06/02
The History of Gyros
Gyros are a delicious food that sends people flocking to their favorite Mediterranean restaurants to eat them. The soft bread, juicy meat, and authentic flavors of the Gyro are one of the most delicious foods in the world.
Like many foods with a long history, no one knows for sure where the Gyro originated from. Although it most likely came from Greece, during the time they popped up immigrants from many different countries were passing through.
The Gyro popped up in one of many hole-in-the-wall shops immigrants were selling food in, and quickly spread. It was considered one of the first original fast foods and spread through Europe and Asia along with the immigrants who were cooking them.
Delicious and Fast
Gyros (pronounced GHEE-ros) come from the Greek word that means, “To Rotate.” One look at how Gyros are made and it is clear why. Gyros are made of a stack of sliced meat, turning slowly on a spit. The person in charge of the Gyros will slice thin portions off of the meat stack for whoever is eating.
These are then often stuffed into a pita bun and served with tomatoes and other sliced vegetables. The result is a speedy but still healthy and delicious meal.
The fact that it is so delicious, but also available quickly, is likely some of the reason for its success as a street food all around the world.
Roots as Far Back as Alexander the Great
Although no one knows for sure exactly when or where the first Gyro was created, there’s good evidence it has a long history. Everyone from Greeks and Arabs all the way down to the Mediterranean coast. Shawarma, a very similar food with chunks of meat instead of thin slices, likely comes from this same location.
Although Gyros weren’t officially given that name until just a few decades ago, Alexander the Great’s army was known to skewer meat and roast them on their swords. It’s possible the practice of making Gyros developed from this ancient practice.
Others suggest this is an offshoot of the Turkish Kabob, another very similar food. Some theorize that immigrating Greeks who found their way into Turkey, were inspired by the Turkish Kebob and made their own spin on it. The Greek methods of seasoning combined with the Turkish preparation could very well have been the start of the Gyro. No one knows for sure.
Regardless of where they came from originally, Gyros are a delicious and healthy feast for anyone who wants to enjoy them. Succulent meat is roasted, sliced thinly, and seasoned to perfection. The result is an amazing food that people from all around the world now enjoy.
It’s no secret that Gyros are one of the most popular Greek foods in the world, and have spread from their home in Greece all the way around the world.
Although we no longer spit our meat on swords, Gyros have evolved for hundreds of years to be the food we love.