Tampa's Oldest Restaurant
1890
Las Novedades was founded on this site when Ybor Citywas a tiny village. Its proprietor was Manuel (Canuto) Menendez. The coffee shop was a favorite rendezvous for the pioneer cigarmakers of Sanchez y Haya Cigar Factory located across the street. In November 1891 Las Novedades was destroyed by fire. It reopened in 1892.
During the Spanish - American War the Rough Riders gained local fame when they gayly galloped into the small restaurant, and the Latin inhabitants termed the escapade "The Charge Of The Yellow Rice Brigade."
Marker is on E. 7th Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
