2006 boston kosher community survey - final survey report

2006 Boston AreaKosher Community Survey

Final Report

Kosher Community Surveys LLC

Date of Release:June 18, 2006

www.kosher-community-surveys.com

Table of Contents

Best of Kosher Boston.............................................................1

Complete Survey Results .......................................................5

Stores/Butchers..............................................................5Restaurants....................................................................8Bakeries .........................................................................14

Massachusetts Kosher Directory.............................................21

Restaurants....................................................................21Bakeries .........................................................................23Stores/Butchers..............................................................27Kosher Supervision Authorities......................................28Local Kosher Blogs & Web Sites ...................................29

End Notes................................................................................30

In April 2006, the first-ever Boston Area Kosher Community Surveywas opened. The community response was impressive, especially fora first-time event. In the end, 300 participants took the time to sharetheir thoughts and opinions about kosher establishments inMassachusetts.

We encourage you to congratulate the winners of this year’s surveyas well as giving words of encouragement to those otherestablishments that serve the community.

If you are interested in participating in next year’s survey, please e-mail [email protected]. Also, be sure to checkour new website at www.kosher-community-surveys.com.

Special thanks to the Kosher Blog for their assistance with thissurvey. We are looking forward to next year’s survey!

Happy (Kosher) Eating,Neil Rosenbaum

of 302006 Boston Area Kosher Community Survey

Best Of Kosher Boston

Overall Winners

Best Kosher Restaurant: Milk Street Café (Milk Street)

Best Kosher Restaurant Runner-Up: Milk Street Café (Post OfficeSquare)

Best Kosher Bakery: Cheryl Ann’s Bakery

Best Kosher Bakery Runner-Up: Shaw’s Supermarket

Best Kosher Store/Butcher: Gordon & Alperin

Kosher Store/Butcher Runner-Up: The Butcherie

* * *

Notes on the Awards:

In order to qualify for an award, an establishment must have receivedat least 50 evaluations. For the category winners (found on pages 2-4), the top establishments were determined by adding together thepercentage of customers who ranked the establishment “good” or“excellent” in the each category. For the overall winners, the goodand excellent percentages of all the categories were totaled together.


Category Winners

Stores/Butchers

Winners

Service Quality Gordon & AlperinEnvironment(Décor/Appearance/Cleanliness)

Gordon & Alperin

Selection The ButcherieQuality of Fresh &Prepared Foods

Gordon & Alperin

Price The Butcherie

Runner-ups

Service Quality The ButcherieEnvironment(Décor/Appearance/Cleanliness)

The Butcherie

Selection Gordon & AlperinQuality of Fresh &Prepared Foods

The Butcherie

Price Gordon & AlperinBeacon Kosher


Restaurants

Winners

Best Food Quality Milk Street Café (Milk Street)

Best Service Quality Milk Street Café (Milk Street)Milk Street Café (Post Office Square)

Best Environment(Décor/Appearance/Cleanliness)

Milk Street Café (Milk Street)

Best Value Rami’s

Runner-ups

Best Food Quality Milk Street Café (Post Office Square)Rami’s

Best Service Quality Rami’sRuth’s Kitchen

Best Environment(Décor/Appearance/Cleanliness)

Milk Street Café (Post Office Square)

Best Value Milk Street Café (Post Office Square)Milk Street Café (Milk Street)Taam China


Bakeries

Winners

Food Quality Rosenfeld’s BagelsCheryl Ann’s Bakery

Service Quality Rosenfeld’s BagelsSelection Cheryl Ann’s BakeryEnvironment(Décor/Appearance/Cleanliness)

Shaw’s Supermarket

Value Shaw’s SupermarketStop & Shop

Runner-ups

Food Quality Creative PastriesService Quality Cheryl Ann’s BakerySelection Shaw’s SupermarketEnvironment(Décor/Appearance/Cleanliness)

Stop & Shop

Value Ruth’s Bake ShopDunkin Donuts

Notes:Since Krispy Kreme has a very limited product selection (i.e., onlydonuts), it was deemed ineligible to receive an award. In addition,Zeppy’s was not eligible for a category award because there was aninsufficient number of survey responses received.


