Falafel samoon at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Photo guide to east Tucson Mediterranean restaurant Casa Pita

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[Editor's note: this article contains photos of comped dishes. Casa Pita invited the Tucson Foodie team to capture a selection of dishes and drinks. View the full menu here.]

Casa Pita by Mama Amna sits at 5526 E. Grant Rd. in midtown Tucson with a menu that spans from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking to American breakfast and burritos. Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known to regulars and staff as Mama Amna, spent over two decades feeding Tucson.

A life lived through food and displacement

Al-Qaisi grew up in Iraq and spent years living across eight countries throughout the Middle East, studying the regional cooking traditions of each location. She came to the United States to study, eventually settling in Tucson.

Her late husband introduced her to the restaurant business through Sinbad's, a Middle Eastern spot on University Boulevard that the couple eventually took over when the original owner left. Over the years, the family built and operated a string of Tucson restaurants, including Geronimo's, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel. Each one drew on Al-Qaisi's cooking and her family's traditions.

Hummus at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Hummus at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Bulgur dip at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Bulgur dip at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Fatoush salad with falafel at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Fatoush salad with falafel at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Falafel samoon at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Falafel samoon at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Chicken shawarma plate at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Chicken shawarma plate at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Mixed grill plate at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Mixed grill plate at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Dubai drink at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Dubai drink at Casa Pita (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Casa Pita is located at 5526 E. Grant Rd. For more information, visit casapitabymamaamna0717.s4shops.com. Keep up with Casa Pita on Instagram.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. Best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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The @Tucsonasiannightmarket is coming up! Here are a few things to know before you go. 

🎟️ $10 General Admission
🎟️ Foodie Club members get 50% off 
🎟️ Kids 12 and under are free

• Tickets are emailed to you and available in the Tucson Foodie app. Show your QR code at the gate. No printing needed! 
• Free parking is available. Enter off Ajo Way. 
• No dogs are allowed. 
• Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event.

TICKET ADD-ONS: 
• Chef-Served Food Flight | $20 
Enjoy three dishes featuring Filipino, Indochinese, and Vietnamese flavors. A vegetarian option is also available.

• Early Entry + VIP Parking | $15 
Get in at 5 pm, one hour before general admission, with access to a dedicated entrance and VIP parking.

Save this post for later, and get your tickets through the Tucson Foodie app or Tucsonfoodie.com! 

📍 Kino Sports Complex 
📅 Saturday, November 28 from 6–10 pmThe @Tucsonasiannightmarket is coming up! Here are a few things to know before you go. 🎟️ $10 General Admission 🎟️ Foodie Club members get 50% off 🎟️ Kids 12 and under are free • Tickets are emailed to you and available in the Tucson Foodie app. Show your QR code at the gate. No printing needed! • Free parking is available. Enter off Ajo Way. • No dogs are allowed. • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event. TICKET ADD-ONS: • Chef-Served Food Flight | $20 Enjoy three dishes featuring Filipino, Indochinese, and Vietnamese flavors. A vegetarian option is also available. • Early Entry + VIP Parking | $15 Get in at 5 pm, one hour before general admission, with access to a dedicated entrance and VIP parking. Save this post for later, and get your tickets through the Tucson Foodie app or Tucsonfoodie.com! 📍 Kino Sports Complex 📅 Saturday, November 28 from 6–10 pm
Have you tried the new holiday drinks at @desertdriftercoffee?💝

The new lineup is full of cozy, nostalgic flavors.

✨ Gingerbread Chai made with @tucsonchocolatefactory gingerbread sauce and @mayateaco chai. Order with alternative milk to make it vegan, and pair it with a vegan gingerbread cookie from @houldens.riseabove for the ultimate gingerbread combo. The cookie is also gluten-free!

🔥Spice Drop Red Bull or Tea (vegan & gluten-free)

🍎Apple Pie Latte (vegan w alternative milk & gluten-free)

🍫Butterscotch Mocha made with TCF sauce and Danzeisen Dairy chocolate milk (gluten-free)

🥛Nana’s Eggnog made with local Danzeisen eggnog

Which one are you trying first?!Have you tried the new holiday drinks at @desertdriftercoffee?💝 The new lineup is full of cozy, nostalgic flavors. ✨ Gingerbread Chai made with @tucsonchocolatefactory gingerbread sauce and @mayateaco chai. Order with alternative milk to make it vegan, and pair it with a vegan gingerbread cookie from @houldens.riseabove for the ultimate gingerbread combo. The cookie is also gluten-free! 🔥Spice Drop Red Bull or Tea (vegan & gluten-free) 🍎Apple Pie Latte (vegan w alternative milk & gluten-free) 🍫Butterscotch Mocha made with TCF sauce and Danzeisen Dairy chocolate milk (gluten-free) 🥛Nana’s Eggnog made with local Danzeisen eggnog Which one are you trying first?!
@Miramontetucson is now serving lunch daily and brunch on weekends! Located at 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., the midtown restaurant has expanded its hours, with doors opening at 11 a.m.🌞

We stopped by to try a few things from the new menus, including the Cornbread & Eggs with pork carnitas and green chile cream sauce, Crab Omelet, Fried Chicken & Waffles with hot honey, and Brioche French Toast with Seville orange marmalade and Chantilly cream.

The weekend brunch menu also includes a classic breakfast and fruit & yogurt, with dishes ranging from $13 to $19.

For lunch, you can find options like the Miramonte Cobb Salad and Tomato Mozzarella.

Visit Miramonte for lunch Tuesday through Sunday and weekend brunch!@Miramontetucson is now serving lunch daily and brunch on weekends! Located at 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., the midtown restaurant has expanded its hours, with doors opening at 11 a.m.🌞 We stopped by to try a few things from the new menus, including the Cornbread & Eggs with pork carnitas and green chile cream sauce, Crab Omelet, Fried Chicken & Waffles with hot honey, and Brioche French Toast with Seville orange marmalade and Chantilly cream. The weekend brunch menu also includes a classic breakfast and fruit & yogurt, with dishes ranging from $13 to $19. For lunch, you can find options like the Miramonte Cobb Salad and Tomato Mozzarella. Visit Miramonte for lunch Tuesday through Sunday and weekend brunch!
@Ursa_az earned two national honors on Nov. 10. @Eater named chef Aaron Lopez (@Aaron_lopez_86) one of five 2026 Chefs of the Year. 

Additionally, @Nytimes awarded the restaurant three stars. The recognitions put Tucson’s Sonoran Desert tasting menu in front of a national audience.

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com@Ursa_az earned two national honors on Nov. 10. @Eater named chef Aaron Lopez (@Aaron_lopez_86) one of five 2026 Chefs of the Year. Additionally, @Nytimes awarded the restaurant three stars. The recognitions put Tucson’s Sonoran Desert tasting menu in front of a national audience. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com