The World Can’t Get Enough Baked Dough

Today Forest Hills, tomorrow the world:

Knish Nosh has been a trademark of Forest Hills since 1952. Located at 100-30 Queens Boulevard at 67th Road, New York residents, out-of-towners, and native celebrities have sampled its timeless, century-old recipes in a cozy establishment with personable staff, and an aroma that not only goes out the door, but a taste that stimulates the mind. Now in its 55th year, Knish Nosh redefines itself as it expands to accommodate a new wave of foods that will be a perfect complement to the knish, or a novelty alone.

On an average day, Knish Nosh sells 4,000 knishes, and takes pride in promoting a healthy diet with its old school home-cooked meals.

“We serve a ‘feel good kind of food’ that’s inexpensive, all natural with no preservatives, and kosher,” says owner Haig Schneiderman, who lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. “The oil we use for our hand-rolled knishes contains no trans-fats or cholesterol. It’s Jewish soul food for all.”

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When [Schneiderman] was 15, he asked, “Why is there only one Knish Nosh establishment?” He envisioned taking it over someday, and wondered what it would be like. On February 7, 2003, Haig’s dream became a reality.

“I occasionally hear ‘my mom used to take me here.’ People everywhere get connected because of eating knishes,” he said.

The community thanked him, especially since many classic neighborhood establishments have recently closed their doors. “Many people say that Forest Hills starts and ends with Knish Nosh,” said Schneiderman. “At the time, I said ‘Knish Nosh is going strong. I plan on bringing it to the next level, so it will be better than ever.’ I embraced the opportunity!”

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Schneiderman considered franchising, but received over 400 calls within a short period of time. He then felt it was best to exclusively own any future restaurants, and keep it within the family-operated tradition. Speaking of the future, he stated, “In two decades from now, I see Knish Nosh in every major city throughout the U.S., like that of Dunkin’ Donuts. It will be throughout Florida, the east and west coast, and at ski resorts and kiosks countrywide.”

Schneiderman has already begun to fulfill his mission by opening a kiosk in Central park at the Harlem Meer near 5th Avenue and 106th Street, and another in Flushing Meadows Corona Park overlooking Meadow Lake. The latter has 40 seats, and is situated on the grounds of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fair with views of the Unisphere. The first out-of-state Knish Nosh is scheduled to open in November in Delray Beach, Florida. Schneiderman plans to add an additional seven to ten restaurants over the next two years.