Why Are There French Fries in Gyros? My Favorite Greek Island? Answering Your Questions!

[@agirlandherpassport]

I know many of you wanted more information about the hospital experience here but the video would have been too long. I may do one in the future but i am not sure. Thanks for watching!!

[@thomasj3421]

Where are the timestamps? 😅 Still, nice video.

[@tiffanyschureman]

@@thomasj3421I didn’t have time to do them this week. Sorry!

[@dianel.2857]

Really happy to see you feeling better!

[@agirlandherpassport]

@@dianel.2857Thank you!

[@ChristosTserotas-zm2kf]

I totally understand that feeling you described when you walk out of the airplane arriving in Greece. We emigrated to North America when I was young , and every time I visit Greece, that feeling is always there. It’s the dryness in the air, the sunlight, the smell. When the old airport was in use, one would walk down a mobile stair on the tarmac and get bused to the terminal. I still remember the petrol smell. Great video again.

[@agirlandherpassport]

It’s hard to explain it in words. Thank you!

[@nm5612]

I’m so glad you mentioned the smell on Greece, I don’t hear this often enough. You could be walking and get these different aromas of fresh herbs, flowers pine, it’s truly wonderful, and I’m not talking about in Athens.

[@magureveeru]

Fries: As a child they did not put them into our pita's but sometime in the 80's thye used it as a filler to make them bigger and i guess it stuck. I take them out and eat them as a side. This way you don't have to buy an extra serving of fries.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Hmm. That could be why too. I wish there was a definitive answer but there is probably isn't.

[@oellinas]

Pitas don’t absorb juices as well as regular bread. French fries were originally put underneath in to help prevent leaking when walking around with your sandwich. Since then it sort of took on a life of its own and now it’s just like an added bonus

[@ΑπόλλωνΘηρευτής]

It's simple, 25-30 years ago, someone decided to add some potatoes to the souvlaki to make it more attractive. He greatly increased his clientele and soon this tactic spread everywhere and became demanded by customers. Traditionally the souvlaki or gyros with pita, contained meat, tomato, onion, tomato sauce or tzatziki. (My father used to make souvlaki in the 60s and my mother prepared all the ingredients).

[@helenstamadianos7348]

Gyros have French fries inside as you take your gyro to go in your hand. Easier that way. Hope you're feeling better and better every day

[@bluestreety]

Ohh the Greek smell! We were in Vouliagmeni from September 25th to October 4th. The first thing I said to my wife when we walked off the plane at Athens airport was, " Can you smell that? It's Greece!"

[@agirlandherpassport]

I’m glad you smell it too because some people think I am crazy when I say it.

[@bluestreety]

It made my day when you mentioned it in the video@@agirlandherpassport

[@crossed_threads]

​@@agirlandherpassportI am the same. Greece smells unique. The first time I walked out of the airport (this was the old airport) I inhaled and the Jasmine smell just hit me like a relaxing ton of bricks. 😊

[@vapalaca]

Glad you are back and doing well. 👌🏻

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you!

[@Ria24Ria]

Tiffany, so glad you are better!!! I was in Greece in September for 3 weeks but I live in the northern part of Greece ( well my family does) . If I ever go back to Greece in Athens it would be so nice to meet up with you one day from a Greek American.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you so much! Definitely say hello if you see me in Athens.

[@PoofyPuff1]

The thing that threw me the first time I stayed in Athens was how to order cold cuts at the deli. I was trying to order it by the kg, and they were asking me how many slices I wanted. Eventually another customer came to my rescue and explained to the employee what I wanted, but after that I just stuck to the pre-sliced items in the dairy cooler (which are far superior to anything I ever got at the deli counter in the US-in fact, the cheapest-quality foods in the Greek supermarkets are a great deal better than the most expensive "artisan" foods we have over here).

[@agirlandherpassport]

Good for you trying to order them at all. I have never gotten anything at the deli counter. They do cut it up and sell it packaged in many stores so the quality is the same usually.

[@vasilios111]

I’m so glad to hear you are much better and back to your normal self. I would love to hear you speak a few sentences in Greek in one of your future videos.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you! I wish I knew sentences! I can say I want coffee lol. I will keep trying though.

[@vasilios111]

@@agirlandherpassport lol. Ordering coffee is the most important sentence to learn 😆. I’m sure you will pick up a few more. I’m hoping you would do a video on what’s it like in Athens/Greece in Autumn.

[@agirlandherpassport]

@@vasilios111 Well that is true! I have thought about it but it’s been so warm this year. Hopefully in November it will be cooler and more autumn like.

