Pita Pit to open new downtown Ann Arbor restaurant today
A Mediterranean-style restaurant chain called Pita Pit is opening a restaurant near the University of Michigan campus today, just in time for the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
The restaurant is located at 615 East University Avenue between Mia Za’s Cafe and Lucky Kitchen Chinese restaurant.
The Pita Pit, located at 615 East University Avenue, is set to open today in downtown Ann Arbor.
Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com
The owner of this Pita Pit restaurant, Kay Miller, signed a lease to occupy the 2,000-square-foot space earlier this year. The owner of the building is CPMI Inc.
“I decided to open this because there needs to be a quick-service restaurant that’s offering fresh, healthy, made-to-order food, and that’s what Pita Pit was doing,” said Miller.
Pita Pit serves Lebanese-style pitas, salads, soups and smoothies, according to the chain’s website. All sandwiches are priced below $10.
There are more than 180 Pita Pit locations nationwide, with six in Michigan, said Jordy Patano, public relations representative for the business. The restaurant on East University Avenue will be the first Pita Pit location in Washtenaw County.
Peter Riggs, vice president of corporate development for Pita Pit, said that the restaurant is continuing to expand and there are plans for 12 Pita Pit locations to open by the end of the year.
Miller said opening a Pita Pit location on East University Avenue in Ann Arbor was a "no brainer."
"Ann Arbor has always been known for being very progressive at the front of the movement on being environmentally friendly and health conscious, and Pita Pit has a great selection for that,” she said.
With plenty of foot traffic in the area and nearby student housing — including the student high-rise Zaragon Place — Miller said she anticipates steady business at the restaurant, which will remain open until 4 a.m. during the school year.
“I’m sure the bar crowd is going to be big for us,” she said.
The opening of Pita Pit reflects a larger trend of Mediterranean-type restaurants opening in downtown Ann Arbor. La Pita Fresh opened at 529 E. Liberty St. in May, with La Marsa Mediterranean Cuisine expected to open at 301 S. State St. sometime this summer.
Just around the corner from Pita Pit on South University Avenue, Oasis Deli and Rendez Vous Cafe offer similar Mediterranean cuisine.
However, Miller said that the competition doesn’t worry her because Pita Pit has the “total package.”
“We offer delivery, we offer late night and everything is completely customized,” she said. “We also have the vegan and vegetarian options. I think that’s going to set us apart.”
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Kay
Thu, Jul 21, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.
I just wanted to take a second to say hello to the annarbor.com community and to clear up a few misunderstandings. The Pita Pit in Ann Arbor is an owner operated establishment. Pita Pit is a franchise rather than a corporate owned chain store, and as the owner I work in the store at least 50 hours a week. I would like to address a user comment by adding that we receive produce numerous times a week and prep it fresh daily. Our sandwich service station is a refrigerated unit to insure that our produce is kept fresh and at the right temperature and rotated multiple times throughout the day to ensure the freshest product is being served at all times. I do understand that there have been Pita Pit locations in Ann Arbor in the past but this location is a first for me as an owner. As a franchise it is really up to the individual owner to ensure the success of their store and I am committed to the success of mine. I can't speak about the operations of any previous stores only that I believe strongly on both myself and my brand. I definitely believe without a doubt that Pita Pit is a great fit for Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan students. We offer delivery, late night hours, and a great selection for the many vegetarians and vegans that live in and visit the area. I look forward to being apart of the Ann Arbor community and to serving it's residents and students for years to come. Thanks, Kay Miller
Carl
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
This is their third try downtown, the second try was on state and went out of business a few years ago. This seems odd to me.
arbor315
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
The city of Ann Arbor has long considered the South University area to be part of "downtown" according to zoning (it's D1 - downtown core), even though most of us would think of it as U of M campus. See: <a href="http://www.a2gov.org/a2d2/zoning/Documents/2009/(Attachment_A)_Proposed_Downtown_Zoning_Changes_Map(7-6-09)" rel='nofollow'>http://www.a2gov.org/a2d2/zoning/Documents/2009/(Attachment_A)_Proposed_Downtown_Zoning_Changes_Map(7-6-09)</a>[1].pdf if interested.
JD
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
This is not a new idea at all. There used to be a Pita Pita maybe 5 or so years ago at the end of South U (near where the Subway is now). Not entirely sure how this one will be "set apart" from the rest of what's down there (considered campus, nowhere close to downtown), seeing as the other was just blocks away and was nothing special.
Ron Granger
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
Now I remember. I've had pita pit. It was awful. The food isn't fresh. It does just sit in trays like subway. Even the meat for sandwiches sits in there, prepared who knows how long ago. One opened next to my office in Seattle. It lasted one month before closing. There are so many great *cooked to order* alternatives in Ann Arbor. But good luck! The bar crowd will probably love it.
loves_fall
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
Wasn't there a Pita Pit on South U (or State?) briefly? I feel like there used to be one at South U and Forest or State & Liberty, and it lasted for all of a year or two.
Ignatz
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
Their menu, at least online, looks pretty good. I'm am a bit wary when prices are not listed, though. On the plus side, they have Coke products.
John B.
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
On the negative side, they have Coke products. Signed, Pepsi guy.
Ron Granger
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
Coke. Now that's healthy! Remember when Blimpy Burger refused to offer sodas because they didn't want it to be the profit cruch that fueled their business (or somesuch)?
Ron Granger
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
Hmm... well... "Made to order" like subway? I think I'll skip the cookie-cutter chain and visit an owner-operated local place like Jerusalum Garden, or Earthen Jar. And "under $10 for a sandwich" Really? A Falafel at JG is $5.00, and a great chicken Shawarma is $5.50. A place like pita pit may be a great addition to many towns, but in Ann Arbor, it's a bit of a shrug.
Boo Radley
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 1 p.m.
So now it's a major selling point for a restaurant to be able to say their sandwiches are priced below $10.00 ? Which means at least a $30 lunch for two people after parking, beverages, tax - tip and perhaps a side order. For a couple of pitas?
Mr Blue
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
Is East University considered "downtown" or campus?
Mr Blue
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
Anyone writing about Ann Arbor should know the difference in the various "districts" around town. East U is definitely campus, not downtown.
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 12:19 p.m.
Why put "Pit" in the name of any restaurant? I hope does well.
Daniel J. Singer
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 11:07 a.m.
Maybe it's just, be doesn't it seem a bit crazy to open a restaurant on the first day of Art Fair?!