Shalom Kosher

A Rare Kosher Food Truck Sells Hot Chicken Sandwiches at Synagogues and a D.C. Bar | Eater DC

"I discovered a rare kosher kitchen on wheels based out of Silver Spring, Maryland that calls itself Schmaltz Brothers; their menu pairs a Nashville hot chicken sandwich with fried matzo ball bites and other inventive Jewish comfort food. The truck’s “Zinger” features a chicken thigh soaked in dill pickle brine and twice-fried in a hot batter, topped with togarashi jalapeño slaw, harissa aioli and extra pickle slices on a fluffy homemade challah roll. The matzo ball bites—quarter-sized, made with unleavened breadcrumbs, spiked with hot-honey schmaltz and served with pickled onions—come across like arancini, while the Bubbie’s BBQ Brisket Sandwich stacks thick-cut beef slathered in carrot jam and a sweet concord-grape steak sauce (reminiscent of Manischewitz) into a challah roll; babka with chocolate swirls and a juicy cheeseburger that uses vegan cheese to avoid mixing meat and dairy round out the creative menu. Co-owners Yehuda Malka and Chappall Gage, drawing on rabbinical-school and kosher-catering experience, aim to change perceptions of kosher food; the truck posts its schedule on Instagram, makes regular appearances at Maryland synagogues, holds a Sunday residency at the Electric Cool-Aidbar in Shaw, is building a catering business for events and holidays, and plans a permanent public space at the George Washington University Hillel next year along with seasonal menu twists like a new Hanukkah latke variation." - Evan Caplan