Get More From Robert
Robert Irvine's Top Recipes 25 Photos
Check out fan-favorite dishes, like cheesy lasagna, juicy pulled pork and sweet nachos, from Robert.
Before-and-After Reveals 17 Photos
Check out some of the most-awe-inspiring transformations.
Robert's Work, Revisited
Hear from past owners to find out how their businesses are today.
Mission: Demolition 11 Photos
It's no surprise that Robert is a pro at wielding a sledgehammer.
Robert Irvine Fan Gear
Episodes
See Episode GuideAmbush: Eyes on the Surprise
Chef Robert Irvine receives a plea from Stephanie, the bar manager of the Copper Still CD Vodka Lounge and Eatery in Crestwood, Ill., which hasn't turned a profit since opening eight months ago. Owner Christina has put her heart and soul into the restaurant, but its failure has strained her marriage with her husband, Dominic. When Robert attempts a double ambush by showing up unannounced, Stephanie is furious she wasn't included and refuses to help. Robert must work alone to solve the financial problems, marital woes, and also deal with an unexpected theft.
Betting the House
Chef Robert Irvine has seen a lot of desperate restaurants, but Zoog's Caveman Cookin' in Port Hadlock, Wash., may just be the worst. At just two years old, it's repulsively dirty and the owner has lost his passion, leaving his inexperienced daughter to run the place. And if this wasn't enough of a challenge for Robert to overcome, the government shows up, threatening to close the doors of the restaurant.
Ambush: Faded Star
Chef Robert Irvine heads to Starlite Restaurant and Pizza in West Orange, N.J. after receiving a plea from the owner Patty's son. Patty has worked there since she was 13 years old and considers it home, but hasn't made a profit in almost ten years despite cashing in her retirement and mortgaging her home. When Robert arrives, he finds an extremely dirty kitchen and an old-school staff that is completely unwilling to change, including Patty herself. Will Robert be able to return this beloved restaurant to its former glory, or will the Starlite shine no more?
WhaBah Steakhouse
At over 4,000 square feet, WhaBah Steakhouse in Bowling Green, Ky., presents Robert with his biggest challenge yet! The eight-year-old restaurant/music venue made more than a million dollars in its first year, but the owner has hit the wall and is now facing bankruptcy. Robert and his team will have to turn the owner's spirits around and tackle the many challenges of this supersized space in just two days.
Ambush: Stay... Or Go?
Chef Robert Irvine heads to Ellendale's Restaurant in Nashville after former employees reach out for help. The restaurant has become rundown, and owner Julie's management style has left the staff frustrated and unmotivated. The employees see the potential in this historic Nashville staple, but Julie isn't the type to ask for help and is worried about how being on TV will affect her restaurant's reputation. Time is ticking away, so Robert begins to worry: will she let him stay and help, or will she make him go?
Game Over
Brothers Jon and Bobby opened Bene Pizza and Pasta, a restaurant/arcade in Omaha 13 years ago. Business was booming until Bobby got sick and business dropped, requiring their mom's financial help to keep the doors open. Chef Robert Irvine has his hands full trying to mend the years' worth of hurt feelings between the brothers, get mom to loosen her reins and figure out what to do with the noisy arcade.
Ambush: Beneath the Surface
For his next mission, Chef Robert Irvine responds to a call from Tamara, whose mother Raquel owns De Rican Chef in Virginia Beach, Va. Raquel wanted a restaurant that specialized in authentic Puerto Rican food and expanded her business with help from her son, Reuben, but they are barely making a profit and their relationship is suffering. As Robert tries to get to the bottom of their problems, Raquel drops a bombshell about why she has lost her passion, leading Robert to try to heal the family and restore Raquel's love for her special piece of home.
Ambush: Facing Fears
Chef Robert Irvine is called to the Cape Horn Family Restaurant in Red Lion, Pa. after receiving a plea for help from the owner Joni's husband, Barry. Joni is having trouble paying the bills and has lost control of her staff, but after Robert installs hidden cameras he realizes it's Joni herself who needs work. As Robert navigates a rollercoaster of emotions with Joni, he aims to help her face her fears and repair her self-confidence in order to change her staff and, more importantly, herself.
