By Anna Bryson
Anybody at USF St. Petersburg will tell you that the Tavern at Bayboro is a special place.
It’s been a fixture on campus since 1981, and when Tom Herzhauser bought the “Tav” nine years ago, he became known as the unofficial mayor of USF St. Petersburg.
“People cherish this place, and it didn’t take me long to realize that,” Herzhauser said. “Once I did, it helped me understand my role on this campus.”
For students at USF St. Petersburg, the Tavern is a place to get away from the stress of classes or to celebrate a good grade on an exam with a cold beer and a crunchy grouper sandwich.
Students agree: Nothing feels better than getting out of a tough class and seeing Tom’s smiling face.
Though it’s technically off campus, the Tavern is right across the sidewalk from the university.
It’s only open on weekdays, but Herzhauser opens the restaurant on graduation day every year to meet the parents of the students who have been hanging out at the Tavern throughout their college careers.
“I meet students when they first come here for orientation,” Herzhauser said. “It’s rewarding to see them for four or five years and watch them mold into the new stage of their lives, and see how that student has grown and matured.”
The Tavern is not just for students; it’s also a popular place for professors and locals. The famous crunchy grouper sandwich draws people in.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have the opportunity to rub elbows with the great faculty and staff here,” Herzhauser said. “I feel like I don’t own the Tavern — I’ve just been holding the keys.”
Now it’s time to hand the keys over.
The Tavern will be sold to Dennis Bixler and his wife, Stephanie, on April 29.
The Bixlers are already part of the Tavern family. Dennis runs the open mic night every Wednesday at the Tavern, along with his brother, Patrick, who works there.
Herzhauser said he hand-selected the family who would take over because he wanted someone who cares about the Tavern and understands its importance to the community.
“My biggest concern other than running the restaurant is people coming in here looking for Tom,” Dennis Bixler said. “People come in after we’re closed just to have their kids say ‘hi’ to him.
“Tom’s legacy will be here as long as the Tavern is here.”
Patrick Bixler has worked at the Tavern for three years and has been running the open mic with his brother for the past nine.
“There’s just something special about this place,” Patrick Bixler said. “It’s a living, breathing entity. We all love Tom, and we work our asses off over here. We don’t just do it for Tom, we do it for the Tavern because we love this place.
“Everyone who comes here is part of the Tavern, and that’s what makes this place special.”
Soon, Dennis Bixler will be the one coming in every day at 7 a.m. to make fresh rosemary herb bread.
“I’m going to miss the shit out of Tom, I can’t even talk about it yet,” Patrick Bixler said. “Those are huge shoes to fill.”
Dennis and Stephanie Bixler are confident that they can fill them and carry on the legacy of the Tavern.
When his time at the Tavern is over, Herzhauser will spend his time traveling with his wife and playing with their grandchildren.
“It’s one thing to have good product, but people come to see me,” Herzhauser said. “I come in, and have a drink with everybody. Those are the things I will miss when it’s over.”
I met Dennis and Patrick at open mic night last year during a hard time of my life, starting kidney dialysis amoung other medical problems . becoming one of the regulars i bought a cajon and tap along with the music it gives me something to look forward to. So thanks Dennis and Pat for a great place to hang out habe a great meal with some pretty cool people..