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Marian Stoltz-Loike, Dean

By Libby Herz

A CUT above

Crown Heights Butcher's quality meat is second to none in the neighborhood

The Crown Heights Butcher, opened by local resident Levi Kabakov and his brothers, was established with a clear mission: “My goal is to offer the highest standard of kashrus,” Kabakov says. The operation started small, with only two modest storefronts on Troy Avenue in Crown Heights.

From the beginning, every step was carefully overseen to ensure top quality and kashrus, beginning with the meat production process and sourcing healthy animals, to supervising every stage of shechita.

The small venture of selling top quality meat quickly gained attention, and demand for a wider variety of cuts soon followed. Building on this momentum, the Kabakov brothers turned to a model they admired from their time in Israel, where it's common for butcher shops to have an

attached restaurant, offering a more authentic experience.

Two years later, they opened Butcher Grill House, an upscale restaurant known for its fine ambiance and exceptional cuts, right next door at 411 Troy Avenue in Crown Heights.

“We have access to the best meat because we are the actual butcher,” notes one of the butchers, emphasizing the quality and freshness that comes straight from shop to kitchen.

With the restaurant firmly established, the next move was to make signature flavors accessible in yet another way—this time, at home. Now, the team is expanding with a line of premium, frozen meat filled pastry products. The lineup includes ready to cook items such as cigars, kibbeh, empanadas, and lachmagine—a

traditional Middle Eastern meat flatbread. They are also introducing biltong, a dried meat snack from South Africa, and jerky, an American snack favorite. Just fry or bake the pastries, and they’re ready in minutes. What makes these items unique is that they carry a Lubavitch hechsher, not found anywhere else on similar products. They offer the convenience of at home preparation without compromising strict kosher standards.

The mission is to ensure that all Lubavitchers have access to the best tasting meat. “There are a lot of establishments that I can’t eat at because I'm not satisfied with the level of Kashrus,” says Mendel, a staff member. But a high standard should never get in the way of a top quality meal. While the products are available to everyone, the crew at The Butcher is committed to maintaining the highest hechsher to meet the strict standards of the Chabad community. “We’re not limiting ourselves to Lubavitch customers only, but we make sure everything has the proper hechsher and adheres to strict Chabad guidelines.”

The business motto of CH Butcher is, “We are the Crown Heights butcher, and we are for Crown Heights.” This reflects their dedication to the Lubavitch community. By focusing on providing the products people want and need, the aim is to someday expand nationally but the top priority remains serving Crown Heights and responding to its needs.

This focus on serving Crown Heights also shapes the atmosphere of the CH Butcher restaurant, which exudes sophistication, blending modern

elegance with generous, plush seating designed for comfort. The menu is carefully crafted to impress, with each dish prepared with meticulous care and precision. Attentive staff add a personal touch, elevating the entire dining experience. By the time you savor the final bite on your plate, you will have enjoyed a meal that is as memorable as it is tasty. This attention to detail isn’t limited to the food on the table it begins long before, at the source, they say.

Because of their intense focus on kashrus standards, full oversight is maintained from start to finish. “We don't just buy meat; all the meat is our own. We know the shochtim, the bodkim, the whole way through the process,” Levi explains. To maintain freshness and quality, the CH Butcher staff performs a weekly shechita, working directly with farmers. Assessing the health of the animal is crucial; the healthier the livestock, the better chance it will meet kosher standards and produce top quality meat. Once the kosher meat is secured, they bring it back to their location to kasher it themselves, ensuring full control over the product.

At its core, The CH Butcher remains Crown Heights’ own, committed to serving the community with products and experiences that honor tradition, elevate taste, and meet the high standards of Chabad kashrus. By overseeing every step from farm to table, the establishment ensures the highest hechsher, whether for their delicious frozen foods for your home or for a night out at their beautiful restaurant. They truly deliver the very best kosher experience Crown Heights has to offer.

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