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Is Pita Way Halal?

Short answer Halal

Yes. Pita Way says every one of its locations serves halal-certified Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, and that every protein it serves is halal-certified [1]. That covers the grilled chicken, dark meat chicken, gyro, crispy chicken and falafel [1]. The website does not name the certifier, so ask your branch if that matters. If you're unsure, ask a scholar you trust.

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Halal status by country

CountryStatusDetailsSource
United States Halal Pita Way says every location serves halal-certified food and every protein is halal-certified. The certifier is not named on its site. [1][2]
ItemStatusNoteSource
Grilled chicken (white meat) Halal Listed as halal by Pita Way. [1]
Dark meat chicken Halal Listed as halal by Pita Way. [1]
Gyro Halal Listed as halal by Pita Way. [1]
Crispy chicken Halal Listed as halal by Pita Way. [1]
Falafel Halal Listed as halal by Pita Way. [1]

What Pita Way says about halal

Pita Way is a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant chain with locations in Michigan, including East Lansing. It serves shawarma, gyros, falafel, hummus, pita wraps, bowls and salads [1].

Unlike most chains, Pita Way answers the halal question directly. On its location pages, the company says every Pita Way location serves halal-certified Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food [1]. It also says every protein it serves is halal-certified [1]. Its location pages tag the food as halal, alongside Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Greek [1].

That is a chain-wide claim, not a claim about one branch. It is the kind of clear statement we look for when we mark a restaurant as halal.

Which proteins are halal

Pita Way lists the proteins it covers by name. According to the company, these are all halal [1]:

  • Grilled chicken (white meat)
  • Dark meat chicken
  • Gyro
  • Crispy chicken
  • Falafel

The same proteins appear on the Pita Way home page in its kids' menu offer, which lists white meat chicken, gyro, dark meat chicken and falafel [2]. The catering menu is described as halal Mediterranean trays as well [1].

If Pita Way adds a new protein, such as a limited-time special, check whether it is covered. The company's statement says every protein is halal-certified [1], but new items are always worth a quick question.

What Pita Way does not say

Pita Way's website is clear about halal, but it leaves out a few details some diners care about:

  • The certifier. The site does not name the organization that certifies its meat [1]. Certifiers have different standards on things like stunning and machine slaughter.
  • Zabiha hand slaughter. The site does not say whether the meat is hand-slaughtered [1].
  • Alcohol and pork. The site does not mention either one [1][2]. Pita Way makes no claim of serving them, but it also does not state a formal policy.

If any of these matter to you, ask your local Pita Way to show its halal certificate. The certificate will name the certifier, and you can look up that certifier's standards.

Tips for ordering at Pita Way

Here is how to make the most of a halal-certified menu:

  1. Ask for the certificate if you want to know the certifier. A current certificate has an expiry date.
  2. Check new or limited-time items. These may use different suppliers.
  3. Ask about sauces and dressings if you are careful about ingredients like vinegar made from wine. Staff can tell you what goes into each sauce.

For background on the dishes, see our pages on shawarma, gyro and falafel.

Other Mediterranean chains compared

Not every Mediterranean chain is halal. Luna Grill says it has no halal offerings at this time. Naf Naf Grill sells certified halal chicken tenders at some stores, but its other meats are not halal. Our CAVA page covers that chain's status.

Pita Way stands out because it makes a clear, chain-wide halal statement for all of its proteins [1].

Frequently asked questions

Is Pita Way halal?

Yes. Pita Way says every location serves halal-certified food and every protein it serves is halal-certified [1]. The site does not name the certifier, so ask your branch to show its certificate if you want details.

Is Pita Way gyro halal?

Yes. Pita Way lists its gyro among its halal proteins, along with grilled chicken, dark meat chicken, crispy chicken and falafel [1].

Is Pita Way chicken zabiha?

Pita Way says its chicken is halal-certified but does not say whether it is hand-slaughtered zabiha [1]. Ask the branch which certifier it uses and check that certifier's slaughter standards.

Are all Pita Way locations halal?

Pita Way says every location serves halal-certified Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food [1]. Check the certificate at your branch, and ask about any new or limited-time items.

Sources

  1. Pita Way East Lansing | Mediterranean, Halal & Greek Food Near East Lansing, MI · Pita Way · accessed
  2. Pita Way home page · Pita Way · accessed