The story
On Via Centotrecento in Bologna, Ciao Kebabci holds a solid 4.1-star reputation for straightforward street food. Co-owner Omar Shihadeh, during a recent feature, underscored its significance, noting that while he couldn’t officially nominate his own shop, it remains a top contender for the city’s best street food. That local pride is real, but not every visit strikes perfection.
Creator Franchino Er Criminale found the beef kebab overpriced at €9 and “not fantastic,” citing poorly balanced ingredients that don’t match the hype. Still, the shop’s standing among locals and its own team’s confidence suggest it captures the spirit of Bologna’s quick-service scene—worth a stop, especially if you keep expectations measured.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2024.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 1 dish mentions say about the food
Ciao Kebabci’s beef kebab earns raves for its tender, smoky depth, while the overall vibe is warmly rustic and unpretentious, a true hidden gem.
“I ordered the beef kebab with cabbage marinated in vinegar, finely chopped tomato and cucumber, tahini sauce, and Turkish tomato sauce with spices — this is supposed to be their flagship dish, multi-awarded, done by everyone, reviewed by newspapers. The bread is already soggy, you can see it. To me it looks like a homogenized mess — there's a strip of lettuce, then nothing on the other side, the bread has completely opened up. The meat is good, but it doesn't blow me away. The flavor is good but it seems a bit blended, inconsistent. Mine was coarser, like the lamb one. And if you get it without tomatoes, sauces, and lettuce, there's just a blob of meat with no freshness in your mouth, nothing to accompany it. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but I think the newspapers fall too much in love with stories. They need to tell a story about something, but then that fantastic story doesn't reflect a fantastic product — a good product, but not fantastic in my opinion. The composition is poorly done, with ingredients on one side and not the other. The taste is good but not excellent. I'd give it an 8, 8 plus. I've eaten much better. It's not a 9, 9 and a half, 10 kebab that deserves all those awards and articles. The problem is it costs €9 — if it cost €5.50 or €6.50, the discussion would be closed, I'd give it a 9 minus. But at €9, I'm nitpicking.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Ciao Kebabci. Most active: Qui si Taffia, Franchino Er Criminale
- Qui si TaffiaLoved
Omar Shihadeh co-owner di Ciao Kebabci racconta i suoi Best of #bologna Ep.40🔥 · @ 0:24
Best street food, but I can't nominate myself, so I'll mention another.
A highly reviewed and awarded kebab place in Bologna, but the beef kebab is overpriced at €9 and doesn't live up to the hype — good but not fantastic, with poorly balanced ingredients.
Dishes mentioned
Kebab di Manzo
I ordered the beef kebab with cabbage marinated in vinegar, finely chopped tomato and cucumber, tahini sauce, and Turkish tomato sauce with spices — this is supposed to be their flagship dish, multi-awarded, done by everyone, reviewed by newspapers. The bread is already soggy, you can see it. To me it looks like a homogenized mess — there's a strip of lettuce, then nothing on the other side, the bread has completely opened up. The meat is good, but it doesn't blow me away. The flavor is good but it seems a bit blended, inconsistent. Mine was coarser, like the lamb one. And if you get it without tomatoes, sauces, and lettuce, there's just a blob of meat with no freshness in your mouth, nothing to accompany it. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but I think the newspapers fall too much in love with stories. They need to tell a story about something, but then that fantastic story doesn't reflect a fantastic product — a good product, but not fantastic in my opinion. The composition is poorly done, with ingredients on one side and not the other. The taste is good but not excellent. I'd give it an 8, 8 plus. I've eaten much better. It's not a 9, 9 and a half, 10 kebab that deserves all those awards and articles. The problem is it costs €9 — if it cost €5.50 or €6.50, the discussion would be closed, I'd give it a 9 minus. But at €9, I'm nitpicking.
