As Bern’s Steak House celebrates its 70th anniversary, we’d like to share why the humble yet determined beginnings of Bern and Gertrude Laxer mean so much to us as a team — and how they inspire the way we work every day at Bern’s, Haven, and Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits.
The story began in 1953, when Bern and Gert left their native New York in search of California sunshine. Along the way, they made a fortuitous side trip to Tampa to visit a relative and decided to stay. That chance stop became both their legacy and the beginning of Tampa Bay’s fine dining story.
They first opened the Gator Juice Bar, serving pre-squeezed orange juice, coffee, and cold sandwiches prepared each morning for the lunch crowd. Soon, they renamed the small luncheonette “Bern and Gert’s Little Midway,” adding a fryer so they could offer hot breakfasts and lunches.
From the beginning, the Laxers did things differently. They purchased only the freshest and finest ingredients daily. Hamburger was never served on the second day. Breakfast regulars had their preferred jams and preserves waiting for them,and more than 30 varieties were kept on hand. Eggs were delivered daily and fried individually in pans with pure butter.
In 1956, the Laxers purchased the Beer Haven Bar, located in a small strip mall at 1208 S. Howard Avenue. Money was tight, so they reused letters from the existing sign and renamed the bar “Bern’s.” When the phone company required a descriptive listing for the directory, “Steak House” was added, and Bern’s Steak House was born.
The original Bern’s Steak House occupied what is now our Bordeaux Room. Over time, the Laxers gradually purchased the rest of the shopping center, expanding the kitchen and adding dining rooms as the restaurant grew, always driven by their belief that excellence comes from doing things differently, and doing them the very best way possible.
That spirit continues to guide us today. Thank you for being part of our story and for seventy wonderful years.