Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory |
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Restaurant exterior
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1999 |
| Current owner(s) | Jeff Rohatiner |
| Food type | Kosher sausages, hamburgers |
| Street address | 8930 W. Pico Blvd. |
| City | Los Angeles |
| State | California |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 34°03′18″N 118°23′12″W / 34.0551°N 118.3868°W |
| Other locations | Dodger Stadium concession stand |
Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory is a special restaurant in Los Angeles, California. It makes and serves glatt kosher sausages and hamburgers. The restaurant opened in 1999 in a small shop in the Pico-Robertson area.
They offer many kinds of sausages, like those from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. You can also find hamburgers and deli sandwiches. All the meats used are prepared right there in the factory. In 2015, Jeff's Gourmet also opened a glatt kosher hot dog stand at Dodger Stadium. The restaurant managed to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic by changing its menu.
Contents
History
How It Started
Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory is a kosher restaurant that opened in 1999. It is located in Los Angeles, California, in a neighborhood with many other kosher restaurants. The founder is Jeff Rohatiner. He grew up in the Jewish community of Los Angeles.
Jeff studied hotel management in college. He loved making sausages as a hobby. He wanted other Jewish people who keep kosher to enjoy great hot dogs too. Jeff felt that no one was being creative with kosher meat. He thought a fresh idea would be popular. His grandfather, who made deli meats, also inspired him.
Jeff opened his restaurant in a small shop on Pico Boulevard. Jeff's Gourmet is certified glatt kosher by OK Kosher Certification. Like other kosher restaurants, it closes on Friday afternoons and for Shabbat (the Sabbath). Most customers are Orthodox or Modern Orthodox Jewish families. However, many other Jewish families also enjoy eating there.
Hot Dogs at Dodger Stadium
In July 2015, Jeff Rohatiner opened a glatt kosher hot dog stand. This stand was at Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before this, other kosher hot dogs were sold, but they did not have the stricter certification that Orthodox customers prefer.
The stand is located in the right-field plaza. It sells hot dogs, jalapeño hot dogs, and sweet Italian sausage sandwiches. They also sell beer and bottled water. The stand is open during most home games. It closes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays.
A local TV station, KCAL-TV/KCBS-TV, reported on the new stand. Jeff Rohatiner confirmed that a rabbi certified the stand as kosher. Lon Rosen, an executive for the Dodgers, said fans had asked for it. He added that they try to serve their fans as best they can.
Facing Challenges: The Pandemic
The global COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected Jeff's Gourmet. The factory closed completely for five weeks. When it reopened, Jeff Rohatiner made big changes. He cut down the menu and removed most seating.
He also reduced hours and staff to keep everyone safe. Rohatiner said it was "impossible to operate" normally. He even thought about not reopening at all. The pandemic forced the business to focus more on takeout and delivery.
Because of the pandemic, Jeff's could not provide kosher hot dogs at Dodger Stadium in 2021. The official Major League Baseball website stated they were "unable to offer Jeff's Gourmet until further notice." However, the stand was able to reopen in June of that year.
What's on the Menu?
Jeff's Gourmet's full menu includes many types of sausages. These are made in Eastern European and Mediterranean styles. All the meats are prepared right in the restaurant. This includes kielbasa, veal bratwurst, Italian sausage, and boerewors sausage.
They also make deli meats like corned beef, roast beef, salami, and pastrami. Sausages are made from whole cuts of beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, and veal. These meats are then ground with fruits and spices. Jeff Rohatiner used to make about forty different meats. This included fifteen kinds of sausages and eight deli-style meats. All sausages are served on buns.
You could also buy vacuum-packed sausages to take home. The restaurant offers catering services and mail orders. They also sell sausages in large amounts. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeff's had to make changes. They greatly reduced the menu to just seven meats. They also stopped indoor seating. Takeout and delivery became the main focus. Only a few outdoor tables are available for dining now.