Without a Prayer
A few years ago, Keith and Stephanie's restaurant, Mama E's Wings & Waffles restaurant in Oklahoma City, was thriving and was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. But a failed attempt at opening a second location put a strain on their finances -- and their marriage. Chef Robert Irvine must get this volatile couple communicating again if he's going to be able to save their restaurant.
Bad Juju
The JuJu Bag in New Orleans is half cafe and half barber salon, and both are in desperate need of makeovers. Chef Robert Irvine has his hands full, with a cafe that looks like a cluttered living room, a kitchen without any commercial equipment, an owner who is stubborn despite her inexperience, and to top it all off -- a barbershop renovation!
Oh Brother!
Through the financial help of their mother and stepfather, brothers Gabe and Javier have owned the Knife and Fork Gastropub in San Antonio for two years. Although it appears wildly successful, the restaurant is being run into the ground, so the parents have called in Chef Robert Irvine to intervene. He'll have to find out where the money is going, get this restaurant clean and get the brothers to find their drive.
Ambush: A Taxing Situation
Chef Robert Irvine receives a heartbreaking plea from Megan, who owns the BFE Bar and Grill in Waynesboro, Ga. with her husband, Mike. The restaurant is deep in debt and their family is suffering, but when Robert shows up, he also finds out that the state suspended their liquor license for not paying their taxes. Robert quickly learns he will have to pick and choose what to fix: their reputation is in the dumps, they're understaffed, and food service is painfully slow. It's a fight to the finish as he desperately tries to fix as much as he can and the owners try to pay back their taxes before the grand reopening.
Ambush: Breakfast Break-In
For his next mission, Chef Robert Irvine ambushes Jodi, the owner of Theresa's Restaurant in Bradenton, Fla., after her friend and banker, Miriam, puts out a call for help. Robert quickly learns that Jodi is her own worst enemy, and must deal with her micromanaging ways, a kitchen staff threatening a walkout, and the surprises that greet the design team.
Dog and Pony Show
Chef Robert Irvine arrives at the Dog & Pony Ale House in Renton, Wash., where he meets the owner, Kristen. Despite Kristen's whit and smarts, she's being overwhelmed by a vocal group of customers who cause her to buy equipment and change the menu on a whim, trust issues with her staff and hundreds of thousands in debt owed to the IRS. Robert will have to give Kristen the tools she needs to toughen up and turn this confused bar into a place worthy of all its patrons, before the Dog & Pony is shut down and Kristen loses everything.
Mystic Mystery
Mike and Erika opened Mystic Treats in Ashland, Ore., three years ago, hoping to attract customers with their vegetarian and offbeat pizzas. Three years and multiple failed concepts later, they've called in Chef Robert Irvine for help. Robert will have to start from scratch, educating the owners, choosing an identity, focusing the menu and creating a design vision -- all in just two days.
Ambush: Special Delivery
For his next mission, Chef Robert Irvine heads to La Casa Bianca in Whitehouse Station, N.J. to give the owner, Paul, the surprise of a lifetime. Paul's daughter, Megan, reached out to Robert for help after noticing the restaurant floundering and her father losing his passion for the business. It's up to Robert to help reignite Paul's fire and get him back in the game!
Revved Up
Restaurant: Impossible goes hog wild in Albuquerque, N.M., at the Shade Tree Customs and Cafe where Chef Robert Irvine meets a handful of characters who opened a full service restaurant above their motorcycle repair shop. Robert must unravel the mystery of why this restaurant is failing and tackle the blah menu, while the design team is challenged with elevating the Shade Tree's decor without losing its motorcycle soul.
Ambush: Exercise Surprise
Chef Robert Irvine receives a desperate plea from Ayana, the oldest daughter of Luvina and Jameel, owners of So Natural Organic Restaurant and Market in Harker Heights, Texas. Luvina and Jameel opened the business because they are passionate about healthy food, but with zero restaurant experience, they've quickly fallen into debt and cannot afford to hire staff outside of their own family. After a disastrous lunch service test, Robert finds he must not only teach the owners efficient operating procedures but show them how to turn their okay-tasting healthy food into great food that just happens to be healthy.
About the Show
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