Elite Event: Outback To Astoria at Thirsty Koala

This was my first Unilocal Elite ever and it was great! I’m glad that this event ended up to be my first event. I didn’t know anyone, but that didn’t deter me from meetin new people and trying great food.
I’ve been to the Thirsty Koala to try their burgers and at this event, I was able to try so much more. The food was all delicious, unfortunately I can’t remember all the names, but overall delicious. The service was friendly and accommodating, the servers went around and explained to us what each dish was. A nice perk of not only having just great food, there’s great alcohol such as Queens Courage Gin and beer on tap, so that was great to try new drinks too.
I had the pleasure of talking to the owner of Queens Courage and it was great to hear what he wanted his Gin to be like. I had a taste and it was very smooth, something I can definitely drink again even though I’m not the biggest Gin fan.
Overall, the event was a success with the amount of people that came. Also, everyone including the staff, chef, and fellow elite Unilocalers were all welcoming. I can’t wait for another event.

So excited that after months of having Thirsty Koala bookmarked on Unilocal I finally had an opportunity to check it out thanks to Jandito and #TeamYelpAfterDark. I’m never really in this part of Astoria so I definitely needed something to drag me out here, lol.
Everyone at Thirsty Koala was warm and welcoming. I was also glad that I got to meet some new Unilocalers, even one who when I asked where she was from, ended up being from the same part of Brooklyn as Ingrid S. — Cheers all around for the kind Brooklynites who made it out!
The food at Thirsty Koala was no joke! There were miniature Chilean Sea Bass paella tacos on round tortilla chips and the fish was fantastic! The lamb chops were perfectly seasoned and cooked so that it would melt off the bone. Soon juicy, tender and kind of medium rare (which is exactly how I likey my meat!), the meatballs were reminiscent of Swedish meatballs but with a crunchy exterior — they were delightful, the Australian sausage rolls were super juicy, flaky and decadent and the battered calamari served with lemon wedges were delicious and not too chewy which is awesome.
The MVP of the night for me though was the kangaroo empanadas!!! They never made it to my table because of the crowds making themselves at home by the kitchen, but I asked their chef if there were more coming out and apparently they were extremely limited and had moved on from savory foods to sweet treats — but she whipped up one last batch and hand delivered it to my table. MAN, that’s amazing customer service. This was the most delicious savory food I had that night. This also wasn’t my first time trying kangaroo, but it WAS my first kangaroo empanada. Mmmmm. They were FANTASTIC!
As far as the sweet foods, there was watermelon shots with something drizzled on them, Chocolate/​Caramel shortbread snacks and Koala Chocolate balls (which tasted like cold, chocolate covered brownies that were still chewy and not quite baked through) — THEY ARE AMAZING. I needed some milk to wash down that much chocolate though and was so excited when I inquired about milk and they were able to fill up a red Solo cup with some for me. MAN, an open bar event that will serve me milk with a chocolate covered brownie after multiple gin cocktails?! CAN I GET AN AMEN?! Whooooooo!!!
This brings me to cocktails — Queens Courage (a fine product from Astoria Distilling Company) was on hand to provide gin cocktails all night. I believe it was called a «Ginger-​roo» and it sort’ve reminded me of a gin based Moscow Mule with the ginger beer. They were refreshing, tasty and all sorts of deliciousness.
OH, and I just realized that I lied about the kangaroo empanadas being the MVP of the night for me… it was this night that I discovered VEGEMITE. VEGE-​FLIPPING-​MITE!!! I sat at a table with 4 people when Vegemite/​buttered toast sticks came out… no one at my table liked them so I ate mine (carefully at first because I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel like about the stuff) and then I happily chomped down on everyone else’s. This stuff is DELISH! It’s like a slightly thicker balsamic vinaigrette. MAN. Vegemite is life.
Apparently Vegemite is one of those polarizing things that you either love or hate. Nothing but love, love, LOVE over here. Mmmmmmmmm ^_​^.
Many, many thanks to Thirsty Koala, Queens Courage, Jandito and everyone involved in hosting and executing such an awesome Unilocal After Dark event… and for introducing me to Vegemite {3.

