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Emerging Brands

Newcomers to the Top 100

By Megan Rowe on Oct. 22, 2020
Swan
Photograph courtesy of Swan

Newcomers to this year’s Top 100 Independents list represent a variety of cuisines and locations, from European fare in Miami to upscale Mexican in the nation’s capital. Read on to learn more about the eight restaurants that joined the ranks of the top-grossing indies in the U.S.

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China Live
Photograph courtesy of China Live

China Live

Open since 2017, this mixed concept serves classic regional Chinese specialties.

Location: San Francisco

Top 100 rank: 63

2019 sales: $15.1M

2019 meals sold: 300,00

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Swan
Photograph courtesy of Swan

Swan

Situated in Miami’s Design District, Swan serves European fare in an elegant setting.

Location: Miami

Top 100 rank: 66

2019 sales: $15M

2019 meals served: 225,000

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Siena Tavern
Photograph courtesy of Siena Tavern

Siena Tavern

Chef/partner Fabio Viviani's touch hits a sweet spot in downtown Chicago.

Location: Chicago

Top 100 rank: 83

2019 sales: $13.1M

2019 meals served: 238,182

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Big Texan
Photograph courtesy of Big Texan Steak Ranch

Big Texan Steak Ranch

Very low unemployment challenged this classic value steakhouse.

Location: Amarillo, Texas

Top 100 rank: 90

2019 sales: $12.5M

2019 meals served: 478,000

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Park Avenue
Photograph courtesy of Park Avenue Summer

Park Avenue Summer (Autumn, Winter, Spring)

The menu changes with the seasons here—thus the name.

Location: Amarillo, Texas

Top 100 rank: 91

2019 sales: $12.5M

2019 meals served: 164,531

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Mi Vida
Photograph courtesy of Mi Vida

Mi Vida

Upscale Mexican from chef/restaurateur Roberto Santibanez.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Top 100 rank: 98

2019 sales: $12M

2019 meals served: 226,226

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Upland
Photograph courtesy of Upland

Upland

This casually chic brasserie scores with  a California-Italian menu.

Location: New York

Top 100 rank: 99

2019 sales: $12M

2019 meals served: 171,825

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Virgil's Barbecue
Photograph courtesy of Virgil’s Real Barbecue

Virgil’s Real Barbecue

A spinoff from the New York original, Virgil's has ramped up quickly since opening in 2016.

Location: Las Vegas

Top 100 rank: 100

2019 sales: $11.4M

2019 meals served: 208,276

Click here to return to the 2020 Top 100 Independents.

Explore: independents, News

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