Courtney Campbell icon, Charann's Tavern turns 50

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - A Tampa landmark is celebrating a big milestone.

The historic Charann's Tavern has been a place for locals to enjoy food and fun for 50 years.

The original Courtney Campbell Causeway location holds fond memories for many who still come, but to the new Memorial Highway location.

Dave Crandon has been a customer at Charann's Tavern for as long as he can remember. 

"[I have been] coming here since I was about 10 years old," Crandon said. Dave and his friends use to swim to Charann's when they were kids.

"[We used to] swim across the canal with one arm up in the air," said Dave. "The first sandwich went to our dads. The second sandwiches went to us."

Charlie and Ann Fisher opened the eatery in 1969.

"It was like a double-wide and if you needed to go to the bathroom you had to go outside," said Karin Murphy who brought the tavern from the Fisher 19 years ago. "At the old location, there were little plaques on the bar where everybody had their place to sit everybody."

Eugene Rivera has been coming for more than 30 years.

"They make the greatest Philly cheesesteak in Tampa. We come quite often," Rivera said.

Generations of families still visit the restaurant.

"There's grandparents bring their grandchildren, parents bring their kids, and their kids bring their kids," Murphy said.

Friends and food come together for a good time at this Tampa Bay icon.

Charann's Tavern is located at 6748 Memorial Highway, Tampa, FL 33615.