Teaneck—A kosher sports restaurant/grill called the Teaneck Doghouse is set to open on Palisade Avenue near Teaneck’s restaurant row in early July, next door to ETC Steakhouse. One of the Doghouse’s four managing partners, Jonathan Gellis, said he’s excited to offer county residents a sports-oriented family eatery, featuring 28 TV’s where families can enjoy typical gastro-pub fare: a variety of specialty hot dogs, pulled BBQ brisket, hamburgers, grilled and fried chicken, as well as steak entrees and meatball sandwiches—a perfect place for a sports fan’s birthday party.
As JLBC went to press, the Doghouse was set to be certified by the Orthodox Union. The Rabbinical Council of Bergen County invited the OU to give the hashgacha, because it has more experience with places that serve food and alcohol. The process was approved, but a member of the community petitioned the OU, and sent out an eblast to motivate people to demand that the OU remove their certification because he disapproves of the entire concept, especially when it is located within walking distance of a number of yeshiva day schools and high schools. Others also said they believe alcohol should only be consumed when performing a mitzvah. Another issue raised was the potential of causing problems with Shalom Bayis, because the men would have a hangout to go to instead of staying home.
Said Gellis, “This is a family restaurant. We are looking to create a family friendly kosher and safe environment for anyone who wants a place to go.” In response to the complaints, Gellis said, “None of the half dozen complaints or concerns were brought up to the management to be discussed, and these people were relying on blog posts and rumors with inaccurate information.”
Gellis is confident the restaurant will succeed. He told JLBC that the time of day will determine the atmosphere. The restaurant will open for business/shopper lunches, alcohol-free, from about 11:30 to 3 p.m., when they will start serving beer, wine and cocktails. It goes without saying that no one underage will be served, customers will be carded, and all of New Jersey’s stringent liquor licensing laws will be upheld.
“In today’s business world, people like to do business while enjoying the informal atmosphere of a sports eatery. Often, many of our neighbors have to go out with business friends and co-workers, and worry about the kashrut of the place, trying to figure out what might be kosher enough to eat without feeling socially awkward.” At the Doghouse, “Observant Jews can get the Manhattan business/bonding experience in a kosher format. And lots of locals who work from home, or work for firms in Hackensack and around the area, need a place where they can feel comfortable inviting people from all walks of life to talk business. Now they can bring them to us,” Gellis said.
Gellis notes a number of West Coasters and Jews from all over the country have settled in the area and want to watch Central and West Coast games, which air late night on this coast. He says, they want to cheer and watch with friends without waking the family. For that convenience, Doghouse will be open through 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, will have abbreviated hours on Fridays, and on Motzei Shabbos will be open from one hour after Shabbos until 1 a.m.
At press time, the Orthodox Union was set to meet and reconsider the granting of a hashgacha and the protestors complaints.
