Omar's Gyros

I was by there the other day to get my hair cut, and noticed that the windows were papered over, and there was an official looking yellow document on the door, stating that the place had been shut down. I called their number, and the phone had been disconnected. This is very, very unfortunate, as they had some of the best hummus and Gyros in town.

Yeah, I noticed that recently, too. It got me thinking about the Marakkesh(?is that the name?) Express less than a block away. I've gotten carry out from them twice and both times were not very good. Room temperature soup and bland food. I looked at the menu on the door again recently, and I really wanna like it. Anyway, as far as Omar's, huge loss. I loved it, but alas I am guilty of not going often enough. You may look into Zaytun at the other end of Bardstown Road next to the Left Field Lounge. It's a new local and really fresh.

Question: Is gyros pronounced "here-os"?

There's a WC Slider bet riding on this one.

I've mostly heard "Yee-roh" but sometimes have heard people say "Jai-Roh"

I've personally never heard "HERO" used in this context.

We are very sad about the loss of Omar's also. The owners was a really great guy. I feel bad for him.

"Yeer- o's" is the way they pronounce it in Chicago, New York and in Greece. Here I hear folks saying - "guy-roes"- which always makes me cringe.

DEb

We are very sad about the loss of Omar's also. The owners was a really great guy. I feel bad for him.

We always enjoyed going in there and talking to him about random stuff. Great guy! Great food too. I'll miss getting my hummus/gyro fix.

[Robin Garr]

Question: Is gyros pronounced "here-os"?

I like to think this is definitive: It's from my original review on the first Omar's:

Believe it or not, it has been almost 25 years since the late and lamented Papa Toosweets Deli at Fourth and Broadway introduced Louisville to the joys of the gyros in the late 1970s ... and after all this time, a surprising number of people who love this Greek-American pita sandwich still aren't sure how to pronounce it.

So let's get this straight at the beginning: It's not a "guy-rose," and it's not a "gy-ro." And you don't leave off the final ess, even if you're only having one: "gyros" is singular. If you want to say it as the Greeks do, let "Yee-rohss" roll trippingly off your tongue. Or say it American-style "Ghee-rohss" with a hard "G" or "Jee-rohss" with a soft; either way, you'll get your order on your plate without any confusion.

I am sorry for the owners that had to close Omar's. However, Omar sold the yee-ro place awhile back and I believe he is living is Washington D.C. ? I bet he will be sorry to hear that!

Question: Is gyros pronounced "here-os"?

I like to think this is definitive: It's from my original review on the first Omar's:

Believe it or not, it has been almost 25 years since the late and lamented Papa Toosweets Deli at Fourth and Broadway introduced Louisville to the joys of the gyros in the late 1970s ... and after all this time, a surprising number of people who love this Greek-American pita sandwich still aren't sure how to pronounce it.

So let's get this straight at the beginning: It's not a "guy-rose," and it's not a "gy-ro." And you don't leave off the final ess, even if you're only having one: "gyros" is singular. If you want to say it as the Greeks do, let "Yee-rohss" roll trippingly off your tongue. Or say it American-style "Ghee-rohss" with a hard "G" or "Jee-rohss" with a soft; either way, you'll get your order on your plate without any confusion.

I learned the same way in Tarpon Springs, FLA, but was taught down there to roll the "r" a bit. BTW, Tarpon Springs is an old Greek fishing village. It has had some commercialism move in, but there are plenty of old timers down there. I have never had a better Bloody Mary than in Tarpon Springs. The lady behind the bar made it from scratch, NO premade mix.