Bella Pita

Some thoughts on the halalness of the meal: I asked the guy at the counter. He told me the beef and chicken are halaal (because it says so on the boxes) and claimed that they took down the sign because someone kept ripping it off their cork message board. Eh, whatever. I'll take the guy's word for it, but I don't think the story is plausible. First, if there were repeat offenders ripping that halaal sign off, why not just put it on the menu behind the counter where someone can't rip it off? Second, who selectively rips off random arabic letters with a star around it? If I had to guess, they just don't want any attention for catering to Muslim customers. If they're lying, then the curse of God upon them. One last note on this issue: the UCLA MSA has used Bella Pita food on at least one occasion within the last 2 months, and they assured me it was legit. So I'm not freaking out. Anyway, the food itself is delicious. I got a double beef pita after fasting (after which almost anything tastes awesome, to be fair). I loved it, though I was somewhat disappointed by the portion size/price combo (my workplace paid for this meal, but still). Also, for that price, there should be some sides. But alhamduliAllah for the delicious food. I'd return if I wasn't so damn poor.

This food here is delicious, fast, and healthy. Plus there is a condiment bar that you can use to add veggies, sauces, and pickles (Middle Eastern as well as dill) to your sandwiches. I highly recommend the falafel (a/k/a/ taameya), which is so filled with chopped herbs that it is green on the inside, just as it is served in Egypt. (Note: I have visited both locations and found the food to be very much the same at both. If you are on foot in Westwood Village, then the Gayley Ave. location will be most convenient. But if you are driving, parking is easier at the Westwood Ave. location.)

Seriously, I did not read the review about it not being halal before ordering a chicken something. I do also question though whether it is truly zabiha as there is no sign anywhere and I never got any verbal assurance... but aside from that, it was not good at all. Sorry I wish I could say I loved it, since it is very close to my place of work... but I will not be going back.

Meat does not appear to be halal / zabiha. Today on January 9th, 2011 at around 2pm, I went to this establishment and I asked the hispanic-appearing man working the counter if all of their meat was halal. "Halal? What's that?" he asked. "Zabiha. Halal. You know, for muslims. Slaughtered according to Islamic rules," I said. "WHAT? We have chicken, beef, lamb. But I don't know what you're talking about," he said. "Look, I've been here with other muslims before and on the internet somebody said that they spoke to the owner, who assured that some of the meat was HALAL," I said. "I don't know what you are talking about. NO, it is NOT Halal," he said. So we left. My wife said that even IF the owner is using some meat (e.g. lamb or chicken) as claimed by another reviewer, clearly the people working the establishment are not aware and are not separating it from the non-halal meat / grill / utensils etc. So unless the owner can affirm that all meat used in the place is halal, it would unacceptable to me that the employees are not separating halal meat from non-halal meat during food preparation. I'm really annoyed, frankly.

The place is awesome. Although the seating is extremely limited at the Gayley location (as it is more of a take out place) it's still worth checking out. The service is spectacular, prices are reasonable and the food is great. I love the Falafel pita as you get to fill up as many condiments as you want yourself. ***Keep in mind Only the Chicken and Lamb meat are Zabihah (not the Beef) and only on certain days. The owner has told me that only on certain days they have Zabihah chicken/lamb depending on if they were able to get it from the supplier that week. Otherwise, just go for the Falafel as it is really good. I would encourage everyone to go there and inquire about Zabihah meat so they start using Zabihah meat everyday.