By Libby Herz – COLlive
Photos: Yossi Jerufi
“It’s called ‘Ahava’ – love,” says Yakov Benaltaba, owner of Holy Schnitzel. “That is the special spice we put on all our food.” Holy Schnitzel recently opened its Crown Heights location at 262 Kingston Avenue between Lincoln and S. John’s, under the supervision of the Beis Din of Crown Heights.
Known for their mouth-watering sandwiches, burgers, and soups, Holy Schnitzel is the perfect spot for a friends meet up, or an affordable family outing.
The making of this family-oriented restaurant was a family project. “We grew this big by mistake,” Benaltaba says. “One day, when we lived in Staten Island, a restaurant in our area closed. My grown son called me.”
“‘Abba,” he said, “Let’s take the restaurant.”
At the time, Benaltaba was in finance, and his son was in the entertainment business. At first, the father resisted. “I did not know much about the food industry,” he says. It took a lot of convincing, but Benaltaba finally agreed. After learning about the business, his family sat down to brainstorm on a name. “We kept throwing names around,” he says. Finally, they came up with the name ‘Holy Schnitzel.’
“We all agreed that it was perfect.”
Now, Holy Schnitzel’s creative and tasty sandwiches are known throughout New York and New Jersey. One popular choice is the Holy Toasty – a scrumptious blend of cornflake-coated schnitzel, pastrami, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. Not in the mood of a burger? The BBQ Pulled Brisket Meat Sandwich is always a winner with its divine mixture of pulled brisket, buffalo or garlic mayo on a bun, and crispy coleslaw. Don’t forget to ask about their many juicy beef sliders, yummy wraps, and loaded fries.
You can always choose a variety of sauces, including Holy Sauce, Chimichurri Sauce, Asian Sesame, and tasty mayos such as Spicy, Garlic, and Jalapeno mayo.
Their large menu of options includes the option to build your own rice bowl or try a go at the Holy Kids Meal. Kids and adults always love the Popcorn Chicken and Chicken Fingers.
There are also vegetarian options for those on specialized eating plans.
Each dish is prepared fresh, just for you. “We don’t prepare our food from yesterday, or two hours ago,” Benaltaba says. “Everything is done on the spot.” The $12.99 special rate for bochurim includes a sandwich, drink, and fries. A family of four can have a delicious, sit down meal for between $40 and $60.
Holy Schnitzel’s hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, from 11 AM through 1 AM, with a lunch special between 11 AM and 3 PM.
On Motzei Shabbos, they open one hour after Shabbos, with closing at one AM. Be sure not to miss their Thursday specials which include tasty Challah Shnitzel and a special, hearty cholent.
“We opened Holy Schnitzel for the community,” Benaltaba says. “This is what Hashem wants from us. It’s how He directed us. We love bringing Jews together and feeding them delicious kosher food. For this we say, Boruch Hashem.”
Please play only Jewish songs in the store
All food establishments that have a reliable hechsher should be required to have Jewish music and waiters vs waitresses. If they do have waitresses, they need to be dressed tznius, but waiters are preferred.
What about single girls? Do we not get a special rate? We eat too….
you eat burgers?
i thought only salads
I thought only Bochrim eat fast oily food!
Great customer service thanks was delicious
happened to drop in last week with my daughter. the service was amazing and the food was delicious! it was overall a wonderful and AFFORDABLE experience! wholly recommend…
Is there a menu somewhere to see?
somewhere to eat in CH
CH is overly inundated with places to eat?
We need good Hashgocha
I second the motion that Jewish stores should only play Jewish music. Even if it’s relaxing instrumental, you can find all kinds online. I live out of town on shlichus and was shocked to enter a Crown Heights store during sefira and heard music that not only wasn’t a capella, but wasn’t even Jewish. We appreciate the high standards of Crown Heights stores for what we put in our mouths and on our bodies. Now please maintain yiddishe standards for what enters our ears and–ultimately–our souls.
Niggunim
And not songs where you sit in stores in Crown heights and it sounds like they might be just goyishe songs in hebrew
I remember an incident like that in a CH eatery. It was during the 3 weeks, I believe. When I asked to clarify I actually got cut off mid sentence and chewed out by the manager who wasn’t Jewish. Very off-putting experience.
Then please lower your prices
If it’s indeed for the community, please consider lowering the prices somewhat and offering family/group specials
You mean yeshiva bochur? How do you prove you are one?
Anyways,
Or what about girls , is this an iniciative to make shidduchim? Lol
Why did you close the aventura, FL location?
WHat is the hecksher of the restaurant and of the meat.
Just reading the comments here and everybody sounds a good crybaby, guys take a chill going to walk… Life will be good BH. And while you’re at it, try out the chicken fingers corn flake breaded in this store. It’s pretty good. See y’all