Q&A: Bern's Steak House

As South Tampa-Hyde Park Patch readers voted on their favorite businesses in , a few quickly rose to the top. One of those that has really shined is .

Patch caught up with the folks at Bern's ahead of the semifinals in our customer service contest, which resumed at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 28.

Name of business:

Name of owner:  David Laxer.

In business since: 1956.

How long have you lived in the area? My whole life.

What do you love about living and working in our town? What Tampa has become — it is really setting a trend for the Southeast. People used to only talk about Miami and Orlando but Tampa has made a name for itself.

What do you wish everyone who came into your shop knew about you?  That we always strive to be what my father made Bern’s to be — even after all these years — we have to change with the times, but we want to stick to our traditions.

Tell us a quick story about a time you provided awesome customer service: We have so many great stories over the years from engagements, to anniversaries, to birthdays. We just hosted the late Angelo Dundee’s 90th Bday Party. And he couldn’t have been more of a gentleman. He spoke of how great Bern’s has always been, and how it meant so much to him to be there for his birthday. We have provided awesome customer service since the day we opened, and every day and every customer to us is special.