Complete Survey Results: Grocery Stores

Beacon Kosher

Poor Excellent N/A

Service quality 23% 23% 33% 11% 8% 2%

Cleanliness/layout 25% 41% 25% 4% 3% 1%

Selection ofmerchandise 4% 25% 32% 29% 8% 1%

Quality of fresh &prepared foods 5% 19% 24% 30% 9% 13%

Price 24% 27% 31% 12% 2% 2%

Number of respondents for this store: 135Summary of Comments:Beacon Kosher is considered to have a decent bakery, with great challah.Unfortunately, customers describe the store as expensive, cluttered and dirty. Inaddition, consensus opinion is that there is poor service – e.g., employees withbad attitudes and long waits. One person states, “I don’t feel comfortable in thisstore.“ Another summed up their experience as going to “Shteltl mart.” Even so,because it sells Glatt kosher meat, customers prefer the reliability of the store’skashrut.


The Butcherie

Poor Excellent N/A

Service quality 2% 13% 34% 35% 13% 2%


Selection ofmerchandise

0% 2% 15% 46% 36% 0%

Quality of fresh &prepared foods

2% 8% 17% 41% 22% 10%

Price 6% 22% 44% 22% 5% 1%

Number of respondents for this store: 241

Summary of Comments:The Butcherie is said to have a super selection with a good variety of Israelifoods. Comments were not as positive regarding the quality of meat and frozengoods. Unfortunately, narrow aisles make the store crowded and hard tonavigate. Many customers feel that the store is also expensive and needscleaning. While a few people have noted positive service experience, employeesare not known for having good attitudes. Surveys also indicate that there is aninconsistent supply of items in the store. There are also some comments that thestore should consider enhancing their kashrut level.

Gordon & Alperin

Poor Excellent N/A

Service quality 4% 4% 11% 17% 57% 8%




Price 26% 19% 36% 11% 4% 2%


Number of respondents for this store: 53Summary of Comments:Gordon & Alperin is said to have good quality products and excellent service.Unfortunately, those qualities do not come cheap – the store is considered to bevery expensive. As one person said, “If I were a rich man… I’d only buy my meatin Newton!”

Butcherie II

Poor Excellent N/A

Service quality 10% 5% 14% 33% 38% 10%




Price 14% 29% 29% 24% 5% 14%

Number of respondents for this store: 21

Summary of Comments:There was an insufficient number of comments submitted to generate asummary.


Full Survey Results: Restaurants

Café Eilat

Poor Excellent

Food quality 7% 19% 42% 25% 7%

Service quality 14% 19% 37% 19% 11%

Cleanliness/appearance/decor 16% 25% 37% 13% 9%

Value(relationship between quality

and price) 9% 22% 39% 23% 6%

Number of respondents for this restaurant: 162Summary of Comments:People appreciate that Café Eilat is the only diary restaurant in the area.Nevertheless, the quality of pizza can be quite variable. “The pizza at Cafe Eilatis rarely the same and tends to differ in taste, amount of cheese, and crustthickness.” Non-pizza dishes are not particularly favored by customers. Oneperson suggests, “Stick with a few excellent[] or even decent[] options; qualitygoes a long way over quantity.” Like some other establishments, patrons of thisrestaurant request a little more attention to cleanliness, and some service issuesneed to be worked out.


Larry Levine’s Kosher Deli

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 0% 33% 17% 50%




and price) 0% 0% 67% 17% 17%

Number of respondents for this restaurant: 6Summary of Comments:There was an insufficient number of comments to generate a meaningfulsummary.

Milk Street Café (50 Milk Street, Boston)

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 0% 1% 38% 61%




and price) 0% 8% 31% 42% 19%

Number of respondents for this restaurant: 123

Summary of Comments:The Milk Street Café is considered to be an excellent restaurant. Thisestablishment seems to hit all the right notes: quality food, a clean place, andprofessionally run. Even so, customers feel that the prices are high. While thelocation is great for people working or visiting downtown, patrons request someextended hours in the evenings and Sundays.


