Downtown has a new healthy takeout option for lunch and late-night Mediterranean food. Urban Pita opened last night, bringing gyros and chicken shawarma to the Plaza Centro building next to the Fourth Avenue underpass.
Co-owner Freddy Elmesselmani, who previously owned Sinbad's on University Boulevard, has crafted a simple menu that includes dishes from his native Lebanon. He's partnered up with local radio and nightclub DJ Jeff Baker, also known as DJ Dibs, to run the restaurant.
Check out this cool chalkboard mural by the folks at Empire Tattoo.
At Urban Pita, customers start with a basic combo plate or sandwich, and are then able to add extras like tabbouli and baba ghanoush dip from the trays in front of them. Right now they're starting off with four bases, which can be customized in different ways: lamb and beef gyro meat from a rotating spit, chicken shawarma from the spit, falafel and the stuffed grape leaves dolmades. There will also be locally-made baklava and Mediterranean coffee.
The locally-made walnut baklava desserts are really outstanding.
You order at the counter for dine-in or takeaway. Prices range from $6.95 to $12.95. Delivery will soon be available through Grubhub. The restaurant is at 345 E. Congress next door to HiFi Kitchen and Cocktails.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
