3716 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Introduction
Pita My Shawarma was established in 2018 and has locations in Lawrenceville and Cranberry Township. We spent the afternoon trying authentic Lebanese street food and hearing about Jason Taylor’s experiences as a restaurant owner and recent Pitt graduate!
The Owner
As we enjoyed delicious chicken shawarmas and bowls, we spoke with Jason Taylor, the owner, about his journey to opening Pita My Shawarma. Jason graduated from Pitt in 2017, so we had plenty of Pitt-related stories and experiences to bond over! Throughout his childhood, Jason spent countless hours cooking Lebanese food alongside his parents and relatives, thus inspiring him to open a Lebanese restaurant. In 2018, he purchased an old postal truck in Louisiana and spent months revamping and renovating its facilities. Later that year, he brought his idea to life and officially opened the Pita My Shawarma food truck. His business flourished, and shortly thereafter in 2020, he opened locations in Lawrenceville and Cranberry Township.
Over the years, Jason overcame numerous challenges, especially when working during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The food truck was a solo venture, so I had to manage my finances, build my business based on events, and figure out which restaurants to collaborate with in order to increase customer return,” he explained. During the pandemic, Pita My Shawarma only offered takeout options, but he implemented creative solutions like dinner boxes, promotions with local restaurants, and food truck advertisements to maximize his business. After studying business administration and marketing at Pitt, he felt that Pitt’s mentors, connections, and knowledge helped him to expand into a self-sustaining business with strong management. Moving forward, he hopes to continuously connect with his customers through food, cooking classes, and other unique ventures!
The Restaurant
Pita My Shawarma is located on Butler Street, a lively strip in Lawrenceville blooming with restaurants, shops, and entertainment opportunities. The outside of the building is an instant attention-grabber; the building is a vibrant turquoise, inviting you to take a peek inside. As soon as you open the door, you are met with the savory aroma of fresh chicken shawarma being cooked right before your eyes! Piles of seasoned chicken rotate around a heater right behind the register, soon to be sliced off and added to your dish. A wooden bar lines the walls of the restaurant opposite of the register, paired with bright orange bar stools and spunky wall decor. Given the small size of the building, Pita My Shawarma makes the most of the space so there is both room to order and eat (not to mention outdoor seating for warmer days). We were so impressed by this establishment before we even took our first bite!
Pita My Shawarma is well-known for their authentic chicken shawarmas, which are hand-stacked chicken legs and thighs that are slowly cooked on a spit. Ultimately, the stack of chicken is shaved and used to create delicious chicken shawarmas, bowls, and other dishes. Jason explained that all his ingredients - from his pomegranate vinaigrette to his 7-spice blend - are made in-house and bread is sourced from local bakeries, such as Brookline Bakery. Currently, he is working on selling his dressings, sauces, and spice blends in bulk, both in-store and through other vendors.
The Food
Jen: Pita My Shawarma serves authentic Lebanese pita wraps, salads, bowls, fries, and other sides. Personally, I got the chicken shawarma with feta cheese. Usually, the phone eats first, but the smell coming from my wrap was intoxicating and I couldn't help but take a giant bite… so no pictures this time! Overall, the wrap was delicious! It was perfectly seasoned and had a garlic sauce accompanying the chicken. Full disclosure though, I did pay $1 extra for my wrap to have feta cheese, but it was totally worth it.
Courtney: Jason Taylor, when asked why he opened his restaurant, responded that “I wanted to connect with people through the food I make.” After our visit, and my first ever taste of a falafel wrap, I definitely feel a deep connection to Jason’s food and the extraordinary taste of Lebanese cuisine. My wrap was heaped with fresh, crisp vegetables, soft fried falafel, and a delicious hummus spread. On one side of the small restaurant is a fridge, where one can buy Pita My Shawarma’s signature hummus in large containers. I was tempted to bring one home myself! Overall, it was an incredible experience, and I will definitely be coming back to Lawrenceville in the near future for some more falafel.
Sapna: I have a high standard for chicken shawarma, and Pita My Shawarma was close to perfect. I really liked how there was a glass separating the food prep portion of the establishment from the eating side, as I was able to see everything that went into making my chicken shawarma. During the interview, Jason Taylor really took pride in the care that went into making his meals, and you could taste it in the food. The hand-stacked meat with his homemade seasoning blend was perfectly cooked and so flavorful. I substituted sriracha aioli for the garlic toum sauce that usually comes with the wrap, and the spiciness took it to another level. The combination of the pita, chicken, pickles, and aioli really worked together, and made it one of the best meals I’ve eaten through EAT@Pitt. The rest of the menu looked really good as well, and the top of my list for the next time I go are the Hand-cut Zaatar Fries and the Falafel & Hummus Bowl.