Zio Mario’s Italian restaurant owner retires after 40 years

The owner of one of Brisbane’s oldest and most traditional Italian restaurants is closing his doors after 40 years of service.

Walter Russich and his partner Sharyn Marinelli.

The owner of one of Brisbane’s oldest and most traditional Italian restaurants is waving goodbye after 40 years of service.

Walter Russich opened Zio Mario’s in East Brisbane in 1985 and, at aged 81, is retiring from his legendary restaurant at Mowbray Terrace.

Zio Mario’s has been a delicious hub for many loyal customers, known for it’s historically excellent reputation, traditional recipes that exist only in Mr Russich’s mind, and a varied selection of pizzas and pasta.

Mr Russich said he developed his love for cooking from his mother and completed a cookery apprenticeship in Italy as a young man.

Born in Brazil but raised in Italy, he arrived to Australia in 1966, “when the English pound changed to the Australian dollar”.

Mr Russich showing his granddaughter Eve her way around the kitchen.

“I worked in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in kitchens and front of house learning all areas of hotels, restaurants and cookery,” Mr Russich said.

Originally a small takeaway restaurant, Mr Russich built Zio Mario’s to its current 60-seat space open for lunch, and dinner six days per week.

“I extended the restaurant from take away to dine in after the first eight to 10 years,” Mr Russich said.

“I’m a simple man with a passion for good food and good company.

“Zio Mario’s has always been a place where people feel at home — a little corner of Italy here in the community.”

Mr Russich said he had the pleasure of celebrating an abundance of birthdays, anniversaries, ceremonies and various other milestones in his customer’s lives.

“I hope it’s brought warmth and joy to everyone who’s walked through the doors,” Mr Russich said.

Walter Russich, owner of Zio Mario's in East Brisbane, has announced his retirement after 40 years of service.

“(We are best known for) the huge portion sizes, you won’t go hungry here, it feels like home and it’s a place to connect,” he said.

Mr Russich said he was a firm believer that chefs should come out of the kitchen to greet their customers.

“We connect to our customers through food and stories, we share a laugh and hear about their lives,” Mr Russich said.

“When I see people enjoying a meal I’ve cooked, it’s pure joy, it’s like inviting them into my home.

“Making different things for customers that are off menu, you get to know the customers, what they like and then creates dishes that you can’t get anywhere else.

“You have to be one of the regular regulars to get this experience.”

Mr Russich said he was a "simple man," with a passion for good food and good company.

Mr Russich thanked his family for their ongoing support of the restaurant and especially his partner of 25-years, Sharyn Marinelli.

Mr Russich’s daughter Rachelle Carmody said Ms Marinelli remembered every order from almost every customer.

“She knows their first name, middle name and last name, along with their kids names and all of their occupations, she has the most incredible memory. A lot of customers continue coming back because she has such a connection with them,” Mrs Carmody said.

Mr Russich said he would truly miss sharing laughs over a plate of pasta with his customers.

“It’s been my life for so long, it’s hard to imagine stepping away from my customers, they are like family,” Mr Russich said.

His well deserved retirement plans include a trip to Italy and spending more time with his family.

“My family and customers are still trying to convince me to make and sell my sauces, we have some very worried regulars that don’t know what they are going to do to be able to get their fix for Italian food,” Mr Russich said.

“Food is a universal language and sharing it has been my greatest joy.”

Zio Mario’s last evening of service will be Saturday December 21.

Originally published as Zio Mario’s Italian restaurant owner retires after 40 years