Let’s be honest here- there are very few opportunities in life in which you will be openly encouraged to stuff your face with gyros.
Apart from National Gyro Day, which comes but once a year on the 1st of September, any time someone begs you to indulge in a gyro is just a good, albeit weird, day.
Now, National Gyro Day is the perfect excuse to eat all of the Greek, lamb-y goodness that you can lay your hands on.
But luckily, New York City has places of all stripes to eat and enjoy delicious gyros no matter what day it is, be they dingy little street carts, or full-scale restaurants with chandeliers and plastic trees.
You options may seem endless, but we’ve rounded up the best places to get your gyro on for this momentous occasion. The meat here is not to be missed.
1. BZ Grill (27-02 Astoria Blvd)
A clean and cozy restaurant that is famed for its fresh meats and ingredients, BZ brings some great gyros to its already Greek food-saturated Astoria neighborhood.
BZ’s is worth it though-- their feta-topped greek fries and plentifully proportioned platters never disappoint.
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Then there’s the meat. The sheer amount of fresh meat this grill cooks up on the regular is pretty astonishing. The bacon, chicken, pork, beef, and (of course) the lamb are all equally mouth-watering.
And at the risk of committing sacrilege on this holiday or any, the assorted salads are actually pretty great too.
2. Uncle Gussy’s (345 Park Avenue)
saliv8 I'm fussy about Gussy's. Trucking good Greek kicking on 51st and Park @unclegussys #saliv8 #unclegussys #greek #foodcart #lamb #gyro #greeksalad #tzatziki #hotsauce
This food truck is a familiar fixture in Midtown east, and despite the sometimes lengthy lines, is more than worth the wait.
The spicy sauce served here is legendary, and complements the loaded gyros with a solid kick. While you’re here you might as well give the seasoned french fries a try. They’re always hot and always crispy.
3. Kabob Shack (182 Havemeyer Street)
This middle eastern eatery has a chicken gyro that will keep you coming back, and most likely permanently enter your dreams once you’ve given it a try.
The spicy meats served at this Williamsburg eatery are great standalones, but are even better when accompanied with one of the killer sides they serve.
The homemade yogurt with cucumbers, spicy banjan, and choice of dips will complete your gyro-gobbling experience perfectly.
4. Gyro Uno (28-01 Steinway Street)
Another great hailing from Astoria, Gyro Uno offers the ever-pleasant and always weird hybrid of pizzeria-meets-diner to its hungry patrons. The pizza may be nothing to write a sonnet about, but the gyros here are absolutely amazing.
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If you’re looking for a no-nonsense chunk of lamb served up in a thick pita, then this is the place for you.
The delectable lemon potatoes here are also well worth trying- whether you toss them on top of your gyro, or stack them as a side.
5. The Halal Guys (various NYC locations)
thehalalguyshouston Double tap if you can't wait to get a plate of delicious chicken and rice! #thehalalguys #thehalalguyshouston
This magnificent food cart is a NYC landmark-- obviously you need to be eating what they’re cooking. That is without question.
Open late, The Halal Guys is the perfect stop for a satisfying late night snack. Not to mention that their red sauce is hot enough to melt the paint off a car, and the falafel is ridiculously good.
Sometimes, the best gyros really do come from casual-looking food carts whose cook skills are anything but.
Check out 7 Reasons Why Halal Carts Have Nowadays Become Quintessential New York.
[via Instagram]