For the last several weeks, the first Glatt kosher meat food court has been operating in Berlinת under the supervision of Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, Rabbi of the Jewish community in Berlin. The food court, which is located in the Charlottenburg district in the center of Berlin, includes the first fast food meat stands along with a dairy restaurant located not far.

The court is located in adjacent to the biggest kosher supermarket in Germany and was opened as an initiative of several local Jewish businessmen, who were seeking to open glatt kosher meat food stands in the area. “Most of the restaurants in Berlin are dairy restaurants”, says Wladimir Malinki, from the owners of the “Best Oriental” meat food stand. “Our food court is the first in the city which sells glatt kosher fast food meat.”

Malinki adds that since it was opened, the food court draws both Jewish and non-Jewish costumers. “We have a lot of non-Jewish costumers who are starting to discover our food court. Because of the fact that the meat is kosher, many Turkish costumes come to eat here almost every day. Even Israelis who visit the city or live here, eat here as well. We get many good comments from out costumers about the food”. Malinki says that in addition to the taste, the prices of the food are another reason for the food court’s success. “In Germany, it is hard to find kosher meat in cheap prices. Kosher meat is sold for a price which is sometimes 3 times higher than that of a non-kosher meat. Here at our food stands, people can enjoy kosher meat in decent prices.”

In addition to the kosher food stands, a new dairy restaurant was opened under the name “Best Dishes”. The restaurant, which is located a walking distance from the food court, offers its customers a variety of dairy and Parve dishes, and draws non-Jewish costumers to it as well. Evgeny Bort, one of the new restaurant’s owners, tells that non-Jewish Germans visit the restaurant frequently. “Some of our customers are Germans, who come here to eat our Parve cakes. In Germany, Parve food is considered healthier and cleaner than other foods. Many German diners come to us simply the enjoy the parve cakes we serve here”.

Rabbi of the community, Rabbi Teichtal, notes that “our goal is to make sure every observant Jew will be able to lead a full life in Berlin, just like the Jews who lived here 80 years ago. Also, it is important that Jews who are not keeping kosher, will be able to enjoy kosher meat effortlessly. The opening of the restaurant and the food stands – in addition to the supermarket, the synagogue, the student center and more – is another important step in that direction.”

Photos are of the dairy eatery.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)