The Gyro at M Market Halal Might be Bigger Than Your Head

Good evening, everyone! As I said in my last post, it's time to discuss our first homework assignment from August - the gyro sandwich from M Market Halal in Lynnwood. It's February, so I figure you've all had enough time to--

What? 

You don't have it with you? 

It's where? In your backpack? And your backpack is . . . at home?

Yes, I agree. "Homework" is very "pre-pandemic." 

Wait--you're telling me you'd rather I didn't use that word? 

Okay--I get it.

(thinking)

How about if, from now on, I call it "Optional Fun Fieldwork"?

Yeah, I like that better, too. 

Tell you what. I'm going to just hand over my notes and you can complete your optional fun fieldwork when you're ready. 

You're welcome. 

Recap: In my August post, I said we would circle back after we all tried this gyro because one of my students told me it was amazing and his eyes sparkled when he spoke of it (I went to get that specifically, then got distracted by the chicken saj, then went back and got distracted by the pompano). 

Anyway, I'm sorry it took me so long to do the optional fun fieldwork myself, because: 

THE GYRO SANDWICH AT M MARKET HALAL

I. SIZE

    A. People say never eat anything bigger than your head. I measured mine, and--for the first time--feel grateful for its size. Are you eligible?

         1.  There's so much filling in this gyro, you have options:

                a. Tear the bread in half and make it into two regular-sized gyros. Eat one for lunch, eat one for dinner

                b. Take it home, make rice, and share your meal with someone you like

        2.  Value:

                a.  This sandwich costs $11.95

                b.  That means two meals for $5.98

    B.  Plan ahead (because there's no seating in the market)

        1.  Things that will get messy:

                

                a.  Your face

                b.  Your car

                c.  Your idea of what a regular-sized gyro is

        2. What to bring:

                a.  A tape measure

                b.  An old car

                c.  A roll of paper towels

                e.  Not your dog

II. DELICIOUSNESS

    A. Flavor 

        1. Gyro Meat

                a.  A mix of lamb and beef = rich and savory

                b.  Juicy, tender, thinly-sliced, a little crispy on the edges

                c.  Garlic, oregano, cumin, rosemary, and thyme 

                d.  M Halal Market does not make their gyro meat in-house, they get it in Seattle

                        1. The man who took my order told me someone "in the back" knows exactly how to doctor it up

                        2. This "in the back person" has magical powers, according to a customer at the counter next to me

                e. The meat all by itself is so flavorful that you'll want to eat strips of it plain--no need for sauce, veggies, or bread. But we are grateful for the sauce, veggies and bread because:

        2.  Tzatziki

                a. Creamy, garlicky

                b. Cucumber-y, dill-y

    B. Freshness

        1.  Veggies

                a. Crisp green leaf lettuce

                b.  A touch of red onion

                c.  A trace of tomato

                d.  At first you think there should be more tomato, but then you realize, no, the magic person in the back knows exactly how much tomato to put in a gyro

        2.  Pita Bread

                a. Soooooooft

                b.  Makes you forget about the cardboard pita your mom used to stuff tuna salad into in the 70's

In conclusion, this my favorite gyro sandwich ever. I'm very curious about the new Gyro Makers restaurant opening next to Bartell's on 100th Avenue W. in Edmonds because I've read about their reputation in Renton. 

*I suggest preparing for a taste test by heading to the highway to try M Market Halal's gyro first; I'm pretty sure the "eye sparkle" response my student described will be a universal experience. 

Optional Fun Fieldwork:

*See last paragraph!

M Market Halal
14920 Hwy 99 #110
Lynnwood, WA 98087
(425) 745-1180