So this was my first Elite Only event and it was amazing!
The food was delicious and there was plenty to go around. There was ceviche on a circular tortilla chip with sea bass, which were tasty 2-​bite size pieces. It had great flavor! Then there were Australian meat pies– so good, corn fritter slider– great with a wonderful sauce, calamari– just the right amount of crispness, meatballs– amazing, lamb chops– this was not one of my favorites because it was a bit rare for me and there was too much fat on it. Then our table noticed there were kangaroo samosas going around which we didn’t get a chance to try so my friend asked about it and they made a whole tray just for us! What incredible service… It tasted pretty good. Kind of tasted like well seasoned beef — I would not have known it was kangaroo if no one told me.
Then there were the desserts: Koala ball was a huge ball of chocolate with more soft, brownie-​like chocolate inside. It was so good! Very rich, smooth and delectable. There was also bar of chocolate with caramel and shortbread which was also incredible.
The servers were awesome, especially the Australian one! They were very friendly and were quite patient as all us Unilocalers tried to take pictures before devouring the amazing food.
What a lovely event with delicious food and great company. Thanks Jando and Thirsty Koala for throwing a very memorable event!

Another extremely successful event at The Thirsty Koala! I loved this place the first time and was so excited to see what they had in store this time. It was awesome that there was a great turn out, even with the iffy weather.
The staff was ultra friendly and knowledgeable, exactly how I remember from the last event. Christine was at the door greeting every single person and welcoming us to the restaurant. She walked around all night, served food, and made sure every single person was well fed and happy. The servers made sure everyone was offered food, even those hiding in the corner. I love the staff here– they really know how to make you feel comfortable.
The space was better laid out than last time– it was more of a lounge vibe and there was plenty of seating. It was well thought out and I don’t think there was a bad spot to be for food or conversation.
The food was incredible and did not disappoint. They were extremely generous as there was more than enough food for everyone. Plates and plates of yummy dishes were swept all around, and even though at times I was tucked away in a corner somewhere, the staff made sure everyone got a taste.
I think the big hit of the night was the Australian herb lamb — this was a HUGE hit all across the room. Mouth-​watering, juicy, cooked to perfection. Talking about it now makes me want to go back for more!
My second favorite for the night had to be the corn & jalapeño sliders– this did not scream vegetarian at all. It was well spiced and flavored and I probably could have just ate this all night. It was a little spicy for the non-​heat eaters in my group though.
The calamari was pretty good considering it was gluten free– and the sauces they served it with were delicious.
This was the first time I tried kangaroo– I wasn’t sure if I would like it. The empanadas were served with a pomegranite sauce and the whole thing actually tasted very normal to me– kind of like a lean beef. It was good.
The koala chocolate balls– definitely something worth staying the whole event for. I’m not usually a fan of chocolate, but this was as chocolate as you could get and totally worth getting sugar sickness for!
I only had the ginger roo drink– a nice light and refreshing gin based cocktail. Chris from Queens Courage was really friendly and walked around greeting everyone throughout the night, and explained how he had make the gin himself which is pretty cool.
I am mostly definitely coming back to try their dinner menu soon– and hoping to see more of that amazing lamb!

T he thing about Unilocal events is that you can go to a venue without assuming risk.
H onestly, I wouldn’t be in most Queens’ venues if Unilocal wasn’t sponsoring.
I mean, I wouldn’t venture all the way to Astoria at 9pm on a Monday otherwise!
R eally glad I did though =)
S uch a long travel, but so totally worth it — and I’d come back again!
T hirsty Koala is a small space with intimate lighting and a chill vibe.
Y ou’re definitely in for a treat! They offer the following dishes (all good!!):
K angaroo-​meat filled empanadas and Theía’s Meatballs for those who love meat
O r salmon ceviches on crackers for those who prefer seafood.
A ustralian sausage rolls, calamari and vegemites were all also very pleasing.
L et’s not forget their desserts — so, so, so satisfying to the palate!
A ll in all, Thirsty Koala is definitely worth checking out!
Special thanks to Christine and Jon for their very welcoming attitude and hospitality in Thirsty Koala, for Jando setting this up and to all my fellow eliters who came through and helped make this a poppin’ scene that night!

