We believe Pita Jungle’s mission has never been more relevant: Placing every American within affordable reach of food that is healthful, freshly made and delicious. In addition to all mitigation efforts that reverberate around us — from the top pertinent authorities to whatever tall-tale prescription your Aunt Gertrude might have told you about — what is often omitted is the dietary and lifestyle advice for people to make their health better so they can fight better when exposed to COVID-19 or any other affliction.
Founded with the mission of helping guests sustain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, our restaurants serve up a diverse menu of tasty, fresh, wholesome foods, including a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
When the shut-down of our state began, Pita Jungle adhered to its core values and quickly rolled out value pricing on the family meals because we knew that a lot of people were sitting at home with reduced or no income. It’s a way for Pita Jungle to give back, as we wanted all customers that supported us over the years to still be able to enjoy us at a price that is affordable and that “respects” their economic circumstances.
In every sealed bag that left our restaurants, we hoped to include a dose of culture — culinary or otherwise — that would unfold through the senses of the consumer, and deploy a perfect Pita Jungle experience. The taste, the smell, the look of the food, the non-formulaic service from the curbside pick-up and the courageous optimism emanating from our industrious chefs and kitchen staff, all contributed to the packing — in a sealed bag — of a true Pita Jungle experience to go.
While Pita Jungle was lucky to muster a considerable footprint within the realm of to-go and deliveries prior to COVID-19, the pandemic was truly a catalyst that precipitated the need to develop digital-based solutions to connect with our patrons and provide our services in an efficient and safe manner that integrates with their lifestyle restrictions (lock-down) or future consuming-style aspirations. Our business was severely affected, and, while optimizing the off-premises operations is crucial, it is hard to imagine a future that is not enhanced by a convivial dining experience.
While the near term future seems riddled with tumult and uncertainty, with the help of our loyal employees and the support of our dear patrons we hope to ride these pandemic choppy waters and address the needs and wants of tomorrow’s demand, with a culinary product that is very good, and very good for you. Even if it doesn’t seem obvious today, we are staunch believers that tomorrow’s experience will not be exclusively delivered in to-go bags, as there will always exist the human longing for the basic restaurant “experientials”: the conviviality of basking in the energy of your favorite dining room, serenaded by the hubbub of clanking plates expediently handled by joyous expert staff, to the tune of Jazz, Rock ʼn’ Roll, EDM or whatever . . . but there will be a tune, a symphony of delicious food and harmony.
Pita Jungle
20 Valley locations / 23 Arizona locations
Now open for dine-in
Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Grilled, chopped, all-natural chicken breast; roasted bell peppers; cucumbers; taboule; seasonal mixed greens; corn; diced tomatoes; red onions; feta; golden raisins; toasted pine nuts; fresh cilantro; and Pita Jungle’s house-made lemon vinaigrette $11.99
Family Meals
Meal includes a generous starter of Pita Jungle’s signature hummus or Caramelized Cauliflower, a platter of selected ingredients (greens, protein, sauce) to “build your own” pitas or bowls with turmeric brown rice, a choice of a signature salad or large side dish, and a serving of Pita Jungle’s walnut baklawa. This meal deal feeds four people and is available for takeout only. $39
Bassel Osmani is a co-founder of Pita Jungle. Celebrating 25 years in business, the locally based restaurant offers a menu influenced by tastes from around the globe, with the benefits of the Mediterranean diet always apparent through the use of healthy lean proteins, veggies, legumes, nuts, grains and fruit.
Photos courtesy of Pita Jungle
