Lupton’s Buffet, with its iconic Southern comfort food menu that transcended decades, closed on Christmas Eve.
Founder Ralph Lupton told the TBT that with both overhead costs and surrounding competition increasing, that keeping Lupton’s open was becoming impractical.
When it opened in Temple Terrace in 1969, at 5299 E. Busch Blvd., Lupton's it was one of the only restaurants around. After over 50 years in operation, it gained a solid reputation for serving the community—like when founders Ralph and Nancy fed over 1,000 hungry electrical linemen and tree arborists after hurricane Wilma in 2005.
Fans of Lupton’s fried green tomatoes, heaps of fried chicken, and collard greens shouldn’t fret, because its iconic menu will continue at its Boggy Bottom Ranch restaurant in Plant City. The outdoor eatery run by one of the Lupton sons will also continue its catering services.
Its BBQ menu will also move to the Lupton-owned RJ’s Wings and Things at 5025 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa.
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.