Thirsty Koala is a Unilocal and fan-​favorite, so what’s not to love about returning here for a night of debauchery courtesy of Unilocal Queens and Queens Courage?
The sea bass ceviche was amazing, Aussie sausage roll was equally tasty (the outer layer was fantastically flaky), meatballs, calamari, corn&jalapeño fritter slider and the Lamb lollies, oh those lollies were to die for. Definitely a «must-​have» plate when you want to impress a guest or treat yo’ yourself!
Didn’t get to try many of the desserts, but the Arnott Tim Tam squares were every bit as good as I’ve remembered them.
Gin as provided for by Queens Courage in the signature drink, «Ginger-​Roo» provided a nice complement to the food served tonight. Thank you Chris!
More importantly, a big round of applause goes to the newly minted Elites whom I met or didn’t get a chance to meet tonight. You’re the ones that make it all possible!
Big thanks once again goes to The Thirsty Koala, (Christine you’re awesome!) and of course, team Unilocal.Jando, another fine bang up job, this one!

The night started like usually Jando scanning the party pass, the decoration was very cool, balloon in the roof very original.
The staff was amazing and there was way too much food: Barramundi Ceviche, Corn & Jalapeño Fritter Sliders, Watermelon Mint Feta Balsamic Vinagrette, Kangaroo Empanadas + Pomegranate Sauce, Aussie Meat Pies /​Sausage Rolls, Koala Chocolate Balls, Gluten Free Calamari Australian Herb Crusted and Wattleseed Lamb Lollies. Is to hard to pick one favorite all were delicious.
The drinks all beers that they had on drafts that night and for they one that are not beers lover they were server Ginger Roo. I start with some ginger then change to the beers.
Staff were very amazing and the owners was awesome.
Thanks Jando, Outback To Astoria at Thirsty Koala staff for this wonderfull event.

The thirst is real!
People began salivating when Jando released those emails. Not the ones of his special calendar shoot, though those were pretty hot. I’m talking about the ones with what would be on the menu at The Thirsty Koala’s event.
This event was all about the food. We kicked off with the Sea Bass Ceviche, which was spectacular. Though the cracker it was served on, was a bit stale.
Now I’m not a vegetarian, but one of my guilty pleasures is a veggie burger. Their’s is a corn and jalapeño fritter, served with a chipotle sauce. Spicy, delicious, and good for me!!! Blasphemy.
Quite possibly my favorite dish of the vending were the Aussie Meat Pies. Which are just like a sausage roll. The pastry style crust was perfect. They paired it with ketchup, which I thought was alright. Maybe more of a red sauce would be a better touch. Still it doesn’t need anything, it’s good on its own.
I didn’t love the next two. The meatballs were sub par for me. Ditto for the calamari. Both were served with a white sauce which I didn’t care for. Though the calamari was also served with a sweet chili which was pretty solid.
The lamb lollies are always the star when I hit up the Thirsty Koala. Succulent, tasty, and spiced to perfection.
The item I couldn’t wait to try was the Kangaroo Empanadas. While they didn’t shape to be like traditional empanadas, they were still really great. I love Kangaroo, and is one of the main reasons I first hit up the Kangaroo awhile back.
At the end we were all treated to one chocolate koala ball. Jando kept hyping them up all night, and they didn’t disappoint. Super rich and creamy, my only wish is I had some ice cream to go with it. Should I have snuck some in from the Brooklyn event earlier in the evening.
All in all it was a great time, and enjoyed catching up with some Queens folk I hadn’t seen in awhile and meeting some new ones. Jando joked on Brooklyn for a bit but it’s all good, jealousy is cute. And as I try to teach my students, you shouldn’t get offended by silly, untrue statements.
Thank you to the staff of the Thirsty Koala. People came in with that thirst and you quenched it. Big thanks to Jando for setting up another amazing event in Astoria, and trying to overcompensate for Queens lower level of fresh. Queens is amazing on its own. You don’t have to try to keep comparing it to Brooklyn. That’s just foolish.

