I have been to both the Tampa and Sarasota locations and have enjoyed my experience at both. That picture of the salad and black bean soup is great–makes you want to dig right in! Tampa also has some hole-in-the-wall Cuban dives that are great and amazingly cheap. I miss Florida! It’s been too long since my last visit to the Gulf Coast…
I enjoyed reading your post and am happy that you enjoyed your visit to the Columbia. My great grandfather Casimiro Hernenadez Sr. founded the restaurant after immigrating from his country of Cuba with his wife & four sons. My grandfather, Casimiro Hernandez Jr. was responsible for expansion of the Ybor City restaurant and repututaion for the ambiance and great food the Columbia enjoys today. My parents, Adela & Cesar Gonzmart grew the brand outside of Tampa Bay by opening the Columbia on St. Armads Circe in Sarasota in 1959 making it Saraosta’s continulsy operatng restaurant today. My borher Casey & I built and opened the Columbia’s in Historic St. Augustine in 1983, St. Petersburg Pier in 1987, on Sand Key (Clearwatr Beach) 1989, Celebration (Disney’s Community) 1997 and most recently the Columbia Cafe in the new Tampa Bay History Center on the Riverwalk in Tampa.
My daughter,s Lauren & Andrea have joined the company and their children are being prepped to conitbue the tratdition. Our future is brioght thanks to fans like you. I hope th at next time you visit us you will ask if one of the fmaily is aorund so we cna say hello and thank you and give you a personal tour of our family treasure.
Here’s to life!
Richard Gonzmart
4th Generation
Y’all are welcome to come on back to FLA any time! You’ve just scratched the tip of the iceberg…
I loved ur review, and the pictures are great, thank you for taking the time to share. I don’t get up to this restaurant as often as I like. Now I may make it a special trip.
This just warmed my heart! I loved going to the Columbia growing up (I lived in St. Pete and usually went to the one at the Pier, but same food) I always got the same dish, Black bean soup.. yes the best!! and the wonderful salad!! I was soo excited to see this great restaurant highlighted on your website!
rick
March 18, 2010 at 2:21 pmGreat post! There are also spin-offs in Celebration and Sarasota (i’m not sure if the one in St. Augustine is still there…)
Mod Betty / Retro Roadmap
March 18, 2010 at 4:25 pmI noticed that there were a few locations scattered about, which is good to know for a food fix, however I love the feeling you get being in the authentic old place, that the original is my fave. That should not be surprising 🙂