Walking into Simply Pita in Fresno feels like stepping into someone’s home — a warm, cozy space where families chat over meals, the scent of fresh pita drifts through the air, and the grill in the back hums with the rhythmic chopping of vegetables.

Anthony W. Haddad
The Millennial View

A TikTok went big in Fresno that brought my attention to the restaurant at 6733 N. Riverside Dr., suit 109. The video highlighted the owner and the space, inviting the Fresno community to come experience it firsthand. There was no flashy marketing — just the warmth of a family-owned business and the pride of sharing what they had built. The video resonated because it wasn’t about hype; it was about connection, food, and community.

It’s here that Mohammed Albattat, a Palestinian immigrant, has spent the last seven years building more than a restaurant: He’s building a community.

I’ve watched him greet every customer with a smile, asking about their day before even moving on to his kitchen duties. That’s Albattat’s style — personal, genuine, attentive. When his father visited from Palestine, I expected sightseeing around California. Instead, his father simply wanted to be at the restaurant with Albattat, his wife, and the kids — seeing the life his son had carved out.

Mohammed’s Journey for a Better Life

Albattat’s journey to Fresno wasn’t easy. He left behind his family’s businesses —vulnerable to wars in the Middle East — for the uncertain promise of the American dream. Opening Simply Pita just 20 days before the pandemic would have crushed many, but with his wife by his side, he persevered.

We often forget what our parents sacrifice for us. My father, an immigrant from the Middle East, worked tirelessly so my siblings and I could have a life he never had. I remember being a brat growing up — always wanting more, always convinced my parents were being unfair when I didn’t get my way.

Mohammed Albattat

What I rarely thought about was everything my father did to make our lives possible. Waking up before the sun rises, working long, exhausting hours, coming home 12 to 14 hours later — and still dealing with my complaints — that was his reality, all for me and my siblings.

Talking with Albattat brought me back to that understanding. Hearing him speak about his family, about the life he is building for his four children — three of them triplets — I felt a deep appreciation for what he is doing.

He left a troubled place to create a new, beautiful life for his kids, not just for himself. That perspective is humbling. His work, his patience, his dedication — it’s all for the next generation. And it reminded me, in a way I hadn’t thought of in years, to honor the sacrifices our parents make for us.

Not Just for the Money, for the Community

He emphasizes he isn’t in this for just money; he’s here to create an experience where people feel like they’re eating in his home. That heart — wanting to feed people while building community — is at the center of everything he does.

The menu reflects that care. From chicken shawarma and beef kebabs to fluffy falafel and gyro plates, everything is crafted daily by Albattat and his team — homemade tahini in the hummus, pita fresh each morning. Even the Za’atar on his steak-cut fries tells a story of home. Every bite is tradition, flavor, and love on a plate.

Albattat loves Fresno, not just for business, but for the chance to explore its culinary landscape and support other small businesses. His restaurant isn’t an island; it’s part of a network of community, a place that connects people over shared meals.

Is this not the American dream?

An immigrant builds a life, sustains a family, preserves culture, and gives back to his community — all in a corner of Fresno, over soft pita and creamy hummus.

Simply Pita isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a reminder that the heart of a business isn’t profit, but purpose.

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About the Author

Anthony W. Haddad writes The Millennial View, offering a reflective perspective on life, politics, and culture through the lens of a Millennial navigating today’s world. He examines local issues, social trends, and national debates with clarity, humor, and a critical eye, aiming to spark thoughtful conversation and inspire change.

Based in Fresno, California, Anthony believes in digging beneath the surface, questioning assumptions, and keeping the human story at the heart of every discussion.

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