I’ve never had a chance to try Australian food before this event. I am a total fan! !
This two hour late night event was an elite only affair and filled up the intimate space rather quickly. The drinks of the night include a Ginger-​roo cocktail made with gin from Queens Courage, plus Thirsty Koala lager and drafts. Coool. I’m still not drinking much though so no comments on the libations.
The food! ! In no particular order. there was a super light and refreshing sea bass ceviche to start. The calamari had a nice crumbly coat and was seasoned well. The meat pie was a tad greasy but flavorful and savory. The lamb lollies had a nice char and were soo delicious. The meatballs! Ridiculously tender and juicy. I don’t even think I had to chew. The kangaroo (my first time trying) empanadas had the flakiest of crust but the filling was not distinct enough for me to discern. I’ll have to come back and try it prepared differently.
My favorites of the evening though? Corn and jalapeño fritter sliders. So. GOOD. If you had one chance to convince me to become vegan, just hand me a platter of these. I’m yours.
The koala balls. Insane. It was so creamy and rich but I couldn’t eat it fast enough. Some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had and perfect bite to end.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to an event so it was a great time catching up with Unilocalers and meeting new ones. This was a grand event on all fronts. The owners are incredibly sweet and the food, so memorable. The Thirsty Koala will be the reason for my return to Astoria. Thank you so much to the owners and Unilocal NYC for an incredible Monday evening!

I never knew that there was Aussie food in Astoria. Was pleasantly surprised and now I’m going to be bookmarking this place!
I had a great time meeting Unilocalers. As a newbie, everybody was new to me. If your name tag is on shirt, I think I still remember you… It might have been a little blurry after the 4^th drink.
For the staff at Thirsty Koala and cooks, they were super friendly and welcoming. For the Thirsty Koala mission, click here and vote.

I am a believer of local and a supporter of conscious restaurants. You got my vote and props to Thirsty Koala for being a forward thinker.
The food that I loved and wouldn’t mind eating nonstop (Barramundi Ceviche, Corn & Jalapeño sliders, Lamb, salted caramel). The food was very flavorful and wasn’t overpowering. It just hit the spot. Great balance. You could taste the freshness of the ceviche. Slider has a nice kick and it looked real good. Oh the Lamb, why must you taste so good. They were all so good.
For the Good– I enjoyed the gluten free calamari– it was very light. Is this because of the gluten free? I definitely recommend the calamari with the sauce. Since it is very light, it is not as flavorful as a stand alone. The Aussie Meat Pie– Never had this before and I was so eager to try. I enjoyed it without the sauce, but I think its better with it. I think the meat/​sausage could be spicier. Not sure if that is how Aussie would have like it? Not an Aussie food expert, but i think it could use a kick.
The Okay– The Kangaroo pie. When I tried it, i thought it was dry and not as flavorful. Maybe its not my thing? im not sure if there are other variations.
Drinks– Had a couple of Ginger roo, and the two beers. I prefer the ale as it was very smooth. The ginger roo was light and reminded me of Mike’s lemonade. Don’t remember what went in to a Ginger roo, but i imagine you could have a pitcher of this for lunch.
A great night w/​great company. Thanks Thirsty Koala!

Awesome late night event at the Thirsty Koala. I live very close but have never visited but after this event, I am a fan!
For drinks, we had a special Ginger-​roo that was made with Queens Courage Gin. The flavors of the smooth gin worked really well with the spiced ginger ale. There were also all beers of tap available. They had two awesome Moa brewing from Australia beers, a triple and a stout that were really good.
We started out with a fresh and citrusy barramundi ceviche. It’s an Australian white fish that was nice and flaky. It was well composed with some peppers and fresh corn. The calamari was crispy and interestingly gluten-​free. We then got to try a hearty beef sausage roll and a pork meat fritter. One of the stars of the night was the corn and jalapeño slider which packed a punch of flavor. Who knew a vegetarian offering would be a favorite of mine! Not to be outdone, the luscious wattleseed lamb lollies came out and was heavenly. We then was also able to try a kangaroo empanada that was perfectly seasoned and delicious. The Kangaroo had a nice rich red meat flavor without being too heavy or game-​y.
Someone from our table mentioned Vegemite to the Australian waiter and he graciously allowed us to try some on toast with butter. It was definitely an acquired taste being salty, a bit bitter and herbal tasting; very interesting to try.
For a refresher, we got a shot of marinated watermelon and feta. Then came the yummy desserts. We had a salted caramel bite and a very rich Koala Chocolate Ball which was chocolate ganache enrobed in even more decadent chocolate.
The owner and staff were so nice and accommodating. They often came around to the tables and asked how the food was. The chef also came out and spoke about the food and how they are using locally grown ingredients. She was so passionate about the food and inspiring to listen to.
Great event and of course a special thanks to Jando and the Unilocal team for putting this together. Queens is the best! You guys are helping me discover places in my very own neighborhood! A special thank you for the hospitality of everyone at the Thirsty Koala as well. I will definitely be returning and maybe I’ll even swing by for brunch this weekend!

