Kosta’s Takeaway Brings Viral Sandwiches to Newstead
Benji Terkalas has officially opened his first Brisbane location at Gasworks Plaza in Newstead. The Sydney-born sandwich shop, known for its viral “Schnitty” sandwiches, opened its doors in late February to immediate local interest.
While the venue is a takeaway operation, Terkalas insists it operates on restaurant principles. “Kosta’s is a restaurant,” Terkalas told the Brisbane Times. “There’s no cutlery and no one offering still or sparkling, but we run the kitchen like you would in a restaurant.”
The new outpost marks the brand’s first interstate expansion. It brings the cult-favorite concept from Rockdale, NSW, to the heart of Newstead.
Star Chef Influence on the Menu
The kitchen is led by Adam Wolfers, who brings significant culinary weight to the team. Wolfers, currently the Executive Chef for Aalia and Aalia Wine Room under the ESCA Group, consulted on the menu to ensure high-calibre execution.
His influence is most visible in two new additions: a chicken shawarma and a breakfast yiros built with bifteki, egg, and cheese. Wolfers described the partnership as a natural fit, noting that his style aligns with the brand’s ethos of “no bullshit, just good food.”
According to inDaily, Wolfers worked with the crew to ensure the product met Terkalas’s exacting standards while adding specific twists for the Brisbane market.
Everything Made In-House
The menu focuses on sandwiches, toasties, focaccias, wraps, and salads. Terkalas confirmed that everything is made in-house, including the bread, fermented chilli, and sauces.
Breakfast options include a roll with egg, smoked bacon, cheese, and house barbecue sauce, alongside a salami toasty on sourdough with olive, cucumber, and labne. Lunch offerings feature the iconic chicken schnitzel sandwich, a “Supa Deli” classic, and a poached chicken schiacciata with avocado and salsa verde.
Coffee is supplied by Ona, the Canberra-based roaster. The venue features a terracotta-tiled counter and a small seating area for those who cannot wait to eat.
Opening Week Buzz
Opening weekend saw significant queues, with the venue giving away free sandwiches, doughnuts, and coffee to celebrate. Terkalas noted that the response has been “amazing” and that Brisbane’s current culture feels like the right time for the brand.
“It’s not a Joe Blow’s cafe on the corner,” Terkalas said. “It’s a busy restaurant with high expectations and high-quality food.”
For now, the operation remains walk-ins only, with a focus on speed and quality in a compact, grab-and-go format.
