Looking for one of the most affordable eats in Baltimore that still fills you all the way up? Pitamore is the build-your-own shawarma spot I keep putting people on to, a fast-casual Mediterranean counter where the plates run $9 to $12 and the toppings are unlimited and FREE. The shawarma nuggets and chicken shawarma are my favorite proteins, and you pile on as much as you want, so you basically design your own perfect plate. Pitamore Baltimore has two downtown locations, and if you’re a Nomster who lives for bang for your buck, this one’s an absolute must.
What Pitamore Is Known For
Pitamore’s whole thing is a build-your-own setup, kind of like Chipotle but Mediterranean. You pick a base (a pita, a lafa wrap, or a plate), choose your protein, then load up on toppings and sauces at no extra charge. That last part’s the magic, because so many spots nickel-and-dime you for every add-on and here it’s all fair game.
If you haven’t had shawarma before, here it’s chicken or a lamb-and-beef blend, that gets stacked on a vertical rotisserie and shaved off as it roasts, so the edges catch those crispy, caramelized bits. They also do falafel if you want to keep it plant-based. For another Maryland take on the dish, I really enjoyed the chicken shawarma at Otzi Mediterranean Market out in Eldersburg, but Pitamore wins for me on that unlimited-toppings freedom.
One thing worth knowing before you get in line: your base sets the whole meal. A pita’s the classic handheld, the lafa is a bigger, softer flatbread wrap if you’re extra hungry, and the plate skips the bread so you can pile everything over rice and salad. I lean plate so I can go all in on toppings without anything falling out, lol, but you really can’t make a wrong call here.
How Much Does It Cost to Eat at Pitamore?
Plates run $9 to $12, and that price includes all the toppings you can fit. That’s genuinely hard to beat downtown, where a quick lunch can easily hit $15 or more. Save room for the chocolate mousse too, it’s only $2.99 and so tasty. Heads up that delivery apps mark the mousse up a little, so it’s a better deal in person.
Does Pitamore Have Vegetarian and Vegan Options?
Yes, and they make it easy. Falafel is your plant-based protein, and toppings like hummus, fried eggplant, cabbage salad, and tahini are all vegan-friendly (everything’s clearly labeled at the counter, which I love). A falafel plate loaded with veggies is a fully satisfying meal here. If a great meatless Mediterranean handheld is your thing, my other budget-friendly favorite is the $4 falafel sandwich at Falafel Inc. in Bethesda.
What to Order at Pitamore
Here’s everything I reach for when I go:
- Chicken Shawarma: juicy, well-seasoned, and my most-ordered protein. You can’t go wrong building a plate around it.
- Shawarma Nuggets: my other go-to, and honestly the pick I get excited about. Crispy little bites that hold up great under a mountain of toppings.
- The Toppings: this is where you go HAM. My musts are the red hot peppers, cilantro jalapeno, onion, Mediterranean salad and rice, fried eggplant, and garlic sauce. Everything’s fresh, and since it’s free, you might as well build the loaded plate of your dreams.
- Chocolate Mousse ($2.99): save room, Nomsters. It’s a small price for a sweet finish and it’s so good.
If you want to branch out, they also run lamb and beef shawarma, and sauces like amba (a tangy mango situation), baba ghanoush, and tzatziki. Baklava and rice pudding round out the dessert case if mousse isn’t your speed.
The Vibe
This is fast-casual, counter-service dining, so it’s quick and easy rather than sit-down and lingering. You order, build your plate down the line, and you’re out the door with lunch in minutes. It’s a downtown workday kind of spot, great for a solo lunch, a grab-and-go, or feeding a group without wrecking your wallet. Because the toppings are laid out and labeled right in front of you, it’s also an easy one to bring picky eaters or friends with dietary needs to, everyone just builds the plate they actually want. The one catch is that it’s weekday-only, so this is a Monday-through-Friday move, not a weekend brunch plan.
Good to Know
- Two locations: 30 Light St downtown and 519 West Pratt St in Ridgely’s Delight. Both are counter service.
- Hours: weekdays only, both closed Saturday and Sunday, so it’s a lunch-hours play (the Light St spot skews toward the midday window and the Pratt St spot stays open a bit later). Double-check the day you go, since hours at a lunch-driven counter can shift.
- Parking: no dedicated lot, so you’re looking at street parking or a nearby garage. It can get tight downtown, plan a few extra minutes.
- Ordering: walk-in, no reservations. Delivery’s available through DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats if you’d rather stay put.
- Dietary: vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are all doable here, and the labeling makes it painless.
- Catering: they’ve got a full catering arm too, handy if you’re feeding an office or a party.
For $9 to $12 with unlimited toppings, Pitamore is one of the best value lunches downtown, and the shawarma nuggets alone are worth the trip. It joins my running list of budget-friendly DMV deals worth planning around, right next to Marathon Deli’s $6 Monday gyros in College Park. Have you guys built a plate here yet? Let me know your go-to topping combo in the comments, Nomsters.