Seriously, I love the ladies who own The Thirsty Koala. Every time I’ve come here they make me extremely feel welcome, and Unilocal’s late night Outback event here was no exception. The waitstaff really went the extra mile to make sure that all in attendance had a chance to sample all of the delicious appetizers they passed out. We even got to try vegemite and kangaroo meat empanadas. Talk about authentic Aussie cuisine!
I’m normally not a gin drinker, but their Ginger Roo cocktail was so refreshing that it overpowered the taste of the gin (which was extremely smooth to begin with, thanks Queens Courage!). I will absolutely be back to visit the ladies of TTK and snack on more of their excellent menu items. The lamb lollis were my fave, hands down!

Environment: ⁵⁄₅
Employees: ⁵⁄₅
Food: ⁵⁄₅
Drinks: ⁵⁄₅
Cost: ⁵⁄₅
Accessibility: ⁵⁄₅
Total: ²⁵⁄₂₅
Story time: Thirsty Koala will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first Unilocal elite event I attended when I first moved to New York City. So I HAD TO HAD TO HAD TO GO! Like fo’real. Furthermore, the food is always phenomenal that I literally pig-​the-​f-​out! No joke! Heifer status for sure.
Besides the food, meeting new people is always fun! Tiffany C. was the first new person I met. Evidently, she has been Unilocal elite for 5 years? Say whaaaaaa! I knew I needed to befriend her immediately, if not sooner! As an initiation for our new found friendship, I made her suck helium in for the first time. She doubted me at first and with hesitation, «Are you sure?» I’m such a bad influence. #duh lol! We even ordered with our squeaky voices! «Ginger Roo, please!»
As the night progressed and I moved to beer, I gave Christine the biggest hug + photo. Even the chef. I believe her name is Kathy? Bad with names, sorry.
Can you believe I have been in NYC for a little over one year? CRAZINESS!
Synopsis: Definitely must eat three times before moving on to the next dish: Barramundi Ceviche, Aussie Meat Pies/​Sausage Rolls, Australian Herb Crusted, Wattleseed Lamb Lollies! I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that I’m a carnivore. Definitely meat-​eating friendly #fatassstatus Per usual, the environment is always welcoming with bustling of conversations, laughter, and snapshots of photos. And as per usual, the employees there are so awesome. There was this Australian guy named Jonathan… Mmhmm that’s all!
Environment: Definitely an impressive way of moving furniture to make it a lounge session or a major convo-​session by the bar/​food area. I’m no rookie, I am where the action is! And I love, love, love the new paintings that were up of the beaches. Good representation of summer!
Employees: This is self-​explanatory. Pure amazing. Smiles for days-​on-​end to vanquish the thought of manic Mondays.
Food:
Barramundi Ceviche (Australia Seabass): to think to put this on a crispy chip. A nice one bite of deliciousness, flavor and pure summer feel ⁵⁄₅
— Corn & Jalapeño Fritter Sliders: As an ex-​vegan, I am very impressed by this dish. You would never really think of veganism when consuming these little bites. ⁵⁄₅
— Watermelon Mint Feta Balsamic Vinagrette: Not my favorite, but it had a nice refreshing taste to it. Maybe add salt? I don’t have to worry about high blood pressure… hehehe ³⁄₅
— Kangaroo Empanadas + Pomegranate Sauce: I also wasn’t the biggest fan of this. It seemed it was a down-​play of the Aussie meat pies/​sausage rolls that gave you big eyes of deliciousness. However, if you didn’t have both to compare, this is still a great starter. ⁴⁄₅
— Aussie Meat Pies /​Sausage Rolls: Sausage! Must I say more. YUM! I think it’s amazing how so much flavor could be mashed up together and taste wonderful. It’s like magic. And to compliment with a flakey, pastry like crust just makes the anticipation of the juicy middle that much better. Heaven-​sent. ⁵⁄₅
— Koala Chocolate Balls: Definitely for the chocolate loving fans who crave spiked sugars. I can see how it would be a turn off to none-​chocolate-​love slaves, but definitely worth the bites/​calories. ⁴⁄₅
— Gluten Free Calamari: I didn’t know this was gluten-​free, in fact it tastes just as good as its counterpart. But be warned, do not consume without the sauce pairing. The yogurt/​dill-​like sauce is by far, hands-​down, God’s-greatest-invention good. When Jonathan was heading to the back to put the dish away, I think about 6 of us stopped him and started vulturing over. «Kaka» num, num, num! ⁵⁄₅
Australian Herb Crusted, Wattleseed Lamb Lollies: Now this… this…where to even begin. Your eyes would glow at the sight, roll back upon receiving it in your mouth and the continuous love of food as it tumbles down your esophagus. Food-​gasm at its highest point. The pleasure lasts all throughout and even gives you a nice after-​taste to enticing explosive cravings for more. ⁵⁄₅
Salted-​Caramel-​SURPRISE: O-​M-​G! I thank the heavens I am not diabetic! ⁵⁄₅
Drinks:
Ginger Roo: a nice refreshing drink that would get NO ONE Drunk. Double and triple fisting required! But if you didn’t want to be «left out,» and not get cross-​eyed drunk this is definitely the way to go. ⁴⁄₅
MOA beer (dark): I translated MOA to MORE! Because it was about 10.2%! WHAT! Hand me that. You know what they say, darker the berry sweeter the juice ;) ⁵⁄₅
About 12?: I think that’s the name. Greaaaaaaattttt light beer. I like strong flavors, but definitely a nice break for the in-​between. ⁴⁄₅
MOA beer (light): Definitely similar to About 12, but with fruity flavor. A nice upgrade break beer. ⁵⁄₅
Cost: tips: D Not too shabby
Accessibility: Close to the line and bus. Easy-​breezy to get there

