Philly-based restaurant Guppy’s Good Times to open on Longboat

On a wall near the restaurant’s kitchen, a neon sign reads “Bringing Philly Fun to Paradise.” That’s exactly what owner Robin Gupta wants to achieve with his new Longboat Key restaurant. 

“I just felt like this place needed what we have,” Gupta said of Longboat Key. 

Gupta began leasing the space at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive at the start of August and, alongside his family, has put a lot of work into the upcoming restaurant which he hopes to open by the first week of October. 

The original location, Guppy’s Good Times, is a Conshohocken-based restaurant in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Guppy’s Good Times celebrated 19 years of business this September in the midst of working on the Longboat Key location. 

Gupta said when he opened the original Philadelphia restaurant, the spot was similar to a dive bar. He spoke proudly of evolving the restaurant to what it is today. 

“Over the years, I put a lot of emphasis on our food,” Gupta said.

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

The menu at the original location is well-established in the local community Gupta said, and ranges from cheesesteaks and burgers to tacos and sushi. 

Gupta hopes to bring the same style of food to the Longboat Key location, minus the sushi — there’s not enough space, said Gupta. 

But, Gupta was committed to bringing an authentic Philly experience. He was able to find local vendors for all the same brands of ingredients he uses up north, including the “real deal” rolls from Liscio’s. 

“We can recreate the exact same Philly experience with the real deal, awesome Philly cheesesteak,” Gupta said.

Guppy’s drink menu is also well-known in Philly, according to Gupta, including the famous Conshi Crush — two flavors of vodka, Tang and Sprite. At the Longboat Key location, Gupta said he wants to create a similar drink but with a different, more local name. 

Something new

Like Philadelphia, Gupta wants to create a comfortable pub-style environment for Longboat’s locals and tourists. 

“We’re more like a neighborhood spot where people can feel comfortable and have some good food,” Gupta said.

With eight TVs around the restaurant, there will be plenty of sports games being played. Gupta said this is a draw, especially for Longboat’s residents whose origins are from all over the country. 

“Here, I think we’re going to get a little more of a sports draw. … Everyone’s from somewhere else here, so we’ll have all the games on.”

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

Gupta and his wife, Jana Varcholova, moved to Florida at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While running the Philadelphia location from afar, Gupta said he was looking for a smaller restaurant opportunity to help his in-laws start. 

That’s when the Longboat Key spot opened up, and Gupta decided to take on the location for a second Guppy’s location. He’s opening the location with the help of his family, something different for him but enjoyable so far, he said.

The exterior of the restaurant has a completely new look from when Gupta started leasing the space. He commissioned local mother-daughter art duo Stephanie Guevara and Lilian Fox to bring bright colors, Guppy’s logo and a nod to Philadelphia’s famous "LOVE" statue.

This mural was the first outdoor project for the art duo, who can be found at Foxxy Fine Art (@foxxy.fine.art) on Facebook and Instagram.

Recently, Gupta said there have been people stopping by and asking when they’ll be open. He’s excited to open the doors within two weeks and watch some games with the locals. 

“I’m excited to get to know the community here,” Gupta said. “I’m proud of our food and I think people will like that, so I’m looking forward to seeing that.”