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tinleyjunction.com dining out the tinley junction | May 24, 2018 | 29 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 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. 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 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. 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 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 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 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. “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.
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