Kebab Store — Review by KSIĄŻULO
Lodz, Poland — Turkish/Kebab
The reviewer visited Kebab Store in Lodz, which claims to recreate authentic Berlin-style gemüze kebabs with help from Berlin experts. While some items had decent quality and sauces were good, the prices were considered too high (32-40 zł) compared to competing establishments, and the meat quality was inconsistent with occasional dryness and excessive saltiness.
What was great: Good sauces, fluffy bread, decent meat quality in some items, reasonable prices at second location
What could improve: Overpriced (40 zł for small kebab), meat sometimes dry and tough, inconsistent portions, overly salty meat, low-quality meat at second location with unpleasant rubbery texture, lavash bread quality issues
The Dishes
The reviewer ordered two main items: a small chicken bun (bułka) and a small lamb and beef lavash (laważ). The chicken bun featured finely sliced grilled chicken that looked well-charred and appetizing, with cucumber, parsley, lettuce, and tomato as toppings. The meat was described as having both fatty and dry elements simultaneously, with a slight jerky texture in places. At 150g of chicken for 32 zł, it was competently made but unimpressive. The lamb-beef lavash weighed 440-450g and cost 39 zł for the small size. This fluffy cloud-like bread was the restaurant's signature item, claimed to be recreated from Berlin's best kebabs. While the bread itself was excellent and puffy, the meat inside was heavily seasoned and very salty, making it overly aggressive in flavor. The reviewer also sampled items from a second Kebab Store location 1.5km away, ordering a small lamb-beef lavash for 28 zł. This version had significantly more vegetables including red cabbage but featured noticeably inferior meat with a rubbery, unpleasant texture and large chunky pieces rather than fine cuts.
The Experience
The reviewer visited during moderately busy times, experiencing a 20-minute wait at the first location despite few customers ahead. The second location was accessed by phone order with a 40-minute wait. Both locations had friendly staff, though the reviewer noted some confusion during ordering regarding sauce options and meat availability. The outdoor seating experience was casual but somewhat uncomfortable, with the reviewer sitting in shrubs and joking about potential ticks. The atmosphere was typical of casual kebab shops, focused on quick service rather than ambiance.
Value and Pricing
Pricing was a major point of contention. The 32 zł for a small chicken bun and 39 zł for a small lavash were criticized as expensive compared to other Lodz establishments. The reviewer compared prices to Doner House Kebab on Plac Wilsona, where 140g of meat cost 30 zł, making Kebab Store's pricing roughly 10 zł higher for similar portions. The second location offered slightly better value at 28 zł for the lavash, though the quality did not justify even this lower price. The reviewer noted that other kebab shops offered better quality for less money, making the premium pricing unjustifiable given the meat quality issues.
Notable Moments
The reviewer emphasized this was his first kebab video after a hospital stay and medical procedure, explaining his dietary restrictions of eating chicken instead of red meat on doctor's orders.
When discussing the sauce options, the reviewer's companion accidentally ordered the 'Hardcore' hot sauce, leading to a challenging moment where the extreme spiciness overshadowed all other flavors in the dish.
Regarding the second location's meat quality, the reviewer stated: It looks bad, it looks really bad. The consistency is terrible. Even though it's 11 złoty cheaper, there's absolutely no improvement in quality compared to Ogień i Mięso.
The Verdict
Kebab Store falls short of expectations despite its claims to authenticity and Berlin-quality standards. While the signature fluffy lavash bread is genuinely good and the sauces offer nice variety, the meat quality and extreme pricing undermine the overall value proposition. The reviewer would only return if it were conveniently located nearby, as the kebabs are competent but not special enough to justify deliberate visits or the premium prices. Compared to local alternatives like Ogień i Mięso and Doner House Kebab, Kebab Store does not offer sufficient quality improvement to warrant the price difference. The second location is even less appealing despite lower prices, as the meat quality is noticeably worse with an unpleasant rubbery texture. This restaurant is best for those seeking decent casual kebabs within walking distance, but not recommended for anyone willing to travel or pay premium prices for superior quality found elsewhere in Lodz.