The elevated sandwich trend is on the rise in the U.S., so All’Antico Vinaio, the Florence-based popular artisan sandwich brand with numerous locations throughout Italy, has decided to further expand its concept in the U.S.
All’Antico Vinaio — which translates to “At the Old Wine Bar” — first tiptoed into the U.S. with three locations that opened one per year from 2021 to 2023 in New York City. Last year also saw the artisan sandwich brand open its first unit on the West Coast, with a restaurant in Venice, California.
All’Antico Vinaio has already opened three additional units this year: a site in Las Vegas in January, as well as in New York’s West Village and Los Angeles’ Koreatown, both in March. By mid- to late 2024, two more restaurants will open in New York City, in the Brookfield Place mall and a retail street-front spot in the Flatiron neighborhood. Another unit will also open in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
As for future growth, the brand has announced that more U.S. openings are planned in the future, with Miami in its sights. Additional expansion is rumored to occur in higher-end, highly populated communities with a large Italian population, such as in San Diego and San Jose, California; Houston, Texas; Boston; and New Haven, Connecticut.
All’Antico Vinaio seeks retail street-front spaces on trendy streets with a lot of foot traffic, as well as food hall-type units in mixed-use developments, lifestyle centers or regional malls in densely populated tourist-driven areas. Space should be between 1,350 and 2,500 square feet, with other elevated treat-type co-tenants, such as Salt & Straw. If space permits, an All’Antico Vinaio interior can feature a wine bar and limited counter seating.
The All’Antico Vinaio eatery is renowned for its freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata bread, as well as its high-quality ingredients. One of its most popular sandwiches, called La Favolosa, features imported Florentine salami, marinated eggplant and artichoke cream.
