At BOSW, we love featuring standout food, experiences and people — but we also enjoy storytelling. And as it turns out, Pita Jungle’s “Bites From the Past” new summer menu has quite a fun story to tell. At a recent tasting and 30th anniversary celebration of Pita Jungle’s 7366 E Shea Blvd. Scottsdale location, we learned about the Seasonal Kitchen Crafts Menu and it ties to the eatery’s past favorites reinvented with this summer’s fresh, seasonal offerings.

Pita Jungle summer menu musts:

• Mediterranean Ceviche (try it with the blue corn tortilla chips!)
• Moroccan Gazpacho
• Gambas Con Ajo

History repeating (in the best way)

Pita Jungle has always done well attuning to the palette of diners seeking wholesome, flavorful and dynamic flavors, staying true to its Co-founders Bassel Osmani’s, Nelly Kohsok’s and Fouad Khodr’s vision to provide more healthy restaurants throughout Arizona. What began as the dream of three ASU students seeking an innovative dining experience (establishing their first restaurant at the Tempe campus) has grown to more than 20 locations throughout Arizona.

The rich history of Pita Jungle is plesantly evident throughout the “Bites From the Past,” menu. 

While each item on the new summer menu is light and tasty, there are some playful anecdotes too. 

A fun fact: Bettina Loison, communications manager for Pita Jungle shared that the “Wood-Fired Medchilada” — comprised of Mediterranean dark meat chicken asada, Pita Jungle mixed bean stew, cheddar, mozzarella, wrapped in lavash flatbread and served with pico de gallo-turmeric brown rice, shredded lettuce and tzatziki — is not only a fan favorite, but has also remained on the Pita Jungle ring-up kiosks (since it’s long-ago inception), becoming part of the Pita Jungle lore and a “secret menu” item. Now, summer diners get to experience why this hidden gem is so beloved.

Another compelling piece of Pita Jungle lore interwoven within “Bites From the Past” is the menu’s Inflation Busters options. 

As Loison explains, the original founders didn’t only seek to present healthier restaurant options, they also sought to provide “the best quality food at a reasonable price.”

High-quality dishes with affordable prices

The Inflation Busters harken back to the owners’ desire for healthy, affordable options, highlighting the following menu items for a generous $3 per dish:

Wood-Fired Cauliflower Taco 

Wood-fired caramelized cauliflower, tahini, Pita Jungle sriracha, caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts, parsley and corn tortilla.

Shawarma Toum Chicken Taco 

Mediterranean-style dark-meat chicken Asada, toum, tomatoes, pickles, radish, red onions, jalapeno, cabbage-kale super greens, tahini, Pita Jungle sriracha, parsley and corn tortilla.

Skinny Toum Chicken Wrap 

Mediterranean-style dark-meat chicken Asada, toum, tomatoes, pickles, red onions, tahini, Pita Jungle sriracha, parsley, mint in a lavash wrap.

Falafel Skinny 

Original or baked falafel, tahini, Pita Jungle sriracha, tomatoes, pickles, red onions, parsley, mint in a lavash wrap. 

Other throwbacks and shining stars of the summer menu include:

Avocado Hummus

Garbanzo beans, avocado, tahini, fresh garlic, evoo, lemon juice, jalapeno, pico de gallo and blue corn chips.

Moroccan Gazpacho

Tomato, garbanzo beans, cucumber, onion, cilantro, celery, jalapeno, golden raisins, lemon juice, seasonings. Served cold with pine nuts and pita chips.

Mediterranean Ceviche

Argentine wild shrimp, avocado, Persian cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, fresh cilantro, fresh lemon juice, evoo, homemade tortilla chips and golden raisins.

Gambas Con Ajo

Argentine wild shrimp sautéed, garlic, cilantro, made-from-scratch tomato sauce fresh pesto and cheese pita crisps.

Wood-Fired Medchilada

Mediterranean dark meat chicken asada, Pita Jungle mixed bean stew, cheddar, mozzarella, wrapped in lavash flatbread. Served with pico de gallo-turmeric brown rice, shredded lettuce and tzatziki.

Chicken Avocado Pita Tostada

Mediterranean dark meat chicken asada, avocado, cilantro-avocado crema, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled red onions, corn, bell peppers, black beans, black bean hummus, feta, pine nuts, baby arugula, pea sprouts, chipotle vinaigrette, pita tostada and lime.

Tuna Melt

Line caught Albacore Tuna salad, red onions, tomatoes, mozzarella, cheddar, wood-fired to a crisp in a pita pocket. Served with a side salad.

Avocado Fetoosh

Avocado, seasonal mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell pepper, red onion, taboule, chipotle vinaigrette and baked pita crumbles.

Po’Boy Fried Rice

A flash stir fry of Argentine Wild shrimp, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, cauliflower, turmeric brown rice, onions, fresh jalapeno, garlic, ginger, egg, soy sauce, garnished with cilantro, mint, cajun spice and lemon wedge.

Pita Jungle summer menu details

Vistors looking for light Mediterranean fare infused with the freshest ingredients the Southwest has to offer will want to take advantage of Pita Jungle’s Seasonal Kitchen Crafts menu while it lasts (the end date is to be determined). In addition to the variety and vitality infused in the “Bites From the Past” line-up, food allergies and sensitivity have been taken into account. There are several vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options from which to choose. 

Visit pitajungle.com for more information.