Hidden Gems: Pita De’ Novo
'Hidden Gems' is a reoccurring Conglomerate column dedicated to featuring unique and unusual aspects of Shreveport—aspects that may not be a top hit on your typical Google search. In our previous issue, we showcased the delicious and affordable American-Vietnamese cuisine at Pham's. Our next stop is my favorite place to eat after a long day of shopping, Pita De' Novo.
Living in the South for the majority of the year means being surrounded by Cajun and seafood restaurants every way you turn. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, some variety of offerings certainly wouldn’t hurt. So, if you’re looking for delicious food that isn’t fried seafood, head on over to Pita De’ Novo on Youree Drive.
Pita De’ Novo is an authentic Greek and Mediterranean restaurant located at 8510 Youree Drive. It features a diversity of gyro sandwiches, shawarma, and other everyday Greek dishes. Personally, I feel as though not enough people know about it because of its awkward location—hidden, as it is, in a long line of large other businesses. However, the hunt is more than worth it! Their prices are unbeatable, with everything except the full plates being under ten dollars. While they offer both dine-in and to-go options, their to-go service is the fastest I have ever seen; my order is almost always ready between 10-15 minutes.
My most recent testing of this service happened over Mardi Gras break with my mom. After a busy day of shopping and running errands, neither of us felt much like cooking, so we placed an online order on the way back home. When we arrived, we waited in the drive-through for a maximum of ten minutes, and our food was tightly packaged to prevent any heat or liquid from escaping. The cashier on duty was pleasant (as they always are), and everyone inside was working diligently to provide the best experience to customers. Impressed as I always am, Pita De' Novo was the next natural choice for our Hidden Gems: Unusual Restaurants series.
As a vegetarian, my options for eating out in Shreveport are limited. Pita De' Novo is one of the few old favorites on my list that remained a viable option for me after I committed to vegetarianism a few years ago. They have so many options for meat-eaters and vegetarians that both parties are able to choose from numerous nutritious and delicious options.
On our most recent visit, my mom and I shared an appetizer of Baba Ghanoush, hummus made with eggplant, but we forgot to order pita bread on the side, so it was more like another sauce for our entrees. My mom ordered a traditional gyro with a piece of Baklava for dessert, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. I ordered a breaded eggplant sandwich, paired with feta, crunchy lettuce, and a special house sauce, complimenting what was essentially a Greek-style quesadilla with pita bread instead of a tortilla. The proportions were just the right size, and the taste was incredible.
On the one hand, having a secret spot that people from out of town may not know about is a nice feeling, but some places are too good not to share. The way I see it, if I can provide dopamine to at least a few readers (or recourse for nutritious and delicious Greek-Mediterranean food), it would be a crime not to share! I know that many students, including myself, are feeling the effects of stress and burnout. The realities of school and life take their toll, which makes it all the more important to take the time to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself! Get a gyro from Pita De’ Novo; dine-in with some friends, or enjoy some 'you time' and take it back to your dorm to watch your favorite show. Regardless, check it out, and you won't regret it!