The Bottom Line
We stopped for lunch at Pita Jungle in Tempe. The Tempe location is the original location, and is popular with Arizona University students. The two of us ordered two appetizers, one dinner, two sandwich-type plates a side order and one dessert. Excluding beverages, tax and tip, the total came to about $18 per person. Very reasonable, for a lot of food. We took some food home with us.
Pros
- Menu with great variety
- Hummus--the best!
- Reasonably priced, in some cases downright cheap
Cons
- Loud, noisy
- Presentation of food not always great
- Avoid ordering anything with phyllo dough
Description
- Pita Jungle has locations in Tempe, Scottsdale Chandler and Phoenix.
- Families, students, business types--everyone can enjoy Pita Jungle. Expect crowds at peak times.
- A small selection of wines and both organic and premium beers are offered.
- Pita Jungle should skip the the greens as decorations if they are old, wilted, and/or brown along the edges.
- I don't love everything at Pita Jungle; the key to satisfaction here is to find the items that I love and stick with them.
- More hummus and pita bread, please!
- Kudos to the web designer! The Pita Jungle web site is different and attractive.
- All locations offer lunch and dinner 7 days per week. Tempe also offers breakfast (no menu online).
Guide Review - Pita Jungle
Pita Jungle in Tempe is the original location, and we wanted to experience it in its most Bohemian environment. It did not dissapoint. Don't expect features like matching chairs at Pita Jungle, and don't look up if you don't want to see ductwork held together by duct tape--hey, isn't that what duct tape is really for?
The menu at Pita Jungle offers quite a variety, and not all of the items are vegetarian. Chicken and fish selections are available, and I understand that beef is available at other locations besides Tempe. The highlight though, is freshly prepared Mediterranean influenced vegetarian fare.
Our two appetizers were polar opposites on our enjoyment scale. The Spanakopita ($3.25), fillo dough with spinach and feta cheese, is usually a favorite Greek treat of mine, but not here, not even close. It was doughy and dry, as well as hardly warm. Thank goodness for the hummus, which I enjoyed more than any I can remember. Not on the menu, ask for the three Hummus Combination ($2.60) if you can't decide between flavors. I'd go back to Pita Jungle for this appetizer, served with warm pita bread, all by itself.
The Lavosh Pizza delivered to the next table looked really good, but I decided to try a Falafel ($4.25) and a Black Bean Burger ($5.75). Even though the falafel comes on a bare plate with no sides or accoutrements, it easily beat out the Black Bean Burger (in the flavor department) that was nicely presented with tomato, onions, alfalfa sprouts and blue corn chips. The Mahi Mahi ($13.95) was a winner. Although ordering Garlic Potatoes ($2.25) turned out to be totally unnecessary, they were good!
After being assured that the Baklava ($1.95) was not made in the same style as the Spanakopita, it was. It arrived with thick dough and was totally dry. Where's the honey?
All prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.
