Sydney’s famous late-night restaurant quietly closes its doors
A popular eatery known for feeding late-night crowds has closed its doors after 10 years of operation, blaming wildly increased costs.
An iconic Sydney venue has closed its doors after more than a decade of operation amid the worsening cost of living crisis.
Mr Crackles first opened its doors on Oxford Street back in 2013 and fast became a cult destination for late-night feeds.
The popular takeaway joint, known for its cups of pork crackling and drool-worthy rolls, opened a Melbourne branch on Bourke Street in 2018.
But the Australian food outlet, owned by Sam Horowitz and Carlos Justo, has just shut its doors in both Sydney and Melbourne after failing to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Costs of goods doubled and revenue is still down,” the pair told news.com.au.
“We relied a lot of volume which hasn’t returned to normal after Covid.
“Friday nights never recovered, catering never went back to normal.
“The juice just wasn’t worth the squeeze anymore.”
News of the Mr Crackles collapse has left fans of the eatery “devastated”, with one telling news.com.au Sydney’s night-life would “never be the same”.
“It’s always been my go-to end to any good night out,” local resident Joey Satari said.
“Mr Crackles punctuated so many nights out on Oxford St and saved me from many a hangover.
“I’m not exaggerating when I call it a firm favourite and a mainstay.”
Joey went on to state he and his friends wished they’d known the pork-themed takeaway was closing so they could have indulged in a final meal.
“I wish I’d known it was closing as I would have ordered one last ‘Crackles Classic’,” he said.
He’s not the only person who has expressed sadness at Mr Crackles shock closure, with social media users sharing their shock online.
“Livid,” one wrote, as another said: “We’re in mourning.”
“Noooo, this is such a great little spot. How heartbreaking,” someone else added.
“This is just the worst news,” one bloke stated.
Horowitz and Justo’s fried chicken venture Thirsty Bird, in Sydney’s Potts Point and Newtown also closed recently.
Fans noticed in April the restaurants had been “cleared out”, with one asking on the venue’s Instagram page if it had “closed for good”.
A response from the Thirsty Bird quickly appeared that reads: “Yes we have.”
The hospitality industry was badly affected during the pandemic with many struggling to find their feet as life began to return to “normal”.
Popular local restaurants and large eatery chains across the country have collapsed in the months since lockdowns ended, including Caruso’s Italian Restaurant in Gymea in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and Sushi Bay.