By Raúl Ayrala.
At first his name was El Empanadero, but later he was crowned The King of Empanadas, The Empanadas King.
Julio Kluss was born in Buenos Aires and emigrated to the United States twenty years ago. Today he has a factory making empanadas from Argentina and other countries, here in Redwood City, on Spring Street, among workshops and industries.
After the pandemic, he set up a restaurant and bar in the same place, where many Argentines from the city, Latin Americans, Americans and people from other countries come on the weekend, looking for empanadas, but also for Argentine barbecue, mate and facturas.
The bills are sweet Argentine breads or pastries, ideal for breakfast or snack.
The place is decorated with posters of Argentina, soccer and basketball jerseys, icons of Rioplatense graphic comics, and a large television for the games of the national team and River Plate, Julio's favorite team.
What does an immigrant - especially an Argentine immigrant - have to learn from the idiosyncrasy of this country? Julio admits that he has a lot to learn.
“It was hard work because everything I have today, my factory, everything started from scratch, that is, peso by peso with a lot of sacrifice, but over time I began to understand and adapt, and I really educated myself on what the USA is, on how to respect a country, because it’s like you come to live in my house and tomorrow you want to paint my house a different color and play your music, but it’s my house, so it’s our mistake not to adapt. I’m not telling you to lose your habit of drinking mate,” said Kluss.
The Argentine-born player, whose surname is Polish but whose roots are Uruguayan and German, said that at 54 years old, he has no regrets.
“I am 54 years old, I grew up late, but I don’t regret it. Despite everything, I feel very happy, an immigrant, and having arrived at a place and being well and learning to respect and being able to grow and achieve it and try to stay there, I think that is the most important part.”
To meet the King, taste some Argentine, Chilean or Bolivian empanadas, or some Argentine-style meats and spend a day of nostalgia and camaraderie, Julio Kluss “The Empanada King” is located at 2992 King Street in Redwood City, Monday through Friday for lunch or Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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