FoodThe quintessential tita brings a certain flair to family reunions. Pitas of Manila, on the other hand, knows that straightforward flavors done well trump flair any day. Here, convenience and comfort food are rolled into a handy pita—and that’s what busy Ateneans from the Rizal Library stand to gain from this stall.
Taste
The Sharon is a vegetarian wrap with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and cheese. What really makes it special is its marriage of eggplant and homemade pesto. It is easy to combine chicken and pesto as usual, yet the eggplant adds a roasted kick to the nuttiness of the latter.
If you’re looking for chicken, look no further than the Kris. Mixing the chicken with ranch provides a pleasing interplay of salty and slightly tangy, not to mention the layered textures (meaty chicken versus crisp lettuce) in every bite.
On first bite, however, you get a bit too much pita and not enough filling in either wrap. There’s also the problem of juice from the vegetables seeping through the pita onto your hands. But if the pitas are a tad messy for you, you’ll be relieved that coffee comes in a compact mason jar. Pitas of Manila takes pride in its Sagada-sourced coffee, and their Iced Mocha was a palate-cleansing end to the meal: cold, milky, and light overall, but with just the right touch of bitterness.
Concept
Pitas of Manila was based on a pita shop in France, one that six Ateneans frequented while on their Junior Term Abroad. Against the wraps of JSEC’s past and present, Pitas of Manila sets itself apart with its four varieties: Chicken, tuna, vegetarian, and breakfast pitas. The goal seems to be a convenient meal, rather than any groundbreaking recipe.
Value for Money
The cost of a pita ranges from Php 80-95. Since they’re not stuffed with carbs or bursting with filling, they are suitable for a light lunch or heavy snack. Considering that JSEC rice meals go for a few pesos extra, Pitas of Manila claims a modest—but not especially cheap—price point. A plus is their coffee, which is less pricey than your average Starbucks frappe.
Final Verdict
Pitas of Manila doesn’t offer frills like your tita does. This no-nonsense joint gives you something complete to eat on the go, whether you’re into protein or veggies or breakfast food. Tita gets that you’re stressed with school and penny-pinching; Pitas of Manila understands, too—and its reliable menu is a clear reflection of that.
Rating: 3.5/5
Photo by Zach Garcia.
