Pita Kabobs sticks to fresh, fast Middle Eastern fare

When it comes to fast food, most suburban thoroughfares are lined with the burger, fried chicken, taco chains. If you're looking for an alternative to that all-too-familiar American fare but still want fast service, Pita Kabobs Mediterranean Grill may be the place for you.

This Middle Eastern fast-casual eatery tucked into a storefront along the Randall Road corridor in Lake in the Hills offers a limited menu of mostly healthy, low-fat and low-calorie entrees, pita sandwiches and salads. Both vegetarians and carnivores are likely to find something appealing among the hummus, beef shawarma, lamb kebabs and falafel.

Owners Faz Rahman and his brother, Faisal, chose the location because they wanted to introduce local residents to Middle Eastern food, which they saw as underrepresented in the area's restaurants. Rahman said many customers initially knew little about the cuisine but have become repeat diners.

The 44-seat dining area is attractively furnished in subtle earth tones with tasteful granite tabletops and rectangular sculptured wall art. Avoid facing the utilitarian exposed kitchen in favor of a view out the window.

If you opt for dining in over carryout, most of your order comes on china, and you can pick up your own metal flatware. Your order number is called when your food is ready for pick up at the counter, which took only about five minutes on my visits.

The hummus, a blend of ground chickpeas mixed with tahini and topped with olive oil, paprika and parsley, is a pleasant, mild appetizer or meal accompaniment. It comes with a pita pocket sliced in half.

The tabbouleh salad is another typical appetizer I've had in other Middle Eastern restaurants and prepared at home. This version contained the requisite ingredients — diced tomatoes, mild onions, parsley, green pepper and cracked bulgur wheat tossed with olive oil and lemon juice. It was a refreshing accompaniment to some of the meat dishes, but I'd prefer less parsley and more bulgur wheat and more ripe tomatoes.

Falafel, another Middle Eastern vegetarian staple, is made with seasoned ground chickpeas and vegetables, formed into balls and deep-fried. It was very bland, even with the addition of a tahini dipping sauce. The optional hot sauce was too spicy for me, even though I tend to favor that end of the flavor spectrum.

All sandwiches come in pita pockets, which taste better warm than cold. The staff is instructed to heat them before stuffing them, Rahman said, although mine were cold. Accompaniments for all eight sandwiches are the same: shredded iceberg lettuce, diced tomato and mild tahini sauce. Garlic sauce costs 59 cents extra.

Every choice, from chicken or beef shawarma to shish kebabs, can be ordered either as a sandwich or an entree. Entrees come with larger portions of meat and a side of rice pilaf along with the ubiquitous lettuce, tomatoes, pita bread and tahini sauce.

Shawarma, thinly sliced meat layered, marinated and slow-cooked for five to six hours on a rotisserie, can be had in either beef or chicken versions. I tried the chicken shawarma, which was flavorful and moist.

I also tried the lamb kebab, which is fresh ground meat seasoned with cumin, cardamom and nutmeg and grilled. Again, the seasonings nicely flavored the lamb.

Several vegetarian and vegan options are on the menu. Those wanting to try most of them at one sitting may order the vegetarian plate, consisting of falafels, hummus, baba ghannouj (eggplant-based), and Jerusalem salad with rice, pita bread and garlic sauce.

Baklava, the very sweet Greek and Turkish staple of layered phyllo pastry and chopped nuts drenched in honey-lemon syrup is the only dessert choice.

Beverages include hot mint tea (though not very minty), iced tea and a variety of soft drinks. Although the soft drink dispenser is behind the counter, customers may request free refills. Coffee is not on the menu, although the owners hope to add Turkish coffee in the spring. Meanwhile, anyone needing a jolt of caffeine can pop in next door at Starbucks.

Ÿ Restaurant reviews are based on anonymous visits. The Daily Herald does not review restaurants it cannot recommend.

Pita Kabobs Mediterranean Grill

335 N. Randall Road, Lake in the Hills, (847) 458-2490, <a href="http://www.pitakabobs.com" target="_blank">pitakabobs.com</a>

<b>Cuisine: </b>Middle Eastern/Mediterranean

<b>Setting: </b>Contemporary, quick-service eatery with an open kitchen

<b>Entrees: </b>$6.99-$8.99

<b>Hours: </b>11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday