Your favorite local gyros

lot of controversy surrounds the gyro sandwich. There's debate about where the sandwich originated, and the way its name is pronounced is still a source of confusion for fans of the (seemingly) Greek-derived handheld meal.

Usually, a gyro is a sandwich made with flatbread or pita bread, thinly shaved slices of lamb and beef, tomatoes, onions and a cucumber sauce called Tzatziki. The meat is shaped into a cone and vertically roasted on a spit, which makes it easy for the cook to shave off thin strips of meat for the sandwich. Tzatziki sauce is a mixture of Greek yogurt, cucumber and dill or mint.

This version of a gyro is actually a variation. Gyros were originally made with chicken, pork or even fried potatoes.

"JAI-row," "JEER-oh," "GUY-row" --- officially, it's "YEAR-oh," but the sandwich answers to all these names.

With few Greek restaurants in the area, you might assume it'd be difficult to find a good gyro around here, but there are several places who serve their own vibrant versions of the sandwich.

>>> THE TRADITIONAL

Sahadi Café
709 N. 10th St., McAllen
(956) 682-3419

For the most traditional gyro (as far as Americans are concerned, anyway), Sahadi Café, a Greek café, is the place to go. A cone of minced lamb and beef is roasted vertically and the slices of meat are cut a bit thicker at the McAllen restaurant. Their Tzatziki sauce is made fresh with homemade Greek yogurt, diced cucumbers and mint, for a bright flavor that cuts the saltiness and spice of the meat. The gyros are served on warm pita bread with tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion. Sahadi is a big fan of "on the side". Mad Greek sauce and their Smokin' Onions are optional sides that many choose for a spicy kick.

Pros:
* Buy gyro meat by the pound to make your own at home
* Other Greek dishes available
Cons:
*Location and tight parking
*Somewhat pricey

>>> THE ALTERNATIVE

The Blue Onion
925 Dove Ave., McAllen
(956) 682-9884

The Blue Onion purchases many of their ingredients from the Middle Eastern grocery that is practically next door to their restaurant, so many of their dishes maintain an authentic flavor. Their gyros are made with thin slices of a lamb and beef blend, but it isn't roasted in-house. The toppings are the expected tomatoes and onions, but what makes their gyros special are the bread and sauce. The restaurant makes their flatbread from scratch every morning. Instead of a traditional Tzatziki, they serve gyros with their cucumber dressing on the side, which is also homemade.

Pros:
* Homemade flatbread and dressing
* Other Mediterranean dishes available

Cons:
* Missing that fresh kick of dill or mint in the sauce

>>> THE CONTEMPORARY

Monster Carwash Bar & Grill
2702 W. University Dr., Edinburg
(956) 383-9274

To ease someone into Greek cuisine, Monster Carwash can help you do that. Not sure about lamb? Try their gyro made with grilled chicken or fajitas. Their Gyro Supreme includes the lamb and beef mix in pita bread, but they grill their onions and tomatoes, giving the sandwich a sweeter flavor. Along with the cucumber dressing, they also top their gyros with their super-secret Monster Sauce. And to top off the monster gyro, they add bacon and avocado.

Pros:
* Tons of variety
* Reasonable prices

Cons:
* Not exactly authentic gyros