# Name that dish? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205 "2009-08-29T22:17:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/1 "2009-08-29T22:17:07Z")
It could be Indian. Or maybe not. Anyway, huge sticks wrapped with meat are roasted over a flame, then chunks of the meat are shaved off into some sort of flatbread wrapper. Roasted potatoes, garlic, and spices are added (along with, I think, a creamy sauce), then the whole thing is rolled up into something resembling a gigantic burrito. Problem is, I can’t remember what it’s called. Oh, but it’s so good! I went to an Indian restaurant today, hoping to find one. No luck, though I did have an excellent meal. I looked through the menu without success, and I even asked the waitress, but she had no idea. So, Dopers, does anyone know the name of this delicious monstrosity I’ve been craving all week? Last time I had one was about five years ago in Houston. My memory’s telling me that it was Indian (a large collection of hookah pipes were on display), but I could be mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/2 "2009-08-29T22:25:10Z")
[Shawarma?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma) ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/3 "2009-08-29T22:28:25Z")
It might be a [gyro](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyros) you’re looking for, which is nominally Greek, but a.k.a. [döner kebab](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doner_kebab) (Turkish) and [shawarma](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma) (Middle eastern or Arabic) in the US. ---
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/4 "2009-08-29T22:30:47Z")
This seems pretty similar to a gyro or a doner kabob it concept. I’ve only had personal experience with gyros and I’ve never had one with potatoes, tomato and onion and tzatziki sauce being my preferred set up, but the concept of shaved spit meat in a flatbread wrapper is pretty versatile. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/5 "2009-08-29T23:04:20Z")
Apparently it depends where you are. [Here’s my previous thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=524260) ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/6 "2009-08-29T23:17:30Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > … a creamy sauce… This was probably [tzatziki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzatziki), a very garlicky yogurt sauce, which is the part of a gyro I think I crave most. You might be able to find some bottled at the grocery store, depending on where you live and how big the store is. If it’s not in the “International” section, try the salad dressings and barbecue sauce aisle. > [@SoulFrost](#): > > …a large collection of hookah pipes were on display… I think I’ve most often seen hookahs used as decor in Middle Eastern restaurants, though they would make sense in a Turkish place too. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/7 "2009-08-29T23:25:29Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > [Shawarma?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma) > [@emmaliminal](#): > > It might be a [gyro](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyros) you’re looking for, which is nominally Greek, but a.k.a. [döner kebab](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doner_kebab) (Turkish) and [shawarma](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma) (Middle eastern or Arabic) in the US. Shawarma, it is! Thanks a million–now I know what to ask for. Seems that it’s more a Middle-Eastern dish than a strictly Indian one. > [@emmaliminal](#): > > This was probably [tzatziki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzatziki), a very garlicky yogurt sauce, which is the part of a gyro I think I crave most. Yes, the sauce was _very_ garlicky… I understand your craving completely! Thanks for the help, everybody! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/8 "2009-08-29T23:47:27Z")
For your viewing pleasure: [My Big Fat Greek Sandwich](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MabT40VRvZk), Part 1 [My Big Fat Greek Sandwich](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ZM0LSLVw8), Part 2 ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/9 "2009-08-30T00:10:10Z")
Mmmmm… Probably, it was just that particular establishment’s preperation, but their schawarmas didn’t really look or taste like any of the gyros I’ve had. To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never tried a doner kebab, but I’m writing that one down on my list, too. The wiki article says that some American places put french fries in their schwarmas. French fries? Gak! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/10 "2009-08-30T02:23:18Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > Mmmmm… You do realize, right, I hope, that the whole reason I posted here is the drool factor, right? _ssschluppt-thppt!_ OMG I’m so craving a gyro now. PLEASE let us live vicariously when you find one locally. Tell all. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/11 "2009-08-30T02:30:51Z")
> [@emmaliminal](#): > > You might be able to find some bottled at the grocery store, depending on where you live and how big the store is. If it’s not in the “International” section, try the salad dressings and barbecue sauce aisle. BUY it? It’s yogurt, garlic, and diced cucumbers, though that other stuff in the Wiki would be good. Easy to make at home. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/12 "2009-08-30T02:34:16Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > BUY it? It’s yogurt, garlic, and diced cucumbers, though that other stuff in the Wiki would be good. Easy to make at home. And spices. Don’t forget the spices. Seriously though, if you’re not a cooking type, the bottled stuff can be very satisfying and keep longer than the homemade variety. Especially if you’re not sure how it’s _supposed_ to taste. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-dish/508205/13 "2009-08-30T02:55:38Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > BUY it? It’s yogurt, garlic, and diced cucumbers, though that other stuff in the Wiki would be good. Easy to make at home. Since I like souvlaki even more than shawarma, I bookmarked [this recipe](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/lamb-souvlaki-with-tzatziki-recipe/index.html). There’s a tzatziki recipe in it.