The History of Gyros: Find The Best Here in Boston

The Greek word “gheereezo,” pronounced as “GHEE-ro,” signifies to turn, is the source of the English term “gyro.” It is a rotating tower of thinly sliced meat that can be lamb, hog, beef, or a mixture of those, with more recent versions adding chicken and fish. 

 

The layer is composed of the closely packed stack meld together because it roasts upright, allowing the griller operating the gyro rotisserie to cut off in thin slices, which are then fixed in pita bread wraps with red onions, tomatoes, parsley, Greek yogurt, and occasionally fried potatoes with a dash of paprika or cayenne pepper. Several Greek and Armenian refugees who came to Greece in 1922 brought the gyro as we know it today, present-day Turkey. Most of them were from Smyrna and Constantinople, Istanbul, and Ismir. 

 

According to mythology, Armenians were the greatest gyro masters. Many of the refugees became merchants once they settled in their new nation. They established a few modest businesses, among them the gyro-selling holes in the walls on each street corner. Following the migration trends of the Greeks themselves, gyro began to go west after WWII. As a result, stores started to spring up throughout Europe, the United States, and Australia.

 

The theory mentioned above is relatively simple regarding food transportation. There are various facts regarding the beginning of this very delicious wrap since Greek food is filled with a history far more detailed than a finely spiced or marinated gyro. According to some sources, gyros are the essence of a long and distinguished line of skewered meat feasts. These feasts have their origins in the days of Alexander the Great and his armies, whose soldiers used to roast different cuts of meat on long, sword-like blades across an open fire.

 

Gyros are debatably one of the most well-liked foods among visitors where there are Greeks. This tasty street wrap is now being sold online and in American chains, some of which are owned by Greeks and other establishments. Gyros continue to be a consistent representation of Greek fast food and casual dining both locally and abroad.

 

Gyros today are made by Greeks, Arabs, and Turkish people alike. This delicious street snack is known as ‘doner kebab’ in Turkey and is typically made with lamb or beef. It is also known as shawarma among Arabs and can be made with beef, lamb, goat, or chicken. Gyros, doner kebabs, and shawarma are sometimes served in the Arab world without yogurt but with a thin, delectable layer of seasoned pistachios. 

 

Visit Greco Truly Greek Today

Gyros have come a long way from many countries and parts of history to be present on our tables today. It is liked and eaten in many countries and cultures alike. Visit Greco in one of our locations across Greater Boston, MA, for a delicious treat if you are looking for the best Gyros in town. 

 

Celebrate Labor Day with Greco Catering

Labor Day Weekend is approaching, and what better way to celebrate with parties and cookouts amongst friends and family? To make your weekend party a bit easier, consider ordering catering through Greco in Boston, MA. Deciding to cater your Labor Day Weekend party is a great choice as it takes the pressure of cooking away so you can simply enjoy your time and indulge in food you didn’t have to make!

 

Continue reading this blog to learn about catering options for Labor Day Weekend from Greco Boston.

 

Catering

Make menu planning for your event easy! Cater with Greco Boston for your Labor Day Weekend cookout, party, tailgate, or more. We will serve you with our fresh ingredients and authentic Greek flavors! When catering, there are packages available for you to choose from to fit your event perfectly. Greco Boston offers Alpha and Beta packages which consist of different size meals for each person! When deciding on your catering options, think about how many people, how much food, etc. you will need.

 

Salads

Greco Boston also offers catering salads for you to have at your event! Bring some fresh flavors to your Labor Day Weekend gathering with our delicious Greek-flavored salads. The catering salads can feed up to 12 people, it is important to keep how many guests you’re having in mind when ordering catering! Three salad options to choose from are Horiatiki, Crete, and Santorini. View our catering menu online to learn more!

 

Sides

Everyone loves good side dishes! Greco Boston offers a large portion of sides when ordering catering. The sides we offer are Greco fries, zucchini chips, Greek slaw, and mixed beans. Find the perfect sides to cater to at your Labor Day Weekend event!

