Kosher Miami, the Vaad HaKashrus of Miami-Dade, has officially revoked its kosher certification for Krusty Pizza and Imaleh Grill, both located at 300 W Hallandale Beach Blvd in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The decision, announced on February 2, was made due to kashrus violations, and further investigation revealed a serious breach of kosher standards at Krusty Pizza.

Use of Non-Certified Cheese at Krusty Pizza & Consumer Impact
In a follow-up notice, Kosher Miami confirmed that non-certified cheese was used at Krusty Pizza for a number of weeks prior to the removal of its kosher certification. This revelation is particularly concerning for those who have consumed food from the establishment under the assumption that it adhered to kosher dietary laws.
Because the use of non-certified cheese raises potential halachic issues, Kosher Miami’s rabbinic authorities have recommended that individuals who used their home kitchen equipment or utensils with food from Krusty Pizza in recent weeks should consult with their local rabbi to determine if kashering is necessary. This could include ovens, pizza cutters, plates, and any other utensils that may have come into contact with the non-kosher cheese.
Local Kosher Impact in Hallandale Beach
The loss of Kosher Miami certification for these two establishments is a significant development for the kosher dining community in South Florida. Krusty Pizza was a regular option for pizza and casual dining, while Imaleh Grill was known for its Middle Eastern-style dishes. Their removal from the list of kosher-certified restaurants means they are no longer recognized as reliably kosher under Kosher Miami’s supervision.
For kosher consumers, this incident underscores the importance of verifying an establishment’s certification status before ordering food, especially in areas with frequent changes in kosher supervision. Kosher Miami maintains an up-to-date list of certified establishments on its website, www.koshermiami.org, and recommends that customers check regularly to ensure they are dining at a supervised location.
Why Kashrus Violations Lead to Certification Revocation
The use of non-certified cheese is a serious violation in kosher food preparation. Kosher dairy products must meet strict production and oversight requirements, including Chalav Yisrael standards for those who adhere to higher levels of kosher dairy observance. When an establishment fails to use certified kosher ingredients—especially for a prolonged period—it raises concerns about overall compliance with kosher standards.
Kosher certification agencies, such as Kosher Miami, conduct regular inspections and require establishments to strictly adhere to kashrus policies. When a violation occurs, an agency may issue warnings, require corrective measures, or in serious cases, revoke certification altogether. In the case of Krusty Pizza and Imaleh Grill, Kosher Miami determined that the violations were significant enough to warrant immediate removal of certification.
What’s Next for These Restaurants?
At this time, it is unclear if Krusty Pizza and Imaleh Grill will seek to regain kosher certification. In some cases, restaurants work with certifying agencies to correct violations, implement new oversight, and regain their hechsher, or attempt to obtain alternative hechsherim. However, there has been no official statement from the owners regarding whether they will attempt to resolve these issues and reapply for kosher certification.
For now, kosher consumers should avoid dining at these establishments unless a trusted kosher certification is reinstated. Those who have recently eaten at Krusty Pizza and are concerned about the halachic implications of non-kosher cheese should speak to a rabbi about whether kashering their kitchen utensils is required.
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