Cherry Hill, N.J. – The Kibitz Room, a beloved local deli that has served New York‑style fare for a quarter‑century, is confronting a $1,000 fine from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. State regulators say the restaurant’s menu and branding use terms such as “Jewish” and “kosher‑style” without the required disclaimer that the products are not certified kosher.
State regulation and the deli’s response
New Jersey law requires any food establishment that is not kosher but advertises items with words like “Jewish,” “Hebrew” or “kosher‑style” to prominently disclose that the food is not kosher. The Division of Consumer Affairs says the Kibitz Room’s menu references violate that rule.
Owner Brandon Parish acknowledges the fine but stresses that the deli has never claimed to be a kosher establishment. “We sell corned beef, pastrami, and we hand‑slice all smoked fish,” Parish said. “Our Jewish cheesesteak is just our take on a cheesesteak, and our kosher‑style bologna, salami and hot dogs are simply beef products – no pork or anything else.” He added that he plans to post a sign to satisfy the state’s disclosure requirement.
Community reaction
Regular patrons appear unfazed. “There are some kosher places here, but people don’t expect that when they come to the Kibitz Room,” said Ellen Shapiro, a longtime Cherry Hill customer. Most diners understand the deli is not a kosher venue and continue to visit for its large sandwiches and popular pickle bar.
Legal next steps
Parish has scheduled a hearing with state officials in the coming weeks and intends to appeal the fine. He expressed frustration with what he perceives as selective enforcement, noting, “They do have to watch their backs – the Kosher community – but I don’t serve Kosher people, so they should be leaving me alone, in my opinion.” The Division of Consumer Affairs declined to comment, citing policy on ongoing enforcement matters.
What this means for local businesses
The case highlights the importance of compliance with state labeling rules for food establishments. While the fine is modest, it serves as a reminder that state agencies are monitoring how businesses describe their products, especially when cultural or religious terms are used. Other local eateries that reference “Jewish” or “kosher‑style” in their menus may need to review their signage and marketing to avoid similar penalties.
For now, the Kibitz Room remains open, continuing to serve its signature sandwiches while navigating the regulatory process. Residents can expect the deli to post the required disclaimer soon, ensuring transparency for all customers.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
