A Little Sweet, A Little Spizy, And a Massive Bracha

How a viral kosher controversy turned from chaos into clarity, and a blessing.

Photography by Jared Khan

About a year ago I got a text message:

"After your video I lost 97% of my business.”

My video? Not possible... is it? On my TikTok? @WeWantMoschiachNow...?

I ask: Who even is this?!

Another text: “This is Raquel Soleimany, I’m the owner of Sweet and Spizy. You filmed a video at my restaurant last week. You said it was a scam. We are not a scam. We are 100%

Glatt Kosher. We are under the supervision of Rabbi Simkin at North American Kosher...”

Okay this might actually be real. I head to TikTok. I did indeed just post a video about my attempt at going to a restaurant called Sweet and Spizy in Culver City.

It got like 10K views! Not bad.

If you don’t know me, I’m a Jewish content creator, musician, and food columnist for the LA Jewish Home, among other things.

I opened Uber Eats, like I do every week, looking for my next review. Always gotta check the menu first. This week I was feeling Mexican.

I wanted Lenny’s Casita but the cameraman wanted to go to a new place he just found; Sweet and Spizy, which not only looked delicious but had insanely better prices than the competition.

I was all in, just two questions. What’s the Hechsher? And how had no one heard about this place?

Their website said:

“North American Kosher?! What the heck is that?!”

Naturally I would not eat there. The cameraman pulled up the head rabbi of NAK, Rabbi Simkin’s LinkedIn. The cameraman confidently argues: “you’re telling me that guy isn’t shomer shabbos? It says he was the head of the OU for 40 years in California.”

And just like that I was convinced. And the order was placed.

In the video, we now cut to the cameraman saying “okay we may have just gotten scammed...”

It truly is kosher TikTok gold. The comedic timing was elite.

Then we rewind and show Uber taking us to a back alley, no restaurant in sight. Then we walk around the block and find a restaurant that looks like a weird barbecue restaurant. No mezuzah, not a yarmulke in sight. There’s a man sitting at a window, we look inside, and in fact we do see one person with a kippah on. Could this be the place?

No way. We call Uber and they call the restaurant, twice, no answer. We get a full refund and drive to Lenny’s Casita with more questions than answers.

Turns out Raquel, a Mexican Jewish woman from Mexico City, was, would you know it, in Mexico that week.

She tells me that, at the same time, Rabbi Simkin was in Israel but his son had found my video on TikTok.She explains that the weird-looking place is actually a ghost kitchen.

A large shared kitchen where many restaurants prepare food to sell for delivery.

Rabbi Simkin permitted them to operate there, even with treif restaurants, so long as they had 2 full-time mashgichim, and they double-wrapped both the surfaces and the food before cooking.

Long story short: cooking meat double-wrapped in a treif oven.

Shiitake mushrooms to say the least.

I started asking around, nobody knew about this place or this hechsher. I ask a mashgiach friend, he says Rabbi Simkin is reliable.

Then I told him about the ovens.

He said “my place is under the OK and we do it for catering in a pinch but you can’t rely on that leniency all the time. Then it’s not a leniency.”

I finally asked my own personal Chabad rabbi. He told me he actually ate this food at an event because someone showed him the hechsher and told him it was Rabbi Simkin so he trusted. He was really upset to learn about their kitchen situation.

The more people I asked, the more people I had telling me I shouldn’t feel bad. In their eyes I just saved them and other yids from eating something sketchy.

Even so, Raquel was also a yid. It didn’t feel right to leave her out to dry, whether or not I was helping other Jews in the process.

That’s not me. Not how I roll. Then I got a letter from the Rebbe that Shabbos all about helping fellow Jews and I knew what I had to do.

I reached out to Raquel that week. I told her I want to help her find a new kitchen and a better certification but first let’s make some follow-up videos to update people on the situation.

I interviewed both Raquel and Rabbi Simkin. Those videos collectively got about 50K views. It became a controversy. Like there was a trending search on TikTok that said “WeWantMoschiachNow restaurant controversy”.

Jewish TikTok was divided. Some people agreed that I did the right thing. Others fuming mad, and calling me all types of things David Rogatsky won’t let me say in The LA Jewish Home. Kidding lol. But it was pretty graphic stuff.

Raquel told us she’s a single mom of 4, working to put her kids through yeshiva. I immediately felt even worse!!!

She started selling food in the streets. She grew up in a fully Orthodox family. She admitted it wasn’t ideal to be in a shared kitchen and she took accountability that it wasn’t clearly stated on the website. Ultimately her goal was to get into her own restaurant but she felt that the current situation was perfectly fine based on what she was told by Rabbi Simkin.

He told us “I have been doing hashgacha for the OU, Kof-K, Vaad Ha’ir of Los Angeles for 30-40 years.”

My first question was about the ovens. I told him what my friend told me. He responded “Ask them how they eat a kosher meal on an airplane.”

My friend actually anticipated that and said that unlike Sweet and Spizy’s ghost kitchen the airplane meal was wrapped in a kosher environment.

