The crypto-themed restaurant offers “Doge Dogs”, “To The MOOOONNN!” sundaes • St Pete Catalyst

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A new crypto-themed restaurant in Clearwater Beach hopes to take customers over the moon with a combination of great food and an introduction to the world of cryptocurrency.

When Crypto Street restaurant opened in December, owner Ricardo Varona wanted an ambiance that would set his establishment apart from other restaurants in the area. Thanks to his son, Varona recently became a proponent of blockchain technology and digital currency and decided to capitalize on the growing momentum behind crypto assets.

The decoration of the restaurant is centered on the crypto culture. Laminated into the bar are metal coins representing Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. There are crypto posters, non-fungible token (NFT) prints, and a large, colorful mural of a rocket heading for the moon encompasses an entire wall.

A rocket heading for the moon is a common theme among crypto enthusiasts.

Varona was born in Puerto Rico, and the menu features American and Cuban dishes with crypto-themed names; customers can start with an order of “SHIBA Shrimp Cocktail”, followed by a “Crypto Cuban” or “The Blockchain Club”. For dessert, there is the “Bitcoinana Split”.

“About a year and a half ago I started getting into it,” Varona said. “I used to trade a lot of stocks, and now I’m like 10% stocks and 90% crypto.”

As cryptocurrency grows in popularity, so does the number of businesses that accept it as a form of payment. However, most companies only accept the two largest coins by market capitalization – bitcoin and ethereum. Varona accepts almost any coin someone offers her.

“Just yesterday we asked someone to pay with dogecoins,” he said. “I would say probably five or six times we took bitcoin, then we took shiba inu one day and cardano a few times as well.”

Varona keeps a binder with barcode printouts of its crypto wallets to make processing digital payments quick and easy. He has also taught the procedure to his servers, allowing them to process payments when he is not at the restaurant. While the restaurant caters to newcomers to the cryptocurrency world, Varona said its staff are happy to serve early adopters who pay and tip digitally.

“Everyone has been very generous in tipping our servers,” Varona said. “People paying with crypto is always super good.”

If a customer tips in cryptocurrency, Varona offers its servers the option of exchanging it with the restaurant for cash.

Verano wants his restaurant to help people learn about the world of cryptocurrency. In addition to the aforementioned decor, Verano displays definitions of common crypto and blockchain terms on the walls. Varona, 52, said the illustrations help older people like him understand the language. Varona also displays the latest crypto prices on screens for its customers to follow the sometimes rapid fluctuations.

Crypto Street displays definitions of common cryptocurrency terms for beginners.

While the crypto community tends to be younger, Varona appreciates the camaraderie the restaurant and its customers have brought her.

“They’re like my buddies,” Varona said. “They make me feel like I’m less than half my age because they’re super cool, and they love and appreciate that.”

Varona said he also likes older crowds because like him they are just learning, and many have also been introduced to cryptocurrency by their children or grandchildren.

Located at 309 Coronado Dr., the ground floor of the Residence Inn by Marriott on Clearwater Beach, Varona said most of its guests are tourists. However, he said that 80% of customers who pay with cryptocurrency are locals. He said he was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm that exists in Pinellas County for digital assets.

“I know there’s a little more activity in Miami,” Varona said. “But that doesn’t mean we’re not doing well here.”

Crypto Street Restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Varona said it plans to open seven days a week in February.

For more information, visit his website here.

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