Pita Plus Closes, Set to Reopen as Krazi Kebob

Pita Plus, a popular kosher eatery on Lehigh Road, closed its doors last week and will reopen as a halal restaurant called Krazi Kebob.

The establishment was the only kosher restaurant in Prince George's County, and its location adjacent to the University of Maryland campus was advantageous for the university's large observant Jewish population.

"If you don't have a car, your sole option for kosher restaurants was Pita Plus," said Judah Ari Gross, the editor-in-chief of the university's Jewish student newspaper, The Mitzpeh.

"Ratsies, Plato's Diner, Noodles, these staples of College Park eating are 'against the rules' for observant Jews."

Rabbi Ari Israel, executive director and chaplain of the university's Hillel Jewish Student Center, noted that students make up the majority of College Park's Jewish population and that they would bear the brunt of Pita Plus' closing.

"Very few local Jews — a small community to begin with — keep kosher," Rabbi Israel said.

According to Hillel, UMd.'s population of Jewish students is approximately 6,400, ranking the university third amongst public schools.

Being notoriously strapped for time, college students found the take-out eatery extremely convenient.

"I went to Pita Plus a lot because I often don't have time to cook," said UMd. student Becca Lurie, who keeps kosher.

Lurie, the Student Government Liaison to the City Council of College Park, added that without Pita Plus, she will have to find time to cook more often, or go to the Hillel Center cafeteria.

However, Gross noted from his personal experience that the food at the Hillel Center "is not the most gastronomically thrilling fare."

Former owner of Pita Plus, Liora Dahan, who could not be reached for comment, told Washington Jewish Week that the decision to sell the business was "personal," and that the new owners made her an offer she couldn't refuse.

The new owner of the store, Naumaan Hamid, declined to disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but expressed his excitement for his new business.

"I feel as if I can connect with students, as I am also a recent graduate," said Hamid, an alumnus of Johnson & Wales University.

Hamid said that overall, the store is in good shape.

"Very minor changes are being made just to give it a fresh look for grand opening," Hamid said. "We are looking to open in two weeks."