There’s just something about Latin American food – the vibrant and rich flavours, and the unmistakable taste of ingredients that have been kissed by fire.
Adelaide’s Hoosegow Restaurant passionately cooks up a Latin American-inspired menu, and with their unique mix of Argentinian, Venezuelan, Albanian, Brazilian, Indian and east-Asian flavours, it’s unlikely you’re going to find food like this anywhere else in town.
This one-of-a-kind restaurant tucked away in suburbia serves up a menu based all around the charcoal grill. And having just hit their fourth birthday – which is almost an eternity in hospitality years – they’re clearly doing something right.
Going back to the beginning, it all started with chilli chicken. Ara Ohanessian would always cook his signature dish for family barbeques, which would always leave friends and family saying, ‘you should be selling this!’
While Ara and his wife Shadia both ran their own businesses in graphic design by day, he spent two decades perfecting it, getting the marinade just right. Then a chance encounter saw them taking over a space on Magill Road and opening Hoosegow.
Haven’t discovered this hidden gem yet? Just 10 minutes out of the city to the west, Hoosegow serves Latin American food, with a touch of eastern Asian flavours (thanks to the Ohanessian’s love of that part of the world).
The majority of food is cooked on charcoal – which is obvious the second you set foot in the venue as the unmistakable aromas waft past. Think melt-in-your-mouth eight-hour smoked beef brisket, slow roast soft pork belly, or spicy lamb backstrap.
Surprisingly, there are also plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, which also each carry their own when it comes to spice and big bold flavours.
In the kitchen now they have chefs from Venezuela, Albania, Brazil and even India – head Chef Rafael Loggiodice and his team Sineda, Filipè, Neil and Francis each brings their own unique flavour combinations.
Co-owner Shadia says the restaurant is all about igniting all of the senses, from the comfortable dining space with pops of vibrant colour and ornate detailing and gentle background music, mixed with what they call their signature friendly ‘hoose-pitality’, and of course the smokey aromas that drift past.
To try Hoosegow with an extra dose of flavour and flair, they’re holding their popular flamenco dinner on October 26 with live entertainment by Alma Flamenca. Entry is free but bookings are essential, and an a la carte menu will run for the evening.
Hoosegow is at 419 Magill Road, St Morris. Find out more here.
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