Levy Restaurants

  • 1978

    1. 1978

      Larry and Mark Levy invest in D.B. Kaplan’s Delicatessen in Chicago’s Water Tower Place and form Levy Restaurants.

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  • 1979

    1. 1979

      The first mesquite grill in the city complete with a display kitchen. Many say this spot was ahead of it's time, bringing a new approach to seafood and grilling.

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    2. 1979

      Meaning ‘Two Brothers’, Dos Hermanos opened in the Water Tower and quickly became a favorite downtown spot for great Margaritas and Mexican fare.

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  • 1981

    1. 1981

      A cozy spot, serving up delicious dishes from Cioppinio with grilled sourdough, Seafood Pasta and Pasta Fredda.

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  • 1982

    1. 1982

      Levy pioneers fine dining at sporting venues at Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox.

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    2. 1982

      Levy invents the Dessert Cart and changes the way sports fan eat sweets!

    3. 1982

      Levy becomes a super star at the outdoor entertainment venue, Ravinia Festival in Chicago.

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  • 1984

    1. 1984

      Spiaggia opens and introduces the first wood-burning oven.

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    2. 1984

      White table cloth BBQ, known at the time for the #1 ribs in Chicago. The famous BBQ sauce recipe is still used in many Levy locations today.

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  • 1985

    1. 1985

      Levy expands into Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

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  • 1989

    1. 1989

      The first outside organization to create, own and operate restaurants in Walt Disney World Resort.

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    2. 1989

      Levy opens Portobello Yacht Club and Fireworks Factory.

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  • 1990

    1. 1990

      Levy joins the races at Arlington, serving up Million Dollar Bloody Mary's and Mint Juleps in style.

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  • 1991

    1. 1991

      Chef’s Table introduced at Comiskey Park and becomes a trademark at Sports & Entertainment venues.

  • 1992

    1. 1992

      Spiaggia wins the Ivy Award, the restaurant industry's Academy Award.

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  • 1993

    1. 1993

      Levy is the first company to be recognized with consecutive Ivy Awards when Bistro 110 wins the honor.

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  • 1994

    1. 1994

      Levy opens its first sports facility outside of Chicago at Jacobs Field, home of the Cleveland Indians.

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  • 1996

    1. 1996

      Fulton’s Crab House in Walt Disney World Resort becomes one of the top ten grossing restaurants in the country and Levy’s highest grossing restaurant.

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  • 1997

    1. 1997

      Levy Cares, Levy Restaurants 501(c)3, and charitable arm is officially formed.

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    2. 1997

      Mini-restaurants are born at the MCI Center in Washington D.C.

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  • 1999

    1. 1999

      Levy becomes the market leader in premium foodservice operations at sports and entertainment facilities, opening at world class arenas including the STAPLES Center and American Airlines Arena.

    2. 1999

      Levy heads south to Atlanta to open at Philips Arena.

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    3. 1999

      Levy goes country in Nashville with the Gaylord Entertainment Center.

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    4. 1999

      With winning TD Waterhouse Centre, Levy grows in the Orlando market with established restaurants and sporting venues.

    5. 1999

      Levy expands its presence in the NBA and arenas to serve up award wining cuisine at the Pepsi Center

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    6. 1999

      Larry Levy wins IFMA Gold Plate Award as Restaurateur of the Year in the U.S.

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  • 2000

    1. 2000

      Levy forms a strategic partnership with Compass Group, the world's largest foodservice organization.

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    2. 2000

      Spiaggia receives four stars from both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine.

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  • 2001

    1. 2001

      Levy is named one of the “Fastest Growing Companies” in America by Nation’s Restaurant News.

    2. 2001

      To top the year off, Larry Levy is named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

    3. 2001

      Levy jumps in the fast lane by signing the foodservice contract with Speedway Motor Sports for the country’s largest racing facilities including Charlotte, Texas, Las Vegas, Bristol and Atlanta Motor Speedways and Infineon Raceway.

  • 2002

    1. 2002

      Levy begins international expansion at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada and Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England.

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    2. 2002

      An exciting year for Levy while working with Compass Group to cater the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT.

    3. 2002

      Adding to the Levy portfolio, Ford Field in Detroit marks the company’s 50th Sports and Entertainment property.

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    4. 2002

      Levy signs a contract with Churchill Down adds the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby.

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  • 2003

    1. 2003

      Levy passes a major milestone and celebrates its 25th anniversary.

    2. 2003

      Taking top honors, Levy becomes the first sports and entertainment company to earn an Ivy Award.

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  • 2004

    1. 2004

      Levy is featured on the cover of USA Today introducing bite size burgers to ballparks across the country.

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    2. 2004

      Spiaggia, Levy's "crown jewel," celebrates its 20th anniversary.

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  • 2005

    1. 2005

      Spiaggia Chef Tony Mantuano wins the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest.

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  • 2006

    1. 2006

      Levy and USTA announce agreement for foodservice at the US Open tennis tournament, including five restaurants, 59 concessions and 100 suites that feed 650,000 attendees.

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  • 2007

    1. 2007

      Levy expands into exciting new markets, including major PGA golf events.

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    2. 2007

      Levy travels across the ocean to the O2 Arena in London.

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    3. 2007

      Chicago's neighborhood gem, Bistro 110 celebrates 20 years!

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  • 2008

    1. 2008

      Levy celebrates 30 years as award-winning restaurateurs and the industry leader in Sports and Entertainment dining.

  • 2009

    1. 2009

      The year of celebrating big; Super Bowl, Grammy's, NBA & NHL All-Star games.

    2. 2009

      Levy is named "Ten Most Innovative Companies in Sports" by Fast Company.

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  • 2010

    1. 2010

      Levy enters the world of college sports with Purdue University, University of Missouri and Iowa State.

    2. 2010

      Levy delivers at new heights, serving delicious fare to the slopes of Mammoth Mountain Resort.

    3. 2010

      Chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia continued to shine as a competitor on Bravo's hit show, Top Chef Masters.

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  • 2011

    1. 2011

      Executive Chef Sarah Grueneberg of Spiaggia carries on the tradition of being the latest Spiaggia Chef on Bravo's hit TV show, Top Chef.

    2. 2011

      Chase Field & Levy host the 2011 MLB All-Star Game.

  • 2012

    1. 2012

      The Amway Center & Levy host the 2012 NBA All Star Game.

    2. 2012

      The year of big openings: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Marlins Park in Miami and BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Click, then drag to the left or to the right to explore our history.

Timeline of Landmark Dates.

Our story began in 1978, when brothers Larry and Mark, took a chance and expanded beyond their real estate roots by investing in D.B. Kaplan's, a classic Chicago deli. To create authentic, homemade flavors, they brought in their mother Eadie to share family recipes and their passion for creating amazing food and delivering great guest experiences. With family roots and an entrepreneurial mindset, it didn't take long for Levy Restaurants to be recognized as one of the fastest growing and most innovative companies in the industry. Levy's diverse portfolio has since expanded to providing restaurant quality food in the most exciting sports and entertainment facilities in the world.

As a family of passionate restaurateurs, we live "The Levy Difference" by creating great guest experiences wherever our innovative approach might take us. Page through our scrapbook to learn more about our heritage and the people we call family.

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