Channeling some Aussie Tucker?

If you are Australian (pure bread or at heart) and homesick, well I have some good news for you as the comfort foods that saw us through our younger years are available here in New York. 

After being in Manhattan for over 6 months now and semi retired, I made it my mission to find all the cool little places that the city has to offer...even if it is off the beat path...thats just how Sheila's like to do it. 

When you begin dreaming of Tim Tams, Teddy Bear bicci's or Lamingtons, an Aussie Meat Pie or Vegemite or even a Sunny Boy as I did this summer, you know you are in desperate need of a home fix or simply just a beer with Duncan. 

If you cannot recognise the signs, inform your mates and work mates of the symptoms of Aussie homesickness and ask them to follow these directions. If heard singing "I'm a happy little Vegemite' or seen watching an episode of Home & Away you may interpret this as homesickness and immediately obtain a jar of Vegemite, some Salada or SAO biscuits or white toast and butter, open the jar under the Aussie's nose and lead them to the kitchen. If you have Lipton Teabags, even better. If its past 5pm, a Fosters Lager, VB or Coopers might be needed. If none of these work, just wall out "Warnie" and see if you get any colour in their cheeks, if this doesn't work ask if Michael Clarke is the Prime Minister and see if you get a glimmer of  a smile.  

Michael Clarke for PM 

My first discovery was none other than the The Australian at 20 West 38th Street. If you are looking for some serious Aussie tucker...then Bob's your uncle, this place is a must! The Australian has a very chillaxed atmosphere and whether you need to throw back a coldie (Fosters) or hungry for traditional meat pies, sausage rolls, chicken parma or even pavlova for that sweet tooth...this place is a definite so go say g'day. And for any extreme sport withdrawal afflictions, most Aussie sport events can be watched from here including cricket and Aussie Rules Footy. But being an Aussie Sheila, we try not to tell Aussie male subspecies (especially the bogans) that this may be on, or you may lose them for life.

A-Chan & I with our American plus sized tinny of Fosters

I recently stumbled across this clip on Fosters and the Big Apple...très funny.

Myers in Australia is a department store. Myers of Keswick in New York is a traditional British gourmet deli that is said to stock everything English and some Australian fare too. When I recently visited the store in West Village...I seriously jà died and went to cornish pasty and scone heaven!!! This shop sells homemade gourmet pies and pasties and their  english tea cakes and scones are to die for. They also sell other Aussie grocery items that you could be missing from home...i have made a list below of the standouts for me:

• John West Tuna (what is this Bumble Bee rubbish?)
• Heinz Baked Beans
• Vegemite
• HP Sauce
• Ribena
• Lucozade
• Tim Tams
• Scotch Finger 
• and much much more!!!

The front of Myers of Keswick

Pie Heaven

Tuck Shop is another little gem in the city. It's hidden away in the Chelsea Market if you are not looking for it you will not find it! I ran a little experiment and asked some Yankee Doodle friends "what is a tuck shop?"...with no surprise, no one knew. A tuck shop is an Australian school canteen and to an Aussie kids this means a lunch consisting of vegemite sandwiches and samboy chips. 

If Tim Tams or Violet Crumble, vanilla slice or lamingtons are required, the Tuck Shop  has them. They also stock fantastic Australian pies and all other foods Australian including the quintessential Vegemite. They even have BBQ Shapes. The Tuckshop will deliver, so in a homesickness emergency they may be your first port of call until you can find an Australian bar or eatery.

The très additive BBQ Shapes

Finally, get ready to laugh fellow Aussies, but if you didn't already know Pie Face has made it all the way from Bondi Beach back home to Broadway here in the Big Apple. I must admit I have never been a huge fan of Pie Face and I personally believe there are better places for pies in the city. But for pie virgins as most Americans are this place is a great starting point.  

You guessed it...a pie from Pie Face!!

So I hope I haven't made y'all too hungry now!!!