Pita Kabab started the way a lot of good restaurants start — with a family that loves to cook and a community that loves to eat. We opened our doors in Cedar Rapids because we wanted to share the Mediterranean food we grew up with. Not the watered-down version you find at chains, but the real thing — the same recipes, the same techniques, and the same care that goes into cooking for our own family.
Our menu draws from Palestinian, Syrian, and broader Mediterranean cooking traditions. Every recipe we use has been passed down through our family and adapted over years of cooking together. Our hummus is made from scratch every morning. Our shawarma chicken is marinated overnight and slow-roasted on a traditional vertical spit. Our falafel is hand-rolled from raw chickpeas, not premixed from a bag. These things take more time and effort than the shortcuts, but you can taste the difference.
Why We Cook Mediterranean Food From Scratch
We believe good food does not need to be expensive or complicated. At Pita Kabab, you can feed your family a real meal — fresh, flavorful, made from scratch — for less than most fast food costs for the same number of people. We keep our prices fair, our portions generous, and our quality consistent. That is the deal we make with every customer who walks through our door.
Meet the Team Behind Pita Kabab
Pita Kabab is family-owned and operated by Ray Aqel — who is also the owner of Captain's Fish and Chicken in Cedar Rapids. Our kitchen team includes family members and longtime employees who share our commitment to getting every plate right. We train everyone on the traditional preparation methods, and we never compromise on ingredient quality.
Our Roots in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids has been welcoming to us, and we try to give back. We cater community events, support local organizations, and make an effort to be good neighbors in the southwest Cedar Rapids area where our restaurant is located. When you eat at Pita Kabab, you are supporting a local family business — and we appreciate it every single day.
