Two new concepts pay tribute to romance of GAR co-founders
Great American Restaurants (GAR) will open two new concepts and at least three new eateries in 2019. Patsy’s American, featuring a menu full of all-American classics, will debut May 31 in Tysons, Va. on Leesburg Pike. Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks is slated to open in June, adjacent to Patsy’s.
The restaurants are a tribute to co-founders of Great American Restaurants, Randy and Patsy Norton, who have been married—and also in the hospitality business—for five decades.
GAR operates several well-known concepts in the DMV region, including Carlyle, Coastal Flats and Sweetwater Tavern.
Additionally, GAR has opened a second location of Best Buns next to Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks in Tysons. The bustling bakery and coffee shop has seen success in Shirlington Village in Arlington, Va. Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks restaurant will feature a raw bar and fresh seafood, and spotlight prime and Wagyu beef cuts, in addition to an exemplary wine list.
[Related story: Best Buns, Patsy’s open in Tysons]
GAR has long history in Northern Virginia
Two of the earliest restaurants that ignited the GAR formation were Picco’s in Fairfax, Va. in 1974, with Jim Farley, and the Fantastic Fritzbe’s Flying Food Factory, opening two years later in Annandale Va. The latter added partner Mike Ranney to cement GAR’s arrival.
Beyond the loving couple, GAR is a family affair. All three children are involved in the business, including Jill Norton as VP of Construction and Design, and son Jon Norton as GAR chief executive. His brother, Chef Timmy Norton, “inherited his mother’s love of cooking” and helps with menu development and culinary in the GAR enterprise.
For more information on the new restaurants opening in 2019, navigate to www.randylovespatsy.com.
Patsy’s American, 8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va. 22182
This story was updated May 29 to reflect revised opening dates.
About the publisher.