Hugo’s Spanish Restaurant, 931 S Howard Ave
Hugo’s Spanish Restaurant, 931 S Howard Ave. 2009. © Chip Weiner
Hugo’s Spanish Restaurant was opened in 1975 at 931 S Howard Ave by Hugo Sanchez. Sanchez was a Cuban immigrant who escaped the island in 1963. He was rescued by the Coast Guard, went to New York, and became a barber. He moved to Tampa and worked at a barber shop on Gandy until it burned down in 1970. While working as a carpenter, he saw that the former Ciccarello’s restaurant was for sale and bought it. He eventually bought the entire building. Hugo’s Spanish Restaurant developed into a Tampa tradition for Cuban and Italian food, where neighbors, businessmen, and politicians went to break bread and rub elbows.
A sign hung over the entrance that read’ World’s Worst Cuban Sandwich. ' Yet, in 1986, they took top honors in the Tampa Tribune Cuban Sandwich Search, a title held by Wright’s Gourmet House for several years. In 1997, area residents were shocked when State alcohol officials raided the place, taking their alcohol license following claims that agents allegedly bought marijuana from employees there for four months. It was later revealed that a female employee and male waiter who lived above the restaurant had made the deals. Officials reported that owners Hugo and Angela Sanchez witnessed the transactions and said nothing, but the couple denied it. Hugo’s had their license suspended but stayed open and recovered.
Sanchez sold the restaurant in 2015, saying it would remain open. It closed it for good in 2016. .A few other places tried their hand at vittles in the spot. In 2017, The Koshery Mediterranean Grill only lasted a minute. In 2018, Mana Mana Fresh Falafel Grill opened, but it didn’t last long. By 2020, plans were being made to remodel the building, keeping its mixed-use designation with four retail spots on the ground floor and 16 studio apartments above. In 2022, SOHO Square opened.
Losing Hugo’s left a void for Cuban food in the SOHO district. Now, places like Gio’s on MacDill help to fill the gap.
© 2024. Chip Weiner. oldtampaphotos.com
SOHO Square, 900 Block of S Howard, Tampa FL. 2023 © Chip Weiner
Hugo’s and Mr. T’s Pizza were frequent stops for those living close to the SOHO district. 2009 © Chip Weiner
R.H. Sanchez, M.D. 24 April, 2025
Nice article. I’m their son, and I grew up working in that restaurant—studying for my board exams between making sandwiches and helping wherever I was needed. In many ways, the decision not to continue the restaurant legacy came down to pursuing my career in medicine. I eventually graduated from medical school, passed all my examinations, and went on to practice as a physician in Tampa, Florida.
To this day, my parents still miss working and greeting the South Tampa customers they came to know over 40 years. They often reminisce about the friendships they built and the sense of community that made the restaurant so special. The good news is that our family still gets to enjoy all the delicious food they make—they haven’t forgotten a single recipe.
Hugo is now 90, and Angela is 83 years young. I truly appreciate the article. It brings back many fond memories, along with the difficult one you mentioned, which they did not deserve. Nonetheless, their love for food and for people has always outweighed all of that.
SOHO Square began construction in 2020 and opened in 2022. 2023. © Chip Weiner