Bonjour friendly folks, and allow me to introduce you to the newest addition to our Campustown — Pita Pita.

OK, answer me this: How many times have you stayed awake at night wishing there were a restaurant in Ames that offered great-tasting yet healthy, convenient yet affordable dining? If you’re anything like me, probably never. (But it’s a good thought, eh?)

Where am I going with this? Well, if you’re tired of the same-old greasy burger and fries for lunch and are willing to try a fresh approach, let me suggest a pita.

I had no sooner stepped foot in the demure little restaurant when a woman asked me if it was my first time. No, this wasn’t a trick question — I just smiled naively and said yes. The owner proceeded to explain to me how her restaurant works.

First of all, choose a meat: chicken, meatball or tuna. Then stuff your pita from the well-stocked salad bar for $2.29. If you’re not a carnivore, Pita Pita offers Veggie Pitas with avocado, eggplant or cheese sticks for $2.29 as well. Not that hungry? Then try a Whole Pita Garden Salad for $1.99.

I ordered the Nut Bar with one scoop each of dried fruit, raisins and mixed nuts and yogurt or cottage cheese for $2.99. When I didn’t get a pita on my plate, I was more than a little perplexed — I mean, what’s Pita Pita without a pita? Well, don’t feel too sorry for me; the owner gave me a pita of my very own, free of charge.

Sticking with my healthy intentions, I was suckered into ordering a Health Drink for $1.10. Don’t be fooled my friends — these are simply small glasses of grapefruit, orange, apple or grape juice. Nothing extraordinary at all.

After serving me, the owner went in the back and turned on some jazz music.

Dinner didn’t look like much. In fact, it reminded me a lot of what I used to eat as a little kid. Looks can be deceiving, however; I was pleasantly surprised by my concoction of trail mix and plain yogurt. It tasted great and filled me up. In fact, I couldn’t even finish everything on my plate.

On my way out the door, I asked the ever-pleasant owner the origin of pitas. She informed me that pitas are not Greek (who knew?) but are actually from Israel. Pitas are to be stuffed and eaten like a sandwich.

I laughed and told her I wish she had told me that earlier because I ate mine wrong. She failed to see the humor in my story.

Other than the excessively high price for the “Health Drink,” I honestly can’t think of anything negative about my experience at Pita Pita. Give Pita Pita a fair chance, for many restaurants have tried and failed at this same location.

Pita Pita is located at 2508 Lincoln Way

4 stars out of five.

Kim Zangger is a senior in advertising from Mt. Vernon.