rev:text
| - As always, I'm befuddled by the myriad of 4 and 5 stars Yelp reviewers give to establishments I consider to be "meh". Surely, it's not fair to compare every Middle Eastern restaurant in the Valley to Haji Baba; but I admit to only being human. That "flaw" makes it hard for me to review other Middle Eastern restaurants without comparing it to the "gold standard" of Haji; but I'll try.
For me, the star of this place is the tzatsiki. It's loaded with lots of dill, but the spice doesn't overwhelm. The tzatsiki is thick and tasty, but I'm at a loss to figure out everything that's in it. There's something thick, smooth and "buttery" in there and that's not full-fat yoghurt. Sour cream? Maybe. But there's something about the consistency that is nothing like yoghurt or sour cream.
Next on the "positive" list are the people who work there: always friendly.
From there, it goes somewhat downhill. The gyro meat is tender and tasty. You'd think that wouldn't be so big a deal. Alas, you haven't been to The Golden Greek, where gyro meat resembles 4 year old Nikes donated to Goodwill in both texture and taste. Pita Palms' chicken shwarma is bland. In fact, most of the food here, while good, is bland ... something a bit unusual for Middle Eastern food; but I guess that leaves you the ability to spice to your taste.
I'm not saying more jihadists would try and desert from ISIS if they were fed some of Pita's dishes; but neither would they be so willing to become martyrs, if, instead of 72 virgins, they found the chicken shwarma from here waiting for them in the next world.
For a quick, local craving of Arab food, this place works. But four or five stars? Insh'allah; but not from me.
|