If you’re craving for some savory pizzas, hot dogs, and Italian beef, Indiana is the place to be. With that said, you should know that there are other equally mouthwatering gems to be found in this state—such as gyros!
It’s that flavorful sandwich made with thinly sliced lamb, tzatziki sauce, onions, and tomato, all rolled in a freshly grilled pita. If you haven’t tried this before, be on the lookout for a gyro spot in Chesterton, IN to know what the craze is all about!
On that note, here’s an issue you may not have thought of: how do you order it? How do you actually say its name?
This five-letter word (sometimes four) may seem like a harmless, small word, but don’t let its looks deceive you! Truth be told, its pronunciation can be quite tricky. On top of that, the way you think it’s enunciated is likely wrong!
The Origin of the Word “Gyros”
Before anything else, it’s worth mentioning that this food is of Greek origin. Consequently, its name comes from the Greek word for “circle” or “turn”; it was only borrowed by the English language in the 1970s. Unfortunately, it was then when its pronunciation began to be butchered.
Many Americans agree that gyros are delicious; however, they can’t seem to agree on how to utter its name. Ask around and you’ll surely hear different versions: GUY-roh, JAI-roh, maybe even GEE-roh! (PRO TIP: Unless you’re referring to that device used in compasses to help determine orientation, it’s wrong to say JAI-roh.)
On that note, to settle things once and for all, here’s the proper way to call this classic Greek sandwich: YEE-roh.
The History of Gyros
If you have never seen how gyros are prepared before, here’s a little sneak peek. This meal is made from gyro meat (usually lamb) in a cone shape that is roasted vertically, spinning as it cooks. Then, as mentioned earlier, it is served wrapped in a warm pita, usually accompanied by onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce.
If you’ve been imagining how all of that looks, you may think that gyros are similar to Turkey’s doner kebabs and Middle East’s shawarma. You are not entirely wrong; they are thought to have originated in Greece as some sort of a descendant of these two equally flavor-packed sandwiches.
While this is quite tricky to verify, one key difference that you should remember is that Greek gyros traditionally has lamb, pork, or beef topped with tzatziki sauce, while shawarma features French fries, too.
Here’s another trivia you may be interested to know: the first person believed to have served gyros in America was a man named George Apostolou. On top of that, he is also widely credited to be the person who kickstarted the gyro empire in the U.S.
Gyros are amazing, and its history and etymology are equally interesting!
Conclusion
The gyros that many Americans enjoy today has an interesting backstory behind it. Aside from that, there are a lot of discussions about how it’s actually pronounced.
Despite this, now that you know the proper way to say its name, you can now order this delectable Greek sandwich with confidence. Taking a closer look at it, this is also the perfect time for you to have unlocked such fascinating info! If you’re looking for a tasty treat for the holidays, you can impress your family and friends with the great taste of gyros—and your Greek cuisine knowledge!
Looking for the best gyro spot in Chesterton, Indiana? You’ve come to the right place! At George’s Gyros Spot, we serve amazing gyros in generous portions, along with Chicago dogs, Italian beef, polish dogs, and cheeseburgers. Visit our website to order online today!