Located in a restored Masonic temple that was built in 1911, this urban Italian restaurant is a favorite stop for press and politicians during Iowa's caucuses, and even supplied the meal Bill and Hillary Clinton ate after attending Senator Tom Harkin's last political rally.
Opened ∕ November 2012
Average Check ∕ Lunch: $16, Dinner: $40
Chef/Owner ∕ George Formaro
Hog & Hominy
Memphis, Tennessee
Known for its Italian cooking with Southern roots, the restaurant turns its back patio, aka "the holding pen," into a themed pop-up twice a year. Once a dive bar featuring a special burger, the most recent pop-up was a raw bar.
Opened ∕ June 2012
Annual Sales ∕ $1–$3 million
Average Check ∕ $40
Chef/Owners∕ Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman
St. Elmo Steak House
Indianapolis
A storied history of serving superior steaks, seafood, and chops sets the stage for this landmark eatery, where 199,165 entrées were served in 2014 and an estimated 135,000 shrimp cocktails are served each year.
Opened ∕ 1902
Annual Sales ∕ $17.7 million
Average Check ∕ $88
Owners∕ Steve and Craig Huse
Harry & Izzy's
Indianapolis
This upscale American grill boasts a wine cellar with nearly 3,000 bottles of wine, serves 22,000 martinis annually, and keeps a running chalkboard that highlights the odds of upcoming sporting events.
Opened ∕ 2007
Annual Sales ∕ $10.8 million
Average Check ∕ $39.80
Owners∕ Steve Huse, Craig Huse, Chris Clifford, Tom Browne, and Peyton Manning
Etch
Nashville, Tennessee
The restaurant, where celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Hayden Panettiere are often sighted, donates $1 from each purchase of its roasted cauliflower appetizer to the Taste of the NFL Kick Hunger campaign.
Opened ∕ August 2012
Annual Sales ∕ $4.2 million
Average Check ∕ $65 at dinner, $24 at lunch
Chef/Owner ∕ Deb Paquette
City Grocery
Oxford, Mississippi
For more than 20 years, New Orleans native John Currence has brought the influence of his European travels to City Grocery's eclectic cuisine, also known for its famous Shrimp and Grits.
Opened ∕ June 1992
Annual Sales ∕ $2.3 million
Average Check ∕ Lunch: $18, Dinner: $45
Chef/Owner ∕ John Currence
One Eleven at the Capital
Little Rock, Arkansas
A semifinalist for James Beard: Best New Restaurant this year, Executive Chef Joël Antunes serves such fare as Berkshire Pork, Orecchiette Pasta, Chorizo, and Seared Black Bass and Pumpkin Risotto.
Opened ∕ August 2014
Average Check ∕ Breakfast: $16, Lunch: $23, Dinner: $75
Owners ∕ Warren and Harriet Stevens
South on Main
Little Rock, Arkansas
Chef Bell, who co-owns the restaurant with actors Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson, serves refined Southern dishes like Duck Breast with Jalapeño-Cheddar Corn Pudding, Kale & Bacon Jam, and Veggie Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Crust.
Opened ∕ August 2013
Annual Sales ∕ $1.2 million
Average Check ∕ Lunch: $12, Dinner: $28
Chef/Owner ∕ Chef Matthew Bell
Niche
St. Louis
Winner of this year's James Beard Best Chef: Midwest, Executive Chef Nate Hereford makes everything in-house, from the charcuterie to Camembert cheese, and no ingredient can come from outside the region, beyond a range of about 300 miles.
Opened ∕ November 2012 (In a different location for seven years prior.)
Annual Sales ∕ $3–$5 million
Average Check ∕ Four-course menu: $67, Chef's tasting menu: $100
Chef/Owner∕ Gerard Craft
