The Yiros Shop

Love, love, love this place! It’s my ‘go to’ lunch place on James St because it’s always realiably tasty and cheap. A must visit for anyone who loves proper Greek gyros.
When I went to Greece in 2012 I practically lived on gyros — it was so amazingly tasty, cheap and ultimately satisfying but have not until now found anywhere in Australia that really comes close to replicating the experience. Gyradiko Brisbane has brought Athens to our doorstep.
Now as a vego I can only speak with authority about the vege gyros but my carnivore friends also gave their experience high praises.
Now time for me to gush about the vege gyros…
THEY PUT CHIPS IN IT! And it is amaze-​balls. Their chips alone are actually quite fab but when wrapped up with fresh Greek salad in one of those super tasty flat bread things they have and their special sauce (which I think is a version of Tzaziki but whatever) — O-​M-​G so good.
I work quite close-​by and I’m pretty sure the guys that work here think I’m into them cause I’m here ALL the time.
They don’t open till around lunchtime so don’t come too early but they do stay open for dinner hours even on week nights. So go check it out!
Bonus: They import Greek choclate and some soft drinks and the Greek version of Nutella called Merenda which they also sell in store. For a treat try the Lacta Oreo cookie or caramel varieties or my fave Pavlidis (in the blue wrapper) Orange Chocolate.

I have a confession to make — I don’t know the difference between a gyros (or is it yiros?), a doner (or is it doner kebab?), a shawarma or a wrap. Aren’t they all the same thing: a piece of flatbread stuffed with assorted vegetables and some kind of protein?
Bask and ridicule in my total ignorance, but after seeing a slew of drool worthy photos of gyros served up at George Calombaris’s Jimmy Grants Fitzroy establishment by several Melbournian foodies, I had my sights set on tasting a gyros for myself.
Did Gyradiko Brisbane hear my dripping salivation or the growling of my tummy? They might have, for they haven’t been open for long before I got wind of them and went down to James Street to check them out.
Those who walk the beat down on James Street would remember Happy Little Dumplings used to occupy the narrow shop space Gyradiko Brisbane now resides. Tables and chairs spill out the front doorway with its bright red, yellow and white signage announcing you’ve arrived at Greek street food paradise. The walk of hungry shame past the drinks fridge takes you right up to the order counter, where the giant meats on sticks are gently rotated for even cooking.
To compare a Gyradiko Brisbane gyros against a corner shop kebab would be — well… an injustice. For one, both the pork and chicken were both succulent and really flavourful, particularly when paired with thick cut crisp fresh vegetables. Even the tzatziki was different — we’re used to the stuff that has a watery consistency more akin to thin liquid soap and is squeezed out of a bottle nozzle, but the stuff Gyradiko Brisbane were dishing out was so thick, it had to be whacked out of the spoon.
And while there’s no shame in the AUD$ 9.80 gyros, I reckon the plate at AUD$ 15 is a better deal if you’re dining with two not-​starving people. For the additional AUD$ 6, you get two souvlaki, warmed pita bread (the same used to wrap your gyros, cut into quarters), Greek salad full of chunky fresh tomatoes, cucumber, olives and topped with crumbled feta at the last minute (a nice touch to ensure it doesn’t sit around in the vegetable juices), a whacking dollop of tzatziki and hot chips.
Now how good a deal is that?

The best way to avoid mid-​event hunger pangs? Make a point to eat pre-​event. You gotta thank your past self for taking care of your future self. And luckily pre-​event my wise self thought it worthy to take a quick detour and stop by the newest James Street resident, Gyradiko.
They’re in the spot where Happy Little Dumplings were and offer a similarly casual dining option in the upper end of James Street. If you’re not up to speed on Greek cuisine, these guys are most similar to a kebab. My internet wormhole looking up traditional gyradiko leads me to understand it’s all about a fresh pita lightly grilled, succulent cuts of meat and a little bit of salad topped with tzatziki. This definitely fits the bill with hot chips thrown in for an unexpected guest in this meat party.
Gyradiko do have alternative options including share plates, salads and gluten-​free menu items.
TL; DR: fuss-​free and fast dining when you want something tasty without the pomp.