[@kostaskoutsouf]

I am a true fan of your videos. I really love how you experience your greek life. You're a positive person and I wish you good health and happiness. 😊

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you so much!!

[@xaviotesharris891]

As for Crete, that's where I'll wintering over on my first stage of retired slow travel. Cannot wait - just about a month from now.

[@agirlandherpassport]

That sounds great! Enjoy it.

[@k.johnson1256]

So glad to see you looking well!

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you!!

[@Takis416]

I was in Crete, Peloponnese & Athens, for the past two months. I had 5G almost everywhere I went (EXCEPT in the mountain). 5g on my Cell was usually faster than the wifi of the places I stayed in. Get well... VIVA!

[@maddscientist3170]

Daughter has lived in Pireaus since 2019......I have to say from being there twice for an extended time visiting 'helping her"...the Healthcare system is great as compared to the US as far as "jumping" on a situation flows a lot faster especially when you discover you have breast cancer... They are all about the patient as opposed to the US where they are all for the all mighty dollar. She has had excellent care from her doctors & surgery team.... The internet my daughter has is much better that what she had in NYC...no problems, same with 5G cell. I had no issue with language ...majority of Greeks speak some English... I LOVE Napfoli.....that city is wonderful. Go to Syros!!!

[@gianni1632]

Totally agree with you about getting into the inner circle of friends. I can't even break into my own relative's circle in Greece even though we are related.

[@agirlandherpassport]

That must be hard!

[@bm18554]

Yes, it is. We could never figure out what we did wrong, if anything. Most of the family have passed, and the few remaining, don't make any effort to see us when we visit Greece. It's like we are beneath them. They keep quoting the word "filotimo" We have not seen or experienced it yet. Shame@@agirlandherpassport

[@despinakyraleos2234]

You probably didn't do anything wrong. I think it's just the difference in your place of upbringing. I have found with my Greek relatives that once we are done with comparing our lives there's nothing else to talk about. I have found that the more I go to Greece the less I seek out my relatives. Also if Greek is your second language there's so long they can tolerate our accent! Even if we speak it pretty well they can pick you out in three seconds.

[@bm18554]

Agree! Especially since my Greek uses terms from the 50s as that is when my parents left Greece. In my case being raised in Quebec, Greek is actually my 3rd language, at best. The last couple of trips, we don't even bother. The real signal was when my uncle who lives next to the airport offered to find us a hotel for the night before our flight out. He lives in a mansion with plenty of empty rooms. We were stunned as we always have an open door for friends and family.@@despinakyraleos2234

[@airamsipuola5045]

@@bm18554 I thought I was the only one who was self-conscious of the way I spoke in Greek! I was born in the US to Greek parents who were both from the "xorio" and emigrated in the mid-60s. All my relatives were basically "poor, country folk" who spoke very plainly but also had plenty of charming and sassy sayings. I actually understand old Greek movies better than contemporary TV shows, but I also know that my limited vocabulary and informal, folksy terminology makes me a bit out of place when I'm in the motherland lol

[@demianastasiou3293]

I'm sorry to hear about yr health ordeal but it's good to see you well and recovered.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you!

[@nomicucce987]

its the same in turkey and israel😊 so probably its an aegean/mediterranean tradition to put french fries in gyros and shawarmas

[@agirlandherpassport]

Must be. Definitely don't get fries in a shawarma in the Middle East though.

[@aminamousa]

Thank you for answering my question on winter Islands, Tiffany! 😃😂

[@agirlandherpassport]

You're welcome! I hope it helped.

[@despinakyraleos2234]

Yes, I know that airport smell exactly in Athens. Almost lemony. Greeks love the smell of lemons and they doused their children with this certain lemony cologne, pedume, tonic water. I noticed the airport smell when I arrived in 2013, and it hasn't left!

[@agirlandherpassport]

I meant outside. My plane landed and I had to walk down the stairs to catch a bus. I haven’t noticed the lemony smell. Now I am wondering what I am missing!! 😊

[@bethmoseley1244]

OMG! The sidewalks in Athens. You are so right on. What a mess. Glad to see you Tiffany. Thank you for your insight. Greece is such a great country.

[@agirlandherpassport]

It is my biggest complaint here. Thank you!

[@magureveeru]

nice vid. thanks for answering my question. :)

[@agirlandherpassport]

You're welcome!