Milk Street Café (Post Office Square, Boston)

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 1% 6% 33% 58%




and price) 1% 6% 31% 42% 20%

Number of respondents for this restaurant: 84Summary of Comments:There was an insufficient number of comments to generate a meaningfulsummary.

Rami’s

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 3% 8% 41% 48%



Value2% 6% 28% 41% 23%

Number of respondents for this restaurant: 191Summary of Comments:Rami’s is practically a landmark in Brookline where people come because their“Falafel and schwarma are king.” Customers enjoy the Israeli food andappreciate that it has consistently good quality. At the same time, people feel thatthe menu is limited and a bit pricey considering its fast food nature. On theenvironment of the restaurant, people observe that the establishment is almostalways crowded because of the small space. Some individuals suggest that theplace could use more frequent cleaning and you should be prepared for “Israeli-style” service. One of the most frustrating aspects of Rami’s is that they run outof menu items at certain times – particularly evenings.


Rubin’s Kosher Delicatessen

Poor Excellent

Food quality 2% 3% 21% 50% 25%



Value 7% 22% 39% 25% 6%

Number of respondents for this restaurant: 196Summary of Comments:Customers of Rubin’s comment that the restaurant has good variety in its menu –“everyone can find something that they like.” The food is considered good, albeita bit expensive, especially sandwiches. At the same time, there is plenty of roomfor improvement. Patrons express frustration at some of the limited hours ofoperation on Sundays and evenings. Also, quality of service appears to bespotty.

Ruth’s Kitchen

Poor Excellent

Food quality 4% 4% 25% 40% 27%



Value(relationship between quality and

price) 4% 16% 32% 34% 13%



Summary of Comments:Patrons of Ruth’s Kitchen feel they receive good but pricey food with goodservice. It is considered a “nice alternative in Kosher scene;” used just for take-out by many people. As one suggestion for improvement, customers note thatthe quality of the food is inconsistent -- overall, dishes are good, but there aresome items that are considered too greasy or salty.

Shalom Beijing(formerly Shalom Hunan under previous management)

Poor Excellent

Food quality 3% 20% 29% 31% 17%




price) 6% 16% 34% 34% 10%


Summary of Comments:While customers who provided written comments liked the food at ShalomBeijing, there were some customers who had negative experience with foodtaste. The quality of different dishes is considered to vary significantly; peopleenjoy some dishes very much, others they find to be quite poor. In addition, somemembers of the community feel that the quality of the food changes day-to-day.The establishment itself is said to have a good and pleasant ambiance. Thereare differing views of how the change in management has affected therestaurant, but overall there is a positive reaction.


Taam China

Poor Excellent

Food quality 2% 4% 16% 46% 31%




price)

1% 6% 31% 41% 21%


Summary of Comments:Patrons of Taam China give the restaurant good marks for food quality. On thedown side, the relatively small space of the restaurant makes for a packedatmosphere and sometimes patrons feel rushed to finish by the staff. “There is nogood place for people to wait or for staff to effectively facilitate organizing theline, let alone get through to serve the other side of the seating area.” Reactionsto service quality is mixed. [Taam China II in Newton that recently opened mayaddress some of these deficiencies]


Full Survey Results: Bakeries

Bodavi Bakery

Poor Excellent

Food quality 13% 18% 29% 29% 11%


Selection 9% 15% 40% 22% 11%



and price) 13% 18% 35% 25% 9%

Number of respondents for this bakery: 55Summary of Comments:There was an insufficient number of comments submitted to generate asummary.

