Log In / Sign Up
HOME > Chowhound > Manhattan >
j
juliehf Jul 1, 2006 05:24 PM

Is there Potato Nik ANYWHERE in Manhatten?

My mom raves to me about how when she was little, she would buy Potato Nik from vendors in Manhatten. Now we can't find it anywhere!

  1. a
    aunteejoy Jul 3, 2006 12:52 PM

    Mother's Bakery, on 235th St in Riverdale, used to sell Potato Nik on Fridays only. You'll have to call to see if they still do.

    1. c
      CornflakeGirl Jul 3, 2006 12:20 PM

      We actually had some on Passover. This was in Queens and it came from a local place. I think it might have been Mauzone's on Main St. There are a ton of Kosher places in the Kew Gardens Hills area. I would start there. Or you can try to make it yourself. there seem to be a lot of recipes online.

      1. r
        rose Jul 2, 2006 04:07 AM

        The real definition of potato nik is not just one giant latke or even potato kugel, although it has devolved into that.

        I've had actual potato nik (not for 30 years). It is far more yeast bread-like and has a definite, intense flavor of black pepper in addition to onion and potato but the most distinct difference is the texture. It is much more like a yeast bread than a baked pudding of eggs, onions and potatoes. It probably contains much more flour than latkes or kugel and obviously uses yeast for the leavening rather than baking powder and soda.

        I'd venture a guess that you will not be able to find any to buy in NYC if you want the authentic potato nik as opposed to just potato kugel.

        3 Replies
        1. re: rose
          j
          juliehf Jul 2, 2006 04:45 AM

          Rose, I definitely agree with you, as my mom sits next to me nodding her head. I've had kugel and knish plenty of times, and it's definitely a completely different food. I actually have had it once, and it was soo good. My grandparents found it somewhere, but they can't remember where they got it from!!! Thanks for your response though.

          1. re: juliehf
            r
            RGR Jul 2, 2006 10:38 PM

            I also agree that potatonik is nothing like kugel.

            Call Gertel's, the Jewish bakery on the LES, to see if they make it. Tel.: 212-982-3250

            Also, perhaps posting your request on the kosher and Outer Boroughs boards might yield some positive results.

          2. re: rose
            howler Jul 11, 2006 08:33 PM

            man, that sounds wonderful

          3. s
            sherry f Jul 1, 2006 11:35 PM

            Potato Nik is another name for Potato Kugel which is a staple at Jewish delis. Although not a New Yorker, I would try Kosher or Jewish style delis with take-out counters such as Park East (Park Ave in the 70's or 80's), Zabars, and there are some butchers on West 72nd Street.

            1 Reply
            1. re: sherry f
              c
              CornflakeGirl Jul 3, 2006 11:41 AM

              Actually Potato Kugel and Potatonik are two different dishes.

            Share with your friendsX