Locals: “Astoria’s restaurant game couldn’t possibly get any better.”

Joe DiStefano: “Hold my beer.”

You’re probably thinking the same thing we were – Astoria’s already got it all, what more could there be? Well, food writer and tour guide, Joe DiStefano, a.k.a. “the Culinary King of Queens,” had an answer: Astoria Eats.

Partnering with Innovation QNS, a community outreach initiative that aims to address a wide variety “of Astoria’s long-standing needs,” DiStefano plans to “replicate the traditional food hall experience of sampling different menu items from multiple eateries, all on a single online platform.”

It’s no secret that the restaurant industry took a massive hit due to the pandemic. This virtual food hall seeks to bring aid to local eateries who suffered this past year by offering an alternative to third-party delivery platforms and promoting the restaurants through press coverage, advertising, social media and of course, the food hall itself. “From fresh Greek Seafood to classic NYC pizza,” the launch of the online platform will feature Astoria Bier & Cheese, Boishakhi, Duzan, Mar’s, Ornella, Tacuba and Zenon Taverna, with additional restaurants already signed up and waiting to be unveiled in the near future.

Image Innovation QNS

And speaking of the future, the virtual Astoria Eats is a preview for DiStefano’s long-term goal of opening a legitimate food hall which will entail a five-block stretch along 35^th Avenue near Kaufman Astoria Studios.

Until then, get your laptops and delivery orders ready while DiStefano and Innovation QNS prepare to showcase “the very best restaurants Astoria has to offer while supporting these small businesses that are the backbone of our community.”

For more info:  www.astoriaeats.menu