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May 21, 2018

Gyros - A Greek Cuisine Delight

Gyros - A Greek Cuisine Delight

The gyros - a Greek dish - is essentially a sandwich with a fillet of meat , traditionally pork, chicken or lamb, and outside Greece, particularly in the US, with beef & veal. It is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, and is usually warped in a flatbread - Pita - and garnished with tomato, onions, Kazantzakis sauce and french fries.

Gyros have origins from the 'Donner kebab' a Turkish delight - which was first popularized by the Middle East immigrants in Athens. By the 1970's it had gained popularity in US - in the cities of Chicago & New York, and became integrated into the menus of many Diners and Quick Service Restaurants.

The Gyro, being a popular sandwich ( meat dish wrapped in flatbread ), provides both, an ideal snack and a meal. If consumed as a meal, sides and add-on such as french fries or a beer drink would make it complete.

Preparation : Quite simple really. The following steps enumerates the cooking :-

  • The meat is cut into round, flat sizes, which are stacked on the spit and seasoned
  • Fat trimmings are usually interspersed
  • The spices added are salt, hot & sweet paprika, white & black pepper, dried parsley, oregano, garlic powder
  • The pieces of meat are placed on a tall vertical rotisserie (shaped like an inverted cone) which turns slowly when placed in front of a source of heat
  • As the cone cooks, juices from the meat are basted from the lower parts and fats are added on the rotisserie to make the meat moist and crisp.
  • The rate of cooking / grilling can be adjusted with the varying temperatures of heat and the speed of the spit rotation
  • After the meat is grilled, it is cut into long vertical pieces and shaved
  • Finally, the pieces along with add-on such as tomatoes, onions, french fries or Kazantzakis sauce are warped in a flatbread - Pita - ( which is lightly grilled ) and served accordingly.

Marketing Of Gyros On The Digital Signage Menu Board

The Gyro, being a popular sandwich ( meat dish wrapped in flatbread ), provides both, an ideal snack and a meal. If consumed as a meal, sides and add-on such as french fries or a soft drink would make it complete.

This Greek delicacy can be suitably presented and marketed on a digital signage menu board. Here are a few pointers :-

Gyro menu board display
  • Prominent display of the items on the menu board with graphics.
  • Variants of Gyros may be prepared for the menu ie, pork, beef, veal , lamb or chicken. More the options presented, better will be the sales with customers coming back for more.
  • The illumination of the menu board, with bold & glittering contents should create the desired impact.
  • Can be promoted as a snack as well as a meal item with add-on.
  • A video presentation with a narrative on it's preparation will boost sales.
  • The restaurateur can brand the Gyros with it's business eg Harry's Gyros, Gordon's Gyros - and present it on the menu board.
  • Gyros could be presented suitably on picture frame menu boards as well, which will give it a distinctive feel and importance.
  • Gyros could be accompanied or complimented by salads, sides & drinks and a combo pricing could be devised therein.