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Best Gyros In Los Angeles

gyro 610
(credit: shutterstock)

The gyro (correctly pronounced yeer-oh), which originated in Greece and consists of compressed chicken, beef or lamb or a beef/lamb combo seasoned with spices and broiled on a rotating vertical spit, is one of the most delicious eats around. Thin slivers of meat are sliced from the bulk and piled onto pita bread and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and a yogurt cucumber sauce called tzatziki. This assembly is then finalized by wrapping the ends of the pita around all of it and trying to keep it from falling out the bottom. The gyro tastes just as good as it sounds and if you live in Los Angeles, you can get a really good one at any of these five places.

papa cristo gyro
(credit: Papa Cristo's)

Papa Cristo's
2771 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(323) 737-2970
www.papacristos.com

Love Greek food? Well, Papa Cristo's restaurant and market has everything you're looking for. Whether you're looking for dessert like baklava and Melomakarona in the bakery section, or need an array of exotic spices from the market for a little home cooking, Papa Cristo's delivers. There are many home runs on the menu but the chicken, lamb or lamb and beef gyro is one of the best. The gyros are stuffed beyond pita capacity and a decorative paper wrapper help hold it all in. Prepare to get joyously messy when eating one of Papa Cristo's gyros.  

RelatedBest Greek Food Los Angeles

Good Greek GrubPork Gyro
(credit: Good Greek Grub)

Good Greek Grub
Food Truck in Westlake
Twitter: @goodgreekclub (for location details)
Los Angeles, CA
(818) 351-9160
www.goodgreekgrub.com

In Los Angeles, there's a food truck for everything. Good Greek Grub (or G3) has all the traditional Greek favorites on four wheels. The souvlaki gyros are a must. Choose between charbroiled chicken, beef or Greek pork sausage heaped onto a thick Greek pita bread and stuffed with diced juicy tomatoes, sliced red onions, tzatziki sauce and French fries inside. Extra napkins are recommended though. And, what's even better is G3 caters. Give the truck a call and have a Greek day at work or a delicious catered event.

joe's falafel
(credit: Peter P./Yelp)

Joe's Falafel
3535 Cahuenga Blvd W., Suite 105
Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 512-4447
www.joesfalafel.net

Studio City has always been a great hub of restaurants for people who don't want to head over the hill. Joe's Falafel is a great addition when it comes to Greek food and its gyros are one of many delectable things on the menu. The beef and lamb meat is juicy and spicy and broiled to perfection. As a plate, the meat comes over a bed of rice with a crisp salad, pita bread and hummus. As a gyro, the same meaty goodness is packed into your choice of a pita or lafa bread. Both come with Joe's famous tzatziki sauce.

Sevan Garden Kebab House
(credit: Sevan Garden Kebab House)

Sevan Garden Kebab House
621 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 489-5626
www.sevangardendtla.com

When first walking into Sevan Garden Kebab House, one might be a little confused that there is no garden to speak of. Well, there is if you count the dining patio with a couple of plants as a garden. But, the food is some of the best Greek in downtown LA. The gyro plate, called Dober and located under the kebab section of the menu, is comprised of rotisserie beef and filet mignon mixed with special herbs and seasonings and very thinly sliced. It comes with the traditional salad, hummus and warm pita bread with a choice of white rice, bulgur or French fries. The gyro as a sandwich comes either on pita, sesame seed sandwich bread or as a wrap. Salad and dipping sauce comes with.

gyro
(credit: shutterstock)

Pita on Vine
1253 Vine St.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 468-9000
www.pitaonvine.com

Located on Vine just passed Fountain, Pita on Vine has some of the best Lebanese and Mediterranean food for your buck. Find flavorful meat, fresh herbs and spices and a huge selection of salads, wraps, appetizers and soups that will fill you up without draining your wallet. The gyro plate is stacked with thinly sliced beef and lamb meat and served with rice, hummus, crisp salad, pita bread and selected sauce (garlic tahini or spicy). The other gyro option comes as a wrap: seasoned lamb with lettuce tomato onions and tzatziki sauce. The wrap comes in two sizes - regular and large.

Related: Best Sandwiches in Los Angeles

Kristine G. Bottone is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com

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