By Andrew Z. Galarneau | Published August 20, 2018 | Updated August 20, 2018
The third location of Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant Pita Gourmet is taking shape in Clarence.
Construction is underway on a new building at 6031 Transit Road, where the Buggy Wash car wash formerly stood.
The new place will offer 70 seats and a patio facing Transit Road that will offer another 18 seats or so, said Joseph Mahfouz, an owner.
That would make it the largest Pita Gourmet so far. The restaurant also has locations in the Fashion Outlets mall food court, 1030 Military Road, Niagara Falls, and a 48-seat store at 6733 Transit Road, Depew.
The new location will be part of an 8,500-square-foot Bevilacqua Development building that also will hold a Domino’s Pizza outpost and Divine Nail Spa.
Pita Gourmet’s fast-casual menu will stay the same, Mahfouz said. Customers choose salad, rice or pita bread, proteins like gyro, chicken souvlaki or falafel, and get their customized meal assembled as they proceed toward the cash register.
Hummus, babaganoush, rice-stuffed grape leaves and other Mediterranean staples also will be available.
Online ordering, through the restaurant’s website, should be in place for the Clarence store, he said. “We get lines out the door and the phone rings,” he said. “Hopefully if we get more online orders, there will be less phone ringing.”
Ground was broken in early August. If all goes well, the restaurant should be open in December, Mahfouz said.