There’s a Barrio Chino in Sydney, Australia

Longtime neighborhood favorite Barrio Chino (Spanish for Chinatown) at 253 Broome Street appears to have an international impersonator on its hands. In Australia. Trendland brought word last week of the new venture, claiming that the restaurant down-under is simply a blatant rip-off with the same name and culinary concept.

[Photo Credit: RK Chin]

When I called Barrio to find out some more info they told me they heard about it but it had nothing to do with them. I know that everyone everywhere borrows and even copies from things they see but it is quite shocking to see examples as blatant as this one. I have not tasted the food but the atmosphere can not compare in any way to the original Barrio Chino.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Barrio Chino Sydney is run by Peter Lew and Nicole Galloway, with chef duties courtesy of San Franciscan Joe Hargreave. The article makes no mention of the packed little restaurant on Broome Street.

What says you? Rip-off or coincidence?