Nation’s Restaurant News created a list of 50 “All-American Icon restaurants.” In compiling the list, it sought to highlight “longtime concepts that are not only intriguing, but also offer a broad representation of industry segments, foods and locales,” the publication said in a release.
The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City was founded in 1905 and is the oldest restaurant in Florida, parent company Columbia Restaurant Group said in a release. Columbia locations are owned and operated by fourth and fifth generation members of the founding family.
The magazine also provided insight into the allure of the concept that keeps customers returning through the decades.
“No other institution in Tampa is as entwined with the city’s history,” the NRN report said.
In demand, according to a release, are concepts that reflect “the industry’s limitless entrepreneurialism and tell the stories of the communities that these restaurants” have enriched.
Other Florida restaurants named to the list were Bern’s Steak House in Tampa and Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami.
