MONSEY - 7-Eleven Franchisee First to Offer Kosher Food

MONSEY, N.Y. -- A 7-Eleven franchise location in Monsey, N.Y., became the first convenience store in the country to offer a kosher hot dog.

According to Newsday, the c-store added a second roller grill that was blessed by local Rabbi Zushe Blech.

"The response has been overwhelming," Anthony Mendicino, who has operated the franchise location with his brother for 13 years, told the newspaper.

The c-store is located in the heart of Monsey's Orthodox Jewish community. The new hot dog offering was the result of customers clamoring for the food, the news outlet reported.

To prepare the hot dogs, the Mendicinos hired Sam Indig, a trained chef who is also an Orthodox Jew himself.

Indig is cooking up seven kosher hot dogs and Polish sausages that are served on buns from a local certified-kosher bakery.

The 7-Eleven franchise also offers a special condiment bar with toppings including hummus and sauerkraut that are separate from the roller grill.

"It is amazing how many people came up to us and thanked us for bringing the kosher grill to the store," Anthony Mendicino told the news source.