A gyro is a Greek dish of seasoned meat that’s roasted on a vertical spit, then thinly shaved and served in warm pita with tzatziki sauce, tomato, and onion. The name comes from the Greek word for “turn,” a nod to the way the meat rotates and cooks against the flame. It’s a close cousin of shawarma and the Turkish döner — all built on the same idea of stacked, spit-roasted meat.

And if you’ve been unsure how to order one out loud: it’s pronounced YEE-roh, not “JY-roh.” More on that below.

What is gyro meat made of?

Traditionally, a Greek gyro is made from a seasoned blend of lamb and beef, packed onto a tall vertical spit and roasted slowly so the outside crisps while the inside stays juicy. As it cooks, thin layers are shaved off to order.

Chicken gyro is the other common version you’ll see, especially in the United States. Whether it’s the lamb-and-beef blend or chicken, the meat is seasoned with Mediterranean spices and herbs, then cooked on that turning spit before it’s carved.

How to pronounce “gyro” (it’s not what you think)

Here’s the one everybody asks: gyro is pronounced YEE-roh. The “g” is soft — almost silent — so it sounds like “year” with an “oh” on the end.

In Greek, that opening sound falls somewhere between a soft “y” and a light “h,” which is why you’ll sometimes hear it said “HEE-roh” too. Both are closer to correct than the hard “JY-roh” most people default to. Our short version: say YEE-roh and you’re good.

  • YEE-roh — the most common and accepted pronunciation
  • ZHEE-roh or HEE-roh — closer to the original Greek
  • JY-roh — what most people say, but not quite right

Our gyro at Shawarma House

At Shawarma House in Ocean Beach, our gyro is halal and spit-roasted, then shaved to order — nothing sits waiting. You can get it as a wrap, or as a plate over yellow basmati rice with warm pita on the side.

Order it your way: try the gyro plate over yellow basmati rice for a full sit-down meal, or grab a wrap on the go. When you’re ready, order online through Toast and we’ll have it made fresh.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce gyro?

It’s pronounced YEE-roh — the “g” is soft and nearly silent, so it rhymes roughly with “hero.” The hard “JY-roh” you often hear is a common mispronunciation.

What is gyro meat made of?

Traditionally a seasoned blend of lamb and beef roasted on a vertical spit, though chicken gyro is also very common. Our gyro at Shawarma House is halal and spit-roasted, then shaved to order.

What’s the difference between a gyro and shawarma?

Both are spit-roasted meats served in wraps or plates, but a gyro is Greek and typically served with tzatziki, while shawarma comes from the Levant with its own spice blend and sauces. See our menu of chicken, beef, and gyro at the gyro plate page.