Kosher Restaurant - Common Types of Food

Common Types of Food

Unlike in the general population, where many restaurants and fast food businesses specialize in a particular type of food, many kosher establishments have a variety of different types of food popular among Jews.

Pizza is a popular food served at kosher restaurants, but kosher pizza shops typically serve Middle Eastern cuisine, such as falafel, and other foods that can be served with dairy, such as fish and pasta.

Bagel shops are also common, serving bagels with lox and cream cheese and a variety of other spreads. At kosher bagel shops, salads may also be served. Some locations also have the menus common at pizza shops.

Kosher fleishig (meat) establishments often serve meat dishes popular within Middle Eastern cuisine, such as Shawarma, along with common American fast food staples like hot dogs and hamburgers. Fish may also be served at fleishig restaurants, though it cannot be served on the same plate as meat.

The world's first kosher Subway restaurant opened in Cleveland and was followed by kosher Subways in Brooklyn and Kansas City.

Kosher Chinese restaurants are also common. These are mostly either fleishig or vegetarian (serving only pareve food). In recent years, a tradition has developed in Jewish communities to eat Chinese food on Christmas Day (and Christmas Eve), as many Chinese restaurants are open on these days. This phenomenon is the subject of the song Chinese Food on Christmas.

Many kosher delicatessens exist that serve both milchig (dairy) and meat foods that are kept separate. The dairy items include various sliced cheeses and cream cheese, and the meats include cold cuts and meat spreads. Many pareve items and fish items are also served, such as smoked whitefish salad and herring.