PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Jason Taylor is filling the gap between fast casual and fine dining in Lawrenceville with Pennsylvania wine and Lebanese mezze.

Visit his Butler Street eatery, Pita My Shawarma, by day for shawarma, hand-shaven, rotisserie-cooked meat served on fresh pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes and pickled turnips. In the evenings, stop by to enjoy small, shareable plates such as hummus, baba ganoush, labne kefir cheese dip and mixed nuts while sipping wine from York-based Lavender Acres Winery.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

There are 18 varieties, ranging from dry reds and whites to sweet and sparkling, available in tastings and flights and by the glass and bottle.

Taylor, a former York resident who launched Pita My Shawarma as a food truck in 2018 before opening the Lawrenceville storefront in 2020, wanted to elevate his offerings. To do so, he first had to make changes to the small space.

He expanded the indoor area and added a wine bar. The patio on the side of the building also got an upgrade with the installation of a gazebo, seating for 30 and a heating system, so the space can be used year-round. Follow Pita My Shawarma on social media for events such as holiday pop-ups, cooking classes and wine pairings.

A grand opening celebration will be held Dec. 5 and 6 with Lavender Acres Winery owner Bill Hewitt in attendance to dedicate the satellite location. The liquor license also permits Taylor to serve PA-made beer and spirits. He hopes to collaborate with local distilleries and breweries and add more non-alcoholic beverages to the menu.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Taylor, who is of Lebanese descent, is a very driven guy. He moved to the city to pursue a marketing degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Unable to find the traditional eats that reminded him of home, he decided to launch his own brand.

In 2018, he bought an old U.S. Postal Service vehicle, drove it 1,000 miles from Louisiana to Pittsburgh and converted it into the Pita My Shawarma food truck. The beloved bucket of bolts had to be retired, but Taylor still has a catering trailer. He also had a Pita My Shawarma location in Cranberry for two years, but decided to close the Butler County site to focus on the original Butler Street restaurant.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

It’s been a long road, but Taylor is excited to start a new journey with Lavender Acres.

“I felt like for this store to be more successful,” he says, “I needed something to complement what I already had.”

Pita My Shawarma is at 3716 Butler St. in Lawrenceville. Hours are Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Soft opening Wine & Mezze hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.