What happened
Genesis Steakhouse describes itself as one of the "first Kosher steakhouse and smokehouse" restaurants in the Southwestern United States, according to its website.
However, Genesis Steakhouse is closing on April 30 after “recent unanticipated events” forced the restaurant to close, according to an April 17 social media post.
“To everyone who has supported us throughout the years—thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” the post read. “Your loyalty, your love for our food, your smiles, and your stories have meant more to us than words can express.”
Goldstein said his restaurant was a place where many Jewish and Orthodox Jewish people could come and eat foods that were kosher in a fine-dining style, and be used to celebrate special occasions and socialize.
According to Orthodox Union Kosher, a New York-based kosher certification agency, kosher food means it's fit or proper to the Jewish dietary law. For example, meat and poultry must be slaughtered in a way that causes instantaneous death with no pain to the animal, a practice known as shechita.
However, the restaurant’s kosher certification was revoked by the Houston Kashruth Association, a nonprofit organization that offers kosher supervision and certification, in January after Rabbi Nosson Dubin asked the restaurant for an invoice of a tilapia found in the freezer, Goldstein said. Although the restaurant has a chef and kosher specialist to maintain these invoices, the restaurant was unable to provide it, causing the organization to revoke the restaurant’s certification the very next day.
HIs thoughts
Goldstein said that the organization didn’t take the proper measures and due process when revoking kosher certification, and that revoking the certification has caused his business to suffer as he saw less and less Orthodox Jews coming to his restaurant.
“I built this restaurant because people trusted me and backed me and still do, to build a nice place for the Jewish people to have a wonderful place to eat kosher food and be a beautiful establishment,” Golstein said. “It sucks that I lose my business, it sucks that I lose my life savings, but I’m a young man and I will prevail.”
Community Impact reached out to HKA for comments, but no response was received in time of publication.
What’s next?
Goldstein said although his restaurant is closing, he will continue his catering business, and plans on announcing a new concept in May.
- Closing on April 30
- 80 Braeswood Square, Houston
- www.genesissteakhouse.com
