Kotel Kosher in Chicago
Kotel Kosher in downtown Chicago is expanding their menu. Sometime soon they will start to also sell hot foods and soup that is prepared on-premise, as opposed to pre-packed cold sandwiches from other kosher sources.
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re: Altalena
Unfortunately "Kosher" extracts a pricing premium over the competition that makes it less appealing in the first instance, so it needs to differentiate itself either in selection or quality.* Hard to do.
*The Kosher Subway is the classic example, you aren't going to compete against the non-Kosher ones on pricing and the Kosher community eventually tires of the novelty.
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re: lenchik
There is a restaurant, Mysore Woodlands (http://www.mysorewoodlands.info/ ), that was kosher certified by a Conservative rabbi. I don't believe that it's still under any certification. The reason that the cRc won't certify the restaurant is that they're open on Shabbos, cooking food. I asked them then why is Dunkin' Donuts open on Shabbos, no? I believe my answer was that DD was only re-heating cooked-already food. Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone, please. This restaurant ranked 11th in over 100+ restaurants in the West Ridge area, which includes WRP. There's a link to an older URL which mentions that it was at one time under "Kosher Certification". Search for the word "kosher" in this article:
http://www.yogachicago.com/jan05/rest...
It's towards the end of the restaurant review article.-
re: KA2CSH
yes, it would be nice, but it's not a simple as you make it sound. There are several differences between the Dunkin Donuts and the Indian restaurants on Devon. By them cooking, there is a need for a mashgiach to be present all of the time, even on Shabbos, to check for bugs, ingredients and there is also an issue of Bishul Akum. None of these issues apply to DD.
Since they are not able to hire a mashgiach to be there while they are open on Shabbos, it is basically a dead issue.-
re: chicago maven
The restaurants I mentioned previously do not have a mashgiach tmidi they rely on Yotzei v nichnas. All the ingredients can be found kosher at little to no additional costs as such restaurants generally make their own paneer cheese in house.
Also Bishul Yisrael can be achieved by a pilot light that is lighted by a Shomer Shabbat among other potential solutions.
So it is not a dead issue as these restaurants exist outside of Chicago and I have eaten at them. If such a restaurant were to become kosher in Chicago they may need to find an alternative to the CRC though.-
re: Altalena
It all depends on your standards and the standards of the certifying agency. I know that the CRC is very strict with this issue. For example, the bishul issue is not as simple as you say. I don't see any reason to compromise on standards just for the sake of letting people eat at an Indian restaurant.
There was an Indian restaurant that recently tried to go kosher under a conservative certification, but very few that kept kosher, especially the orthodox, ate there.
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re: chicago maven
Maybe the person(s) that were laid off due to Kotel Kosher closing can apply for a job at Hungarian Kosher:
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serenarobin
Jul 19, 2012 01:26 PM
The packaged sandwiches were fine for this hungry traveler but this is certainly very good news. I look forward to my next trip!
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re: chicago maven
Just came back from Kotel Kosher. They have expanded their menu and no longer offer pre-made sandwiches from Kirshner Cuisine. Now, you can get hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, tuna sandwiches/wraps, etc.
They did have a couple of sandwiches, wraps and salads in their cooler, however, I opted for made to order items. Got a hot dog (Romanian), and an oriental chicken salad. The hot dog was ok, the salad could have had more vegetables - it was just romanian lettuce, a few slices of red and yellow pepper and sliced chicken with Oriental dressing on the side. For the two items with a small Perrier, Bissli and mints, paid about $15. Not bad.
Made a suggestion to the owner to also sell French macarons and some other type of french pastries, seeing that this is French Market and all. Response: "Lady, we don't even have kosher macarons in France". Really? Not cool. Asked if they will have French Fries to go with hot dogs. Response: If you can donate $10000 to pay for it, we will buy it". Really? Once again, not cool.
Overall I will go back when I need to have lunch with co-workers, at least until it starts getting really cold, but this attitude has got to GO.-
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re: lenchik
When a business provides an extremely poor experience to one customer they don't just lose the business of that one customer as that customer will be motivated to share their story of extremely poor service. This damage to a businesses' reputation is not easily undone.
There is no excuse for a business to fail to treat its customers with the dignity and respect that all people deserve.
I had previously posted that I planned on giving Kotel Kosher another chance with the improved menu but I am reconsidering this sentiment. -
re: lenchik
serenarobin
Aug 15, 2012 06:02 PM
lenchik, your post reminds me how I've been to more than one kosher establishment, including the kosher grocery in my home town, where the proprietor complained incessantly about how bad business was and how difficult it is to make a profit in kosher food. We know it's not easy, and there are many obstacles to success...but we want to enjoy our food, and, no offense, really don't want to hear about it...
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re: serenarobin
By the way, I just realized that I the $10000 they were referring to was not for buying french fries as my post may imply but for the hood, which is necessary to have to prepare them.
Also, I did tell the owner that people are posting reviews of the establishment online, and his response was "I don't have to read what people write online, I am too busy for that" and "If I listened to everyone's suggestions, I would get nothing done". I do have to say that afterwards he DID calm down and gave me free mints:)
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