Middle Eastern Restaurant To Open New Location In Yardley

YARDLEY, PA — Pita Chip, a Middle Eastern restaurant, will be opening its third location in Yardley in the Spring of 2022.

The third location will open in the Oxford Oaks Shopping Center, located on 1581 Big Oak Road in Yardley. This will be the first of many suburban locations the Philadelphia-based eatery plans on expanding into.

The quick-serve restaurant was founded in 2015 by Omar Alsaadi and Mouhanad Kabbani, who opened the first location on 1600 North Broad Street at Temple University. The second Temple location was opened in 2018 on 3601 Market Street, following three years of successful business at the first location.

"Growing up, I would come home from school to different cuisines and foods every night," Alsaadi said. “My mother used encyclopedias to learn how to cook, and I started helping in the kitchen as a little boy. Like her, I let my imagination drive my recipes."

Alsaadi, who immigrated from Syria to Pennsylvania in 1979, has spent most of his life cooking recipes influenced by his country of origin in the Philadelphia area.

"When I moved to Philadelphia, I adopted new cooking techniques while being exposed to numerous cuisines in this multicultural city, and the food at Pita Chip reflects that diversity. I’ve always strived to build a menu that is reminiscent of Middle Eastern street food, while remaining progressive and modern. It pays homage to my culture, but the food is for everyone."

Alsaadi and Kabbani, who has no experience in the restaurant business world, decided to start their own brand of quick-serve eateries, signing the lease for the first location in 2014. After years of success, the duo brought Howard Klayman on board as a business partner in 2018 when they opened the second location.

"We’re excited to expand into the suburbs to bring our delicious food to more people in the Philadelphia area,” said Klayman. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have made it through the pandemic, and now we’re looking forward to building our brand and expanding the Pita Chip community."

(Courtesy of Mike Prince)

Soon, residents of Bucks County will be able to enjoy the delicious Middle Eastern dishes that Philadelphia residents and Temple students have long enjoyed, including salad bowls, rice bowls, and wraps filled with fresh falafel, chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and roasted vegetables, as well as hummus and sides.

"For me, the best part about Pita Chip is sharing the food that I ate growing up with our guests. This food is intrinsic to who I am,” Alsaadi said.

“One bite of falafel and I’m transported back to Damascus, Syria, drinking in the aromas from all the wonderful street vendors’ foods.”

Anyone interested in seeing more of Pita Chip's menu and future plans can check them out on their official website.