When we moved, we traded our easy walk to restaurants on Pico Blvd. for an easy walk to restaurants on Westwood Blvd. One of our first visits to one of the local restaurants was Bella Pita. Bella Pita is a true hole-in-the-wall restaurant except for the fact that it is housed in a small shack near the same building where Feast from The East is.

When you enter, there’s a counter to place your order right at the door. There was only one person working behind the counter while we were there who single handedly took orders and made the food.

We ordered Wowshis which are your choice of filling in a dough which they bake to order. They also offer a variety of pita sandwiches, but I could not resist the allure of freshly baked dough. Once your order is ready, it’s cut in half and then placed on a rack above a condiment bar.

The bar has veggies like lettuce, cucumbers, red onions, red bell pepper, cabbage and tomatoes. There are also several sauces to choose from like yogurt sauce, hummus, tahini and many more.

The space is super small, just a couple of tables and seating along the sides. To my surprise, the other customers were very well-dressed, wearing dresses, suits or white dress shirts and slacks. We were the worst-dressed customers there. My husband guessed that they must have come for lunch right after temple ended (both Persian and Mormon temples which are within walking distance). As seating was a bit cramped, we brought our food back home with us.

My husband ordered a plain cheese wowshi, which my daughter had ordered on a previous visit. It doesn’t make for the most exciting picture. He squirted some hot sauce on one of the halves to jazz it up.

I ordered a fried cauliflower wowshi because I had read good reviews about the sides of fried cauliflower and knew that no one else would want a side of fried cauliflower. I crammed my halves with pickles (oops, forgot to mention those earlier), lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and tahini and yogurt sauce. It was…different. I’d probably get a falafel next time or a chicken wowshi with cheese added to it.

The wowshis are only $5.75 each, which is as cheap as it gets around these parts. I know someone who orders them unbaked and then stashes them in the freezer for a later date –  like a more upscale take on a Hot Pocket. Sadly it looks like the location closest to us is closing today which will leave two other locations – one in Westwood Village and one by USC. The Westwood Village location doesn’t close until 2am so when one wants Wowshi, wander Westwood.

Location – 1945 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles 90025 (closed as of August 31st). Additional locations at 960 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles 90024 and 3013 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90007
Website – http://bellapita.com
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – No
Pesco-Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Gluten-Free Options – Greek Salad