Cook County, Illinois is the second-largest county in the United States. Cook County is the home of many kinds of restaurants, with a large number devoted to serving kosher food. In order to truly be considered kosher, foods must conform to kashrut, Jewish dietary laws. Many restaurants submit to official kosher certification to prove they follow these ancient practices correctly, and Cook County teems with several different kinds of kosher-certified bistros.
In 1976, Ken’s Diner and Grill owner Ken Hechtman opened a kosher deli and sandwich shop in Chicago called Kosher City. But when a similar establishment opened within a mile, Ken took a few radical steps. He moved operations to Skokie and changed his restaurant from a deli to a '50s-style kosher diner. The venture was approved by the Chicago Rabbinical Council, but the new place struggled to find its footing in the Jewish community until the late 1980s. Nowadays, Ken’s is quite successful, with large number of loyal customers who have practically grown up there. Ken’s offers gluten-free pizza, veggie burgers, fish and chips, deli wraps, soups, sandwiches and pasta. The diner also serves old-fashioned beverages such as phosphates and egg creams along with milkshakes, sodas, coffee and tea.
Ken’s Diner and Grill
3353 West Dempster St.
Skokie, IL 60076
847-679-2850
kensdiner.com
“Manghal” means barbecue in Hebrew, and Manghal Grill specializes in a type of skewered-meat cooking popular in Israel. Manghal offers several kinds of cooked meat on a stick, including lamb, steak and beef. Manghal also has a salad bar and dishes such as hummus, pitas, chicken tenders, schwarma plates, chicken wings, sandwiches and falafel. The restaurant makes its own laffa bread, similar to a tortilla, in a special old-fashioned oven imported from Israel.
Manghal Grill
1805 W. Howard St.
Evanston, IL 60202
847-859-2681
manghalgrill.com
Hy Life Bistro was named after Hyman Kane, the father of owner Sheldon Kane. It is an elegant restaurant that serves several types of cuisine. Hy Life has standard American dishes such as steak, burgers, hot dogs and barbecue, along with more exotic foods such as coconut-encrusted chicken, chicken satay, babaghanouj, and “Moroccan Cigars”--savory fried pastries of ground beef rolled into filo dough. Hy Life does take-out, private parties, catering and delivery.
Hy Life Bistro
4120 West Dempster
Skokie, IL 60076
847-674-2021
