Mays Alreem USA Pita House — Restaurant in Temple Terrace

Wow! I think I went to Middle Eastern food heaven!!! On a whim, we dropped by here to see if it would be a viable option for picking up stuff for picnics. And let me tell you, it was! The hummus was creamy and rich, punctuated with chickpeas and fresh parsley with a drizzle of fragrant olive oil. The chicken and beef shawarmas were both unbelievably unique and complex in flavor. The best way to enjoy them is "all the way" with pickles, garlic sauce, pickled cabbage, homemade hot sauce... I'm not really sure what else he put in it, but I was hooked. The pitas are light and airy, unlike the mass produced heavy bricks I used to think were "authentic". The flavors were slightly tangy but with a nice warm spicy backdrop. Sumac, maybe? The creamy garlic sauce which accentuated the components rather than beat them into submission.

A note for those looking for something new: Try one of the malted fruit sodas. These non-alcoholic beverages are a nice compliment to anything I recommended above. I have to admit I was a little reluctant to try the strawberry soda only because I thought it was going to be cloyingly sweet like Fanta. So glad I didn't let that get the better of me. It was sweet, but it was a nice contrast to the savory flavors of everything else. The pomegranate soda had a somewhat floral flavor. It made me giddy, causing me to think of places I want to explore in this world.

We definitely look forward to going back and trying some other...

I’ve been coming to this restaurant once every three months for the past three years. The food is absolutely delicious, the best falafel spot in Temple Terrace in my opinion. However, my last two visits at night in different time left me disappointed. I noticed a smoky smell inside the restaurant. At first, I thought it might be coming from outside, but I soon realized that one of the staff members was using a vape inside the restaurant. The staff members are very friendly and attentive, but this behavior is not healthy or suitable for a dining space, especially with uncovered food around. I would kindly ask the management to consider non-smoking customers and the hygiene of the open food. For me, it’s concerning that someone would vape indoors, especially in a restaurant where food is served openly. While I understand some people may not mind, personally, this has made me...

This was one of the best meals I have ever had in Tampa! Not for just this type of food but any meal! I have been here twice and I thought the first time was really good, however, this time the food was on another level. I believe their hummus is the best in Tampa and their food is equally as good. I am very picky about what I like in my Shawarma platters and they made sure that every little detail was exactly how I asked for it. This place is always very busy with people who were born in the Middle East so I believe that is a huge vote of confidence from the folks who grew up eating this kind of food. Tonight, I had the chicken and steak Shawarma platter and it was absolutely delicious! I had to grab a container of hummus what they are very fresh bread so that I could have it for a snack on another day. Please bring an appetite...