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| - After waiting for seemingly FOREVER for this location to open, it took me a few weeks to get to actually eat at the downtown Pita Jungle. It was initially a little confusing. We rode our bikes from my place downtown, and locked them to a tree on 3rd Ave. side. Not sure if there are bike racks on the patio side, which seems to be the main entrance. There must be a parking lot back there, as all things Phoenix seem to revolve around the car. We entered from the Roosevelt side, and a sign pointed us to a host station across the dining room.
We went in and out a couple of times (bike lights, water bottles, etc.), which seemed to attract a hostess to our side of the building. We were seated where we could keep an eye on our bikes, which we appreciated. Our server was upon us before my friend was even seated, offering drinks. I hadn't even been able to scan the beer/wine menu, so she brought me a water in the meantime.
I was not impressed with the beer selection at all. It was pretty limited. I got the salmon dinner, which included wilted spinach and garlic smashed potatoes. These are three of my favorite things. They arrived quickly, and were hot. I was less than pleased that my spinach was served heaped upon my potatoes and topped with the salmon. I was ok with the spinach and salmon touching, but didn't really dig the spinach juices soaking into my potatoes. But maybe that's just me.
My friend ordered the spanikopita and said it was ok. She also got the pita melt, and said that was good. A couple of other friends who also live downtown rode their bikes up shortly after our entrees arrived. They got the hummus, and had to request extra pitas, as the two it included were simply not adequate. He got the falafel. She got the chicken lavosh. The turtle cheesecake was delicious. My friend enjoyed the rice pudding, which is made in-house.
I really dug what the Pita Jungle has done with the physical space. It's huge and open. There's a ginormous patio, too. Not sure about the heating/cooling options outside, as we ate in the dining room area (as opposed to the bar area or the patio). I LOVE the location. It's a nice bike ride from my house. It has a very chill, urban feel. I hope downtown folks support this latest Pita Jungle venture.
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