As the foodie culture continues to swell and overtake New Yorkers of all kinds, the demand for new and unfamiliar foods is higher than ever before.
Thankfully, wellsprings of novel urban eateries offering the latest meat crazes and cravings have been popping up all over the area, especially in the outer boroughs.
So where can you find some crazy and exotic meats-- you know, alligator or ostrich-- in your neighborhood?
Not to worry, we’ve lined up the best that New York City has to offer.
(And to think, all of this is possible without leaving the comforts of the concrete jungle.)
1. The Thirsty Koala (35-12 Ditmars Boulevard - Queens)
dana.del.rey Eating Aussie style😉 lamb lollies and kangaroo burger #thethirstykoala #astoria #foodporn #austrailianfood #foodporn #foodstagram #potd #kangaroo #instafood #nyc #delicious
If you’re looking for a real Down Under experience, hop on over to the Thirsty Koala in Astoria for some authentic Aussie fare such as, you guessed it, kangaroo.
The favored way to sample it is in the form of their Kangaroo Burger, a sweeter and very lean meat often compared to a cross between venison and bison.
If you really want to get crazy, take on the Kangaroo Burger With The Lot, which slathers on grilled pineapple, Canadian bacon, fried egg, beet slaw, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato and fresh red onion.
You can also sink your teeth into a tender kangaroo steak. Yup, we said it. You game?
2. Bareburger (various NYC locations)
What can only be described as a smorgasbord awaits those who venture into Bareburger, one of the premiere affordable exotic meat eateries NYC has seen. Bison and elk and boar, oh my!
Pile on your favorite toppings in the Build Your Burger section and make your own exotic creation.
If you’re lucky, duck into the picturesque Park Slope location and try and catch when they’re offering their outlandish ostrich burger as a special selection.
3. Sugarfreak (36-18 30th Avenue - Queens)
grautetfood Part of yesterday's bottomless #brunch at Sugar Freak: the Sugar Freak Special Po Boy. Fried chicken topped with Mac and cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and #spicy mayo. It was beyond words #omnom #food #foodie #foodgasm #foodpics #foodporn #igfood #instafood #instadaily #sandwich #poboy #NOLA #NYC #noms #yum #yummy #tasty #tastesxplosion #fat #fatass #epic #latergram #grautetfood #grautetsandwich #grautetbrunch #vscocam #vsco
It’s been commonly said that alligator tastes just like chicken. If you want to find out for yourself, head down to Sugarfreak in Astoria, a colorful brasserie serving up some good ol’ Louisiana cooking.
Originally from New Orleans, the owners wanted their restaurant to exude the feel of the Big Easy, down to its authentic fare.
As soon as you fling one of their Popcorn Alligators in your mouth, you’ll see what we mean about the whole tasting-like-chicken thing.
4. Max Bratwurst und Bier (4702 30th Avenue - Queens)
A stand-out among as far as German restaurants are concerned, especially in Queens, Max Bratwurst und Bier brags about their one-of-a-kind Bratwurst as well as their homemade Frikadellen and Schnitzel.
Also hiding in the menu are a few choice meats that makes the eyes widen.
Under their “Exotic Line,” you can bite into rattlesnake, which is described as “tender and flavorful,” or alligator bratwurst, on their menu as Krokodilbratwurst, served on one of their made-from-scratch pretzels. Guten Appetit!
5. The Burger Guru (98 Berry Street - Brooklyn)
theburgerguru Presenting the Duckburger. Six ounces of premium ground duck breast with just enough fruit and spices for an intense flavor, served with a raisin demi-glacé and our "Southern Style" sweet potato fries. Add a glass of Third Generation Shiraz and call it today's $15 special. #FoodPorn #BurgerEnlightenment #Nom
When it comes to unique establishments, The Burger Guru is definitely a top contender. This garage-turned-BYOB backyard in Williamsburg boasts select meat options such as kobe and buffalo.
On the weekends, owner Nick Solares-- known to many as the Rattlesnake Cheeseburger Guy-- sets loose his “off-the-menu options,” a special game selection of his that can be anything from antelope sliders to Cajun alligator steak, all picked by diners’ demand.
So if you have something you want to try, speak up! You may just get your wish.
,6. Alobar (46-42 Vernon Boulevard - Queens)
mhjohnston Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to mention I had BATTERED BACON on my burger at lunch today. #YUP!
For those who want a slightly less adventurous exotic experience, check out Alobar in “mini-Manhattan,” a.k.a Long Island City, which offers more traditional meats served up in an unexpected and exotic fashion.
Among their most talked about specialties are their Amish pig tails, and they’re exactly what they sound like they are.
Each deep fried tail is six to eight inches long and covered in a house barbecue sauce to be eaten much like you would a chicken wing.
The dish became so popular that the head chef decided to make it a Tuesday night-only special, but people still ask for it all the time.
7. Custom Burger (Terminal D - LaGuardia Airport)
Waiting at the airport is a complete drag, no matter where you are.
However, if you happen to be killing time before your sure to be delayed flight in Terminal D at LaGuardia Airport, why not entertain your taste buds as well as yourself?
Created by Pat LaFrieda, owner of the eponymously named high quality meat purveyor company, Custom Burger offers a more-than-decent selection of uncommon burgers, especially for being in an airport food court.
8. Moo Burger (240 Court Street - Brooklyn)
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This swanky, minimalist cafeteria in the heart of Cobble Hill isn’t at all what meets the eye.
The soft décor is only a façade for its serious bison burgers, a trickier meat to prepare and perfect but Moo’s got the bison touch.
Whether covered with the wild mushrooms and caramelized onions of their Court Street burger, or loaded up with white cheddar and applewood smoked bacon, this bison is anything but boring.
9. Burger Village (222 7th Avenue)
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For the more health-conscious crowd who still like to sink their teeth into some red meat, Burger Village in Park Slope is the ticket for you.
Featuring an array of all organic and eco-friendly selections, this joint boasts choices such as boar and elk, as well as their famous ostrich burger, which gives a surprisingly flavorful kick when compared to other ostrich burgers of the same ilk.
10. The Dead Rabbit (30 Water Street)
mayagoffer The Dead Rabbit burger. Almost a One Bite pop. Hungry lion. #EEEEEATS #burger #bacon #cheese #TheDeadRabbit #speakeasy #Spring #April #NewYorkCity
This one is for the Manhattanites because, let’s face it, to a New Yorker not in the Battery Park neighborhood, you might as well be in another borough.
Hidden down by the Seaport is an Irish-American tavern that exudes the glory days of Old New York, with an impressive food and drink repertoire to boot. On Wednesdays, in honor of their namesake, they serve up tenderly braised rabbit over butter noodles.
It’s been said that rabbits taste like chicken (surprise, surprise), but their tougher meat gives a bit more of a gamey taste. You’ll just have to duck in on a Wednesday night and find out for yourself.
There’s an entire urban jungle of exotic eats out there to try. So grab your outback boots and safari hat and take your tongue on an adventure.
Was that a lil' too crazy for you? Check out 8 Absolute Craziest Dining Experiences In NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Instagram]