[@k.p.depountis9239]

Tiffany, glad to see you are well. I’ve been following you for a while. Regarding your gyro question I think it has to do with size. As a Greek living in New York most of my life, my favorite place there makes gyros with lots of meat, two or three slices of tomatoes, a few onions and tzatziki. No Fries. More expensive of course than the Greek ones but almost double the size! Case in point, a few years ago my dad visited me, and we went there one night for dinner. He wasn’t a big eater but, used to the ones in Greece, he ordered two. I just smiled! When the order came, his eyes popped out and he screamed: What the hell is this? Needless to say, he did not even finish one of them. Stay well.

[@agirlandherpassport]

I think so too based on the answers I have gotten here. Thanks!

[@elizabethco6116]

Hi, I'm glad that you are well again! We haven't run into one another in the street yet but I am in the US now so maybe when I return later this fall.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Definitely say hello if you see me!

[@costalamb3065]

IMO. In the winter, go to places with a lot of inhabitants. Meaning Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion in Crete. The cities come alive with the arts and culture during the winter, along with the rest of Europe. So if you like opera, the theatre, and indoor bars and clubs, then that is the way to go.

[@sakisathan9176]

as far as the internet is concerned, in Athens we have had fibernet networks for the last 2 years, and we were one of the first countries in Europe with fibernet networks, I think there is something going on in the center of Athens

[@salemk.3098]

i just got my plane tickets for athens and santorini for march!!!

[@agirlandherpassport]

Have a great trip!

[@BillDrives]

I'm Greek Australian, I was in Greece this summer/spring it was great and your videos helped me plan some of my site seeing. The story behind the fries in Yiros is its just a filler. It means there is less meat in them. In comparrison, Greek Yiros in Australia is salad and meat and no fries, therefore theres is much more meat, and in Australia we have a choice of Chicken or Lamb, not pork. The Yiros is Greece did taste nice, but in my opinion it does not have enough meat in them. By the way, O Thanasis in Monesteraki was great, thank you for your recommendation. ;)

[@crossed_threads]

I've always found Greek Gyros have plenty of meat in them. Aussie ones must be overflowing. 😂

[@agirlandherpassport]

That seems to be the census, just filler. I like the amount of meat in them here but that is probably because I am not a big meat eater.

[@Jacob-tp3sw]

I lived in TR, and FF or onions or salad may be added into Gyro or Kebab. It is usually added as free (or included in the price). Moreover, mayonnaise and ketchup may be mixed. As far as I observe, FF is not such a big thing (something you consider primary) in TR or Greece because there are so many other good stuff to eat. It is also a different pricing strategy. I mean - in the US, you are used to pay for everything and charged for each separately but not in Greece - they will offer various stuff for free.

[@agirlandherpassport]

I am not a fan of Mayor or Ketchup in a gyro. I do like the fries though.

[@UpintheairFL]

Great video! As a fellow solo introvert traveler I hear you. Not sure why people need to know the details of your recent “sabbatical”? Very glad to hear it’s behind you. Best wishes from Kalamata. I and my grumpy inner child “Iggy” have a week to scamper around the area

[@agirlandherpassport]

Haha, sabbatical. If only it had been relaxing. I don't mind telling people in person. I just don't want it on the internet forever. Enjoy Kalamata!

[@gooberific33333]

Thanks for your great videos and I'm glad you are on the mend. One thing I have never seen you discuss is taxes - presumably you have to file US taxes and Greek as well - do you use accountants to keep everything straight? Do you find the Greek taxes are a significant burden?

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you! It is best to talk to an accountant about it and that is why I don't discuss it.

[@maddscientist3170]

YES you do have to pay your U.S. Taxes and Greek taxes if you are there on a Visa working because you are still a US citizen...it's the US you still deal with while working overseas as a US citizen.....unless you become a citizen of the country you work/reside in & you buy property you will always pay taxes to the US as a citizen

[@crossed_threads]

Sorry Tiffany, I just thought of this question now. How did you come across your neighbourhood outdoor market when you first moved to Athens? Was it just happy coincidence or did someone tell you about it. My family has a place in the Galatsi neighbourhood and I'd love to find the market next time we visit. Glad you're on the mend! Stay well! 😊

[@agirlandherpassport]

It happened that my first apartment was on the street it happened on! This site is in Greek but you can translate it. It has all the schedules for each neighborhood and the location.

[@close2u2000]

I'm English Greek. Living in South Carolina. I'll be in Athens in the summer. I'd love to take you out with my family that live in Athens. Kallithea. Also, go to Kavala and thassos.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thanks! I am not often here in the summer so meeting up with people is very hard.

