Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Guy's American Kitchen Is One Of NYC's Highest Grossing Restaurants
By
Nell Casey
Published Oct 15, 2014
Modified Oct 15, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Tien Mao/Gothamist
By
Nell Casey
Published Oct 15, 2014
Modified Oct 15, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last year, the salt lick masquerading as a restaurant "run" by dude-bro Guy Fieri raked in an estimated $16 million. Congratulations, America! We've finally lifted Donkey Sauce to its rightful place among the city's many culinary achievers. Somewhere, Pete Wells weeps.
A new ranking by Restaurant Business estimated that the restaurant equivalent of frosted tips pulled in the staggering sum, making it the ninth most profitable restaurant in the city (26th in the country). Left to pick up the droplets of grease in its wake, lesser entries like Daniel, Gotham Bar and Grill and Morimoto. Better luck next year, Iron Chef.
But it's not all despair. The list, which ranks only independently-owned restaurants, declared Midtown steakhouse institution Smith & Wollensky as number one, with sales of $25,470,155 in 2013. Fine, okay; it may serve $57 sirloins but at least it's not in Times Square. Right behind it, club-like "hotspots" Tao New York (an estimated $22,770,515) and Buddakan (an estimated 21,500,000), whose bottle service-type booze programs also helped rank them within the top 10 of independent eateries nation-wide.
Rounding out NYC's top earners, Sparks Steak House, '21,' Del Posto, Balthazar and Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant, proving that at least some city dwellers and visitors haven't completely blown out their palates on salt-encrusted french fries.
Tagged
guy's american kitchen
highest grossing restaurants
restaurant industry
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .