Best Gyros In Chicago

All gyros aren't created equal. While many often come served with onions, tomatoes, as well as tzatiki sauce, that's not the only way you'll find them in Chicago. And they're not all located in Greek Town. In fact, some of the best gyros in the Windy City are in other neighborhoods. All of these gyros are fresh, and sure to fill you up.

Central Gyros
3127 N. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 545-1276
www.centralgyros.com

For no-frills, authentic gyros, look no further than this Belmont Cragin restaurant. It offers two options in terms of meat — either a beef/lamb combo or seasoned chicken gyros. Pick either for a 'sandwich' and you can't go wrong. Both are cooked perfectly and aren't greasy, like you'll find at a lot of fast-service gyros places, and they're served with the traditional fixings including onions, tomatoes and a healthy dose of tzatziki sauce, all on pita bread. Get a combo for $10 and you'll also get some steak fries to go with your gyro. Gyros appetizers and platters are also available.

Athenian Room
807 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-5155
www.facebook.com

Made popular thanks to Tina Fey and her love of their roasted chicken, the gyros at this restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Park are another reason to swing on by. After all, the Athenian Room has had time to perfect this traditional dish; the restaurant has been around since the 1970s. Gyros can be ordered either as a full dinner for $10 — which is an enormous serving, especially with the lemon/wine sauce-soaked fries — or as sandwiches for $7. Either way, you'll leave happy and plenty full.

Publican Quality Meats
825 W. Fulton Market St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 445-8977
www.publicanqualitymeats.com

Part butcher shop, part cozy cafe, everything at Publican Quality Meats (or PQM) is downright delicious. But if it's gyros you have a hankering for, satisfy your craving with a "return of the gyro" sandwich, one of the few sandwiches that seems to always be on the menu (because it is just that delicious and popular). It's also the perfect amount of food, made with braised pork belly as well as escalivada, pea shoots, raita and Calabrian chili vinaigrette. It's also served on a griddled flabread, all for $12.50. It may not be traditional, but it's a guarantee that you'll devour every last bite.

Related: Best Greek Food in Chicago

Taxim
1558 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-1558
www.taximchicago.com

For an upscale gyro, make a reservation at this Wicker Park restaurant. Taxim's gyros too aren't all that traditional. For starters, Taxim offers a duck gyro made with a spit-roasted Gunthrop farms duck breast, which comes slathered and topped in yogurt sauce as well as pomegranate reduction and pickled chard. A Pontian satz bread rounds out this dish, as does a side of duck fries, for $25. For something even more original, give the fish gyros a try. Made with sea bream, this one-of-a-kind gyro also comes with red cabbage salad, fried colocasi and tahini.

Gyros on the Spit
2826 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 698-7999
www.gyrosonthespit.com

Gyros on the Spit, a Greek restaurant in Lakeview, is as authentic as it gets. The restaurant was originally opened and conceived by the current owner's father, but closed when their lease wasn't renewed, back in 2000. Now with son Dino at the helm, he's once again sharing some great family dishes, including a succulent gyro neatly wrapped up with all the traditional fixings. The gyros are available as a sandwich (for $10) or as a dinner platter (for $12).

Related: Best Mediterranean Cuisine in Chicago

Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she's writing about a variety of topics for numerous websites and blogs, and working part-time at a culinary vacation company based in the Windy City. Some of her work can be found at Examiner.com.