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National Gyro Day

Food · September 1

A day for the gyro, the Greek sandwich of seasoned meat shaved from a vertical rotisserie and wrapped in warm pita with tzatziki.

National Gyro Day falls on Wednesday, September 1, 2027. That is 309 days away.

A gyro starts as a tall cone of seasoned meat turning slowly on a vertical spit. As the outside browns, the cook shaves off thin slices and folds them into a warm pita with tomato, onion and a spoonful of tzatziki.

The name comes from the Greek word for turning, which describes the spit rather than the eater. In Greece the meat is often pork or chicken. Many American shops serve a pressed blend of beef and lamb, sliced from a cone that looks the same from across the room but has its own firm, savory texture.

Tzatziki does a lot of the work. It is a cool sauce of strained yogurt, cucumber, garlic and often dill, and it balances the salty, crisp edges of the meat. Some places tuck fried potatoes inside the wrap, which is common in Greece and surprises people who have not seen it before.

Most people mark the day the obvious way, at a counter, watching the spit turn while they wait. Others make a home version with sliced meat seared hard in a skillet, since few kitchens have a rotisserie standing in the corner. Gyros are best eaten soon after wrapping, while the pita is still soft and the sauce has not soaked through the paper.

Ways to celebrate

• Order a gyro from a local Greek restaurant or food truck.
• Try making tzatziki at home with yogurt, cucumber and garlic.
• Sear thin slices of seasoned meat in a skillet for a homemade gyro.
• Try a gyro with fries tucked inside, the way many Greek shops serve it.
• Share a photo of your favorite local gyro spot with friends.

Dates

All national days on September 1

Also on September 1

• National Cherry Popover Day
• Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
• World Letter Writing Day

Categories: Food days