"Fill My Pocket". Or, "Shawarma?! I Just Met You!"

It has been more than a year. I know. I know. You have been craving my tasty insights. Your mouths have practically gone dry without my in-depth and food passions. Enough people. Oh yes. I AM HUNGRY AGAIN.  I'd like to say I was doing something really important that kept me from this blog. Yeah, I mean I do have a real job and all that.  Ok, I will admit that 2 or 3 of the places I was going to blog about went out of business. Then I got too fat to blog about food. It may not look it (you are so nice to not comment) but I was definitely feeling fat on the inside.  So, what has brought me back to this? Well, first there was the Cubs! I mean, who can eat at a time like this?! I CAN actually. I mean the Cubs were incredible, but I pretty much go to Wrigley to eat and have occasionally taken a nap when the wind blows just right. Oh, then there was the whole election situation. Not commenting on your choices out there people, but let's face it, when the going gets tough, we eat. Food is perhaps the only way out of this mess.  It is what brings us together. Not that I'm going to have matzo ball soup with any white supremacists, but you shouldn't talk with your mouth full anyway, and that's how I like it, full.

Where was I going with this. . . Let's eat. Only a half-hour ago I was told to figure out dinner. It's 4:30pm for goodness sake. But such is the way in this house. Instead, I decided to write about it.

So let's discuss a place you may already know. Perhaps you haven't been in a while and need a reminder. Perhaps you've never visited this incredible establishment that has been around since the 80s but are thinking, "Hey, I've heard of that place, maybe I should give it a try." Is it worth the trip? Indeed people. Indeed. In fact, we occasionally refer to dinner there as a "pilgrimage".  
Yes, you know it's coming. You know what I'm talking about. It's PITA INN BABY!
Pita Inn is a Mediterranean restaurant with three locations. The original location, which has moved and been rebuilt, is located in Skokie. There is a location in Glenview, and apparently they are either opening, or opened a place in Mundelein. While that one is so far north of Chicago, it is in prime kids soccer tournament location and I see a visit in my future.
When I even mention Pita Inn to my kids, their eyes go wide like it's Halloween or something. Like Halloween, I steal the food right from under their noses as a "tax" because, "I made them". At least that's what I told my daughter when I wrestled a mini musketeer from her greedy little fingers last night.  
It's addictive. Really addictive. I don't smoke, but if I did, I think I'd smoke their shawarma.
Ok, so the reality is with this place that I eat everything. It's cheap. . . I mean, "inexpensive" and most everything on the menu is worth it. I would say the steak can be a bit dry, but with enough sauce on it, and schlopped together, it works.

This spread may have been under $30. Such a deal.
Jerusalem Salad, Many Meats, Soup, Warm Pita. It is all so good. 

What I Eat:  I guess I'll start with the Pita. It's warm and fresh. It used to be made in the bakery next to the old place and I believe it may still be. So, it's incredible. You can dip it or fill it or whatever. It aint low carb.  I tend to have a really hard time deciding what to eat here. I know, that's not the kind of pointed direction you are looking for, but hold on your "judging". The real technique here is about controlling what the rest of your family orders. Make sure there is enough extra so when your kid doesn't finish his or her plate, you dive in and devour the leftovers while boxing others out protecting your own bounty. There is just such a massive quantity of food on each plate, that this is my recommended approach.  I am showing a soup above. It's not amazing. But why not get it?  You look a little thin. I mean, really. That's my plate on the right. I like the kefta (ground meat), the chicken breast is a little dry, falafel is very good and the rice, OH THE RICE! I've attempted to remake this rice with little success. I'm sure there is some kind of salt from the waters of god or something that is flavoring this rice. I think the Israelites really should have considered bringing this rice out of Egypt or something. I mean, it would have been a lot better than matzah and I'd love eating that every Passover instead of crunchy cardboard.
The Shawarma is really where it's at though. It's spiced perfectly. Both the chicken and traditional Shawarma are delicious. And I love to watch them shave it off the "Cyclone of Meat".  I like to get as many extra little cups of Tahini sauce as possible. Some people like the hot sauce, but I don't get those people. So they must be wrong.
I get about 3 cups of tahini and then make sure my kids are also loaded up with Tahini sauce and then take there's. You can walk the 20 feet back to the counter and get more Tahini, but I wouldn't want to seem "greedy" or anything.

What They Eat: The kids and my better half do the Chicken Shawarma. It's awesome. A little salad on the plate, mix that all up and dig in. I mean, I think I need one of those bibs they give you at the dentist just thinking about it. . . . Maybe we should go to Skokie tonight. . . See Ya!

The Baklawa is pretty damn spectacular. I told my wife we were getting a little bite but end up buying a giant plate of it. Bring it home and eat it with a cup of tea to balance out the sweetness. This platter was gone in 3 days. . max. 

My plate. This speaks of my need to accept all races and cultures.
We can be one Mix Plate all together in a delicious warm Pita. Just don't touch my plate. 

The Lentil Soup. Good.  I seem to always order something extra.
I usually get the grape leaves, but I was still on a "diet" when these photos were taken and
was told by someone at the time that "you don't really need that, right?"
I do think I ended up taken some home though.  

The Kids Plate of Chicken Shawarma. It's kind of perfect. Get lots of Tahini on the side. Don't be embarrassed. Why do they give you those teeny cups anyway?