Rabbi Simkin’s position was that the area was secluded and exclusive to Sweet and Spizy, with all food being locked away and 2 on-site mashgichim watching every step. The main concern was steam from the treif oven entering the food and the double wrap of aluminum foil solved that.

I reiterated my friend’s point about that being a leniency but Rabbi Simkin was confident. Whether or not I agreed. I respect it and I am in no way telling you whether or not you should trust NAK. That’s entirely up to you and your rav!

As for me, I heard enough. I stayed in touch with Raquel and she navigated finding a new certification, the various hurdles which to my surprise were numerous but easy to overcome. All the while searching for a new place.

Rabbi Simkin stood by Raquel and allowed her to build her business without paying the big guys before she was ready. There’s nobility in the act, no doubt, and to Raquel it meant a lot. So leaving NAK wasn’t going to be easy.

In the end, a chance encounter with a TikTok creator led Raquel Soleimany, the owner of Sweet and Spizy, to put her faith in Hashem and do what her heart told her was right.

Just this month Sweet and Spizy reopened in their own restaurant located at 5450 W Pico Blvd, where they’re proudly displaying their kosher certification from the OK that confirms their meat is not only Glatt Kosher but also a Chassidishe Shechita. You’ll also find a brand new mezuzah on the doorframe. A full 360 from where they were last year!

Now I’m sure you’re wondering, “How’s The Food?!”

Keep reading into the Farbreng Section for my full review of Sweet and Spizy.

Farbreng With The Kosher Gang: Sweet & Spizy Special Report

The Most Authentic Kosher Mexican Food in The Country.

Stepping into Sweet and Spizy for the first time was honestly surreal. What a wild ride and finally... I’m about to try this food! It ALWAYS “looked” so fire in the pictures. Undoubtedly so.

I’m joined by avid Farbreng Gang reader, Avi Hendeles, and Jared Khan.

As we’re walking in, seeing the OK on the wall, the mezuzah on the door, feels like an absolute trip. Raquel greets us right away! My first time meeting her in person.

We start at the guacamole bar, the house-made tortilla chips are fire, and both are complimentary.

“They’re fire, but are they as good as the non kosher ones? That’s what the reader wants to know.”

Good question Avi! Yeah these chips are so fresh, so is the guacamole, so I feel weird saying it about the chips but both are true at Sweet and Spizy. These things are an absolute vibe right now.

Next we got the barbacoa beef tacos and they looked every bit as serious as they sound.

Straight petrol. This is so good. Everyone should come here to eat based on these tacos alone!

Jared, what are your thoughts?

“That’s a good taco man! I usually prefer white corn tortillas to yellow corn but these things are good.”

Raquel, her top recommendation is tacos all day long. I think I could probably eat 50 of them lol.

The chicken quesadilla also was not playing games!

You can’t even tell it’s fake cheese. It was taking me back to my school years. A classic late night snack tasting as nostalgic as ever. Avi, how do you like it?

“I don’t even eat cheese but this tastes real.”

It’s a real throwback for my tastebuds. Everything is so authentically Mexican. This must be the most Authentic Kosher Mexican food in the country.

“There’s no other kosher Mexican in the whole country?”

Yeah, Jared. That’s why I always say, LA wins best kosher city based on the Variety alone.

“This Quesadilla is good bro! Classic Mexican!”

Couldn’t agree more bro and it’s so photo-worthy, thank goodness you’re here!

There’s literally nothing like this anywhere.

“I didn’t realize, I can’t believe this is the only one. If you want authentic fleish Mexican food you really have no other choice.”

Then the Pozole soup came out. Steaming with the aromas of fresh ground peppers and soft tender beef.

“This is Fire! This is some good Pozole! I could eat this anytime!”

Wow! Dang okay Jared! You were not lying bro!! This has garlic, radishes, beans, and meat, it’s steaming hot even after you take pictures of it! And it’s undeniably photo-worthy, looking like an actual work of art!

Raquel kept the food coming, next she brought out Elote corn and a chicken burrito. She said burritos are the only non-traditional Mexican item because, fun fact, they don’t eat burritos in Mexico. That’s more of an American invention.

This Elote looks insane. Obviously, it’s again not real cheese, but it has that cheesy, street corn taste that brings me back to my time in Mexico.

Avi, you asked me about Authenticity. I’ve spent time in Mexico, doing the resort life thing, this food is tasting better than the food I had in Mexico. I’m into this! Avi, how do you like it?

“I like this! Solid flavor, not too salty! They say Jewish Eaters it's hard to over salt things.”

“I gotta disagree Avi, I’m sensitive to salt!”

“You’re not a Jewish eater I guess!”

Haha you guys are funny! I think the salt isn’t overpowering but I see where you’re coming from Jared!

Avi you hit up this beef burrito bowl, and Jared and I will split this chicken burrito. First things first though, these beans and rice are doing it for me! Tasting like the realest of deals. The burrito? 3 words. Bomb Dot Com! Seriously this is so good, I can’t recommend this to you guys enough. We still have a few things to try and I think I already know where I’m landing with this score.

