Alex Seidi manning the grill at Pita Palace on Bushwick Avenue
The turquoise-and-pink-striped polo shirt and matching Yankee cap may be my favorite. Or maybe it’s the brown-and-lime-green combo. Whatever shade, you’ll notice Alex Seidi’s style when you enter Bushwick’s new Pita Palace. Alex Seidi co-owns the Palace and the E-Z Pass convenience store, two stores down, with his elder brother, Abdo. The brothers are from Yemen but grew up and went to school in Brooklyn. Feeling the need for Middle Eastern cuisine in the neighborhood they scoped out places to buy.
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In late January, they converted a Loco Burrito, that hub of brown rice and bastardized California burritos, into a kebab and falafel gem. The brothers wanted to keep the Mexican food side in service — “it was making money, so why destroy it?” — and funneled $40,000 into building a shiny new side kitchen. They hired an Israeli chef to recreate the flavors of their childhood — that means lemony stuffed grape leaves, the cracked wheat salad mojadara, roasted eggplant, and a smooth and nutty hummus, topped with a glug of French olive oil and paprika.
Abdo, whose verbal quips are as sharp as his brother’s garb, credits Alex for the idea behind the restaurant. He likes manning the E-Z Pass counter, doling out Parliaments and energy drinks to neighborhood residents while Alex is down the street, commanding the kitchen.
On last visit to the Palace, my boyfriend and I opted for the meat platters: a heap of curried rice, salad with beets, pickled cabbage and olives, and meat sliced from the shawarma spit. The lamb was dense with spice, though a bit dry, but the chicken was the favorite. It was juicy dark meat, heady with cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and cardamom. Pita Palace’s chef keeps his craft secret. He won’t release his recipes to anyone, not even the owners. “The other day we ran out of hummus,” says Alex, “so I made some and I thought it tasted pretty good, but then the chef came back and saw that I made it on my own and got so mad! He almost quit. He wants it made the correct way.”
Alex and Abdo have plans for expanding the menu. The deli meats for sandwiches are in and they are starting breakfast service this week. The expansive menu keeps everyone happy but it is the Middle Eastern dishes that shine. Though halal tradition dictates abstaining from alcohol, the brothers don’t mind if you BYOB. In fact, they suggest it — grab a 40oz. from E-Z Pass and come on down.
Bushwick Pita Palace
243 Bushwick Avenue | 718-456-9114
Food: $2.75 to $10.95
Delivery: Yes, Free
gwen April 30th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
There’s also a new Gyro stand on Wyckoff in front of the hospital – sooo exciting!!
james April 30th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
That’s been there for a while; I got a sandwich there January 2007. Unless you mean it’s been replaced with a different stand.
Brian April 30th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
The burritos so disturbed me it kept me returning for a while. Alas, I ate a falafel sandwich there last week and it was outstanding. Made to order falafel balls with tabouli and hummus, fully loaded. Quite good. One of the better middle eastern food places I’ve ever ate, actually.
Angela May 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I recently visited pita palace with my family. We could not decide between Mexican and Middle Eastern food, so we all ordered a little of both. The shrimp nachos were loaded with shrimp and other yummy veggies, it was just to die for. We also had the chicken salad which is served warm and the different tastes just melted in my mouth. It is not often that you find a place to eat that has a variety of delicious food, excellent customer service, and very reasonable prices. If you are in the neighborhood, I strongly recommend stopping by.
Niina May 3rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
This dude is the coolest! I used to always buy tall boys from him when I lived off Montrose.
Angel May 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 pm
This place is hot best food in town I LOVE the Falafel.