By Raúl Ayrala.
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 it has a factory making Argentine empanadas and those from other countries, here in Redwood City, on Spring Street, between workshops and industries.
In the same place, after the pandemic, he installed a restaurant and bar where many Argentines from the city, Latin Americans, Americans and people from other countries come on the weekend, in search of empanadas, but also Argentine barbecue, mate and bills.
The bills are sweet Argentine breads or pastries, ideal for breakfast or snack.
The place is decorated with posters of Argentina, soccer and basketball shirts, icons from the Rio de la Plata graphic cartoon, and a large television for the games of the national team and River Plate, the team of Julio's loves.
What does an immigrant - especially an Argentine immigrant - have to learn from the idiosyncrasy of this country? Julio admits that, a lot.
?The work is hard, because everything I have today, my factory, everything from scratch, that is, weight by weight with a lot of sacrifice, but over time I began to understand and adapt, and I really educated myself about what the USA is like, 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 you want to play your music, but it's my house, so it's our mistake of not adapting, don't worry. I'm saying that you should lose your habit of drinking mate? said Kluss.
The man born in Argentina, whose last name is Polish, but has Uruguayan and German roots, said that, at 54 years old, he does not regret anything.
?I am 54 years old, I am and I grew up late, but I have no regrets, despite everything I feel very happy, an immigrant, and to have arrived at a place and to be well and to learn to respect and to be able to grow and achieve it and try to stay there I think 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? It is 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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