Piotrkowska Street, which is the heart of Lodz, offers not only historic architecture and lively clubs, but also several excellent places for inexpensive kebabs. Three of them deserve special attention for their quality, price and unique character.

Zahir Kebab at 59 Piotrkowska Street is a place that has gained recognition among Lodz residents for the consistently high quality of the dishes it serves. The restaurant has been in business for more than a decade, which in the catering industry is proof of customer satisfaction. Zahir's specialty is kebab on a plate with rice, which stands out for its rich flavor and generous portions. Prices are kept at an affordable level, making this place ideal for those looking for good value for money. The interior is small but cozy, with oriental touches that hark back to the roots of the dish.

Just a few steps away, at number 61, is Kebab King - a place that, as its name suggests, aspires to be the king of kebabs in Lodz. The restaurant is distinguished primarily by its own secret recipe for marinating meat, which gives it a distinctive, slightly spicy flavor. Unlike many other places, Kebab King also offers options for vegetarians, including falafel prepared according to a traditional recipe. Interestingly, the owner of the establishment comes from a family that has been involved in catering in Turkey for generations, and brought his culinary experience to Poland in the 1990s.

A little farther away, at 52 Piotrkowska Street, is Kebab Corner - a place that, despite its small size, offers an impressive variety of kebabs. The restaurant is famous for its Adana Kebab, a spicy version prepared from ground lamb meat with red bell pepper paste, and the milder Urfa Kebab. Kebab Corner is also distinguished by the fact that all sauces and toppings are prepared on site, guaranteeing freshness and authenticity of flavor. The place is especially popular with students, who appreciate the affordable prices and large portions.

It is worth noting that all three establishments on Piotrkowska Street have their own unique advantages. Zahir Kebab offers the most traditional approach and tried-and-true recipes, Kebab King stands out for its meat quality and options for vegetarians, and Kebab Corner impresses with its variety and authenticity of flavors. The prices at all three locations are similar and settle within the range of a cheap meal, making them accessible to a wide range of customers.

In terms of atmosphere, Kebab King offers the most seating and the most modern decor, making it a good choice for a longer meeting with friends. Zahir Kebab and Kebab Corner are more geared toward quick service and eating out, though both have a few tables for those who prefer to eat in.

All three establishments are open until late at night, making them an ideal choice for a meal after an evening out or a party at one of Piotrkowska Street's many clubs. This accessibility, combined with affordable prices and high quality, makes the kebabs of downtown Lodz enduringly popular with both locals and tourists visiting the city.

Leaving the city center and heading north of Lodz, one will discover more gems of the kebab world that offer not only affordable prices, but also unique flavors and atmosphere. The city's northern districts, such as Radogoszcz and Bałuty, boast establishments that have won the respect of locals thanks to their authenticity and consistency in maintaining high quality.

INDIA KEBAB at 41 Rojna Street is a place that, despite its name suggesting Indian cuisine, specializes in Turkish kebabs with an interesting twist. The restaurant is distinguished primarily by its own recipe for a blend of spices that gives the meat a distinctive, slightly oriental flavor. The owner, Mr. Ahmet, brought this recipe from his hometown in Turkey and over the years adapted it to Polish tastes. The result? A kebab that is both authentic and approachable to local palates. INDIA KEBAB also offers a unique vegetarian kebab with paneer - Indian cheese - which is an interesting fusion of culinary traditions. Prices are very affordable and portions are large enough that one kebab is often enough for two meals.

The second location of the same chain, INDIA KEBAB at 11 Listopada 20A in Radogoszcz, although owned by the same family, has a slightly different character. This spot is more focused on quick service and take-out food, but the quality remains just as high. The specialty of this place is Shish Kebab - skewers of marinated meat grilled to perfection. Interestingly, on weekends the place offers 'Mixed Kebab' - a combination of different types of meat and vegetables, which is very popular among locals. The place also has an interesting history - the building in which it is located used to be a small neighborhood movie theater, and elements of this past can be seen in some of the architectural details.

Kebab Salim at 216 Zgierska Street is the place with the longest history among kebab shops in the northern part of Lodz. Operating since 2005, the place is run by a family from Syria, who brought with them traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation. Kebab Salim is famous for its authentic Doner Kebab, where the meat is cut in thin slices from a vertical spit and served in a pita with vegetables and sauce. What makes this place unique is that all the ingredients, from the bread to the sauces, are prepared on site according to traditional recipes. Mr. Salim, the establishment's founder, often tells customers stories about the culinary traditions of his region, which adds a personal touch to the place. Prices are slightly higher than at other establishments, but the quality and authenticity fully compensate for this.

