486930 Wed Feb 06 11:03:01 -0800 2008 11 6 Southwest 0 3370449 My latest favorite neighborhood joint! It suffers from a horrible location in a S. Chandler strip mall, as if that weren't horrible enough on it's own, on the NWC of Alma School and Germann. It's really hard to find, tucked away in the Mountainside Fitness Plaza towards the far west corner. But once you get there, it's pretty cute, with 10 or so tables inside, a granite bar with a few stools in the back, and a little fenced off patio area with lights and ivy. I like that they offer regular table service as opposed to the fast casual model/ order at the counter/QSR, whatever you want to call it. The menu features the usual Mediterranean faves, your Hummus, BabaG, Souvlaki, etc, all of which are solid. My routine is to start with the Black Bean Hummus ($3.80), delicious thanks to it's creamy texture, unexpected flavor combo, and abundant pita bread it comes with. From there I like the Tabbouleh($6.50), Lentil Salad($7.50) or Horiatiki Salad($8), depending on my mood. All three are great, you can tell they're made with quality olive oil, and fresh herbs and veggies. Usually that fills me up, but I have tried the Gyros and Chicken Souvlaki, and both were great, though I liked the chicken better. It was perfectly cooked, slightly charred on the outside but moist inside. I ordered the gyros to go and they were cold by the time I got home so I will wait to pass judgement on those. Another time I ordered the Grilled Halloumi appetizer at the owner's recommendation but it was a slight let down- only 5 or so smallish pieces of cheese and so simple that I felt I could've made it at home. Still good flavor, but not something I'll go for again. I haven't been to Spices on McClintock, but I have tried Chef H and Dooby's and Pitta Souvli definitely held it's ground against these spots. In my handful of lunch and dinner visits, it has yet to be more than 50% full, so I hope more people find it before they go out of business and I have to revert to Daphne's for my short haul hummus cravings. Wed Feb 06 11:03:01 -0800 2008 95577 yamalam 1 3370462 http://www.pittasouvli.com Wed Feb 06 11:05:17 -0800 2008 3370449 95577 yamalam 1 3371568 Thanks for the review...I've seen this place when I've driven down to my parents and wondered. Definitely give Spices a try. It's my favorite in this area by far. Fantastic everything but particularly the hummous and the chicken schwarma. Skip the gyro. Gyro Express at Dobson/Chandler also serves a great gyro(this is the reason to go there) for $5. Wed Feb 06 15:37:48 -0800 2008 3370449 16406 ziggylu 1 3574391 Pitta Souvli is amazing - the folks at Cactus Bike next door suggested we eat while we waited for a minor repair. Taking their advice was the best decision - the restaurant in clean, the ambiance is relaxed and the food is amazing. The owners - Jamie and George...along with the rest of the family and staff are a lot of fun, plus J & G always come to the table to see if your meal was good...You can never go wrong with the Lentil Salad, Greek Salad; even the burgers are great! It may be off the beaten path, but more than worth the adventure!!! Enjoy! Tue Apr 08 13:59:58 -0700 2008 3370449 181886 Sophia58 1 4674193 This place has a nice happy hour, 50% off drinks and most apps. I went in two weeks ago and had the Greek Nachos(Tortilla chips topped with our Black Bean hummus melt, tomatoes, feta, olives and tzatziki) and the Dolmades. Good and filling, I had some of the stuffed grape leaves left over. The nachos were very good, the black bean hummus melt is very tasty. Took some jalapeno hummus home for my wife, it was fantastic. Went back on mother's day. We had some guacummus, avacado hummus, spanakopita, and a greek burger. All of it was good. I found the burger very enjoyable. the meat was nice and firm with just a hint of grill flavor. The feta and tzatziki added nice flavor. It was very satisfying. Mon May 11 13:39:53 -0700 2009 3370449 269106 Beavis 1 4678011 This place is head-and-shoulders above any other Greek/Mediterranean food I've had in the Valley. Everything is fresh and flavorful, perfectly cooked, no ridiculous portions-in-lieu-of-quality, the chef comes out and talks to your table individually, great happy hour...anything else? Well, if you find places like Daphne's and My Big Fat Greek Restaurant acceptable, we might just have different palettes. If you like beautifully crafted, fresh and authentic food (among the American favorites), you must make the effort and try this place. Let's not let another fantastic Valley restaurant fail because we're too lazy to drive past the cluster of crap-tastic chains! Try it! Tue May 12 16:11:05 -0700 2009 3370449 292161 aeiou 2 4678631 I will go ahead and try as it is near my office with one caveat: it must be way better than My Big Fat Horrible Greek Joke of a Restaurant. I've never been to Daphne's, but am not inclined. Tue May 12 20:12:03 -0700 2009 4678011 137248 danieli10 3 4680497 It is way better! And cheaper too. And they don't yell opa when you walk in the door Wed May 13 12:07:41 -0700 2009 4678631 95577 yamalam 3 4683958 Daphne's is barely acceptable food-court Greek food. I'll eat it before I go to My Big Fat Greek, but just about any other option is better than both of them. Thu May 14 12:18:13 -0700 2009 4678631 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester 1 4742798 Went back and had the greek burger again last week. It was just as satisfying. The flavors really blend together nicely. Thu Jun 04 12:57:12 -0700 2009 3370449 269106 Beavis 1 5044494 I went in last week with my young daughter for a quick bite at happy hour. We shared a greek nachos. My wife's birthday was in a few days and I asked about specials. There wasn't much going on the day of her birthday but the chef came out and asked me what he could make for us. We discussed a few options and my wife decided on the rack of lamb. The chef made up rack of lamb for two over brown rice (at my request) with some veggies and salad. My wife had just had a baby a month ago and we didn't want to go out so they plated everything for me to take home. They cooked the lamb for both of us to order and we had the three cheese pastry for desert. The lamb with the "skewer sauce" was fantastic. The veggies were great with the rice and the salad was nice the next night with the greek enchiladas (we were too stuffed to finish the salad that night and decided to try the other potion we talked about too). We paired the meal with a bottle of Rodney Strong Cab. It was a great expirience being able to bring home a ready to serve meal for my wife and I to share over a movie for her birthday. Great gift from a great restruant. Sun Sep 20 16:22:33 -0700 2009 3370449 269106 Beavis 2 5163958 Pitta is having a 2nd anniversary celebration this weekend. Belly dancers tonight. Half off wine bottles and apps this weekend. Went in today with the family and white bean and artichoke hummus was sooo good, as was the ahi bruschetta. They say they are taking reservations this weekend. Sat Nov 07 16:04:55 -0800 2009 5044494 269106 Beavis