If you are ready for a delicious quick bite to eat with a unique flavor, this is the place to go.
I found a little Middle Eastern-flair Lebanese café that is actually next to a gas station right on U.S. 41 in Lutz called the Gyro Zone.
Trust me, don’t judge a book by its cover. Even though it’s next to a gas station, you will be very impressed with the quality of food the owner delivers, and the great service he provides.
I have to admit, I have not eaten Middle Eastern food before, but this food is delicious, wholesome and tastes very fresh. And I liked that it’s something totally different than we are used to with traditional American food.
The owner, Abe Srour — who was born in Lebanon — says that “seeing people happy and coming back is what I do this for.” He added that 95 percent of his customers are American, and “I feel they are looking for something different. We have brought a new cuisine to this community, and people have been very receptive. Everyone that has come in has returned many times.”
One of the things I love about family restaurants, instead of the big corporate ones, is you really get that family feel from the owners. Abe is such a nice guy, and you can tell he really enjoys serving his customers. Honestly, even though the food is great, it’s worth a trip, even just to meet this guy!
One of the items they specialize in is gyros, which is lamb. If you have never had this before, I encourage you to try it. It’s very healthy. I also tried the homemade hummus, and that was a delicious snack to start with.
Abe recommended I try the chicken shawarma, even though I had no idea what it was. But I was willing to check it out, and wow, was I surprised.
“Shawarma” is a Turkish word that means “turning,” so basically the meat is turning on a spindle while it’s being cooked. It is a vertical rotisserie, and you can choose chicken, beef or gyro.
To reduce the carbs, I modified the platter that came with the sautéed veggies and rice, and I left off the rice. I believe in eating a higher-fat diet and controlling your blood sugar levels by monitoring your carbs. This helps you lose weight easily, age slower, have ultimate health, and get rid of cravings.
The flavors that Abe used are delicious and so unique, I had to control myself not to eat too much (love those to-go boxes). Traditionally, a gyro comes with a wrap, but one thing I like here is they offer it with or without that, and you can just enjoy the meat and veggies. It is just as enjoyable without the excess carbs.
Another thing I like is the oil they use — a very thick olive oil from Lebanon, which is much better for you than using vegetable oils that many restaurants use. Consuming vegetable oils in excess are linked to inflammation in the body, so you want to reduce those in your food choices.
The Gyro Zone is located at 18215 U.S. 41 in Lutz. Its hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
I encourage you to check it out, and experience Abe’s skill for cooking great food, and his passion for hospitality.
By Samantha Taylor, Pure Health Studios
