Restaurant Review: Pita Jungle

Last night, Brendan, my mom, and I went to the Pita Jungle on Apache for dinner. We’ve been going to Pita Jungle (and that location amongst many) for years. After the usual “can’t decide” nonsense, I decided on my usual  – the Mediterranean Platter. I love the Med Platter best because I get to taste a little bit over everything. Unfortunately, this time, nothing really tasted great.

We started with a large hummus, half-regular, half-cilantro, and that seemed pretty good, if not smaller than I remember. I was a little surprized when the food runner sort of threw our plate on the table from behind me, but the cooler-than-you uber-indie skeptical-of-outsiders attitude is nothing new to the restaurant, and ultimately sort of part of its charm. Let’s say we noticed the charm was a little worn off here and there during our visit.

When our meals came, we got the same sort of blunt service (this time accompanied by a sour face) so maybe she was just having a really bad day. My plate had the usual collection of hummus, baba ghanoush, feta, dolmades, falafel, tabbouleh, tzaziki, and green bean salad (with 2 pitas). It all looked a little less than usual. The ol’ trick of smearing the items on the plate looked like it had been done a little too well and that there just wasn’t much there.

Flavor wise, the hummus was the same, though maybe a little but dry, the baba ghanoush was a different recipe and actually excellent. The feta was the usual, the dolmades were cold and bland. The falafel and tabbouleh were normalish though it seemed different somehow. The tzaziki was terrible, which sucked, because with the baba ghanoush, it is usually my favorite. The green bean salad was definitely different and not for the better. Dry, cold, tasteless.

My mom didn’t fare much better. She had a portobello burger, and when it came out there was no bun, but some soggy wheat bread in its place. The same surly food runner was non-apologetic when we mentioned it, and she said that they were out of buns and we should of been told. When we finally flagged down the waitress, she had a kind of apologetic look on her face and said she could see if there was anything like a bun in the kitchen that they could toast (one would think they would not only mention that but try that first). My mom said no – and that it was too late – it had been over five minutes since we had seen her after our food delivery. Lame.

Afterward our meal, Brendan mentioned to us that they had changed the recipe on his favorite, the Glazed Chicken Lavosh Pizza (swapping out chicken for tofu). The sauce wasn’t the same and neither was the dish.I guess he had experienced this at the Mesa location, prompting our return to the Mesa location for some PJ normalcy. No such luck.

In the end, not one of us was completely satisfied with our meal. Things were just ok. Brendan posited that perhaps they had finally expanded to the point where the food was just not able to be good quality. I guess I have to agree. The last few times I have been to Pita Jungle (any location) things got slicker and slicker, but the food would be ok, or good, never amazing like it used to be. I want to say that I have changed – that it’s me, and not them, but I really can’t. I’ve been getting the Med Platter (I’ve never been able to choose) for years and years and I’ve never been disappointed like this.

While I can’t say I’ll never go back, I will say that I will have to think twice about it. I should have gone with my gut feeling and gone to Sahara instead. I guess I have to recommend you do the same.

Restaurant Review – Pete’s Fish and Chips

This weekend, we were looking for something delicious, fast, and cheap….and nothing sounded better than Pete’s Fish and Chips. We grew up in the Arcadia area and so Pete’s came into my worldview in high school. Back then, I remember it being cheap, but it wasn’t anything I remember having to have. Then, in college, I started going to the location on Apache, and that was where I remember discovering a love of fried fish.

The thing that makes Pete’s unique (not that I’ve frequented other fried fish joints) is the Pete’s Sauce. Sort of like a combination of ketchup and salsa or of Tapatio and sugar, it’s delicious – and a small container is served with every combo meal.

More Sauce Please!

Back in the day, Brendan and I used to each get a Pete’s Special which is cheap on it’s own for $5.95. Now days, we just split a Super Special, which is essentially 2 Pete’s Specials with one drink for $8.70. Brendan doesn’t drink soda, so it’s perfect for us. We add in a small side of onion rings, and are out of there, satisfied customers, for $12 and change.  It’s important to note at this point that Pete’s is a CASH ONLY place. They’re old school – but let me tell you, it’s no hassle, it’s a happy trip to the ATM to get some delicious eats.

The thing about Pete’s fried fish, lovely little squares that they are, is that they are sort of fried a bit sweet, perfectly crunchy, and dusted with crystaline salt. It’s also just the right size. I also really love the fried shrimp. Filleted longways and then battered and fried, the shrimp batter is finer (texture) in nature than the fish, but it’s also delicious. It’s crunchier than the fish (probably because it’s thinner) but has the same sort of sweetness to the batter and dusting of salt. The onion rings share (what I think is) the same batter as the shrimp and are excellent. The batter fries to an excellent crunchiness and dryness that I prefer to the thick wet/greasy ones found at most restaurants.

As many times as I have been to Pete’s I’ve never tried anything more than the classics. I have heard good things about the Monster Burger, but I can’t say I’ve had one. I have plans for an upcoming visit to try the scallops and the oysters, maybe even the crabettes. Luckily, Pete’s let’s you order any one of the above (or shrimp) for only 90 cents. Not too shabby. So, whether it’s lunch or dinner, drive through, or sitting on the picnic tables at the order up, it’s an excellent choice. Definitely the best use for that $20 you have stashed for emergencies in your wallet. Emergency deliciousness, that is! Check out the menu below and count out your pennies for your inaugural/next visit!

Delicious Shrimps, Rings, and Fries!

Pete’s Menu – Apache Location