Cheryl Ann’s Bakery

Poor Excellent

Food quality 1% 2% 6% 29% 62%


Selection 0% 5% 18% 35% 35%



and price) 2% 6% 30% 38% 21%


Number of respondents for this bakery: 103


Creative Pastries (Catering By Andrew)

Poor Excellent

Food quality 1% 5% 9% 30% 54%


Selection 5% 12% 30% 30% 22%



and price) 9% 22% 18% 34% 16%


Dunkin Donuts (Brookline)Poor Excellent

Food quality 1% 9% 34% 37% 19%


Selection 1% 9% 38% 36% 16%



and price) 2% 5% 19% 40% 34%




Krispy Kreme Donuts (Dedham)

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 0% 9% 33% 58%


Selection 0% 6% 18% 30% 42%



and price) 0% 0% 24% 27% 45%




Kupel’s Bakery

Poor Excellent

Food quality 3% 6% 25% 41% 25%


Selection 2% 9% 28% 36% 24%



and price) 1% 3% 30% 43% 22%



Rosenfeld’s Bagels

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 1% 7% 28% 64%


Selection 0% 12% 27% 39% 21%



and price) 1% 3% 29% 43% 23%




Ruth’s Bake Shop

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 9% 9% 36% 45%


Selection 0% 9% 27% 45% 9%



and price) 0% 0% 27% 55% 18%


Shaw’s Supermarket (various locations)

Poor Excellent

Food quality 2% 4% 20% 47% 26%


Selection 3% 7% 24% 45% 20%



and price) 1% 1% 20% 44% 34%




Stop & Shop (various locations)

Poor Excellent

Food quality 2% 5% 25% 41% 27%


Selection 4% 11% 26% 35% 24%



and price) 0% 1% 21% 42% 35%



Zeppy’s Bakery

Poor Excellent

Food quality 0% 0% 14% 29% 57%


Selection 0% 0% 14% 43% 43%



and price) 0% 0% 29% 29% 43%




Massachusetts Kosher Directory

Restaurants

Cafe Eilat 406 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA(617) 277-7770Cuisine: pizzaSupervision: Vaad HaRabanimof Massachusetts

Harvest Tyme1312 Memorial AvenueSpringfield, MA(413) 733-7375Supervision: Springfield VaadHakashrut

Milk Street CafeThe Park at Post Office SquareBoston, MA(617) 350-PARKwww.milkstreetcafe.comCuisine: vegetarian and dairy;meat sandwiches and roll-upsonly also available in thesummerSupervision: Orthodox RabbinicCouncil of Massachusetts

Milk Street Café50 Milk StreetBoston, MA(617) 542-3663 www.milkstreetcafe.comCuisine: vegetarian and dairySupervision: Orthodox RabbinicCouncil of Massachusetts

Rami's324 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA(617) 738-3577Cuisine: Israeli (Glatt)Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof Massachusetts

Rubin's Restaurant 500 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA 02446(617) 566-8761www.rubinskosher.comCuisine: deli (Glatt)Supervision: Vaad Harabonimof Massachusetts


Ruth's Kitchen401 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA(617) 734-9810Cuisine: meat (Glatt)Supervision: Rabbi DovidMoskowitz

Shalom Beijing92 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA(617) 731-9760Cuisine: Chinese (Glatt)Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof Massachusetts

Taam China 423 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA(617) 264-7274www.taamchina.comCuisine: Chinese (Glatt)Supervision: Rabbi AaronHamaoui

Taam China II108 Oak StreetNewton Upper Falls, MA(617) 527-8580Cuisine: Chinese (Glatt)Supervision: Rabbi AaronHamaoui


Bakeries

A&P Super Foodmart BakeryBelmont AvenueSpringfield, MASupervision: Vaad Hakashrusof Springfield

Anthony’s Bakery 4 Lake StreetPeabody, MA(978) 535-5335Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof Massachusetts

Bay State Bakery96 Water StreetWorcester MA(508) 753-6000Supervision: Vaad Hakashrusof Worcester

Brick Oven Bakery 237 Ferry StreetMalden, MA(781) 322-3269Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNote: dairy

Bodavi Bakers551 Commonwealth AvenueNewton Centre, MA(617) 332-2008www.bodavibakers.comSupervision: Vaad HaRabanimof Massachusetts and RabbiGershon SegalNote: shommer shabbos, pasyisroel, yashon, and pareve

