With over 200 locations across the four corners of the United States and every where in between, Pita Pit has found a new home in Oxford.
Located on North Lamar Boulevard, right off the square, owner of the new Pita Pit, Jack Brighenti, thought this would be the perfect location to provide healthy eating to both students and the Oxford community.
He is the owner of two other Pita Pits, which are located in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. His newest location is the first to open in the state of Mississippi.
“It definitely has that youthful kind of energy around; a lot of undergraduates and graduates, a lot of intellectuals, professors, and also the community itself," Brighenti said. “The historic roots and the Square here, we were just kind of drawn to it. We just thought it would make a good fit to provide something healthy to that demographic.”
Pita Pit opened in May when classes were ending and students were leaving to head back home, but that has not stopped the restaurant from staying busy.
According to general manager Muri Soares, people from the community have been filing in during the day and into the evening for a taste of what Pita Pit has to offer.
“We thought we would be a little bit slow because we were starting when students were leaving, but we actually have had so much business that we were almost glad that we opened in the slow season,” Soares said. “I think people really like us in Oxford. I think Oxford is waiting for something like Pita Pit, something that offers healthy food and delivers late.”
Pita Pit aims to provide healthy food that is quick for people who are on the go. They offer vegan and vegetarian options, and all of their pitas can be turned into salads for the same price.
“We try to provide a fun and enjoyable experience for them and offer them something that is not only good for them but it also tastes good,” said Peter Riggs, vice president of Brand development for Pita Pit.
Everything is cooked to order and each customer has the option to create their pita exactly how they would like it to be made.
“There are a lot of choices under 450 calories," Brighenti said. "In general, it is healthy food that also tastes really good. So we have kind of married those two ideas together. It's something different to the traditional southern food and provides options and combinations for what you want. That's kind of our idea.”
Around the United States many Pita Pit restaurants are located near colleges and universities, and with the new location students at Ole Miss will have the option to use their express dollars.
“We stay open late until three in the morning, Thursday, Friday and Saturday," Brighenti said. "If they are up late at night studying, which I know they would be doing at three in the morning on a weekend, they can call Pita Pit and get something healthy on their Ole Miss express."
Pita Pit will be reaching out to Ole Miss organizations and offering bagged lunches and party platters that can be catered for events and tailgating.
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