South Tampa History Alive at Daily Eats
Today 901 S. Howard is known as the location of Daily Eats, Ciccio Restaurant Group’s modernized diner concept. Guests visit the location everyday to enjoy all day breakfast, hand spun milkshakes, and their favorite shredder bowl. The restaurant’s success in South Tampa encouraged CRG to expand the concept to Sarasota almost a year ago.
Little do many know, the building that now houses CRG’s business, was once the home to a Tampa Bay “landmark.” Founded by Jim Strickland, The Old Meeting House was known for over 50 years as a “premier neighborhood hangout in South Tampa” for food lovers.
Visitors would flock to the parlor to get a taste of Strickland’s 100% natural, homemade ice cream which was sold for five cents a scoop or thirty-five cents a pint. His restaurant also served crave-worthy, comfort foods like homemade spaghetti & meatballs, country fried steak, and meatloaf prepared daily in-house.
After less than 60 years of business, and a change of ownership, Old Meeting House closed its doors in 2003. The property was eventually bought by Ciccio Restaurant Group to be transformed into Daily Eats. CRG was hopeful that a second restaurant would flourish on South Howard after their success with Ciccio & Tony’s, now Ciccio Water.
Many Tampa natives, like Florida Food Lover blogger, Amanda, were disappointed to see their favorite childhood restaurant go, but appreciate the the similar old diner flair that Daily Eats provides.
Now, Daily Eats has served customers for over 10 years on South Howard. While the diner does not serve some of the classic favorites that were popular at Old Meeting House, guests often stand for long wait times to enjoy modernized comfort foods like warm french toast, delicious burgers, and hand spun milkshakes.
