Established inns disappear from the cityscape. Now “Sturmwirt” Ralf Windisch is throwing in the towel and closing his legendary restaurant in the Augarten. He’s had enough of the turbulence in the gastro.
Directly opposite the Augartenwiese, where SK Sturm Graz was born, Ralf Windisch has been running a real institution for die-hard “Schwoaze” and friends of the dignified pub culture for 23 years. The likenesses of storm legends such as Ivica Vastic, Mario Haas or Ivica Osim are adorned in the guest garden “Ralfs Come In”.
Entering the bar, a world of its own with a unique flair is revealed: countless signed sweaters, photos, scarves and every fan memorabilia imaginable in a rustic tavern atmosphere bear witness to a lived fan culture. Windisch is not an official storm ambassador for nothing: “I wanted to do a storm restaurant from the start.”
An oasis for football fans
Numerous Sturm originals have come here and are in touch with the fans. But football has the highest priority in the bar, regardless of the club: “We have several televisions and also broadcast the German and English league,” says Windisch.
The inn is not only popular with lovers of the round leather, but also because of the down-to-earth inn kitchen. Classics like Beuschel or roasted liver are served here at reasonable prices.
Wave of inflation as icing on the cake
But at the end of August this will be over for the time being: Ralf Windisch has had enough of the turbulence in the gastronomy and closes his restaurant. He had already struggled with the end of slot machines and the smoking ban. The pandemic was the next setback. Added to this is the personnel crisis that has been escalating for years. “We have been looking for waiters and chefs for two years now,” says the “Sturmwirt”. The current price increase was the last straw: “I now pay more than twice as much for frying fat, for example. I just can’t pass the prices on to my guests,” says the innkeeper angrily, feeling a total failure of the government.
The ending of “Ralfs Come In” joins the death of the ubiquitous landlord. In Graz, for example, the Schwarzer Adler inn on Leonhardstraße and the long-standing Ungerwirt have already closed this year.
But there is a glimmer of hope for regular guests: Windisch is in talks with a new tenant who wants to continue the restaurant in the same style.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
