Manhattan—There’s something special cooking on the Upper West Side, and if you like burgers, wings and brats, the NY Brat Factory is not to be missed. In a lifetime of kosher food eating, our tastebuds had never experienced wings “like the Colonel makes,” but now, it seems we have. These are called “OMG Wings” for a reason; a crispy crunch was created by a Texas-made pareve coating found by Brat Factory staff, which they mixed with a soy milk to get the desired consistency. The result? A crispy, crunchy, kosher chicken wing that isn’t doused in sauce; eat it as-is or with whatever delicious dipping sauce you like.
Jewish Link taste testers also had never tasted a “cheeseburger,” but now it seems that we have. The tender steakburger was topped with buttery lettuce, tomato and yes, Daiya soy cheddar, which melted beautifully and tasted sinful. We were also moved by a number of other menu items, most of all the panko-crusted chicken tenders, which had a crisp-tender crunch that revealed a perfectly cooked inside of tasty marinated chicken. The tenders paired perfectly with every scratch-made sauce on the menu, which included chef-inspired peppercorn ranch, honey mustard (with a hint of horseradish), creamy horseradish and chipotle garlic mayonnaises.
Some of NY Brat Factory’s other unique dishes include a buttery pulled-beef sandwich on a brioche bun (“One of our most popular items,” said NY Brat Factory’s general manager, Ari Fein), and delectable pulled-beef spring rolls served with duck sauce, not to mention various bratwursts including classic, Italian and Jalepeno, each served with appropriate, complementary toppings and often on an onion roll. The hand-cut Poblano pepper beef chili, which also includes hidden bites of pulled beef, was surprisingly addictive when served as “loaded fries,” a generous portion of the chili poured over crispy, natural-cut fries. The restaurant also offers sweet potato fries and several other unique fries-based items, including garlic fries, which are cooked and then tossed in the store’s “signature garlic mix.”
NY Brat Factory’s proprietor told us that he was inspired by Los Angeles’s Jeff’s Gourmet Sausage Factory to create a similar concept restaurant in Manhattan. While this is his first restaurant venture, he and his partners have worked extensively in the kosher food world, managing concessions in various stadiums around the country.
Newly available is NY Brat Factory’s catering menu, which provides party trays and drop-off catering in New Jersey for kiddushim, sports watch parties and even Bar Mitzvahs or other smachot. “The sausage platters, wings and chicken tenders travel incredibly well,” the general manager told The Jewish Link.
The fast-casual dining concept at 106th and Amsterdam is perfect for a quick lunch at the counter (there are no tables), but takeout or catering are simple, fast and easy.
And for those looking for something sweet after such a savory meal, don’t despair: NY Brat Factory’s fried churros and Oreos are shockingly good; and they come with both vanilla and chocolate dipping sauces.
NY Brat Factory is certified kosher by the STAR-K, and proudly recycles much of its refuse by partnering with ReJews. Visit NY Brat Factory at 933 Amsterdam Avenue, in Manhattan. Visit www.nybratfactory.com for online ordering (including party trays), or call 646-861-1452.
By Elizabeth Kratz
