in Kosher Food
YouTube’s Best Ever Food Review Show Takes on Kosher Food in New York
When one of YouTube’s largest food channels dedicates an entire episode to exploring kosher and Jewish cuisine, it’s worth paying attention. Will Sonbuchner, better known by his alias Sonny Side, brought his wildly popular Best Ever Food Review Show to New York City for an in-depth exploration of the city’s kosher food scene—and the results showcase just how far kosher dining has come.
The Channel Behind the Episode
For those unfamiliar with the show, Best Ever Food Review Show isn’t just another food channel; it’s a global phenomenon. With over 11.2 million subscribers as of early 2025, it ranks among YouTube’s most-followed food and travel channels. Created by Sonbuchner, the show has built its reputation on adventurous, globe-trotting food content that takes viewers to cuisines and cultures they might never otherwise encounter.
Sonbuchner’s journey to YouTube stardom is itself a fascinating story. Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, he made a bold decision at age 24 to move to South Korea with just $2,000 in his bank account. There, he taught English and learned film production, even working with K-pop artists. He launched the Best Ever Food Review Show YouTube channel in 2010, with the first episode debuting in December 2015. Since then, the production team, based in Vietnam, has filmed episodes across the globe, from India to Cuba, and in 2019, became the first US-owned YouTube channel to receive filming access in Iran.
The show’s success isn’t just measured in subscriber counts. In 2020, Best Ever Food Review Show won a Webby Award for “People’s Voice: Viral Video of the Year” and received a Webby Official Honoree for Food & Drink. When a channel of this caliber decides to explore kosher food, it represents a significant moment of mainstream recognition for kosher cuisine.
A Tour Through New York’s Kosher Culinary Landscape
The episode takes viewers on a journey through New York’s diverse kosher food scene, with a particular focus on Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a neighborhood that has emerged as one of the city’s most exciting kosher dining destinations. The video showcases both traditional Jewish culinary staples and innovative modern kosher establishments that are pushing boundaries.
The Crown Heights Connection
Crown Heights features prominently in the episode, and for good reason. As we’ve previously explored, this Brooklyn neighborhood has evolved from being primarily known as the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement into a genuine culinary epicenter. The concentration of quality kosher restaurants along Kingston Avenue and surrounding streets rivals any kosher dining hub in the country.
The episode features MEAT, the contemporary steakhouse that has quickly established itself as one of the finest kosher dining experiences in Brooklyn. Located at 123 Kingston Avenue in a beautifully renovated brownstone, MEAT showcases premium Wagyu beef and dry-aged cuts from their in-house aging room. The restaurant’s commitment to craft extends to its house-cured charcuterie program, demonstrating that kosher cuisine can compete at the highest levels of fine dining.
What makes MEAT’s appearance in this video particularly significant is how it challenges outdated perceptions about kosher food. The restaurant doesn’t lean on its kosher certification as a crutch or excuse for lesser quality. Instead, it delivers an experience that would be noteworthy in any dining context, kosher or otherwise. This was illustrated by Will eating what MEAT termed the “Lubavitch Wagyu Steak.”
Beyond the Certifications: The “Kosher-Style” Question
One of the more interesting aspects of the episode is its inclusion of both kosher-certified establishments and “kosher-style” venues, a distinction that’s important for observant consumers to understand but often gets overlooked in mainstream food media.
Rosenfeld’s Fish Market, featured in the video for its gefilte fish, is a genuinely kosher-certified establishment that has been serving the community for decades. The traditional Jewish specialties prepared here follow strict kosher guidelines, representing authentic kosher culinary heritage.
However, the episode also features Shelsky’s Brooklyn Bagels, which operates as a “kosher-style” establishment rather than a certified kosher one. For those new to this distinction: “kosher-style” typically refers to restaurants that serve traditional Jewish foods (like bagels, lox, and pastrami) but don’t maintain kosher certification or follow all kosher laws. This means the food may not be prepared according to Jewish law, may mix meat and dairy, or may use non-kosher ingredients.
This distinction matters tremendously to observant Jews who keep kosher. While Shelsky’s undoubtedly serves delicious food and represents an important part of New York’s Jewish culinary culture, it’s not an option for those who maintain kosher dietary standards. The video’s inclusion of both types of establishments provides an honest look at New York’s Jewish food landscape, but viewers need to understand the difference.
Jewish Influencers in the Spotlight
One of the highlights of the episode is the appearance of prominent Jewish personalities and influencers, most notably Eitan Bernath, who has become one of the most recognizable faces in the Jewish food world.
