Keeping the Flame Alive: The Story of Mustafa’s Kebabs

In Geelong, the scent of flame-grilled Turkish kebabs has become part of the city’s culinary identity, carrying with it a rich family history and a story of perseverance that stretches back decades.

You may think of Kebab’s as the go-to late night post-club and bar feed (with lines gathering in the early hours of the morning across the weekend for the garlic sauce drizzled wraps) but Mustafa’s Kebabs stands for so much more.

Mustafa’s Kebabs, now a celebrated name across Geelong and beyond, began humbly in Shepparton with Mustafa, a man who left long, back-breaking days of tomato farming behind to follow a new path in food.

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Kaan Aktas, Mustafa’s son, would carry this legacy forward, transforming a regional favourite into a fixture of Geelong’s vibrant culinary scene. Aktas’s childhood was shaped by the demanding routines of farm life. “The tomato farming was hard work and something my parents couldn’t do forever. The conditions were poor and my dad didn’t want my mum working in them anymore,” he recalls. As a child, he would rise early to go to the fields with his parents, sometimes catching a few hours of sleep in the car before school, while his parents continued working well into the day. It was these early experiences of discipline, resilience, and dedication that laid the foundation for the family business.

The Shepparton operations remain a cornerstone of the business. There are currently three locations: Mustafa’s Kebabs Drive Through and Mustafa’s Kebabs and Gozleme on Wyndham Street, and Mustafa’s Kebabs North in Shepparton North. Over the years, these sites have maintained the hands-on approach and authentic flavours that made Mustafa’s a regional favourite.

Twelve years ago, Aktas moved to Geelong, drawn by the waterfront and the community, and opened the Ryrie Street store. From there, Mustafa’s expanded to Pakington Street and Lara, and most recently, a Waurn Ponds store has been confirmed with the lease just locked in at the booming Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre. Each location is a testament to Aktas’ commitment to quality, family values, and the spirit of the original Shepparton operation.

What sets Mustafa’s apart is more than its menu. All products, from Turkish bread to marinades, are made in-house.

 

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“For me, it was either soccer or kebabs—I didn’t have a trade or education,” Aktas says. “There is an excitement and challenge in this industry, and we are good at it.” Each item celebrates Turkish culinary tradition with bold flavours, carefully balanced spices, premium meats, and a focus on freshness and quality.

Behind every plate is a deeper purpose, one that continually drives Aktas to continue wrapping and slinging shaved meats.

“I am trying to keep that legacy alive,” he explains. “I want to do what my father could not with growing the business. At one point, he had Mustafa’s all across regional Victoria, but they did not work out. I want to make him proud by continuing it.” For Aktas, as the eldest child, family comes first, and each store carries a piece of that story.

 

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Whether it is a takeaway in Lara, a bustling lunchtime crowd at Pakington Street, a late-night drop into Ryrie Street or the soon-to-open Waurn Ponds location, Mustafa’s Kebabs continues to nourish both stomachs and community spirit. The next steps may include expansion into Ballarat or franchising, but the focus remains the same: fair, honest, and heartfelt food that honours a father’s dream and a son’s dedication.

In a city full of culinary options, Mustafa’s Kebabs stands out not only for its flavours but for the story behind every bite, a story of hard work, family, and keeping a legacy alive, one kebab at a time.

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