“Fresh thinking and healthy eating” is The Pita Pit’s motto, and it may be just what Elizabethtown is looking for. Sometime between mid- to late- March, The Pita Pit restaurant will be opening on Market Street in Etown. This establishment offers an alternative to unhealthy fast food, providing nutritious choices that are still quick, easy and convenient.
Senior Ashley Stoops has never been to The Pita Pit but explained, “After reading their menu, I have to say that I am very excited to eat there. I try my best to eat healthy, although with the vast amounts of fast food places which surround us here in Etown, it’s difficult to do so, especially when you want something quick.”
The Lebanese-style pitas are only served with tasty but healthy meats, vegetables and toppings. One of the managers, David said, “We have pitas to please everyone.”
There are 25 different combinations of pitas, and the options allow for vegetarians and those with allergies to still enjoy their meal. Meat and veggie pitas are their specialties, offering chicken, steak, turkey, ham, prime rib and tuna in the meat section along with different toppings, and garden, falafel, hummus, cheese and beans with assorted toppings as well in the veggie section. Sauces on the menu include: Caesar, tzatziki, ranch, spicy vinaigrette, mayo and barbecue. Four smoothie choices are available such as “banana very berry,” containing 0 grams of fat. The Pita Pit also serves breakfast pitas, like “the morning glory,” which is a combination of scrambled eggs, avocados, sautéed tomatoes, hash browns, grilled green peppers and onions with your choice of cheeses and sauces. Burgers and fries are not served, as it is not your typical fast food eatery, and the restaurant prides itself on health.
Junior Rachel Barr said, “I think it’s definitely a good thing that The Pita Pit is opening at Etown. There really isn’t that much diversity in the food in town, and this will motivate more Etown students to go into town, giving them more to do and bettering Elizabethtown’s economy.”
Stoops also added, “I am very glad to hear that something like this is opening up here in Etown when it seems like I keep hearing everything is moving away or closing.”
There are currently two Pita Pits in the areas surrounding Etown, one in Harrisburg and one in Lancaster.
Prices at the restaurant are reasonable for college students trying to save money; pitas cost around $6. Specials and events for causes have taken place in both of the current locations. For example, the Lancaster location offered soup for a dollar one rainy Monday and 20 percent off of pitas from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. another day. Last Friday, 100 percent of their proceeds went to finding a cure for HIV/AIDS.
According to their website, The Pita Pit was established in 1995 in Ontario, Canada and developed from personal experience of knowing what young people want, which is “an affordable yet great-tasting fresh and healthy alternative to artery-clogging high-fat, high-carb fast food.” The pita shop expanded in 1997 and in 1999 moved to the United States. The first U.S. restaurants opened near Syracuse University and then opened another near the University of Idaho. They are geared toward young adults and professionals; therefore, most Pita Pits are located near colleges and universities. There are now 300 Pita Pit restaurants in North America. The environment inside is fun, trendy and comfortable, a perfect working and eating setting for a college student.
Junior Johanna Goslin said, “I love the Pita Pit. I’m excited that a Pita Pit is coming to Etown. I have one where I live, and it’s so convenient. I love that they make the food fresh, right in front of you.”
Entrepreneur Magazine ranks the chain fifth out of 500 as the best sandwich franchises in the U.S. Pita Pit welcomes all, especially college students. For more information about the Pita Pit visit, www.pitapitusa.com/home and be sure to look for the opening on Market Street in March.