 

Sauces

When ordering fresh, delicious Greek food, you of course need mouth-watering homemade sauces! Greco Boston caters our homemade sauces in trays and is served with fresh pita. The homemade sauces available to cater are Tzatziki, spicy feta, and charred eggplant! Indulge in the delicious sauces at your Labor Day Weekend party!

 

Contact Greco Boston

Considering catering for your Labor Day Weekend event? Greco Boston has you covered with our catering options! Contact our team today at one of our three locations to order your catering. You can view our catering menu online at any time to plan ahead or give us a call at (617) 572-3300. We look forward to serving you!

What Kind of Meats Are in Gyros

The most common Greek dish that is served almost everywhere is the Gyro sandwich. This traditional wrap contains strips of meat and gets the name from the first letters in the phrase “gyro pou sto roasted,” which means for roasted meat to turn. 

 

Some of you may have had different varieties of gyros, and many people don’t know that gyros can be made up of different types of meat and fillings. Read below for the five main types of meat that are used to make gyros! 

 

Lamb

Gyro meat initially came from the Turkish kebab, which uses lamb straight off a vertical spit. In this traditional kebab dish, the lamb is seasoned, pressed into a cylinder, and continuously rotated until fully cooked. When the lamb is too lean, layers of fat are sometimes added. Lamb is the most common and traditional meat used in Gyros. 

 

Beef

Beef is one of the most popular types of meat for gyros across the world. Restaurants and fast-casual cafes in England and South America use the gyro technique with beef because it’s similar to lamb and plentiful in most countries. Beef works well in gyros because it naturally has a high-fat content, which if you didn’t notice above is critical in gyro meats. If you’re looking for an entry point for gyros, beef is a great place to start.

 

Pork

Another typical meat to use in gyros is pork. Pork gyros are typically found in regions where there are more pigs than lambs. When making gyros with pork, it’s important that fat trimmings are added to ensure the finished gyro will have the right flavors. 

 

Chicken

Chicken gyros are a relatively new addition in Greece. As skinless chicken contains so little fat, many manufacturers will supplement lamb fat with cooked chicken. Chefs must take care to sear the chicken long enough that it cooks all the way through, as raw chicken carries a greater risk of bacterial contamination. The chicken lacks the popular flavor that many Greek communities enjoy in the lamb gyro. 

 

Mixed Meats

Lastly, and while it technically isn’t a type of meat, blended minced meats can also be used to make gyros in certain locations. All of the previously mentioned types of meats can be combined. Depending on the ratio of meat types, a gyro with this combination can have a distinctive flavor unlike any other.

 

Visit Greco in Boston MA 

With this information, you’ll be able to choose the best type of meat for your gyros. At Greco in Boston, MA, we have plenty of different types of meat for you to choose from for your gyro. Visit our menu and website to learn more, or visit one of our locations to order today! 

 

FAQ: The Different Types of Greek Sauces

Greek food is simple, but it is far from boring. This cuisine is set apart from its competitors due to its artful use of sauces. Greek chefs subtly use spices, and it can be easy to forget that they are even there. But many of them are the foundation of the dish – such as avgolemono sauce, and others are used as dips, such as tzatziki. 

Many Greek dishes have multiple different versions depending on where they are cooked. The island of Santorini is known for its tomato sauces, and Corfu uses tomato sauce due to its proximity to Italy. Using spices, Greek cooks can use sauces in unexpected ways. Here’s a review of some of our favorite sauces used in Greek cooking.

 

Avgolemono

One of the unique sauces in Greek cooking is avgolemono, made from egg and lemon. Greek chicken soup is one of the most common uses. Avgolemono is often used as a sauce in dishes such as dolmades, stuffed grape leaves, and stuffed cabbage. It’s made by beating eggs until they are frothy and then adding broth and lemon juice until it creates a sauce.

 

Tzatziki 

Tzatziki is mainly used as a dip, but it’s also a famous dipping sauce that accompanies meat dishes, crackers, pita, and other meze dishes. It is also most famously known for its place in gyros. In Greece, restaurants often bring homemade tzatziki to your table with bread as an appetizer. This is a prime example of a sauce used as both a dip and a sauce – the variety of Greek foods is genuinely endless.

