Gyro (food)

A gyro (pronounced YEER-oh or ZHEER-oh) is a traditional Greek dish comprising meat roasted on a vertical spit. It is often served sandwiched within pita bread, accompanied by ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and the classic Greek tzatziki sauce.

Preparation

Gyro preparation begins with placing meat on a tall vertical spit, which turns before a heat source, typically an electric broiler. If the meat lacks adequate fat, fat strips are added to ensure that the roasting meat retains its moistness and acquires a crispy exterior. Roasting parameters, such as the heat's intensity and its distance from the meat, can be adjusted based on consumption rates. Once cooked, the meat's outer layer is thinly sliced in vertical shavings. The resultant meat is typically served in a lightly grilled, oiled pita, rolled alongside various salads and sauces.

Etymology

The term "gyro" is derived from the Greek word γύρος, meaning 'turn'. This is a calque of the Turkish word döner, which also means "turn". The word döner was previously used in Greece, where it was spelled as ντονέρ (pronounced [doˈner]). Although the Greek pronunciation is [ˈʝiros], English speakers often pronounce it as or. At times, it's also pronounced as /ˈɡɪəroʊ/ or /ˈjɪəroʊ/. Interestingly, the Greek word's terminal 's' is frequently interpreted as a plural in English.

Origins

The gyro shares similarities with the Middle Eastern dish shawarma and the Mexican tacos al pastor. However, its primary influence is the Turkish doner kebab, a dish conceptualized in Bursa during the 19th century. Though bearing resemblance to tacos, gyros distinctly belong to the sandwich category. What sets them apart from other semi-folded handheld foods is their completely wrapped design, save for the unsealed lower flap.

See Also

• Tzatziki sauce
• Shawarma
• Doner kebab
• Tacos al pastor