Cheryl Ann'sBakery 1010 West Roxbury ParkwayChestnut Hill, MA(617) 469-9241Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNote: pareve, pas yisrael

Creative Pastries(Catering By Andrew)402 Harvard StreetBrookline MA(617) 731-6585Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNote: shommer shabbos,pareve and dairy; pas yisrael


Donut Shak487 Westford StreetLowell, MA(508) 937-0178Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: dairy

Donuts with aDifference 35 Riverside AvenueMedford, MA(617) 396-1021Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: dairy

Dunkin' Donuts1671 Beacon AvenueBrookline, MA(617) 464-3796Supervision: Kof-K

European Bakery29 Millbury StreetWorcester, MASupervision: Vaad Hakashrusof Worcester

Gus & Paul BakerySpringfield, MASupervision: Vaad Hakashrusof Springfield

Humble Baker, The460 West StreetAmherst, MA(413) 253-4710www.thehumblebaker.comSupervision: Vaad Hakashrusof Springfield

Karen’s Kitchen 284R Bussey StreetE. Dedham MA(781) 461-0044Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: shommer shabbat, dairy

Kimmel's Bagel Shop786 Williams StreetLongmeadow, MA(413) 567-3304Supervision: Vaad Hakashrusof Springfield

Kupel's Bakery421 Harvard Street Brookline, MA(617) 566-9528Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNote: shommer shabbos,pareve, pas yisrael

Newman's Bakery 252 Humphrey StreetSwampscott, MA(781) 592-1550Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: dairy


Price ChopperPark Avenue (only)Worcester MASupervision: Vaad Hakashrusof Worcester

Rosenfeld Bagel Co. 1280 Centre Street Newton, MA(617) 527-8080Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: pas yisroel, bakedgoods are pareve

Ruth's Bake Shop 987 Central StreetStoughton, MA(781) 344-8993Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: pareve except pizza

Shaw’s Supermarket In-StoreBakerySupervision: RabbinicalCounsel of New England

370 Western AvenueBrighton, MA(617) 787-5266

95 Washington StreetCanton, MA(781) 828-1446

795 New Providence HighwayDedham, MA(781) 251-3367

780 South Main StreetSharon, MA(781) 784-5995

509 Boston Post RoadSudbury, MA(978) 445-70661065 Commonwealth AvenueAllston, MA(617) 783-5878

Stop & ShopSupervision: RabbinicalCounsel of New England

200 Guest StreetAllston, MA(617) 779-9119

155 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA(617) 566-4559

470 North Main StreetE. Longmeadow, MA(413) 525-5747

221 Huttleston AvenueFairhaven, MA(508) 990-4500

141 Main StreetFoxboro, MA(508) 543-5791

19 Temple StreetFramingham, MA(508) 879-4044


235 Old Connecticut PathFramingham, MA(508) 820-0900

36 Bedford RoadLexington, MA(781) 861-0456

Route 28, Falmouth RoadCotuit, MA(508) 428-1278

829 Worcester Street, Route 9Natick, MA(508) 653-3562

Route 1 and Summer StreetNorwood, MA(781) 255-1141

278 Washington StreetStoughton, MA(781) 341-1797

450 Paradise RoadSwampscott, MA(781) 596-1445

541A Lincoln StreetWorcester, MA(508) 853-8791

6 Thatcher RoadGloucester, MA(978) 281-0010

Tabrizi Bakery 56A Mt. Auburn StreetWatertown, MA(617) 926-0880Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: pareve and dairy

Zeppy's Bakery937 North Main StreetRandolph, MA(781) 963-9837Supervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: read, rolls, challah,bagels pareve


Stores/Butchers

A&P Super FoodmartBelmont AvenueSpringfield, MASupervision: Vaad Hakashrusof SpringfieldNote: separate kosherdepartment

Beacon Kosher1706 Beacon StreetBrookline, MA(617) 734-5300Supervision: Rabbi DovidMoskovitz