[@TexasDoug393]

My family lived in Athens (Voula) for about 3 years in the early 70s, and back in those days, french fries, what we called pappas fritas if I'm remembering right, were NEVER served inside the gyro. Here's another odd thing. They weren't gyros. Everything was a souvlaki. I know souvlakis are supposed to be kabobs, but nobody used the term gyro in those days, and we were out on the "economy" all the time. What a fantastic opportunity to get to live in Greece as a middle schooler in those days, some of my best memories growing up. It's possibly more fantasy than anything, but I toy with the idea of buying a boat and retiring on Paros (or, every other week, Lefkada).

[@agirlandherpassport]

I think most people here still call it souvlaki too but tourist came and they had to change. Lots of menus say souvlaki with pita. Come back! It will be great.

[@Nick_G.]

I really enjoy your QnA/vlog videos. It's not that I don't like the other ones, but for me, seeing places in Greece isn't as interesting. It's not because I've already been to the places you visit. I've only been to a few islands like Lesbos, where I grew up, as well as Chios, Limnos, Oinousses, and Zakynthos, where I currently live. I've also visited Athens, Thessaloniki, Galaxidi, Kastoria and Meteora/Kalabaka on the mainland. I don't know why they put French fries in Gyros instead of serving them on the side, but I always assumed it's because you're supposed to eat it "στο χέρι," meaning with your hands, and not on a plate. Regarding the point you made about why local governments fail to address issues like litter, road and sidewalk maintenance, garbage collection, and water supply - and, if I may add, as I'm studying environmental sciences, wastewater treatment plants - the reason seems to be their indifference. It appears that their lack of action stems from a pervasive corruption, possibly even worse than what exists at the national level.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you! I am glad you enjoy these. That would make sense. It's the whole meal wrapped up. That could be but I don't know enough about the local politics to know for sure. I would think that maintaining infrastructure would be better for the economy for all.

[@diannebennett3612]

Love your content...What was the train you were talking about...I would like to google it..Thankyou

[@agirlandherpassport]

I totally forgot to put it in the description, sorry! Here is the video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYm9k61paaijis0si=hsFdNhXyr9KGrP2L There is a link to the train info in that description box.

[@elenidavis4983]

Lol about potatoes in gyros! I've not yet visited Greece, but I will visit in fall 2024. Every Greek Orthodox festival I've been to serves gyros without fries. When I visit Greece, I will ask the question. (Still laughing.) Also, my aunt lives on Icaria (Ikaria) and I will visit her next year; however, if you decide to visit that Blue Zone island, I would probably watch your video multiple times as I have done with your Peloponnese videos. (I'll definitely take that train!) Glad you're better. Thank you for your good information. Take care.

[@agirlandherpassport]

You should try them when you are here. Thanks for watching videos multiple times!! That helps a lot.

[@maddscientist3170]

depends on which stand you go to, gyros are "street food"

[@vassilisioannou5488]

I am Greek, there are french fries in Gyros because that is one of the ingredients that the Gyro has. The real question is why are there lettuce, cucumber and lamb meat in the gyros in north America you guys trying to make doner kebabs or something?

[@happytrails125]

Efharisto for my chips n' gyro question 😊

[@agirlandherpassport]

You're welcome!

[@steamwalker]

Regarding French fries in gyros, this is also common in shaormas (shawarmas) in Romania (think gyros but with chicken rather than lamb).

[@agirlandherpassport]

That’s interesting. I usually have a chicken gyro here too.

[@alx_gr1]

Gyros is not made with lamb in Greece lol. Only abroad it is advertised as "greek" with lamb. Gyros is chicken or pork.

[@tiffanyschureman]

@@alx_gr1I have seen it but mostly at Easter.

[@johnfistikis4801]

It’s just so much better with the fries in them.

[@agirlandherpassport]

I don’t think I have had one without to compare.

[@despinakyraleos2234]

I think the Greek word is ' E Parea' which means exclusive friend group

[@agirlandherpassport]

Yes, it is.

[@dianel.2857]

I have a Vodaphone account and can top-up online as soon as I land in Athens. Last summer, I paid 10€ and switch to an e-SIM. Very convenient and I can still get texts from my American number when in Greece. There is no Vodaphone service in the US.

[@agirlandherpassport]

I switched to an esim as well and I think it’s great. I used to carry two phones!

[@crossed_threads]

​@@agirlandherpassportHow does an eSim work? We only come to Greece every 2 years so we usually buy Sim cards from Simcorner (we used to go to Greek phone store and sign up each time we visited) but maybe an eSim is the way to go? 🤔

[@dianel.2857]

eSIM is kind of like changing a software setting in your phone. I only know about iPhone. You go to cell phone shop and set up electronically and then in your settings you can choose which mobile number you want as primary and which one you want on.

