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Zarraffa’s Coffee rolls out Aus-Tex Smokehouse concept

Image of business owners
Zarraffa founders L-R: Atul Kumar, James Osler, Kenton Campbell
Image of business owners
Zarraffa’s Coffee founders, from left: Atul Kumar, James Osler and Kenton Campbell.

The founders of Australia’s Zarraffa’s Coffee have built a new business venture, Sugar Creek Smokehouse, a restaurant that offers smoked meats dubbed ‘Aus-Tex’ style at the company’s multi-million-dollar headquarters.

Located at the same place as the Distillery Road Market (DRM), Sugar Creek Smokehouse is grilling local fresh meats in two repurposed shipping containers.

“They say necessity is the mother of invention and sadly, like many people, Covid-19 put a halt to my plans and stalled the progression of the larger Distillery Road Market project,” said Zarraffa’s cofounder Kenton Campbell. “There was a silver lining, however, with the downtime allowing me the necessary space to develop the smokehouse concept.”

“I’ve always had a genuine passion for cooking. I love barbequing, the enjoyment that food provides, and being able to bring good company together to share a meal in the outdoors. Over the last couple of years, I started smoking meats purely as a hobby, then purchased a small smoker and decided to take a trip over to Texas to experience the home of smoked meats – it was then that the idea was born.”

Kenton said the new restaurant is inspired by Texan cuisine, adapted to the Australian palate with signature marinades, sauces and rubs. Aussies can eat wood-smoked meats cooked daily using Australian hickory and ironbark wood. It also offers pulled pork, beef brisket and BBQ baby back ribs sold in a half or full rack. The Mega Meat Plate includes Pulled Pork, Brisket and a half rack of ribs, along with four signature burgers.  

The new concept also offers smoked mac and cheese, chili brisket, skin-on fries and spicy slaw. The venue also offers craft beers and other alcoholic drinks.

“It was my vision to create signature flavours; an authentic ‘Aus-Tex’ venue, using the highest quality meats sourced locally that are smoked fresh daily and to perfection for everyone’s enjoyment,” Kenton said.

“Flavour is everything at Sugar Creek Smokehouse. The entire menu has been crafted to harvest a deeper sense of enjoyment and a tastebud hit from every bite, turning a casual lunch or dinner for the whole family into something to savour and really enjoy.”

The Zarraffa’s Coffee headquarters also houses the Kiwanda Cafe. The one-of-a-kind 18,000sqm+ site DRM venue offers fresh produce, dining and entertainment with several retail letting options. DRM will open late next year.

“Sugar Creek Smokehouse is named for its historical significance to cane growing in the Eagleby area and the generations who grew the sugar cane. Today, my hope is that it signifies life’s little pleasures – to enjoy and share in great food experiences in your own backyard,” he added.

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