Eitan Bernath: A Rising Star in Food Media
At just 22 years old, Eitan Bernath has accomplished what many food personalities spend decades working toward. With over 10 million followers across social media platforms (including more than 2 million on TikTok), Bernath has leveraged his talent and charisma into a multimedia career that includes:
- Television: Regular culinary contributor on The Drew Barrymore Show, a position he secured at age 18 after Drew Barrymore discovered his TikTok videos through her daughters
- Publishing: Author of the cookbook Eitan Eats the World, which features 85 creative, accessible recipes—all kosher—that push kosher cooks out of their culinary comfort zones
- Business: CEO of Eitan Productions, his own content company that reaches 300 million consumers annually
- Recognition: Named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list and the Algemeiner’s J100 selection
What makes Bernath particularly notable is his unapologetic pride in his Jewish identity. He grew up attending Yavneh Academy and The Frisch School (the Modern Orthodox high school in New Jersey that also counts Jared Kushner among its alumni), and he regularly wears a prominent Star of David necklace in his media appearances. He’s been vocal about feeling a responsibility as a visible Jew in the public eye, noting that for many of his millions of followers, he may be one of the few Jews they’ll ever interact with.
His first TV appearance came at age 12 on Food Network’s Chopped, where he competed wearing a kippah and notably did not taste the dishes he prepared because the utensils weren’t kosher. This early demonstration of commitment to his values while pursuing his passion has continued throughout his career.
Bernath’s appearance on the Best Ever Food Review Show episode represents a meeting of two influential forces in food media, Sonny Side’s massive global reach and Bernath’s deep connection to Jewish and kosher food culture. It’s the kind of cross-pollination that helps introduce kosher cuisine to audiences who might never have considered it otherwise.
The Broader Significance
The fact that a channel with over 11 million subscribers chose to dedicate an episode to kosher food in New York represents something larger than just one video. It’s a recognition that kosher cuisine has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of bland, restrictive food. Modern kosher restaurants like those in Crown Heights, Manhattan, and Miami are competing on quality, innovation, and presentation at the highest levels.
The episode also highlights how Jewish food culture extends beyond religious observance to encompass a broader cultural identity. From traditional Ashkenazi specialties to modern Israeli-influenced cuisine, from old-world delis to contemporary steakhouses, the diversity of Jewish and kosher food in New York tells a story of immigration, adaptation, and culinary creativity that spans generations.
What This Means for Kosher Dining
For the kosher community, mainstream attention like this is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s thrilling to see kosher establishments receiving recognition on such a massive platform. It validates the work that restaurateurs, chefs, and food entrepreneurs have done to elevate kosher cuisine. It also helps combat negative stereotypes and introduces kosher food to new audiences who might otherwise never encounter it.
The Future of Kosher Food in Mainstream Media
Episodes like this from major YouTube channels suggest that kosher food is finally getting its moment in the broader food media landscape. With influencers like Eitan Bernath proudly representing Jewish cuisine to millions, and restaurants like MEAT demonstrating that kosher food can compete at the highest levels, we’re witnessing a shift in how kosher dining is perceived.
The next generation of kosher restaurants isn’t apologizing for dietary restrictions or asking for special consideration. Instead, they’re simply making exceptional food that happens to be kosher, letting quality speak for itself. When a channel as influential as Best Ever Food Review Show takes notice, it signals that this approach is working.
For those planning a kosher food tour of New York, Crown Heights, featured so prominently in this episode, remains one of the most rewarding destinations. Most of the neighborhood’s premier kosher restaurants are within a 10-15 minute walk of each other, making it easy to experience multiple establishments in a single visit. Whether you’re seeking Texas-style smokehouse at Izzy’s, fine dining at MEAT, or Israeli-style breakfast at Almah Cafe, Crown Heights delivers experiences that would be noteworthy in any culinary context.
The Takeaway
The Best Ever Food Review Show’s exploration of kosher food in New York is more than just entertaining content; it’s a milestone in the mainstreaming of kosher cuisine. With 11.2 million subscribers watching Will “Sonny Side” Sonbuchner explore gefilte fish at Rosenfeld’s and Wagyu at MEAT, with Jewish influencer Eitan Bernath representing the next generation of kosher food media, and with the vibrant culinary scene of Crown Heights on full display, the episode serves as both celebration and validation.
For the kosher community, it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much potential lies ahead. For the broader food world, it’s an introduction to a cuisine that’s been quietly revolutionizing itself while maintaining its ancient traditions and values. And for anyone curious about kosher food, it’s an entertaining gateway into a culinary world that’s far more diverse, innovative, and exciting than most people realize.
Whether you’re keeping strictly kosher or simply curious about Jewish culinary traditions, the explosion of quality kosher dining, showcased beautifully in this viral video, means there’s never been a better time to explore what modern kosher cuisine has to offer.
Have you watched the Best Ever Food Review Show’s kosher food episode? What did you think? Share your thoughts with us, and if you’re planning a visit to Crown Heights or any of the featured establishments, let us know about your experience!
