Gyro Zone Serves UP Custom-Grilled Goodness

UP has a unique new restaurant ready to satisfy your gyro and shawarma cravings--Gyro Zone.

Located across from the Green Firs shopping center on 40th St. W. and Bridgeport, Gyro Zone offers sandwiches with more Middle Eastern influences than Greek. Each dish has lamb, chicken, beef and vegetarian options. Unique specialties include deep fried cauliflower, flavorful spanakopita, falafal and shawarma--grilled meat rotating on a heated spit, shaved off into sandwiches.

Gyro Zone owner Ali Abumathneh told Patch that all of his food is made-to-order on the hot grill and prepared fresh every day. It's the first restaurant for UP resident Abumathneh and his family.

During my visit, I opted for the classic chicken gyro meal--sliced chicken served on a bed of yellow rice with tzatziki sauce, warm pita bread and a salad. We also tried the lamb gyro - the meat was flavorful without being chewy and included savory grilled onions. 

With a mix of turmeric and cumin and a hint of yogurt and lemon, the combinations feel fresh and light on hot summer days.

Make sure to 'like' Gyro Zone on Facebook and stop by the restaurant, located at 7510 40th St. W. in University Place.

Have you tried Gyro Zone? What did you think? Tell us in the comments.