So glad to have my very first EVER Unilocal event (not just elite-​only event) at the Thirsty Koala. Finally officially met Jando who extended a warm welcome when I checked in with him. I have no benchmark or baseline to compare it to but I did have a lot of fun at this event. On the other hand, I’ve been to TTK before but never for dinner/​drinks, so I was definitely curious about the menu.
Due to a surprisingly long and engaging period of mingling, I was too unaware to even scramble for many of the food samples. I was, however, able to grab a bite of the Barramundi Ceviche, Aussie Meat Pies /​Sausage Rolls, and the Koala Chocolate Balls. They were all delicious, especially the sausage rolls which were huge and meaty and really put your oral muscle elasticity to test if you tried to gobble up the whole thing with one bite. The chocolate ball was rich yet not overly sweet — this is dessert done right.
As for drinks, I tried the Ginger-​roo which admittedly was an acquired taste. My first sip made me scrunch up my face but I decided to give it a second chance, and I was glad I did — ended up liking it so much I was willing to finish someone else’s. The bar has a good selection on tap, but it’s the MOA Stout that stole my heart. With the colour of dark chocolate and at 10% ABV (which justifies the halved portion — see pic), this Stout is rich and strong, just how I like my beers.
Service wise, the staff were friendly and welcoming as per usual. They patiently explained what each sample platter was despite getting bombarded with the same questions and a swarm of hands thrusting in out of nowhere. The bartends worked tirelessly and efficiently yet never failed to lose the smile on their face. The place wasn’t the largest but they did their best with the space to accommodate the crowd.
TTK is definitely one of the Astoria gems and I’ll make sure to come back for the lamb lollies which earned high praises but I missed out on.

