FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
TO DECADES OF DELICIOUS
Hurricane’s Grill & Bar is known for serving up some of the best steaks and ribs in Sydney, since Pauline & Tony Teixeira opened the first Hurricane’s at Bondi Beach in 1995.
Their dream was to create an inviting and memorable dining experience with a menu inspired by Tony's traditional Portuguese heritage, featuring premium quality steaks and ribs cooked using a unique and now-signature grilling style.
Three decades onwards, their single beachside steakhouse restaurant has grown into to a five-strong restaurant group with venues across New South Wales and Queensland: Top Ryde opened in 2011, Surfers Paradise in 2013, Narellan in 2016, and Cronulla Beach in 2023.
Always the hero of every dish is premium quality Australian produce - from steaks to seafood and everything in between - celebrating the very best on the plate.
TONY TEIXEIRA
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Founder of Hurricane’s Management Pty Ltd, Tony has a true rags to riches story. From growing up on a farm in rural North Portugal, to building a tight-knit hospitality family across five restaurants in Australia, Tony, and his wife Pauline, turned their dream into a long-lasting legacy, created over many years.
While the destination is something Tony and the Hurricane’s family is incredibly proud of, the journey wasn’t an easy one, with many challenges and lessons learned along the way.
And while many things have evolved over 30 years, many have remained unchanged - like Tony’s unwavering passion, our focus on building a welcoming community for guests and staff, and our dedication to delivering a great dining experience celebrating top Australian produce.
TONY’s STORY
The heart behind the flame
If you’d asked me three decades ago where I thought Hurricane’s would be today, I never would’ve imagined this. It’s been an incredible but often rocky ride, marked by countless early mornings and late nights, zero-customer days and packed-out services. Through every challenge, my wife Pauline and I persevered.
And as we celebrate our 30th year, I feel it’s finally time to open up and share my story, to bring to light the heart behind the flame.
“... there were nights when not a single customer walked through our doors.”
I grew up on a small farm in rural North Portugal. My siblings and I received little education and spent our childhood helping our father with farm work. Though I dreamed of studying and graduating from university, that dream was cut short when I was pulled from school at the age of 10 to work, not only on our own farm, but on neighbours’ and relatives’ as well.
At 18, I left home to join the navy for three years, eager to explore the world. After that, I worked on cruise ships, driven by a desire to see what more life had to offer. Eventually, I arrived in Australia with little English, and I took on whatever jobs I could - labouring, security work, and working in a kebab shop.
It was here I met the love of my life, Pauline.
Soon after, I was offered an opportunity to travel to South Africa to learn the steakhouse restaurant business - a concept that didn’t exist in Australia at the time. I was hesitant, but it was Pauline who encouraged me to go. For six intense months, I immersed myself in every aspect of the steakhouse model, preparing for the dream I would bring back home.
I returned to Australia filled with ideas. Day after day, we refined them together until they became a plan. Then, on 1 July, 1995, that dream became reality: the first Hurricane’s Bar & Grill opened its doors at Bondi Beach.
The early days were very hard. As this was a new concept here, there were nights when not a single customer walked through our doors. But we held onto our belief, and with time, word spread. Slowly, tables filled. The buzz grew. Soon, the restaurant was alive with energy and laughter. And for us, nothing was more rewarding than seeing smiling faces enjoying what we had built from the ground up.
Hurricane’s Bar and Grill was never “just a business” to us - it was, and is, a community. A place where guests and staff feel a sense of belonging, a place where they feel welcomed, valued and at home. Our mission was to create more than just a great dining experience. We wanted to build a second family - a family that laughs together, supports one another, and shares stories that bring us closer.
And over our thirty years, that philosophy hasn’t changed.
We've since grown from a single location to thriving venues in Cronulla Beach, Narellan, Top Ryde, and Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Along the way, we’ve welcomed more staff and customers into our extended family. And sadly, we’ve said goodbye to some, too.
In 2018, I lost my beloved wife and partner, Pauline, at the age of 51, after her tough battle with cancer. Our children being at the tender ages of 13 and 10 at the time, struggled - we all did. We persevered, comforted each other with love, support and affection. Her passing was a heartbreak I still carry, but it also gave me strength and purpose. She may no longer be with me physically, but her spirit is woven into every part of Hurricane’s.
“... it felt right to finally open up and let you in, to share my story - our story”
Since then, I’ve remained committed to carrying on the vision we began together in Bondi.
I’ve been hesitant to share my story. I’ve always preferred to shine the spotlight on our staff, because they are what make Hurricane’s truly special. They are professional, efficient and, above all, warm and welcoming. They are family.
As we mark this 30-year milestone, it felt right to finally open up and let you in, to share my story - our story - with the people who’ve helped make this journey possible.
Thank you for being part of the Hurricane’s family.
Here’s to the next chapter.
Tony Teixeira