 

Pepper Paprika

Pepper paprika is a Greek-style sauce made with Florina peppers and smoked paprika. It comes on pitas, salads, or plates – or even just as a dip on the side; you won’t regret it. Many paprika sauce recipes don’t contain ground paprika, but they will add color and flavor to the dish. Paprika sauce is versatile, so you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.

 

Visit Greco in Boston MA 

Greco proudly supports and works with the best local farms to offer authentic, genuinely fresh, and truly greek cuisine. With so many different Greek dips and sauces, Greek food can’t be beaten. If you are in the Greater Boston area, visit us at Greco for a truly authentic Greek experience. 

Your Guide to Greek Cuisine This Summer

If you want to try something new this summer, either to cook or eat out, look to explore other cultures and regions! For example, try out Greek cuisine this summer – it is delicious, healthy, and fresh. Here are some of our favorite options for Greek cuisine this summer.

 

Summer Mezze

There’s no better way to experience Greek cuisine than a delicious shareable mezze platter. This is a perfect option for friends and family filled with small bites that burst with flavor. Combining textures, colors, and temperatures is the foundation of making a mezze plate. Typical components of a Greek mezze plate consist of spreads, vegetables, cheese, and other small bites – imagine a Greek take on a charcuterie board. 

 

This summer, try spicing up the mezze platter with fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers with Greek Kalamata olives for those traditional flavors. Add some marinated eggplant and feta cheese, and you’ll have the perfect Greek platter! If you don’t feel like preparing it yourself, explore our side dish options at Greco Truly Greek here in Boston, MA! We do catering, takeout, and more. 

 

Traditional Greek Seafood and Meats

Greece is well-known for its seafood due to its proximity to the ocean. Greek cuisine relies on locally sourced, fresh seafood. If you visit Greece, you will find plenty of options such as shrimp, octopus, fish, and shellfish on almost every restaurant menu. It is a big part of the cuisine year-round, especially in the summer months. Calamari is a fan favorite in Greek cuisine that has become popular worldwide and is typically served with lemon and fresh parsley. Simple Greek seafood dishes include Bourdeto, and Astakomakaronada is a pasta dish filled with lobster meat and will likely remind you of Italian dinners with a Greek flair.

 

If you prefer traditional meats over seafood, Greece has plenty of dishes with fresh meats, including chicken, beef, pork, and more. Greek meatballs made with feta cheese are one of the most common dishes. You’ve probably heard of Gyros, which come with various meats, including lamb and pork. Souvlaki is also a fan favorite for Greek cuisine lovers. Consider trying beef and lamb souvlaki at your next dinner party – or order Gyros catering from Greco! 

 

Greek Desserts

Lastly, finish off your summer Greek cuisine list with delicious Greek desserts. Most people are familiar with baklava, a phyllo pastry with pistachios and honey. There are lots of other Greek desserts, not just the favorite baklava. Kataifi is similar to baklava; it adds almonds instead of the traditional pistachios. Almond lovers will also love the conventional shortbread cookies, kourabiethes.

 

Visit Greco Truly Greek This Summer

With a plethora of options for Greek cuisine, fill your summer with fresh seafood, locally-sourced vegetables, and Greek herbs if you have a busy schedule or would prefer the professionals to visit Greco Truly Greek at one of our locations across Boston, MA. Even if you aren’t in Greece, you can still get your food pretty close by coming to Greco! 

History of Gyros and Where To Find Them in Boston, MA

When you first think of Greek food, Gyros are typically one of the foods that will come to mind. Once you eat your first gyro, one will not be enough. Have you ever wondered what the history of gyros actually is, and where they originate from? Many other cultures have a similar type of sandwich, so what makes a Gyro different? 

 

What is a Gyro?

The name “Gyro” itself comes from a Greek word meaning “round,” due to the round shape of the rotisserie the meat comes from. The slabs of meat, anything from beef, pork, lamb, or chicken, are seasoned and wrapped around a spit. The meat slowly cooks while rotating, and it is then sliced and placed into the sandwich. Traditional gyros include meat, tzatziki, chopped onion, chopped tomato, and sometimes even fries. These ingredients are all encased in a round of pita bread.