Did you know that outside of Greece that Melbourne, Australia has the largest Greek population of any city in the world? Additionally, Australia as a whole has a large Greek population. Those facts helped inform my approach to this restaurant since I am not too familiar with Australian food. Also, to me, TTK makes perfect sense being part of Astoria, which was once predominately Greek, but nowadays has grown increasing more diverse.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand this is Australian based food with offerings such as Barramundi ceviche, Australian Meat Pies, Kangaroo Empanadas — I was able to try the first two and thought they were phenomenal. For me, it was impossible not to notice the Greek influence of the Mediterranean inspired Watermelon Mint Feta Balsamic Vinagrette, Gluten Free Calamari, and Australian Herb Crusted, Wattleseed Lamb Lollies all of which could be found on the menu in any Greek restaurant, but as presented here were incredible renditions with the lamb being the most tender and flavorful of any I tried (I believe this also ties in with the Australian reputation for quality meats).
Ultimately, this is a LOCAL restaurant, which means that the owners have a philosophy of using organic and locally sourced ingredients and minimizing their carbon footprint where ever possible. This is what matters most and absolutely makes their food shine. You can help them continue their local efforts by voting for them to obtain a grant here:
Speaking of local, I was able to speak with Chris, one of the owners and distillers of Queens Courage gin. I was able to try it in the Ginger Roo cocktail as well as a straight sample. Although I am not a gin expert, I thought their product was excellent and could see myself drinking this. I also like their design aesthetic along with the fact they will soon be opening their distillery locally (Unfortunately, he would not reveal the location at this time due to plans to make a special announcement).
With so much excitement for a late Monday night I decided to leave early, but Jando would not let me leave without trying the Koala Chocolate Balls. He was able to grab them from the kitchen and am I glad he did. These are spectacularly rich, dense and creamy which reminded me of a large, chocolate coated truffle. Simply outstanding!
Thank you to Jando for giving me this opportunity to sample and introduce me to Australian food along with TKK’s philosophy and approach to organic, local sourced ingredients. A big thanks to Christine, chef Kathy and their entire staff for making this an event to remember and for being so gracious.

Even if the rain and humidity served as deterrents to a night out on a Monday night, an event at Thirsty Koala can definitely change all of that. Every event held here has always been consistently great due to several factors: amazing owners and staff, excellent food samples, and catching up with Elite Unilocalers.
Christine, Katherine and Alex were amazing hosts and were constantly going around making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. That kind of service is often easily taken for granted when everyone is busy mingling, but it is awesome to see that level of commitment to service from a distance. Chef Katherine pampered us with ample amounts of food to the point where Elites were enjoying 3^rd and 4^th helpings for every sample. The bartender Diane (sp?) and Alex were pumping out drinks like no one’s business. They were up to the challenge as Elites instinctively gravitated to the bar the whole night for their Ginger-​roo cocktails.
A big thanks to Chris from Queens Courage for providing us an opportunity to enjoy a new gin that was very smooth. By the end of the night, the gin was all gone!
Thank you again to Jando and Sierra for running the show and throwing an event at one of the best spots in Astoria. The staff at Thirsty Koala were amazing and I really hope that they got tipped well for working past midnight!

YAAAAAAAS! I only signed up for this event the day-​of and was surprised when I got in. I haven’t gone to the other YEE at TKK, but I have actually had dinner here. It was a 5-​star meal, so naturally, of course I wanted to come to this event! These Queens people — always inviting and never letting any of us Manhattanites down. Always a good time. HUGE fan of The Thirsty Koala.
I didn’t have any of the alcoholic beverages due to my lack of ability to drink, but the ginger ale was good! Bartenders were efficient and super nice.
The food… that’s where TKK stands out. I couldn’t stop talking about the lamb lollies to come, after having it for dinner before.
Ceviche — loved this seabass ceviche as it had amazing flavor, but didn’t really love the texture of the tortilla it was on. It stabbed me in the mouth several times and was hard to chew.
Corn & Jalapeño fritter sliders — EASILY my favorite vegetarian dish of all time (that’s not just pure vegetables). So much flavor, fried to perfection, and that chipotle aioli… mm mm good. Perfect amount of spice and kick to this. I will definitely be eating more of this.
Watermelon mint feta — interesting combination, but refreshing. Probably prefer watermelon by itself.
Kangaroo empanadas — these were a bit disappointing for me. After having the kangaroo loin/​steak here for dinner last year, I decided I liked the somewhat gamey flavor of the meat. However, these empanadas did not showcase the kangaroo taste very well and just kind of tasted like beef. Outer shell was flaky and good.
Aussie Meat Pies/​Sausage rolls — way too greasy for my liking, but the sausage flavor was good. It broke apart like a meatloaf versus a bit chewy like an italian sausage.
Meatballs — have no idea what kind of meat these were, but they were über tasty with the yogurt sauce.
Calamari — a bit too much batter for my liking, but I’ve had these before also and they were good then and now.
Lamb lollies — my favorite of the night and my favorite dish that TKK serves, other than those veggie sliders. The lamb is super flavorful, tender, and juicy. I could have easily eaten the entire platter :)
Koala Chocolate balls — its like chocolate-​covered half-​baked salty chocolate brownie batter! Jando really hyped these up, and the hype was real. Really rich.
Caramel squares — a little goes a loooooong way.
Huge thank you to the Queens Unilocal team + the TKK team for pulling off this awesome late night event. I’ve always been a fan of TKK and I am even more so after this!

