Joe and Carmen Licata opened Licata’s Steakhouse in the Knight and Wall Building in 1950, a modest space with just 103 seats that quickly earned a reputation as one of Tampa’s earliest upscale dining rooms. Those familiar with that era might remember the water tower atop the building, modeled after an Early Times whiskey bottle.

Licata came from a storied restaurant lineage, and the family’s imprint on Ybor City’s culinary identity is unmistakable. His grandfather, Victor Licata, launched El Aseo in 1919, a small café that grew into The Mecca (later La Mecca or simply Mecca Café), anchoring the corner of 7th Avenue and 17th Street for nearly a century. Victor’s son, Joseph Licata Sr, later took it over. The restaurant became one of Ybor’s most enduring institutions. All five Licata sons followed the family path into the kitchen, becoming well-known chefs in their own right.

Joseph Licata Jr. carried forward the family’s Italian and Spanish culinary traditions but made his own mark with a flair for showmanship. His steakhouse became famous for its dramatic presentations—most notably steaks served on a flaming sword. The theatrics became so iconic that he eventually renamed the business Licata’s Flaming Sword Restaurant.

In 1982, after decades of loyal patronage, Licata announced that the restaurant would close. The lease was not renewed after the Paragon Group purchased the block and four adjacent blocks, with plans to demolish them. Though Licata hoped to reopen elsewhere outside the downtown core, that new chapter never materialized.

In its place rose the Bank of America Plaza (originally Barnett Plaza), completed in 1986 for $146 million. The 42-story tower briefly held the title of Tampa’s tallest building, surpassing One Tampa City Center until the completion of 100 North Tampa in 1992.

Joseph Licata Jr. died in 2004.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved