Columbia Restaurant - Ybor City

Review summary

1. D

   Denise

   Western NC

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We have eaten at Columbia in St Augustine a couple of times and this was our first at the original restaurant in Tampa. It was a Monday night and we’re glad we had reservations because it was really busy. The interior of the restaurant was very beautiful and the walls showcased the history (from 1905). Jim, our waiter was great. Very helpful regarding the menu and sharing the history of Columbia. I had sangria to start and it was good. The Cuban bread and butter was absolutely wonderful. We didn’t order tapas because we knew the entrees were pretty large. We shared the Pollo Manchengo and Shrimp Gonzalo (not sure on the spelling). Both were good. We thought the Pollo had more flavor than the shrimp. The yellow rice was okay and the vegetable was broccolini, and was good. We finished with the bread pudding. Definitely enough for 2. It was very good. The restaurant doesn’t have good acoustics and is very loud….just from conversations. We also found that to be true in St Augustine. Prices were average, in the range from $28-48. Overall, we had a very nice meal and were glad we went. So much history both at the restaurant and in Ybor City. If you are in the area we would recommend giving it a try. We don’t get on the west coast of Florida very often but will definitely go back to the St Augustine location in the future.
   

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2. R

   Richard

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   73 reviews

   5.0

   73 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Fantastic! What an awesome place. Great food, service and history. A must see in Ybor.
   

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3. B

   Brenda

   VIP

   Tampa

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful Ambiance Fabulous Food Superior Service Will be back Soon
   

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4. A

   Amelia

   VIP

   Key West

   45 reviews

   5.0

   45 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The best!!! Food was delicious , service amazing !!’
   

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5. P

   Phuong

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   41 reviews

   3.0

   41 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   You can make a reservation but you're sure to wait an additional 30-40 minutes from your reservation time. It's that popular of a restaurant. They boast about being able to seat 1700 or whatever number but they really do not, at least not at lunch time on a weekday (assume it is much worse on a weekend). In any case, I tried what they're known for - the Cuban sandwich and the 1905 salad. Both were pretty good, though the sandwich was a bit on the dry side. The table side salad making was a fun thing to watch. However, I did not feel that the food justified the additional wait, which put an immediate dampener to the experience. I could be in the minority, as I expect reservation times to be honored. In any case, I'm glad I tried it but it's not a priority for me to go back. Sorry.
   

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6. B

   Brenda

   Phoenix

   6 reviews

   4.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   It’s quite an experience. Great wait staff. Great drinks. Stuffed mushrooms were not good.
   

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7. R

   Raymond

   Sydney

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   What a great experience from this 120 year old restaurant. The food, service and ambiance was all excellent. Highly recommend.
   

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8. T

   Taina

   Tampa

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was delicious and our waiter was awesome! He recommended some great options and we weren’t disappointed.
   

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9. m

   michael

   VIP

   Tampa

   28 reviews

   5.0

   28 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   the food was great as always, service excellent and good drinks their atmosphere is always great as well
   

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10. P

    Peter

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5

    We were seated immediately and warmly greeted. We ordered our entrees and 2 1905 Salads to share. They then brought each of us a roll wrapped in a napkin. I expected a warm, crusty piece of cuban bread. Instead we each got a cold, dry roll. The salads were prepared table side and were very good. There was an ample portion for everyone. The entrees arrived in a timely fashion. My wife had Grouper Jimmy, which was excellent. My grandson had Steak Salteado which was also great. My granddaughter ordered Cesar Salad with grilled chicken but when it arrived there was no chicken. We notified the server who checked the order and agreed. He said he would fix it immediately. My son and I both ordered Paella. The seafood in it (shrimp, clams, scallops, calamari) were all very good. However the mussels were so overcooked that they shrunk to the size of a pea. The chicken was dry and hard to the point of being inedible. No one came to check on us. After 20 minutes a manager was passing by. We told him about the Cesar Salad and asked for some hot sauce. A server brought us 2 bottles of hot sauce that were both nearly empty. Still no chicken for the Cesar Salad. About 40 minutes passed and we were finishing. Our original waitress appeared for the first time since she served the 1905 salad. She asked how things were. I told her about the dry chicken in the Paella and that my granddaughter still hadn't got the chicken for her salad. Shortly after, a waiter brought out the chicken for her salad and scraped it on top of the lettuce which had sat there for 40 minutes. The waitress was apologetic and said she would take to the manager about our problems. She returned and offered free desert. I thought for each of us. She said no, just one desert. I was very excited to share my birthday with my family but left disappointed.
    

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