Jared was about to try the burrito and then boom! Sauce is spraying on his white shirt in a moment of burrito chaos. Luckily the panic is instantly wiped from his face, his eyeballs shooting open the moment the burrito touches his lips.

“That’s good! It’s that sauce! It needs a little guac but luckily that’s free at the Guac bar, let me add some. It’s fire bro! Plus unlimited guac.”

It’s delicious, once you add the guac it’s even better! I could come here and just eat chips and guac all day but this burrito tastes amazing.

Avi, how is that bowl treating you?

“It’s good, it’s got everything in it! I like the Jalapeños!”

It’s looking like the kosher Chipotle over there!

“What is Chipotle?”

Lol. Wow Avi, that’s a wild question to hear but it makes sense if you’ve always been kosher.

Chipotle is a Tex-Mex fast food chain owned by McDonald’s. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Chipotle is nothing compared to this!

There’s only one other place in town to get a burrito bowl and I think that place is about 15 dollars more than this.

Finally, Raquel brought us her own creation. Tamale Cupcakes. Beef, Chicken, and Jalapeño with cheese.

Avi, have you ever had a tamale? Grab one of these!

“Not an authentic one! I’m gonna take the beef Tamales! This is like a corn muffin filled with meat!”

Jared, what do you think?

“I thought tamales were long and inside a corn husk?”

Raquel explained that yes they were but that she didn’t want to make her life more difficult so she invented a tamales cupcake to make the classic dish easier to make.

What do you think about the cheese jalapeño one?

“It’s good but I think it needs meat! Let me try a piece of your chicken one!”

Sure bro, go for it!

“The chicken makes it way better for me. It tastes like the real Mexican tamales I’ve had.”

Yeah bro, I agree! This tamale is super authentic and scratches that classic Mexican food itch for me.

Okay what are you guys thinking in terms of score?

Avi, this is your first score ever! You go first!

“I’m going out of 100 in classic Farbreng Gang Style. The tacos? They’re a 98 out of 100.

Overall, I’d give it a solid 90 out of 100.”

Fire! Those are some high scores!!

Jared, what are you thinking?

“Just a prelude; I told David I’m going hard from now on. It’s nice to be nice but I’m coming in hot. It was good. I think I’m going 7 out of 10.”

Wow. He did say he was going to become a tougher grader. There it is I guess!

A man who was basically sitting next to us the entire review also shared his thoughts with us.

“I usually order Sweet and Spizy. For some reason it’s even better in the store. I had the beef burrito bowl and the beef tamale cupcake. I’m gonna go with a 9.2 out of 100. Real authentic tasting Mexican food and the service is bar none.”

Wow, that's high praise!

“Wait David, before you go, can I say why I went so low? To me ambience is a big thing, and they have this beautiful big patio, I just want to see some more Mexican themed vibes up here which will add to the whole experience. They’ll for sure be able to do that as more people come and their business grows. The food is very good though.”

Fair Jared! Listen, being a tough grader isn’t easy but I respect it!

For me, on first thoughts. We ate a lot of food, and I don’t feel bad at all. Sometimes I leave these reviews in pain. I always enjoy the eating, but today I feel noticeably lighter.

Perhaps it’s because of what Raquel revealed to us earlier; they don’t use oil in basically anything. It’s honestly very apparent when you eat it. Everything is rich but fairly healthy and in fact nearly the entire menu is gluten free.

I don’t want the gang to think that I’m boosting the score because of Raquel and I’s history.

The food is very, very good. Since we tried such an extensive share of their menu I can safely give Sweet and Spizy a 92 out of 100.

I highly recommend it. Come say hi to Raquel, tell her WeWantMoschiachNow sent you. She’ll hook you up!

This soup, I’ll be back for that alone. I’m gonna finish this whole bowl, even after all that food!

I will absolutely be back!

Sweet and Spizy

@Anonymous Guest Score: 9.2 out of 100

@AviHendeles Guest Score: 90 out of 100

@JaredKahnPhotography Hot Take: 7 out of 10

@WeWantMoshiachNow Official Score: 92 out of 100

Wow Gang! This was a flavorful week! I’ll be dreaming about those tacos and that Pozole all week. BH! Sweet and Spizy finally has their own restaurant so I will undoubtedly be a frequent customer. Huge shoutout to Raquel for having the emunah, the bitachon, to take the steps she did and BZH this is just the beginning for Sweet and Spizy.

Thank you to Avi Hendeles for joining us this week! Welcome back any time! Shout out to the talented Jared Kahn for snapping all these fire food flicks for us! Jared’s available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and all simchas so get in touch with him @JaredKahnPhotography!

Until next time, I think that’s a review.

David Greenberg is a music industry professional, songwriter, and content creator.

You can follow him @WeWantMoshiachNow on TikTok, IG, and YouTube.

Hear his kosher pop music at soundcloud.com/WeWantMoshiachNow.

For all inquiries: WeWantMoshiachNow@thelajewishhome.com