Kosher Dunkin Donuts: Now in Staten Island!

The Jewish Week has an in-depth article on the opening of the first kosher Dunkin Donuts on Long Island. For a Borough that is short on kosher options this is a warm welcome. Rabbi Mehlman aka the "Donut Rabbi" was instrumental in making this kosher addition a realty. The article explains what kind of fines would be given out for those who did not adhere to it's strict kashrus standards:The company employs a zero-tolerance stance for those who break rules and bring in outside (potentially non-kosher) products to lower costs. “One of the stores I know of had to pay a $10,000 fine for using a [non-Dunkin’ Donuts-approved] toilet bowl cleaner,” Rabbi Mehlman said. “You’d have to be out of your mind to mess with a key product — you’d lose your store.” Interestingly the article discussed how the Dunkin Donuts in the 5 towns was sued for being closed on shabbos. After corporate figured out that they were making more money by being kosher they changed their tune. I'm not certain however if they are still closed on shabbos since the owners are not Jewish they may be allowed to stay open.