What Is Gyro? And Why Should You Try It In Las Vegas?

There are many different meat-based dishes with similar cooking techniques and, in turn, similar tastes. This may leave you looking for a unique, exotic taste, which you can find in a gyro. This delicious traditional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dish that offers marinated meat roasted slowly on a vertical rotisserie, with a variety of complementary food served alongside it.

Origins Of Gyro: A Brief History

The earliest versions of gyro, as we know it today, date back to the nineteenth century. The recipe stems from doner kebab, a dish that was being prepared in Bursa, in the Ottoman Empire, by stacking slices of meat on top of each other and grilling it on a spit. Soon after, a variation of doner kebab became more common in Greece, its popularity reaching its peak following World War II. Immigrants from Anatolia and other places in the Middle East had introduced the recipe in Athens early in the twentieth century, and the recipe for gyro was eventually developed.

In the latter half of the twentieth century, the gyro was being consumed as a wrapped sandwich — rapidly becoming one of the most sought out fast foods of the time. Moreover, as vertical rotisseries were starting to be mass produced, their consumption only increased and was presented to numerous new countries in Europe.

What Is Gyro Made Of?

The gyro meat can be made out of many different types of meat, depending on the type of gyro being cooked and the culture it is adapted to. In Greece, for instance, gyro may be made with pork. However, in the Middle East, beef, lamb and chicken are much more commonly used.

What Types of Gyro Are There?

The most popular types of gyro are chicken and beef/lamb gyro. There are slight differences between the preparation of the two dishes.

Beef and Lamb Gyro

Although there are many ways to prepare gyro meat with beef and lamb meat separately, the dish that Laila Turkish Grill typically cooks mixes lamb with ground beef. The distinct tastes of these meats together, soaked in marinating sauce and paired with pita bread and rice pilaf, form the basis of the dish that is known as a beef gyro.

Chicken Gyro (Shawarma)

Chicken is used most commonly in gyro that’s added to wraps and sandwiches, but with its distinctive roasting technique and preparation style, it is also very tasty as a separate entrée dish.

How Is Gyro Prepared and Served?

In terms of its preparation, the gyro is one of the unique meat-based dishes. The meat used (beef, lamb, or chicken) is marinated with oil and a variety of colorful spices, including salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and more. The spices in the blend differ depending on what type of gyro is being made. The meat is then placed on a vertical rotating spit and slowly cooked. When it appears juicy enough, thin slices are cut off.

These sliced pieces of meat are served on a plate with the options of pita bread and rice pilaf complimenting the gyro meat. Lettuce, tomatoes, and onions are also optionally included to enhance the taste.

Why Should You Try Beef & Chicken Gyro at Laila Turkish Grill In Las Vegas?

Laila Turkish Grill offers expertly cooked, delicious gyro with unique recipes that include different meats, marinating sauces and complementary food like pita bread, French and feta fries, rice pilaf, and various seasoned vegetables served with it to enhance the taste of the meal. Do yourself a favour and give this exotic dish a try at Laila’s Turkish Grill!