The Pita Pit

Last night, I ate a quick dinner at the new Pita Pit in downtown San Jose. It's located on Second Street, in the Pavilion building, between Quiznos Subs and the recently opened (and deserted) Lollicup. It fronts the busier side of the Pavilion and shares the same block as Camera 12, Starbucks and House of Siam.

I tried a roast beef pita with lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, alfalfa sprouts, pickles, cheddar cheese and barbecue sauce. I said barbecue sauce without really considering how it all might taste together. That thought only crossed my mind as I was taking my first bite. Thankfully, Saint Pita was watching over me. The pita tasted just fine.

Overall, the price was reasonable and the service was fast and friendly. The place was clean and had a continuous flow of customers, which was nice to see (busy, but not crowded is good) and was one of the reasons why I decided to try it. The other reasons were hunger and, of course, random curiosity. With the light rail traffic, surrounding office buildings and the university nearby, I think The Pita Pit will do well.

As for Lollicup, which was empty except for the bored employee behind the register, it faces stiff competition from Cafe Boba and Lee's Sandwiches, both located only a block away. By the first of the year, I predict it either will reduce its hours (it's currently open until 11 p.m. on weeknights) or will go out of business.