Words by Sarah Sims and Danika Zalac
A Barossa restaurant has announced its closure after ten years as a community favourite.
Greenock’s El Estanco, run by owner and chef Julian Velasquez, has been breathing life into the Barossa for the last decade. Inspired by his Colombian heritage, and the hole-in-the-wall ‘tabaquerias’ that you can find all over South America, this has been a spot to gather, socialise, eat and love over the years.
This week, Julian and the team announced over social media that they’ll be closing the doors. But while it’s the end for now, Julian shares that the choice to close has been all his.
“It’s a bittersweet ending, but for now, it’s time to take a little break and spend more time with my family,” he said.
Julian came to Australia in 2002 from Colombia with the goal of opening his restaurant and sharing his passion for his Colombian heritage with a new community.
“I wanted to pay my respects to my family in Colombia and create dishes that become a new experience for someone wanting to try something new.
“It started as a little cottage cafe and restaurant, and transformed into a community favourite with a different spin on a traditional breakfast and dinner you might find at other cafes.”
Julian opened El Estanco back in 2015, and while owning the cafe, he met his wife Abby Osbourne, who is also now an owner and the pastry chef at El Estanco. A few years later, the couple shares new memories of their restaurant with their daughter, Paloma.
“My favourite memory of El Estanco is some shifts on the weekend, my daughter would come in and help out with the lemonade stand and interact with our customers.”
Over the years, he also wanted to introduce Aussies to new flavours, even incorporating things like green mango into his dishes.
“One of my favourite fruits is a green mango, and at the time it was strange to eat them with lime juice and spicy seasoning.
“Green Mangos are now a major component for a simple garnish in the majority of my favourite dishes and incorporated well into El Estanco’s purpose of introducing distinct flavours to the Barossa community,” he explained.
The Velasquez family are forever grateful to the community who have supported El Estanco.
“We will always remember El Estanco, as it was a major career highlight as a chef and father, and I would like to take this break to regain a different aspect of my hospitality career and be more known as a chef than a restaurant owner.”
El Estanco will still be open in these upcoming months, with more details will be shared on their website and socials. This has been a favourite of the Glam Adelaide team, with it being a regular spot for coffee and a place we’ve celebrated milestones. So if you’re yet to check it out, before it’s final ‘adios’, make the time to head out to the Barossa and enjoy this spot for yourself.
El Estanco Greenock
When: Currently open and closed in the upcoming months
Where: 18-22 Murray Street, Greenock
For the Instagram, click here.
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