The Oldest Family-Owned Restaurant In Florida Is Also Among The Most Delicious Places You'll Ever Eat
By Marisa Roman|Published September 02, 2022
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Marisa Roman
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A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
It’s hard to talk about the oldest family-owned restaurants in Florida without mentioning Columbia Restaurant. Not only is this the oldest restaurant in the whole state, with beginnings back in 1905, but it also is still family-owned and operated, which really makes this hotspot a gem. The menu is peppered with dishes of Spanish and Cuban descent, which represent the long-standing genealogy and family history that this restaurant holds dear.
The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is one of Florida’s oldest restaurants but also the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.
What began as a tiny, 60-seat corner cafe back in 1905 has since expanded to 15 different dining rooms and seven different locations throughout Florida.
There are some menu items here at Columbia Restaurant that are an absolute must-try. Many of these menu options come from the family’s favorite recipes, which have been time-tested as well as customer-tested.
Start off with Columbia's Original "1905" Salad®, which is legendary. Tossed tableside, this salad is award-winning and features crisp iceberg lettuce, Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, Romano cheese, julienne of baked ham, and the famous garlic dressing.
The Original Cuban sandwich is another definite choice. Named "Best Sandwich in Florida" by Food & Wine Magazine, this sandwich uses a 1915 recipe featuring layers of fine ham, salami, Cuban mojo-marinated roast pork, Swiss cheese, a pickle, and mustard.
This is all pressed together between sliced, freshly baked Tampa Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery.
The Platos Principales are also great if you want to dive right into the Spanish-Cuban culture. There are over 20 different main plates, featuring seafood, steak, rice, beans, and so much more.
Also, the flan here is out-of-this-world, and perhaps some of the best you’ll ever taste. The recipe dates back to 1935 and features Spanish caramel egg custard, prepared the old-fashioned way.
It wouldn’t be a meal at Columbia without some of their homemade sangria. Served in a coveted carafe, this sangria is the perfect way to kick off the meal.
Have you been to Columbia Restaurant before? Did you know it was one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in Florida? Share with us your experience in the comments section! Or if you want to know more about this restaurant and the history it holds, check out the Columbia Restaurant website.
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