Butcherie, The428 Harvard StreetBrookline, MA(617) 731-9888www.butcherie.comSupervision: Rabbi MordechaiTwersky

Butcherie II, The15 Washington StreetCanton, MA(781) 828-3530

Gordon & Alperin552 Commonwealth AvenueNewton, MA 02459(617) 332-4170www.gordonandalperin.comSupervision: Vaad HaRabanimof MassachusettsNotes: glatt

Hurwitz Kosher Meat Market326 Concord StreetFramingham, MA(508) 875-0481Supervision: MassachusettsCouncil of Rabbis


Kosher Supervision Organizations

Rabbinical Council of NewEngland (KVH)(aka Vaad Hakashrus ofMassachusetts, VaadHaRabanim of Massachusetts)177 Tremont StreetBoston, MA 02111(617) 426-2139E-Mail: [email protected] Abraham Halbfinger,Rabbinic Administrator

New England KashrusLeMehadrin75 Wallingford RoadBrighton, MA 02135(617) 789-4343Rabbi Aaaron Hamaoui

Rabbi Dovid Moskovitz46 Embassy RoadBrighton, MA 02135

Rabbi Mordechai Twersky176 Shirley AvenueRevere, MA 02151

Orthodox Rabbinical Councilof MassachusettsOrthodox Rabbinical Councilof Greater Boston57 County RdChelsea, MA 02150Rabbi Nochum Cywiak

Diamond K(A division of KosherSupervision of CongregationLubavitch of Massachusetts)100 Woodcliff RdBrookline, MA 02167(617) 469-5000Rabbi Rachmiel Liberman,Director

Vaad Hair and VaadHakashrus of Worcester120 Main StreetWorcester, MA 01610(508) 797-1130Supervision: Rabbi HershelFogelman, Rabbi DavidAbramowitz (supervisor)

Springfield Vaad HakashruthP.O. Box 80246,Forest Park Station,Springfield, MA 01108(413) 734-7972Rabbi Fred HymanE-mail:[email protected] Gershon SonnenscheinRav Hamachshir


Massachusetts-Based Web SitesRelating to Kosher Food

Kosher Community Surveyswww.kosher-community-surveys.comHome of all things about kosher community surveys!

The Kosher Blogwww.kosherblog.netThe Kosher Blog is a major compendium of recipes, product andrestaurant reviews, industry gossip, and miscellaneous informationabout real kosher-living “issues that simply can’t be found elsewhere”on the Internet.

Kashrut.comwww.kashrut.com/This site has a variety of kosher-related resources, including kosherfood alerts, kosher travel, articles about kosher food processing.

Shalom Bostonwww.shalomboston.comThe mission of ShalomBoston.com is to be “the first - and only –place” that Boston-area Jews go for information about the localJewish community and for issues of general Jewish interest.


End Notes

• Kosher Community Surveys has very much enjoyed conductingthis year’s kosher community survey, and we welcome yourcomments/suggestions to improve the survey for next year.

• Community members are urged to congratulate the winners of thissurvey and also let them know that you look forward to evaluatingthem in next year’s survey.

• We hope that the survey information will provide valuableinformation to establishment owners on how to better serve theircustomer’s needs.

• The information reflected in the directory portion of this report isintended to be as accurate as possible as of the date of thispublication; however, information can change over time. It isrecommended that you directly call an establishment or theappropriate kosher supervision authority for the most up-to-dateinformation.

• Obtain information about Kosher Community Surveys atwww.kosher-community-surveys.com.

• If you are interested in taking part in next year’s survey, please e-mail [email protected].

• Any thoughts? Contact the kosher survey guy, Neil Rosenbaum, [email protected].

© 2006 Kosher Community Surveys LLC

2006 boston kosher community survey - final survey report

Documents

best kosher storebutcher

kosher establishments

butcherie best kosher

best kosher bakery runnerup

kosher storebutcher

massachusetts kosher

happy kosher eating

kosher supervision authorities