Comparing the three places, one can see that each has its own unique character and strengths. INDIA KEBAB on Rojna Street offers the most innovative approach and fusion of flavors, the chain's second location on Radogoszcz stands out for its speed of service and weekend specials, while Kebab Salim relies on tradition and authenticity. In terms of prices, both INDIA KEBAB locations are the cheapest, offering kebabs starting at just a dozen zlotys, while Kebab Salim ranks in the middle price range.

In terms of atmosphere, Kebab Salim offers the coziest interior with oriental decorations and music, making it an ideal place for a quiet meal. INDIA KEBAB's establishments are more modern and minimalist, focused mainly on fast service.

Also worth mentioning are the local legends associated with these places. There is a story circulating that Mr. Salim once refused to sell his garlic sauce recipe to a large restaurant chain for a substantial sum of money, claiming that family traditions are not for sale. The owners of INDIA KEBAB, on the other hand, are known for organizing an annual kebab festival, during which you can try experimental versions of the dish that don't make it onto the regular menu.

The southern and western districts of Lodz, though less known to tourists, hide real kebab treasures. These establishments, which are a bit removed from the center, often offer the most authentic flavors, affordable prices and a unique atmosphere that attracts both local residents and foodies ready to roam the city in search of the perfect kebab.

Gorom Kebab at 7 Firehouse Street is a place that has gained recognition thanks to its consistent adherence to high quality standards. The restaurant is distinguished primarily by its own approach to meat preparation - instead of the traditional spit, it uses a slow-roasting technique, which gives the meat a unique juiciness and depth of flavor. The owner, Mr. Mehmet, comes from a family that has been catering for generations in the Adana region of Turkey - a place considered the cradle of kebab. The history of Gorom Kebab dates back to 2010, when Mr. Mehmet, inspired by the growing popularity of kebabs in Poland, decided to open a restaurant offering the authentic flavors of his region. Gorom Kebab's specialty is 'Adana Kebab' - a spicy version prepared from ground lamb meat with red bell pepper paste. Prices are affordable and portions generous, making this place an ideal choice for those looking for good value for money.

SANI KEBAB at 73 Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski Avenue is a relatively new establishment that has quickly gained popularity for its innovative approach to traditional dining. The place stands out primarily because of the variety of kebabs on offer - in addition to the classic versions, you can try a curry chicken kebab, a seafood kebab or even a dessert kebab with fruit and chocolate. The owners, a married couple with mixed Polish-Turkish roots, decided to combine traditional recipes with modern culinary trends. The restaurant has a modern, minimalist design, which attracts younger customers. SANI KEBAB is also famous for its own sauces, which are prepared daily according to secret recipes. Prices are slightly higher than at other kebab shops, but the quality and innovation fully compensate for this.

Comparing these two places with the previously discussed establishments, there are a few notable differences. Gorom Kebab and SANI KEBAB offer a more varied menu than the downtown kebab shops, allowing you to experiment with different flavors on subsequent visits. In terms of prices, Gorom Kebab is in the lower price range, offering kebabs for as little as a dozen zlotys, while SANI KEBAB is slightly more expensive, but still in the affordable category.

In terms of atmosphere, both places have their own unique character. Gorom Kebab offers a more traditional, cozy interior with oriental touches, which lends itself to longer, leisurely meals. SANI KEBAB, on the other hand, focuses on modernity and minimalism, attracting younger customers and lovers of contemporary culinary trends.

It is also worth mentioning interesting facts related to these places. Gorom Kebab was the first restaurant in Lodz to introduce a 'Kebab Festival' - an annual event where you can try special, limited versions of kebabs that are not available on the regular menu. SANI KEBAB, in turn, became famous for its 'Kebab for a Hero' campaign, which provided free meals to health care workers during the pandemic.

In summary, the seven establishments discussed offer a wide range of flavors, prices and atmospheres, allowing everyone to find something for themselves. From traditional kebabs at Zahir Kebab and Kebab Salim, to the innovative approach of INDIA KEBAB and SANI KEBAB, to solid quality at affordable prices at Gorom Kebab, Kebab Corner and Kebab King, Lodz has kebabs for every occasion and budget. Whether you're a fan of traditional flavors or like to experiment, you're sure to find a kebab in Lodz that will satisfy your palate without straining your wallet.