and try a
bit of everything. The chefs
prepare chicken, beef and
Pita Pita Mediterranean
Grill
31 Orland Square Drive
in Orland Park
Hours
• 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday-Thursday
• 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday
For more information ...
Web: www.eatPitaPita.
com
Phone: (708) 981-7100
lamb for shish kebabs, kutfa
kebabs, shish tawook and
shawarma — customary
meat preparations that use
grill heat and a combination
of spices to tenderize the
proteins.
“Everything has very
specific ingredients and the
way its prepared,” Hammad
said.
All the meat used is prepared
and certified halal
— for Muslim communities
who are observing the
Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Pita Pita’s popular mixed meat combo ($12.50) features beef kufta kebab, chicken shish
tawook and beef/chicken shawarma, along with two sides.
Photos by Cody Mroczka/22nd Century Media
The artwork at the Orland Park location of Pita Pita Mediterranean Grill pays tribute to the
cultures that inspire its cuisine.
“Just the tenderness of the
meat stands out,” Lozano
said. “We really focus on
quality.”
Though respectful of past
traditions, Pita Pita has embraced
the modern small
business landscape by parterning
with Uber Eats and
GrubHub for local delivery.
Patrons even can sign up
with Pita Pita using the Five
Star mobile application,
which allows repeat customers
to earn free meals.
Catering services also are
offered for events as small
as 10 people.