Pita Jungle recently unveiled a new “Health and Taste Booster”-themed menu for the summer season. It features a variety of protein options ranging from Korean beef to wood-fired salmon, as well as a delicious selection of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes for people with dietary preferences.
The local chain was founded by former ASU students and has made a name for itself as the go-to restaurant for healthy eating in the Valley. The Mediterranean-style restaurant has locations throughout the state.
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Fresh ingredients make flavorful dishes
As you begin your evening of healthy dining, you’ll want to start out with one of their delicious hummus options for your appetizer. The avocado hummus is the fan-favorite on the Pita Jungle menu, packed with garbanzo beans, avocado, tahini, fresh garlic and evoo topped with lemon juice, jalapeno and pico de gallo.
The other hummus option comes with a great story. The Scottsdale/Shea location promoted pickle hummus as an April fool’s joke a couple months back with absolutely no plans to actually feature the item on their menu. All of a sudden, customers began asking about it and referencing the promotion. It became so frequent that the Pita Jungle team had no choice but to create the unique hummus flavor. And well, they did not disappoint. The appetizer is the original Pita Jungle hummus garnished with spices, diced pickled red onions and more pickles. Top it all off with a side of wood-fired pita chips, and you’re all set to kick your taste buds off with a bang!
As you inch your way towards the entrée portion of the evening, you’ll have a variety of options to choose from, including a shaved Korean beef lavash wrap if you’re looking for a little spice, a chicken avocado pita tostada if you like a lot of color with your meal, and a super greens Nordic salad served with wood-fired salmon for all you seafood lovers.
With that being said, my personal recommendation would be the wood-fired medchilada. This mouth-watering dish is made up of savory garlic-cilantro chicken in a beef bone broth enchilada sauce topped with cheddar and feta cheese, fresh jalapenos, radish, pico de gallo, pine nuts, almond flour and served over top of turmeric cauliflower rice and cabbage-kale super greens all on a gluten-free pita. I know… that was a LOT of ingredients… but trust me when I say that this was arguably the most delicious Mediterranean dish I’ve ever had. It’s certainly worth a taste.
Finally, your stomach is full of super foods, but you’re not quite ready to call it a night. Because of course there’s still room for dessert. If you’re wondering how a restaurant makes dessert delicious and healthy, you’re not alone. I was in the same boat. Then, out came the turmeric ginger brown rice pudding topped with a pistachio garnish. It certainly did not resemble the desserts I was used to; however, it was gone before I even had the chance to question the dish. It was light and refreshing. A perfect way to cap off a delicious meal.
Pita Jungle supports local artists
If you have a moment to peak up from the menu or need to take a break from the hummus while your server replenishes your chip supply, take a look at all of the beautiful artwork that’s featured on the walls within your local Pita Jungle. At a glance, you might think that it’s simply a part of the overall aesthetic. You might unconsciously shrug it off as a complementary design element within the restaurant. But if you take a deeper look, you’ll notice that each piece of art has a sale price attached to it. If you’re a little confused, allow me to help you out. Yes, the art is all for sale!
When the founders of Pita Jungle conceptualized the health-conscious restaurant chain, they wanted to provide a location for local artists and fellow ASU students to display their art. Artwork is regularly rotated among the local restaurants to expand the artist’s visibility, and if the piece happens to be sold, the artist receives 100% of the commission. So, if helping you take care of your body wasn’t enough, Pita Jungle is also in the business of helping people chase their passion.
