Amna Al-Qaisi walked into the kitchen on Wednesday morning to the sound of cheers and laughs as she greeted the staff. You can’t help but smile as you hear their joyful conversations, trying to catch a glimpse into the kitchen so you can also be a part of their inside joke.
This is the same staff that has followed Al-Qaisi from restaurant to restaurant, lovingly referring to her as Mama Amna, thanks to her caring and compassionate personality.
From early mornings to late nights, Al-Qaisi and her employees are in it together. At Casa Pita, they are not just coworkers; they are a family.
Casa Pita by Mama Amna is Al-Qaisi’s newest venture, bringing her family along on this new (and delicious) beginning.
“I do not see my family, my family everywhere in Australia, Sweden, Iraq and Turkey,” Al-Qaisi said. “I'm seeing my employees every day. They are my family, they are my kids and I really love them a lot.”
Al-Qaisi is originally from Iraq where she worked and attended school. Adding to her list of many accomplishments, Al-Qaisi was also a great chef, learning from her mother and grandmother.
“Iraqi women always love to cook,” Al-Qaisi said. “We have to be a very good chef and cook for the family because we do not go out to restaurants a lot.”
Amna Al Qaisi, owner of Casa Pita poses for a photo inside the restaurant, 5526 East Grant Road, Tucson, Ariz., April 15, 2026.
Since she also lived in eight different countries in the Middle East, Al-Qaisi picked up all kinds of culinary tips and tricks along the way, learning about all the various ways the different countries make and season different meals.
When Al-Qaisi was studying in the United States, one of her twin sons was part of an attempted kidnapping back in Iraq. As soon as she heard the news from her husband, they made the decision to move to Syria.
Since Al-Qaisi had worked with the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, they were aware of the dangers her family faced and decided to send them to the United States, more specifically Tucson.
“When I came and saw Tucson, this very small city, I started to cry,” Al-Qaisi said. “I never lived in a small city before.”
Soon, the quirky charm and friendly faces of Tucson began to win Al-Qaisi over. When she was studying at the University of Arizona, her husband thought it would be a good idea to get into the restaurant business.
He began working at Sinbad’s, which was located on University Boulevard, eventually taking over when the owner left.
The couple were bitten by the restaurant bug, owning all kinds of Middle Eastern restaurants like Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express and Golden Falafel.
But in 2020, things took a turn.
Al-Qaisi’s husband tragically passed away from COVID-19. Every inch of Geronimo’s reminded her of his memory, making it impossible to move forward.
Al-Qaisi made the decision to sell the business, needing a new spot to start fresh.
That new beginning was sitting on the corner of East Grant Road and North Craycroft Road.
Nehal Chehade, a chef at Casa Pita grills meat during a lunchtime shift, 5526 East Grant Road, Tucson, Ariz., April 15, 2026.
With the former Frida’s Café building open at 5526 E. Grant Road, Al-Qaisi decided it was the perfect time to start a new chapter.
Al-Qaisi filled the spot with all kinds of décor that she’s collected from all her adventures. Artwork and trinkets from Syria, Dubai and Egypt fill the restaurant, bringing a fun charm to the space. An Iraqi flag is hung on the wall, pairing nicely with the intricate, gold tablecloths that look luxurious.
If you think the décor is lavish, just wait until your meal is brought out.
At Casa Pita by Mama Amna, they live by one very important mantra: the eyes eat first. You’ll see eyes widen in amazement when extravagant stands of hanging gyro meat, chicken, hummus and delicately placed cucumbers and dolmades are placed on your table.
These unique stands are Casa Pita’s specialty. When Al-Qaisi saw them in Qatar, she instantly knew she needed to bring a few back to Tucson so her customers could also enjoy the euphoric feeling that comes along with seeing the magical grill mix plate.
Al-Qaisi approached my table with a gigantic plate, complete with juicy pieces of gyro meat gracefully hanging from the stand. Surrounding it were slices of two different kabobs, chicken, a bed of rice and sides of hummus and baba ghanoush. The cucumbers and olives were sliced in a way that made them look like cute little butterflies fluttering around the fresh pita.
Casa Pita grill mix includes an assortment of grilled meats, rice, salad, hummus and fresh pita bread for $25, 5526 East Grant Road, Tucson, Ariz., April 15, 2026.
It was one of the most beautiful sights I’d ever seen. I didn’t know where to start, so I scooped some chicken and rice on my plate and dug in.
That first bite of chicken changed my life forever.
Then the mouthful of rice changed my life.
Then the kabobs changed my life once again.
Everything on that plate blew me away. The seasonings used on the kabobs and chicken were so flavorful, filling my mouth with a delicious array of warm spices. Then you dip it into their garlic sauce, a.k.a. Mustafa sauce, and you’re in heaven.
The standout for me had to be the gyro. Typically, the kinds of gyro we see are small and shredded into thin slices. At Casa Pita, you get thick, juicy pieces of gyro that melt in your mouth. I don’t think I can ever go back to thin slices of gyro again.
You can taste and see the love Al-Qaisi and the rest of her staff have for Middle Eastern cuisine and culture. From the mind-blowing meals down to the slices of strawberries and mint that float in their water, giving it an extra flair, this new chapter for Al-Qaisi is one that everyone needs to experience.
