Enter a traditional Greek food restaurant and you’re likely to take in the tantalizing aroma of marinated pork or lamb that’s stemming from either a gyro or shawarma. While these popular pita bread wraps filled with seasoned meat and vegetables are popular requests, they have unique differences. The next time you’re perusing a Greek cuisine menu, the following guide will help you differentiate the two. 

What Is Shawarma?

Historians trace this dish’s origins back to the Ottoman Empire in Turkey during the 18th century. It later became popular in the Levant, which today consists of Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, and Cyrus. The word “shawarma” means “turning” in Arabic. Cooks used a variety of meats such as lamb, chicken, goat, and veal to make the hand-held sandwiches. A cage filled with wood or burning charcoal was used to brown the meat from underneath as it turned on a vertical spit. 

Today, the process of cooking shawarma is virtually the same. It starts by coating the meat with a blend of spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, and garlic, followed by slow grilling on a spit for up to two days. The succulent meat with its tasty juices and fat rendering are shaved off to enjoy. In an authentic Greek food restaurant, the shawarma is served with hummus or tahini, which is a ground sesame seed paste.  

What Is a Gyro?

The country of Greece stakes its claim to the creation of the gyro. Translated, the word gyro means “loop” or “round,” which describes the loose shape of the pita that houses grilled meat. Greek soldiers would reportedly skewer raw cuts of venison and other game on their swords and cook it over a fire. Later, immigrants brought the portable food item to other parts of the world, including the United States. 

Like the shawarma, the gyro is cooked on a vertical spit. In many Greek eateries, the meat of choice is either pork or lamb. The meat is then placed inside warm pita bread and filled with grilled onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki, which is a tangy yogurt sauce. 

Whether you’re craving shawarma or gyro, head to Yia Yia’s Homemade Greek Food in New York City. They prepare their gyros with fresh ingredients, premium meat, and zesty spices. Choose from lamb, chicken, or pork topped with scrumptious tzatziki, crisp lettuce, ripe red tomatoes, onions, and placed in homemade pita bread. Place your order today for easy and safe pickup or delivery by calling (212) 452-1210. Visit the website for the entire Greek cuisine menu, where you can also place an online order.