The 107-year-old Columbia restaurant in Tampa's Ybor City area claims the title of Florida's oldest restaurant and America's oldest Spanish restaurant. Here family and employees gather for the Columbia's 100th anniversary in 2005.
Courtesy Columbia Restaurant
Columbia Restaurant —
The Columbia Restaurant opened as a 60-seat cafe in 1905. Today the cafe is one of 15 dining rooms, and the historic room's original mahogany bar is still intact.
Courtesy Columbia Restaurant
Louis' Lunch, New Haven, Connecticut —
This 1895 institution has developed a national reputation for its rendition of an American original.
Courtesy Mike Franzman
Louis' Lunch —
The supposed originator of the hamburger, Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut, has been serving beef patties on white toast since before buns were invented.
Courtesy Mike Franzman
The Bright Star, Bessemer, Alabama —
The Bright Star, a casual Greek/Southern restaurant in downtown Bessemer, Alabama, was established in 1907.
Courtesy Bright Star
The Bright Star —
It has grown from a 25-seat cafe to a 330-seat restaurant over the decades with specialties including the seafood gumbo, the Greek snapper and the lemon ice box pie.
Courtesy Bright Star
Al's Restaurant, St. Louis, Missouri —
Al's Restaurant in St. Louis opened in 1925 in what was once an old sugar house exchange.
Courtesy Al's Restaurant
Al's restaurant —
Located along the riverfront, Al's has evolved from a tavern serving egg sandwiches to a fine dining classic.