Few, if any, restaurants without proper rabbinic supervision have the level of sensitivity, knowledge, or awe of G-d to be trusted in such important matters as the purity of our Jewish souls and the upholding of G-d's commandments. Whether because of un-kosher cooking utensils, the use of animal-based food additives (in oils, emulsifiers, etc.), or a lack of regard for the importance of bug-free food (after all, a Jew who eats one insects transgresses six Torah prohibitions!), a Jew who is honestly pursuing the path to G-dliness through Torah should completely avoid non-kosher restaurants.

I have a friend who keeps kosher and was a strict vegetarian. She went to a non-kosher restaurant and this particular meal she ordered vegetable soup, double-checking with the waitress that it was strictly vegetarian. She confirmed that it was, and so my friend began her meal. Within seconds she sensed something was wrong. She sent the waitress back to the kitchen to find out if a base was used or if anything was added. Sure enough, there was a pork stock added for flavor. So much for her vegetarian soup, let alone kosher soup.

There is a reason that many vegetarians or vegans will only eat products that have a kosher label. They will be the first to tell you that the only way of ensuring that something doesn’t have meat or milk added is if the label says “pareve.” Without this kosher label, a company may advertise that something is “dairy-free” if the amount of dairy added is minimal.

The bottom line is that there is no such thing as keeping kosher in a non-kosher restaurant. It is not just the food products themselves, but how they are prepared and in what vessels. If you keep a kosher home, you know how much work it takes and how much care must be invested. Don’t make the mistake of believing that anyone who does not value keeping kosher can be trusted in such important and holy matters.

Even by visiting such institutions with friends or associates a person can easily be tempted (or pressured) to "join the gang" and, G-d forbid, transgress our sacred traditions, which help protect the sanctity of our souls. In addition, avoiding such uncomfortable social scenarios actually empowers the local Jewish community, creating a demand for more kosher institutions and strengthening the resolve to maintain our religious and cultural integrity.