[@crossed_threads]

@@dianel.2857 interesting! Thanks. I'll look into it next time we are there.

[@agirlandherpassport]

@@crossed_threads You're phone as to be able to accept one first. It is a virtual sim card so you don't have to physically insert it. You can get an esim at Cosmote.

[@barbararaesis5859]

Traditional gyros do not have potatoes. I have had a gyro or two in Greece with potatoes, but the fries were stale. I hear that the potatoes are not fresh, but put inside to make the gyros appear large. I always ask for the cooks not to put potatoes inside. I love gyros!

[@agirlandherpassport]

I try to pick places that I can see the ingredients before ordering. But that’s not a guarantee.

[@vassilisioannou5488]

I don't know who you are and why you clam this things but it's not true.

[@bobkarp7368]

You're in your middle forties? I thought you were in your mid twenties. I wish you well.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you!

[@kikoullini1]

Well if you order a gyros with everything it will be with everything! 😂

[@agirlandherpassport]

Me, stating the obvious!

[@costakikis8135]

try lesvos

[@agirlandherpassport]

It’s on the list.

[@UpintheairFL]

One question not asked was how to open a thin walled 1.5 liter bottle of water without it spilling all over 🤔

[@agirlandherpassport]

Haha! Slowly and don't squeeze it.

[@UpintheairFL]

@@agirlandherpassport Easier said then done!!! 😩

[@agirlandherpassport]

@@UpintheairFL Yeah I know. I try to just hold the neck when doing it.

[@UpintheairFL]

@@agirlandherpassport You genius! Will try it next time

[@savvas666777]

Fries in gyros are a crime against humanity😄. The further back in time you go the rarer their use was but they are a cheap filler so they just got more and more common and now you can't get a proper gyros unless you ask them for no fries in it. Problem with fries is that a lot of the time they are too oily or just fried in old oil and they just overpower everything else so you can't taste the meat which is supposed to be the main thing in gyros (also makes it easier to hide the quality of the meat I guess). I always go for gyros without fries and just get a portion on the side.

[@agirlandherpassport]

I don’t mind then but if they aren’t good fries it can ruin the gyro for sure!

[@costalamb3065]

Ios? You're considered an old geezer at the ripe old age of 23.

[@steamwalker]

I always wondered why people were so drawn towards the Cycladic islands which are often hot and barren when the Ionian islands are more idyllic to me being both cooler and greener.

[@agirlandherpassport]

It definitely has to do with marketing. But also they like the blue and White houses.

[@tedn6855]

The cyclades get a steady breeze in the summer so I wouldn't describe them as hot relative to the rest of greece. Also the ionians are very popular amongst tourists. People like the cyclades because of their unique architecture and towns.

[@tedn6855]

Just checked climate charts to see how they match with my observations. And I was right. Corfu around 5 degrees warmer based on daily highs than naxos in summer. So cyclades are cooler.

[@kyraleos]

I think it's also easier to get to the Aegean islands from Athens than it is to the Ionian. That's what I have found.

[@tedn6855]

@kyraleos the ionians are still amongst the busiest places in greece. The entire premise of his comment was incorrect.

[@sakisathan9176]

I have the impression that you are a bit shy. We Greeks are very friendly; that is part of our culture. Most nomads like you have many Greek friends; I can't understand how you can't do that

[@agirlandherpassport]

I not shy but I don't go out much. Greeks are always friendly but they tend to not invite you to do things. You probably don't see that but as a foreigner this is the way it is.

[@errolab3872]

@@agirlandherpassport Its different in Greece in that you don't get formal invitations, really, you are kind of expected to be out and about and such to just run into your friends at mutual favorite spots. The best you'll get for a time and place is the neighborhood and "today". Your social life predicates on you "living" outside.

[@agirlandherpassport]

But that only happens if you know people living in your neighborhood. That is not going to happen for a foreigner. Most of my friends don’t live in my neighborhood. My Greek friends know this and do ask to meet up but they don’t know people in my neighborhood. If you are Greek, then it works for you.

[@errolab3872]

I agree. Knowing how it works doesn't help to make friends if you're not Greek. The only people I see regularly are my grocer and my barber. They're nice people, but we don't have enough in common to be friends. @@agirlandherpassport

[@Swordfish-k9i]

French 🍿🍿🍿 not in greek pie !!! We don"t do that ... only if you order..😅😅.. its not tradition !!!!! don't expect to find in athens beaches like islands ... greek islands from another world👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👾👾👾👾