Carmine (Original) Italian Restaurant

Carmine Italian Restaurant, corner of Buffalo and Highland Ave

Carmine Italian-American Restaurant. Circa 1965. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.

This is where the Tampa Carmine’s-Malio’s-Iavarone's dynasty began. In November 1950, Carmine and Francis Iavarone converted their 1930s grocery store at the corner of Buffalo (now Martin Luther King) and Highland Avenue in Seminole Heights into Carmine Restaurant. It was a boxy building along Buffalo Avenue with two front doors and three louvered windows. The name was later changed to Carmine Italian Restaurant.

In the 1950s, people were infatuated with their cars, so the restaurant opened the drive-in. At the same time, menu-wise, they creatively concocted Spaghetti in the Basket, a to-go dish they served in your car. It was one of Tampa’s first pizzerias, and by 1952, they opened a cocktail lounge and package store, expanding their offerings and popularity. The bar was a horseshoe-shaped, vinyl-padded spot surrounded by 20 padded barstools. Fan favorites from the menu included Broiled Shrimp Gino, a dish where shrimp were broiled in herb and spice-infused wine. In 1965, they remodeled the building, expanding it and adding Mediterranean-style awnings. In the 1970s, John David Demmi took over the operation at this location. They changed its name to John David’s in 1979, then staved off bankruptcy in 1983. Demmi was indicted by a grand jury in 1984 for bribery and racketeering but was acquitted. By 1988, related or not, the restaurant changed its name to Mr. C’s. This building has hosted several other businesses. In 1993, it was Mr. C’s Chinese American Cuisine; by 2002, it was the Conquestido Dance Club. By 2008, Family of Faith Church and Ministries and Bay Crest Academy opened their doors here and remain today.

Their children Gene, twin brothers Carmine and Malio, and Teresa helped run the place, bussing tables, greeting customers, and parking cars. Little did they know then that Malio would carry on the family tradition by opening his own place In the former Tropics restaurant on South Dale Mabry in 1969, and Gene and his wife would open Carmine’s on 7th Avenue in Ybor City. In 1992, Carmine and his family opened the still-popular Iavarone’s Steakhouse near Carrollwood. The upscale Malio’s restaurant moved to the Rivergate Tower (aka the beer can) in 2005 and is now run by Malio’s son Derek and his wife Jen.

Family Faith Church 105 W Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. 2025- © Chip Weiner

Carmine's Italian Restaurant's front door after the design change in 1965, 105 W Buffalo Ave. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.

Family Faith Church doors, 105 W Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. 2025- © Chip Weiner

Malio Iavarone opened his restaurant at the former Tropics Steak House. .Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.

Tropics Steak House. .Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.