Havana Harry's: More Than Just Cuban Sandwiches

Step into Havana Harry's Market and Cafe in Largo and the first thing you notice is the smell.

Freshly sliced deli meat combines with bread and coffee scents to give the place an aroma that makes you want to sit down, relax and enjoy an authentic Cuban sandwich.

But it's not just the food that makes the Walsingham Road shop such a comfortable place to hang out; owner George Haber and his customers give Havana Harry's a homey, familial feel.

"I try to have fun when I work," the colorful Haber told Patch last week. "I like to kid around a lot."

"Sometimes the customers don't get it, but if they don't appreciate how I am, then maybe they shouldn't be in here."

Haber's love for life and his work stems from his past.

The Cuban native and longtime area resident has owned a number of businesses in Largo over the years, including a gas station, a bar and grill and a music store.

But a pair of heart attacks and a failed attempt to enter the corporate world led Haber back to doing what he loves to do - interacting with people by being a proprietor of his own place.

"I was in the food industry before, then I tried to get into the corporate world but it didn't work out, so I went back to doing what I love to do," he explained.

"I found this place two years ago," he added. "The biggest thrill for me is to have a venue to sell authentic Cuban food."

Although the shop was originally a produce market, Haber slowly went away from focusing on produce and began concentrating on the food.

"The produce was tough to keep up with, and people started gravitating towards the food, so that's the direction I went," he said.

In addition to being a place to eat, the shop has also proved to be a springboard for a local Cuban artist.

Juan Carlos Santana, who is doing shows both locally and in New York City, started working from the cafe earlier this year; he is currently painting a trailer in back of the shop that Haber said might be tied to a charity fundraiser.

"I like to help people, and our customers really seem to enjoy seeing his work here," Haber said.

Haber dreams of expanding his business, adding a patio out back and possibly inventing a line of frozen Havana Harry meals; he already sells wines with his signature caricature likeness on the label.

But even if he never leaves this corner of Largo, you get the impression Haber is content right where he is.

"We like to be considered a working man's restaurant. We're not fancy," he said.

"But we get a lot of repeat business and our customers tell us how good our food is, so we must be doing something right."

Havana Harry's Market & Cafe

Address: 13932 Walsingham Road, Largo

Phone: 727-596-5141

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Website: havanaharrysmarket.com; facebook.com/havanaharrys