Short answer
A gyro is a Greek sandwich of meat roasted on a vertical spit, shaved thin and wrapped in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki sauce. It is close to shawarma but differs in seasoning, sauce and bread.
A gyro is a Greek sandwich of meat roasted on a vertical spit, shaved into thin slices and wrapped in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki, a cool yogurt and cucumber sauce. A gyro is related to shawarma and doner kebab, but its oregano seasoning, tzatziki and thick pita set it apart.
What is a gyro?
A gyro is a Greek street food made from meat cooked on a vertical rotating spit, served in a warm pita. The word is Greek for turn, and it is pronounced YEE-roh in Greek and often JY-roh in English.
The dish became popular in Athens and Thessaloniki in the twentieth century and is generally considered the Greek relative of the Turkish doner kebab. Exactly how the two are connected is a matter of debate, and sources disagree about the path it took.
What is a gyro made of?
A gyro is made of seasoned meat, a thick pita, vegetables and a sauce. The meat is cooked on a spit and shaved to order.
- Meat: chicken, lamb, beef or a mixture of lamb and beef
- Bread: a thick, soft, round pita, grilled or warmed
- Vegetables: tomato, onion and sometimes lettuce
- Sauce: tzatziki
- Extras: fries tucked inside, in Greece, and feta or hot pepper in some places
In the United States, a gyro cone is often made from ground lamb and beef that is seasoned, compressed and sliced. A chicken gyro uses stacked chicken pieces instead.
What is tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a Greek sauce of strained yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil and often lemon or dill. It is tangy and cool and balances the richness of the meat.
Drain the cucumber well, or the sauce turns watery. Thick Greek yogurt gives the best texture. Tzatziki is eaten with grilled meats, bread and vegetables, not only in a gyro.
Gyro vs shawarma: what is the difference?
Gyro and shawarma share a method, meat shaved from a vertical spit, but gyro is Greek and shawarma is Middle Eastern, and they differ in seasoning, sauce and bread.
| Feature | Gyro | Shawarma |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Greece | Levant and the Middle East |
| Seasoning | Oregano, garlic, thyme, marjoram | Cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, paprika |
| Sauce | Tzatziki | Garlic sauce or tahini |
| Bread | Thick, soft pita | Thin lavash, saj or pita |
| Toppings | Tomato, onion | Pickles, sumac onions, tomato, cucumber |
Both are served as wraps, but a shawarma is often thinner and rolled tight, while a gyro sits open in a thick pita.
How is a gyro different from a doner kebab?
A doner kebab is the Turkish version of spit-roasted meat, and it is usually served in flatbread or a split roll with salad and yogurt or chili sauce. A gyro is the Greek counterpart.
The cooking idea is the same: meat stacked on a vertical spit and sliced as it browns. The names, languages and accompaniments differ, and so does the seasoning. The three dishes belong to one family of spit-roasted meat that spread across the eastern Mediterranean.
How do you eat a gyro?
Hold the gyro by the paper or foil at the bottom, fold the pita around the filling and eat it from the top. The wrapper catches drips.
- Hold the gyro upright in its paper.
- Take small bites from the top, working down.
- Peel the paper back as you go.
- Fork any fallen meat and sauce into the pita.
A gyro plate skips the pita as a wrap and serves meat, tzatziki, salad and sliced pita on a dish, for eating with a fork.
Is a gyro on the Shawarma Center menu?
No. The Uber Eats store page for Shawarma Center, read on November 13, 2026, does not list a gyro, so this guide cannot say that the shop sells one.
The closest item at the shop is shawarma, for example the Chicken Shawarma Lavash at $16.89 and the Lamb & Beef Shawarma Lavash at $19.49 on that page, with shepherd salad, sumac onions, lettuce and tomatoes. Those are delivery-app prices that may differ in the shop. Ask the shop before assuming it makes anything else.
See the menu page and the hours and location page. This guide is independent and takes no orders.
How do you choose a good gyro?
A good gyro has meat with browned edges, soft but not soggy bread, fresh vegetables and a sauce that is tangy rather than watery. These signs are easy to check by sight.
- Meat shaved to order from the spit, rather than pre-sliced and held for a long time
- Warm pita that is pliable, not dry or cracked
- Tomatoes and onions that are crisp
- Tzatziki that is thick and smells of garlic and cucumber
- A wrap that is firm and hot, not lukewarm
At a counter, ask whether the meat is chicken, lamb and beef, or a mix, so you know what you are eating.
What should you serve with a gyro?
A gyro goes well with fries, a Greek-style salad, rice or hummus. The sides add crunch, acid and creaminess to balance the meat.
| Side | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Fries | Salty and crisp |
| Greek salad | Tomato, cucumber, olives and feta for freshness |
| Rice | Soaks up the sauce on a plate |
| Hummus and pita | Adds a creamy dip |
| Lemon wedges | A bright finish for the meat |
A plain yogurt drink or water also pairs naturally with the salty, garlicky flavors.
How do you make a gyro at home?
For a home gyro, marinate thin slices of meat with oregano, garlic, lemon and olive oil, cook them in a hot skillet or oven, and serve them in warm pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki.
- Slice chicken thighs or lamb thin and marinate for at least two hours.
- Sear in a hot skillet until browned, or roast at 450°F.
- Warm the pita in a dry pan.
- Fill with the meat, tomato, onion and a spoonful of tzatziki.
- Fold and serve immediately.
Chicken must reach 165°F inside, and ground lamb patties or loaves should reach 160°F.
Common questions
How do you pronounce gyro?
In English it is usually said YEE-roh or JY-roh. The Greek word is closer to YEE-ros, and it means turn, from the rotating spit.
What is gyro meat made of?
Chicken, lamb, beef or a mix of lamb and beef. In the United States a cone of ground lamb and beef is common, and chicken gyros are widely sold too.
What is tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a Greek sauce of strained yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil and often dill or lemon. It is cool and tangy and is the standard sauce on a gyro.
Is a gyro healthy?
That depends on the portion, the meat and the extras, so no general answer fits. The ingredients are meat, bread, vegetables and yogurt sauce, and the menu or the cook can tell you what is in a specific one.
Can you make a gyro at home?
Yes. Marinate sliced meat with oregano, garlic and lemon, roast or sear it, and serve it in warm pita with tzatziki, tomato and onion. The homemade version is a sliced-meat gyro rather than a spit-roasted cone.
Planning a visit? Start with Shawarma Center Brooklyn: address, opening hours, menu and directions in one place.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Shawarma Center itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.