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Meet Your Neighbor: Mehdi Zarhloul

By Callie Thomas

It’s no secret that good food has a way of touching your soul. A great dish can make an ordinary day seem special, fill a holiday with generations of tradition and give comfort on a cold, wintery day (even in Las Vegas, where 60 degrees qualifies as “cold.”) It’s clear that 89012 resident Mehdi Zarhloul has put his heart and soul into each and every dish he’s created during his 20 year career in the food industry. “Food is my passion,” says Zarhloul. “I obsess about ways I can improve my guest’s experience.”

Zarhloul was raised in Casablanca, Morocco and immigrated to the United States at the age of 16. Here, he says, he was able to “live the American dream” by pursuing his culinary passion. Mehdi has worked in many casual and fine dining restaurants under various titles, including Assistant Food and Beverage Director at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. In 2005, he stepped down from that position to follow his dream of opening his own restaurant business. “I noticed there was an untapped niche for Mediterranean food, and after researching and experimenting for some time, I opened the Crazy Pita,” he said. “It’s a fresh, casual Mediterranean concept with made to order grilled skewers, rotisserie chicken, salads and pita sandwiches that are blended to create an inspired and wholesome cuisine.”

While the business opened in a difficult economic climate, it has since thrived, earning scores of accolades, including being ranked the #1 Mediterranean restaurant in Las Vegas by AOL. Crazy Pita was also ranked in the Top 100 list of Best Concepts in America, and this past March, the ISCS ranked it in the top three retailers of the year.

The busy entrepreneur sat with us and gave us a little more insight into the secrets behind the success of Crazy Pita and his own “crazy” life.

Why do you think people keep coming back to the Crazy Pita?

“Hopefully it’s the delicious food, but it’s also the extra effort and acts of kindness our team extends throughout the community that make us successful.”

How do you and your team reach out to the community?

“We’re a major supporter of the Josh Stevens Foundation, which was founded after 13-year-old Josh Stevens died of a tragic accident. Josh’s time on earth was much too short, but his kind heart and spirit live on through the Foundation, which advocates helping others through acts of kindness. Every October, the Crazy Pita celebrates Josh’s birthday, and all proceeds from his favorite pita go to support the Foundation. I hope community members will think of the Crazy Pita, whether it is supporting a little league, local school or police and fire benefits.”

On a typical Saturday or Sunday, where might we find you?

“If I’m not working, I’m either cooking dinner for my wife or trying out a new restaurant.”

You really are passionate about dining! What’s the best dish you’ve ever eaten in town and where?

“The chocolate Eskimos at the Vernadah restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel.”

What would you say is your most memorable Las Vegas experience?

“The day I proposed to my wife at the Alize restaurant in the Palms Hotel.”

Is there something you could tell us that you think others in the community don’t know about you?

“I like to drive around as if it’s Sunday every day and listen to Shirley Bassey with the volume turned up.”

Small world. Shirley Bassey has a Vegas connection, too, going back to her debut at the El Rancho in the late ‘50s. What else inspires you? Do you have a favorite quote?

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln