Pita Grill (Cabbie-style Indo-Pak)

Situated one storefront southeast of Tabaq, another Indo-Pak cabbie joint that I really like, is Pita Grill. The name, signage and some of the fixtures (shawerma cones) indicate that it was probably once a Middle Eastern place. The offerings are now exclusively South Asian. I find it amusing that the new owners didn't even bother changing the generic name to reflect the new cuisine being served. What, "Curry Grill" was taken?

The restaurant is located in likely the second most dense area in Chicago for South Asian and East African food. Along with places like Pakeeza, Baba Palace, Jubba Restaurant (formerly Habeeb) and Mogadishu, to name but a few, Pita Grill serves the hard working cab drivers of our city who ferry around drunks and business people alike.

It is remarkable that Pita Grill and Tabaq, given their similar offerings, can exist side by side. Whenever I've walked by, both places seem fairly busy, with Tabaq being slightly more so.

On Sunday morning, I wandered by and decided to stop in. I was in the mood for eggs and ordered an omelet paratha as well as a fresh carrot juice (orange is also offered).

This is what I got:





The carrot juice was great - frothy, slightly sweet and just a tad cold. The omelet wasn't very flavorful - I was expecting it to be spicy, but satisfying nontheless, especially with some green chutney on the side. The paratha, made with whole wheat, was perfect. Flaky but not too oily.

Fellow patrons were enjoying breakfasts of what looked like haleem and tandoori chicken. Lots of other stewed options were available.

Pita Grill
1241 North Clybourn

Habibi wrote: I find it amusing that the new owners didn't even bother changing the generic name to reflect the new cuisine being served. What, "Curry Grill" was taken?

cf. "Flaming Wok and Grill" at Chicago and Halsted. I have no idea if it was once a Chinese place, but it certainly isn't anymore.

Flaming Wok and Grill
903 N Halsted
Chicago, IL 60686
http://www.flamingwokngrill.com/

Wasn't the new Khan's restaurant going to be called Pita Grill? (After changing from Pita Inn for obvious reasons.)

kl5 wrote:Wasn't the new Khan's restaurant going to be called Pita Grill? (After changing from Pita Inn for obvious reasons.)

The name is Khan Pita Grill. Different enough, I guess.



Khan Pita Grill
2657 W Devon Av
Chicago
773-262-0000

Karachi, jewel of the Mediterranean: my soul longs for thee.

Santander wrote:Karachi, jewel of the Mediterranean: my soul longs for thee.

Turnabout's fair play: Sinbad, a Middle Eastern quick serve about a half block from Landmark Century shopping center and theatre, is owned by an Indian (non-Muslim, AFAIK) guy and his wife. It's kind of weird to order hummus or a kabob with pita, and see Bollywood movies on their TV. Almost as weird as once walking into a place that supposedly served Mexican food abroad, and hearing Buena Vista Social Club music on their music system. It just didn't quite fit....

Actually, while Sinbad's nice because they also have a salad bar to go with the Middle Eastern plate standards, it wouldn't be a bad location for an quick serve Indian place. It's not like there aren't enough Middle Eastern restaurants or fast food joints within a 10 minute walk of Landmark, after all, within a half mile or so of the Clark/Broadway intersection.