What’s the Big Diff Between Gyro and Gyros?

The wildly popular Halal Guys from New York City are branching out across the country, with franchises opening up in New Orleans, Las Vegas and Seattle, and a growing number of cities. The Halal Guys menu showcases juicy beef and chicken served on rice-laden platters or tucked into pita sandwiches know as gyro. Which is different than a gyros. Say what?

A gyro sandwich from The Halal Guys. Photo by Leslie Kelly

Breaking down The Gyro

This preparation has its roots firmly planted in the Middle East, where meat — primarily halal beef — is cooked on a vertical rotisserie spit. (According to The Halal Guys website, halal refers to a type of processing that “adheres to strict Islamic dietary guidelines that includes humane treatment of livestock, high quality ingredients, and ethical choices.”) “Think of pronouncing it as a gyro,” said Greg Carson, the general manager of the Seattle location of The Halal Guys. So, it’s pronounced gyro, as in the first part of the word gyroscope. Not geee-row or yeeero, like this sandwich’s Greek cousin. The toppings also distinguish the gyro, with options including chopped onions, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, pickled jalapenos, hummus, a savory Ranch dressing-style white sauce, a slightly sweet barbecue sauce or a vibrant hot chili sauce. All those elements combine to complement the seasoned meat for one of the most memorable sandwiches in the world.

Gyro meat platter from The Halal Guys. Photo by Leslie Kelly

Gyros, Donair Kebabs and Shawarma, Too

These incredibly flavor-packed sandwiches are all built on pita bread, so they look a lot alike, which adds to the confusion. Let’s clear things up: Greek gyros traditionally feature lamb, pork or beef, often topped with tzatziki sauce while a shawarma is similar but often stuffed with French fries. Fans love the creamy garlic sauce that’s drizzled over a Donair.

Drooling yet? Check out our collection of gyro/gyros recipes, and explore more than 350 Middle Eastern recipes and more than 400 Greek-inspired recipes.

The post What’s the Big Diff Between Gyro and Gyros? appeared first on Allrecipes Dish.

from Allrecipes Dish