Longtime Lavista Road Restaurant Pita Palace Changes Its Name to ‘Toco Grill’

It seems Lavista Road restaurant Pita Palace, known for its falafel and all-you-can-eat salad bar, will rebrand to Toco Grill under new owner Stephen Newmark. However, the Pita Palace menu remains intact.

Hints that something was up with the longtime restaurant at the Briarcliff La Vista Shopping Center began appearing on social media earlier this month, including a change in hours and a menu expansion.

On September 10, the restaurant posted the following statement to its Facebook page alluding to the name change and update to its menu:

“In the next coming days you will see changes happening starting with pricing, hours of operation, menu extension and even a name change. We are keeping the middle-eastern flare but adding some good ole’ American flavor. We hope everyone will enjoy the move forward with us.”

Newmark, who has been the general manager at Pita Palace for nearly a year, says he recently took over the beloved neighborhood establishment.

“I have chosen to change the name because I wanted to give it more of a fresh, new community feel (Toco Hill, Toco Grill),” Newmark tells Eater Atlanta. “I am keeping the Middle Eastern flare, but adding some American flavor.”

This includes the addition of hamburgers, wings, chicken poppers, and onion rings to the menu and a kids section with items like a pita pocket (mini pita stuffed with shawarma) that’s easier for children to hold.

Newmark says Toco Grill continues to offer the full Pita Palace menu and will remain a kosher-certified restaurant. New signage is also in the works.

Sunday - Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed Saturdays.

1658 Lavista Road NE, Atlanta.