Takeout Deal: The Pita Pit, Lauderhill

December 4, 2008

Address: 5454 N. University Dr.

Phone/Web: 954-652-0444/pitapitusa.com

Type of food: Pitas, salads and smoothies

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

Dining facilities: Place your order and pay the cashier at the counter. Then visit the refrigerated area where staff waits to add toppings and sauces to your pita. Eat at tables or takeout.

Service: Enthusiastic. You'll hear all about the place if you've never been here before.

Delivery: Available for $2 charge with a minimum order of two pitas or two salads in an area north to Southgate Boulevard, south to Oakland Park Boulevard, west to Nob Hill Road and east to Rock Island Road

Designed to give customers healthier fast food, The Pita Pit stuffs Lebanese-style pitas (white or wheat) with fillings and then loads on the toppings. The pitas are large and thin yet sturdy.

There are seven vegetarian fillings ($4-$4.95) as well as options such as chicken Caesar with bacon or a Dagwood with ham, turkey and roast beef ($5.25-$6.35).

You can add a drink and chips or a drink and two cookies ($1.75 extra).

I order a chicken souvlaki ($5.50). The bite-size pieces of dark meat marinated in Greek spices take just a few minutes to warm on a hot grill before they are tucked inside the pita, and I head for the topping area.

Selections are lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, red onions, cucumbers, pickles, green peppers, pepperoncinis, olives, sprouts, mushrooms, pineapple and jalapenos. The server puts what you want into your pita. (Fork over an extra 75 cents for hummus or babaganoush).

Sauces are mayo, mustard, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, ranch dressing, teriyaki sauce, a house vinaigrette or salsa. When my pita is just the way I want it, the counter person rolls it into a log about 9 inches long, wraps it, and I am on my way.

Judith Stocks