Kosher Restaurant Locators

Today's review is of three kosher restaurant and food establishment finders

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Kosher Near Me by KosherNear.Me (version 1.8)

(updated 05/16/12)
Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
This application shows a listing of local restaurants and other food establishments that are kosher based on GPS location or you entering the ZIP code. Shows phone number, address, restaurant type on main list, and upon selecting an entry shows reviews, options for interactive map, calling directly and for seeing supervision (hashgacho).

Pros: This app has a nice interface. Latest version can show local establishments directly on a map and. Click on the + for simple "Add a listing" feature. Allows you to see hashgacho in advance of calling restaurant. Excellent response when alerting author of stale entries or new entries to be added. Convenient "Add to Contacts feature" (that now works).

Cons: Many stale entries and missing new entries. Missing most restaurants in some towns. Very few reviews actually written. Includes more non-restaurant kosher establishments than the competition. "Add to contacts" feature does not work on my phone. [Author has been alerted to this problem but no fix has been forthcoming.] Strangely missing ZIP codes from entry display.

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Kosher Restaurants GPS by Kosher Restaurants GPS (version 1.4.25)

Type: Application
Cost: Free (Has ads in app)
Overview:
This application quickly lists local establishments upon startup. Contains instant phone link. Shows full address and restaurant type right on the list screen. Also has one-button access to map, website or phone. Holding down an entry also brings the option to e-mail about that entry or add to your contact list (and it works). Includes Discounts for some restaurants. Also has minyan and mikveh database.

Pros: Discounts at restaurants! Speedy interface fully works. Contains great filter and sorting options (e.g. Meat, Dairy; Distance, Name).

Cons: Requires (free) registration. Minyan and Mikveh database are clearly more of an afterthought -- limited to contact and location info (no hours of minyanim or hours of operation). Some stale and missing entries but better than the competition. Not many non-restaurant food establishments. No hashgacho listings. [Author says this will be addressed with a separate list, as they are afraid that hashgacho information can get out-of-date too quickly to be relied upon.]
Update 04-26-12: Author fixed previous crashing issues, now rated Top Pick
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Kosher Food Locator by 802Apps (version 1.0)

Type: Application
Cost: $1.99
Overview:
This paid app works by showing you a satellite map with kosher restaurant names superimposed. A click of the restaurant name should bring up Google's local info from the "Places" tab in the Google mobile browser.

Pros: Can see the Google customer reviews for each establishment after clicking.

Cons: This app does nothing more than look at Google's very limited "Places" database of kosher restaurants -- and it doesn't even show all of those! It is a complete waste of money and time to install and uninstall. Either of the two previous apps show far more locations. If one wants to read the Google reviews, just go to the google search app, hit the "Places" tab and type "kosher" in the search. To add insult to injury they are using the "OK Labs" trademarked symbol.