Cathy Phillips
In March, he was able to grant that request, opening the doors to a new location in North Olmsted in order "to get closer to the people who love us," he said.
The menu of scratch-made soups, dips, pita sandwiches, salads, and kabobs is the same as that of the Parma store. And in an era of ever-rising food costs, Shahin has managed to lower already wallet-friendly menu costs at both locations.
Customers order at the counter and food is prepared to order and brought to their tables.
Nearly all of the pitas are under $5; the entrées top out at under $9. And it's not because portion sizes are small or the food's not top quality. Costs are kept reasonable partly because Sittoo's shares a central food facility with the Aladdin's restaurants, whose owners are all part of the same extended family.
A weekday business lunch special features lamb and kafta kabobs, chicken shawarma, falafel, rice pilaf, salad, and pita bread all for only $5.95.
There are many delicious starters from which to choose, among them flavorful falafel patties ($3.95), crispy spinach and feta filo pastries ($2.25), and the house french fries seasoned with zesty za'atar ($1.95).
Football-shaped kibbie ($3.50 for two) are as fun to eat as they are to say. A shell of beef and cracked wheat encases a filling of hot, juicy ground beef that's fragrant with cinnamon and spices, onions, and pine nuts. They're a treat dipped in plain yogurt.
My favorite, though, is still the foole m damas, a chunky mash of fava beans topped with diced tomatoes and fruity olive oil and served with pita bread for scooping ($3.50). It's garlicky and addictive.
Salad lovers will embrace the house salad, a refreshing mix of feta-topped greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and Kalamata olives tossed in a bright, lemony dressing. The wonderful fattoush salad is similar, but includes za'atar-seasoned pita chip croutons ($5.45 each).
The lamb pita ($4.99) is a favorite among staff and customers alike, and it's easy to taste why. Super-tender, char-grilled chunks of lamb are nestled among a garden-fresh mix of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, gherkins, and sweet-hot turnip pickles that has been lightly tossed with the house lemon-tahini dressing. It's scrumptious.
If you're anything like me, it can be hard to look away from a container of baklava—all those crispy, buttery layers! And Sittoo's does theirs right, too: baked fresh daily, and soaked in rosewater-scented honey syrup. But if you can tear your eyes away, do try the kinafa ($3.75), a traditional dessert made from a mixture of Lebanese sweet cheeses topped with crumbly semolina and that same delicious syrup. It's served warm, prompting all the flavors to meld together in the loveliest way...it'll make your taste buds happy, happy, happy.
Sittoo's Pita and Salads is located at 24930 Lorain Road in North Olmsted, between Columbia and Great Northern Boulevard. Sittoo's opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes at 9:30 p.m. Sunday and at 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 440-716-8755 for pick-up orders and catering inquiries. Follow on Facebook; visit www.mysittoos.com to view the menu.