 

There are plenty of different variations out there, the uniqueness of Greek Gyros includes fries – however, these can be optional. In Athens, there is a version of this sandwich known as “Kalamaki.” All the elements of the sandwich are the same except the sliced meat is replaced with souvlaki.

 

Where can you get Gyros in Boston, MA? 

In Boston, MA, we are far away from the authentic Greek street foods that offer fresh gyros wherever you turn. However, we have a few hidden gems that may offer you a great escape right here in Boston. Here are some of our favorites in the city: 

 

Committee: This contemporary Greek restaurant is located directly at the Seaport. Cool crowds don’t just come for the food, with delicious gyros and spanakopita “grilled cheese” with feta and kasseri. They also come for the craft Greek cocktails, a kicky bunch with unique names that will always have you guessing. Visit us today to take a dive into Greece. 

 

Greco Truly Greek: There’s the American version of Greek food, then there’s the true blue GRECO experience. Indulge in our classic gyros with your choice of fillings and sauces. Add a delicious side of Greek salad or zucchini crisps. And finish off your meal with legendary loukoumades. At our modern eatery, you’ll experience authentic street fare, made with Greek love. Take a step off of the Boston, MA streets into a Greek experience. 

 

Visit Greco Truly Greek Today

Greco Truly Greek has a variety of different locations throughout the city, offering authentic Greek street fare made with fresh ingredients. We may not be around the corner from the beautiful country of Greece, but you can definitely get a good taste of the experience right here at Greco in Boston, MA. Visit us today!

Our Favorite Authentic Greek Cuisine in Boston, MA

Greco is Greek. Greco is a trip and we travel along with it. And on that trip, we carry our recipes and share all the smells and tastes of home.

 

There’s the American version of Greek food—then there’s true blue GRECO. Start with a classic gyro with your choice of fillings and sauces. Add a delicious side of Greek salad or zucchini crisps. And finish off your meal with legendary loukoumades. At our modern eatery, you’ll experience authentic street fare, made with Greek love.

 

Gyro 

At Greco, we have plenty of different Gyro options to choose from to best match your taste. We have pork, lamb, or chicken gyro options, all filled with tomato, onion, and tzatziki. The Gyro originated in Greece and is a trademark of Greek fast food. 

 

Typically, a Gyro is typically packed with thinly sliced meat, tomatoes, raw red onions, lettuce, tzatziki, and if requested fried potatoes. It can’t be missed, try it a Greco today!

 

Loukaniko 

Loukaniko is a Greek sausage made from pork or lamb and flavored with various other dried herbs and seeds and sometimes smoked over woods for a smoky aroma. Loukaniko is typically served as a mezze, often sliced and fried. It can also be cooked into any number of dishes. 

 

The name Loukaniko itself comes from ancient Roman cuisine Lucania which has also been used in Greece. At Greco, we offer Loukaniko with pork and leek sausage, onion, tomato, and a delicious dipping mustard sauce.

 

Homemade Greek Sauces 

Served with pita is best, but can really go well with any dish, these sauces of Greece in the best form possible. Made with fresh ingredients and homemade in-house, these can’t be beaten. 

• Tzatziki
• Spicy Feta
• Charred Eggplant
• Pepper Paprika
• Lemon Yogurt

 

Loukoumades 

Who doesn’t like finishing off lunch or dinner with a sweet finish? At Greco Truly Greek, we have three delicious Greek donut flavors. Our favorite is the classic, made with Greek honey, walnuts, cinnamon. We also have the Bougatsa donut, made with custard creme, phyllo crust, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. Lastly, Yaya’s loukoumades come with hazelnut praline, oreo cookies, and powdered sugar. 

 

Visit Greco Truly Greek in Boston, MA Today

At Greco in Boston, we have plenty of authentic Greek fast food for you to try throughout Boston, MA. Visit our website to view our menu and learn more about our Greco story. View our locations to visit us today.