Columbia Restaurant Gift Shop
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Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., the Columbia Restaurant isFlorida’s oldest restaurant, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It began in Tampa’s Ybor City, (pronounced EE-bore) as a small 60-seat corner café known for its Cuban coffee and authentic Cuban sandwiches, frequented by the local cigar workers. Casimiro Sr. took over the restaurant next door in 1919 and converted it into an additional dining room. His son, Casimiro Jr. also joined the business. Following the death of Casimiro Sr. in 1930, Casimiro Jr. took over ownership and operation of the restaurant.