As soon as I entered the Thirsty Koala and before I even checked in with Jando, I was greeted by Christine, one of the owners. She’s very warm and friendly. I knew I was in for a great night.
There were two drinks available to us Unilocalers. The Ginger Roo (a gin drink) and beers on draft. I liked the Ginger Roo, so I stuck with that all night.
Food was quick to come out and the servers were great about keeping the food coming. The service was impeccable from the owners to the bartenders to the servers.
The atmosphere is very conducive to a late night party. And although it was loud, it seemed like everybody was having a great time.
I was able to get a pretty good sampling of what the restaurant has to offer. For me, the highlights were the Aussie meat pies, the kangaroo empanadas, and the Koala chocolate balls. First time eating kangaroo and to my surprise it wasn’t as greasy and gamey, as I’ve heard. It tasted more or less like ground beef. I unfortunately didn’t get to try the lamb chops everyone is raving about. I must have missed this, while I was roaming around… maybe next time.
Thanks Jando, Christine, The Thirsty Koala, and Team Unilocal for throwing a great late night party!

Thirsty Koala! Count me in … One of my top spots on Ditmars blvd. What a night Thirsty Koala held queens down. Everything from the food to the drinks to the company, was above par.
The Ceviche on a Tortilla was banging Juicy & Flavorful in every bite.
*Chocolate Balls* were sooo Good & I don’t eat chocolate! Moist, Fluffy & just straight Delicious.
The highlight of my tastebuds, the Lamb Lollies Cooked Perfectly, still red in the inside & so fatty just the way I like it.
The Night would not been as chill without, Chris from Queens Courage for giving us the opportunity to try out his Smooth Gin, in every
Ginger Rooooooo0o!
The reason I enjoy TTK, is not just the food it’s the feeling I get while I am here. Regardless if you are a regular or just ordering a drink they treat you like family. That makes me want to come back. Christine, Katherine, Alex & there entire staff worked there asses off, to pull off another successful event. They are the Heart of the Koala & the driving force to there SUCCESS.
Much Appreciation to TTK & QC for the invite & the hospitality. Big ups to
Jando *Queens Finest* S. Held it down, like a CM does all day everyday! Shout Out to my man Nelson & his new haircut.
FYI: Liked on Facebook … Best of luck to the fresh Garden!

Outback to Astoria at the Thirsty Koala was a great event!
The folks at the thirsty Koala have managed to really keep their menu evolving and up to date.
The gin from Queens Courage was pretty good. I am not normally a gin drinker but it paired nicely with the food.
I was late so I missed the Barramundi Ceviche (Australia Seabass) but I was able to sampled the Vegan Corn & Jalapeño Fritter Sliders, which were tasty. The Watermelon Mint Feta Balsamic Vinagrette was served in shot glasses and required some tongue action. If not eaten right, you looked like a creep.
One of the things that was different was the Kangaroo Empanada. There was a pomegranate Sauce, but I missed the sauce. Luckily, the Empanadas stood on their own quite nicely, a sharp contrast to the Kangaroo slider of previous visits, which was more pronounced not as Kangaroo per se, but as being something different than cows meat.
The Aussie Meat Pies /​Sausage Rolls were tasty with the sauce and packed with good stuff.
The Gluten Free Calamari was good.0
The Australian Herb Crusted, Wattleseed Lamb Lollies are really worth the trip to Astoria and would compete with any other Lamb shank in Astoria. This is not an exaggeration. I am not being nice. If they just served this one item in abundance, in Manhattan, lines would be out the door.
The Koala Chocolate Balls really stand on their own as a must have reason to visit. The deserts at Thirsty Koala really do impress consistently. The caramel bar did as well.
Overall, as usual, a trip to the Thirsty Koala is time well spent!