Greek Gyros: A Flavorful Journey to Greece’s Beloved Street Food

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Greek gyros are known as a delicious, flavorful street food that people all over the world love. We take pride in serving gyros at Pan Am Restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia, that are true to their Greek roots, using authentic ingredients and traditional preparation methods.

In this article, we’ll explore what you need to know about Greek gyros, from its history, to its essential ingredients, to preparation techniques, to its cultural significance, to why they’re such a staple at Pan Am Restaurant.

What is a Greek Gyro?

A Greek gyro is a handheld meal made up of succulent, marinated meat in warm pita bread, with fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki sauce. The Greek word for ‘turn’ or ‘revolution’ is the root for the word ‘gyro’, which is what the meat does as it’s cooked on a vertical spit. The gyro is a meal that’s comforting and indulgent, and that’s a package of Mediterranean flavors.

In this article we look into the rich cultural background of gyros, the components that make gyros so special, and then walk you through step by step how to make this delicious Greek dish at home.

The Origins of Greek Gyros

But the history of gyros is fascinating — it’s hundreds of years old, dating back to the days of ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. The cooking methods of the Ottoman Empire were early forms of spit roasting meat and later influenced by similar forms of spit roasting such as Turkish döner kebabs and Arabic shawarma. These dishes have similarities but the Greek gyro is a different dish with a different taste.

In Greece, around the 1920s and 1930s, gyros became particularly popular in urban areas such as Athens. But this cheap and easy to eat street food was quickly embraced by immigrants and Greek nationals alike and became an iconic part of Greek culinary culture. The dish of gyros started out as a lamb or pork dish, then came other variations including chicken or beef.

Fun Fact: Why are Gyros so Popular in the U.S.?

The gyros came to the United States in the 1960s, in particular cities like Chicago and New York, brought by Greek immigrants. Gyros are now eaten in all kinds of styles and flavors throughout the country, and have established themselves as a staple in Mediterranean and Greek restaurants.

Greek Gyro: Essential Ingredients

Greek gyros are magical because they are simple and balanced perfectly. Savory, tangy, fresh, and satisfying, the flavor profile is created by each component. Let’s break down the essential components of a classic gyro:

1. The Meat

Gyros are traditionally made with pork or lamb, but they also use chicken. Most often the meat is marinated for several hours in Mediterranean flavors such as olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and rosemary. The end result is perfectly golden and crispy meat on the outside, cooked on a vertical rotisserie, or spit, until it’s tender, juicy inside.

Some cooks who make gyros at home do so by baking or pan searing the meat, instead of using a rotisserie. The secret is to get a tender, flavorful inside with a nice, crispy exterior.

2. Pita Bread

The traditional “wrapper” for gyros is pita bread. It’s soft, pillowy, and slightly chewy, the ideal vessel for stuffings to hold together in. Greek pita is usually thicker than other pita bread, and has a sturdy texture that can take the large amounts of meat and toppings. Usually it is warmed before serving, so that it becomes pliable and easy to fold over fillings.

3. Tzatziki Sauce

Tangy and creamy yogurt based sauce, tzatziki, is a refreshing counterpoint to the savory meat. Tzatziki sauce is made from Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and fresh dill or mint, a staple in Greek cuisine. The cooling effect of the gyro balances the warm spices in the meat and gives the gyro that delightful creamyness.

4. Fresh Vegetables

Fresh toppings are always sliced tomatoes and onions and the Greek gyro would not be complete without them. The burst of color and the crunchiness of these vegetables make each bite a little more enjoyable. Shredded lettuce or cucumber slices are some variations as well adding that extra layer of freshness.

5. Seasonings, Finishing Touches

To finish a gyro off, a sprinkle of paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper delivers a subtle hit of spice. And some recipes also include a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten things up. This final touches gives the flavors a lift, and perfects the season meat with the cool tzatziki and fresh vegetables.

Pan Am Restaurant Greek Gyros

Our mission at Pan Am Restaurant in Fairfax, VA is to bring you an authentic Greek dining experience. We take the traditional recipe, high quality ingredients and take the time to prepare our gyros the right way, so every bite is just like the rich culture of Greek cuisine. No matter whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, we invite you to try our Greek gyros with passion and tradition.

What Makes Pan Am Restaurant The Best Choice For Your Gyros?

1. Authentic Recipes: All our gyros are made using time tested Greek recipes to bring you an experience as close to Greece as possible.
2. Fresh Ingredients: Fresh meats, vegetables, and house made tzatziki sauce give our gyros a taste that’s refreshing and satisfying.
3. Welcoming Atmosphere: Pan Am Restaurant is a cozy, friendly place to eat where your guests can feel at home.

Conclusion

Greek gyros are a beautifully balanced taste and texture fusion of Greek food. Gyros are a satisfying and flavorful meal that can be eaten anytime of day with marinated meat, creamy tzatziki, fresh vegetables and warm pita bread.

If you’re trying them at Pan Am Restaurant in Fairfax, or making them at home, gyros are a delicious taste of Greece’s culinary heritage.

As part of the Pan Am family, we are excited to serve Fairfax and bring authentic Greek flavors to our guests with a true Mediterranean experience. Stop by for our gyros to take you on a trip down to Athens’ busy streets.