It is probably no surprise that Florida has some of the most profitable independent restaurants in the United States.  Which restaurants are on the list may shock you, but you must note that the number of seats, as well as the average check, are factors in adding up the profits.

Ranked as the #2 profitable independent restaurant in the land is historic Joe’s Stone Crab (1913) which grossed $35.3 million dollars in sales in 2013 with an average check of $65.  What I find amazing is that Joe’s is indeed a specialty restaurant – when the stone crab season is closed from late-summer to mid-October – the restaurant is closed.

Joe’s Stone Crab Is A Real Miami Landmark

When I lived in Miami in the 1960’s South Beach was almost a ghost town with rooms rented by the hour in some Art Deco hotels, but Joe’s Stone Crab was doing a bumper to bumper business. Nothing has changed at the restaurant.

The #6 restaurant is also in Miami Beach: Prime 112, a neat steakhouse in an older house.  It is not shocking that the average check hits $115.00 with the USDA prime dry aged for up to 28 days and a N.Y. strip priced at $59.

Prime 112 Is Packed With Sports Stars Some Nights

I was somewhat amazed that the most profitable restaurant on Disney property (#11 in the USA) is Fulton’s Crab House at Disney Springs.  I realized that the floating steamboat has tiers of rooms and a pricey dinner menu.  With new competition from The Boathouse and even bigger restaurants going up in the complex, it will be interesting to see how Fulton’s competes.

Fulton’s Has Been A Star At Disney Springs

A nearby neighbor at Disney Springs at #28 in the USA is Wolfgang Puck’s Grand Café, the fancy second-floor place overlooking Lake Buena Vista.  It had $15.8 million in sales.  I must admit I usually have a pizza on the first floor.

Wolfgang Has Three Food Spots at Disney Springs

Universal Studios gets #80 with Emeril’s at City Walk.  It is a fine restaurant, but I must admit I prefer Emeril’s Tchoup Chop restaurant next door at Emeril’s Royal Pacific Resort.

At Universal, You Get Two Emeril’s To Select

Finishing Florida independents in the Top 100 in the USA is a romantic favorite of the Leonard household: at #90 is the California Grill on the top floor of WDW’s Contemporary Hotel.  The recent seating changes at the hotel is to get in more diners and accept less bar hoppers who want a super view of the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.  The food is no bad either.

California Grill At Night at WDW