The Gyro is a popular Greek dish of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It is typically made with lamb but can also be made with chicken, pork, or beef. The meat is marinated in a blend of spices and herbs, such as oregano, thyme, garlic, and lemon juice, before being skewered on the rotisserie and cooked slowly. As it cooks, the meat is sliced into thin strips and served on pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a tzatziki sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, and garlic. Gyros are a popular street food in Greece and have become increasingly popular in other parts of the world.
However, some variants of the Gyro often include ingredients that are not traditionally Greek, such as French fries or American cheese. These variations are commonly found in the United States, where the dish has been adapted to suit local tastes. Some purists argue that these variations are not true Gyros and that the dish should be made with only traditional ingredients. Despite these debates, the Gyro remains a beloved dish around the world. However, few people know how it came to be, so we will discuss the details in this article.
A Brief History of the Gyro
The gyro we know today came to Greece in 1922 with Greek and Armenian refugees from Asia Minor. Many of these refugees settled in Greece and became merchants, opening small shops that sold gyros. After World War II, the popularity of the gyro spread to other parts of the world where Greeks had immigrated, including Europe, the United States, and Australia. Despite its global reach, the gyro remained a mom-and-pop-run business.
Greek cuisine is rich in history and has more complex theories about the beginnings of the tasty but not entirely healthy gyro wrap. Some suggest that the gyro has its roots in a longstanding tradition of skewered meat feasts, dating back to Alexander the Great’s time. During this period, soldiers roast different cuts of meat on sword-like blades over an open fire.
The gyro is a popular Greek food that can be found wherever Greeks are present, and it is a favorite among tourists. It has become so popular that it is now available at American chain restaurants owned by Greeks and can even be ordered online for home delivery in Greece. The gyro is still considered a symbol of Greek street food and casual dining in the U.S. and other countries.
The Arabian Gyro
While the gyro may have originated in Greece, variations of the dish are found in other parts of the world. One such variation is the Arabian gyro, also known as shawarma. Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern food similar to a gyro in that it consists of spiced meat (usually lamb, beef, or chicken) cooked on a vertical spit. The meat is shaved off the spit and served in a pita wrap with vegetables and various sauces, such as tahini or yogurt.
The Arabian gyro has some key differences from the traditional Greek gyro. While the Greek gyro uses pork, lamb, or chicken, the Arabian gyro typically uses lamb or beef. The Arabian gyro is typically served with more vegetables and sauces than the Greek gyro. One popular variation of the Arabian gyro is the falafel gyro, which replaces the meat with falafel (a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas or fava beans) and is often served with hummus and tabbouleh.
In recent years, the popularity of shawarma has spread beyond the Middle East and can now be found in countries around the world. In the United States, shawarma is often served in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern restaurants and can also be found in food trucks and festivals.
The Turkish Gyro
Another variation of the gyro is the Turkish gyro, also known as döner kebab. Döner kebab is a popular street food in Turkey and is similar to the Greek and Arabian gyros in that it consists of spiced meat cooked on a vertical spit. However, the meat used in döner kebab is typically a mixture of lamb and beef.
Döner kebab is typically served in a pita wrap with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and various sauces such as yogurt, chili sauce, or garlic sauce. It is common to find döner kebab served on a plate with rice and salad. Like shawarma, döner kebab has also gained popularity outside of its country of origin. It can now be found in many countries worldwide, including Europe, the United States, and Australia. It is often served in Turkish or Mediterranean restaurants or food trucks.
Conclusion
The gyro is a popular Greek food that has spread worldwide. Even if it finds its origins elsewhere, it became a part of Greece’s cultural identity and has been adapted and modified in various regions and cultures. If you’re looking for a versatile food that balances flavors and textures, the gyro is a great choice.
If you’re looking for a gyro spot around Chesterton, George’s Gyro Spot is for you! Aside from gyros, we also offer other selections, such as burgers, soups, salads, and desserts, all for affordable prices. Sign up to our newsletter today to get special deals!
FAQs
The origin of grilling meats on a skewer can be traced to the Eastern Mediterranean in the Mycenean Greek and Minoan periods. The Gyro (the technique of vertical spit of stacked meat slices and cutting it off while cooking)first arrived in Greece in the 1920s, brought from Constantinople and Smyrna by refugees.
What is the history of the Greek gyro? ›
After the 1922-23 Population exchange between Greece and Turkey, the Greeks brought their variation with them to Greece. Following World War II, Gyros made with lamb (called as döner kebab by some restaurants) was present in Athens. It was likely introduced by immigrants from Anatolia and the Middle East.
What is a gyro in Greek food? ›
A gyro (pronounced YEE-row) is a Greek dish that is typically served on a pita. Made with stacked meat that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie, "gyro" means "round" in Greek. In Greece, gyros are traditionally made with pork, but chicken is also common, and the slices of meat are stacked on a spit.
Why is gyros popular in Greece? ›
Gyros arrived in Greece with the hundreds of thousands of Greek and Armenian refugees from Asia Minor after the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1922. Most arrived from Smyrna (Ismir) and Constantinople. The migrants built tiny shops selling Gyros, which helped boost the prominence of the meal.
What is the meaning of gyros? ›
plural gyros. : a sandwich especially of lamb and beef, tomato, onion, and yogurt sauce on pita bread. Etymology. Noun. from Greek gyros "turn," so called from the rotation of the meat on a spit.
Is gyros street food? ›
Another iconic Greek street food, gyros is thinly sliced meat of pork or chicken seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices.
What food did ancient Greeks eat? ›
The Ancient Greeks would eat eggs from quail and hens, fish, legumes, olives, cheeses, bread, figs, and any vegetables they could grow, which might include arugula, asparagus, cabbage, carrots and cucumbers. As previously stated, meats were reserved for the wealthy.
What do Greeks eat with gyros? ›
Top 6 Side Dishes That Pair Well with Gyros
- Tzatziki Sauce. Tzatziki is a traditional Greek yogurt-based sauce that perfectly accompanies gyros. ...
- Greek Salad. ...
- Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) ...
- Greek Potatoes. ...
- Spanakopita (Spinach and Feta Pie) ...
- Pita Chips and Hummus.
Gyro is frequently used as shorthand for gyroscope, a device that can determine the direction or speed of an attached object. When the word is pronounced YEE-roh, you've got an entirely different gryo, a Greek sandwich made with roasted meat and sauce (and sometimes French fries) stuffed into a round pita pocket.
What does Greek gyro meat taste like? ›
Gyros get their distinctive taste not only from the slowly roasted meat but also from traditional Mediterranean seasonings. The meat is generously spiced with dried oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper before cooking. These herbs and savory spices infuse the meat with aroma and Greek character.
The Mediterranean diet — which includes many Greek dishes — is known as the healthiest way of eating. These simple-to-make pork and chicken gyros fit into the Mediterranean diet, delivering both heart and brain health benefits. Many people following a heart healthy diet avoid pork because they think all pork is fatty.
Why are gyros so delicious? ›
Gyros are a type of Mediterranean dish that combines fresh vegetables, such as red onions and tomatoes, with yogurt, cucumber, and dill to create a unique, flavorful dish. The combination of ingredients gives the dish a classic Mediterranean flavor.
Do Greeks eat lamb or goat? ›
We, the Greeks, love our meat and the most common traditional dishes will include pork, lamb, beef, goat, chicken, veal and rabbit not necessarily in that order.
What is the history of gyros? ›
The origin of grilling meats on a skewer can be traced to the Eastern Mediterranean in the Mycenean Greek and Minoan periods. The Gyro (the technique of vertical spit of stacked meat slices and cutting it off while cooking)first arrived in Greece in the 1920s, brought from Constantinople and Smyrna by refugees.
What the heck is a gyro? ›
noun. , Greek Cooking. meat, usually lamb, roasted on a vertical spit, then thinly sliced, topped with onions, and usually served in a sandwich of pita bread.
What is the history of Greek Koulourakia? ›
History. Koulourakia have been prepared since at least the time of the Minoan civilization. The Minoans sometimes prepared the pastries like small snakes, because they worshiped the snake for its healing powers.
What is the Greek flying myth? ›
Icarus ignored Daedalus's instructions not to fly too close to the sun, causing the beeswax in his wings to melt. Icarus fell from the sky, plunged into the sea, and drowned. The myth gave rise to the idiom, "fly too close to the sun." In some versions of the tale, Daedalus and Icarus escape by ship.
What is the history of the Greek chariot? ›
In ancient Greece, one of the most gripping--and dangerous--athletic events for both horses and men was the chariot race, a sport that dates back at least to 700 BC. Spectators gathered to watch as horse teams pulled drivers in two-wheeled carts around a track with hairpin turns at each end.
What is the history behind Greek gods? ›
It is difficult to know when Greek mythology started, as it is believed to have stemmed from centuries of oral tradition. It is likely that Greek myths evolved from stories told in the Minoan civilization of Crete, which flourished from about 3000 to 1100 BCE.
