2022 YIR: Atlanta’s Kosher Chinese Restaurant’s New Ownership

In March, new management took over Chai Peking, Atlanta’s only kosher Chinese restaurant, conveniently located inside the Kroger in Toco Hills. A longtime employee, Mordechai Snyder, and his wife, Kimberly, purchased the restaurant from founder Reuven Michoel Robinson, who opened Chai Peking more than 25 years ago.

In an interview this past summer, Robinson said of the transition in ownership, “I think it was a perfect shidduch. I think it was a perfect marriage. Mordechai is very capable, very talented and, please G-d, they’ll do very well.”

The couple, and their children, who assist the new owners with various tasks, are committed to maintaining the same values established by Robinson over a quarter-century ago.

“When we purchased the restaurant, we did so with the intention of not making overt, dramatic changes,” Snyder said, adding that the staff and recipes will largely remain the same. The few tweaks the Snyder’s have made to the Chai Peking menu involve serving more traditional Chinese offerings.

The Synders 10-year-old triplets, Yoel, Joshua, and Shaina, can frequently be seen helping with prep work and cleaning up around the establishment. Truly a family-run enterprise, the Snyders and Chai Peking are keeping it kosher with a Chinese twist.

“We’re grateful for our Atlanta following, and we’re humbled by our out-of-town following and the support we have from people,” Snyder said. “People come in from Israel and say, ‘I have to have Chai Peking.’ It’s humbling, every single time.”

Robert Garber contributed to this article.