“In my Cuban family, two things were always certain — food and good times.”
La Familia
Since 1997, with the proof.
- 1997
The doors open on Gulfport Boulevard.
A Cuban family restaurant at 5402 Gulfport Boulevard South — the same corner it cooks on today.
The building, 2001 - 1998
Beach Life names it Best Cuban Food.
The list of bests begins a year after opening.
Best Cuban FoodBeach Life · 1998
- 1999–2003
Best Cuban Food in Tampa Bay, five years running.
Tampa Bay Magazine, every year from 1999 to 2003.
The room, 2001 - 2004
The Habana Café Cookbook.
Named Best Latino Cuisine Book in the World at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.
University Press of Florida, 2004 - 2005
The St. Pete Times: “Habana Cafe owner celebrated on world stage.”
The paper covers Josefa’s award, presented in Sweden that February.
St. Pete Times, 2005 - 4 March 2005
Gulfport makes it Josefa Gonzalez-Hastings Day.
The mayor’s proclamation, issued by the City of Gulfport — “Gateway to the Gulf”.
City of Gulfport, 2005
18·3·2003
One Tuesday, the whole room.
The Habana Café Cookbook
University Press of Florida · 2004 · 128 pages
Josefa’s book of the café’s Cuban cooking. Many of the recipes were passed down from her mother and aunts — the same ones on the menu downstairs.
Ask about a copy