Best Episodes
After combating countless "impossible dinners," Chef Robert Irvine faces a daunting new challenge: save America’s most desperate restaurants from impending failure in just two days with only $10,000. In his new prime-time Food Network series, Restaurant: Impossible, Robert uses creativity and resourcefulness along with a lot of muscle in his fight to rescue these restaurants and give hope to the owners and their employees. Day one of the extreme mission begins with a thorough business assessment as Robert launches the restaurant into full service, closely observes the staff and kitchen, and determines their weakest spots. Then, he springs into action by updating the menu, retraining the staff and implementing aesthetic changes with the help of his design team. To ensure a packed house for the grand re-opening at the end of day two, Robert hits the streets to tell the community about the improved restaurant. Will the ruthless schedule, tight budget and ambitious task overcome Robert’s lofty goals, or will this tall order result in restaurant triumph?
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 08, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Open only six months, the Oleander Bar and Grill restaurant is facing financial ruin. Chef Irvine discovers that tension between the mother-daughter owners is the root of the restaurant's problems.
The episode was rated 7.33 from 12 votes.
The Valley Inn restaurant. opened 40 years ago by Faye and Frank, Sr, is now being run by sons Dennis and Frank Jr. Frank Sr's death and a difficult economy, has left the family downtrodden and the restaurant struggling.
The episode was rated 7.36 from 11 votes.
Michele and Andy bought a restaurant at auction on a whim. Robert must choose a new cook, teach Michele basic management skills, refurbish the interior, and address Andy's critical and harsh attitude.
The episode was rated 7.43 from 14 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine heads to Fayetteville, Ga., to try and keep Longbranch Steak and Seafood in business. Owner Lisa was given the restaurant two years ago as a wedding gift from her husband, and she has been struggling financially and emotionally ever since. Chef Robert races against the clock to clean the filthy kitchen, whip the subordinate staff into shape, and give Lisa the confidence and tools to run a successful restaurant.
The episode was rated 7.43 from 14 votes.
Linda, a former employee, bought the business when the previous owners abruptly shut down. It proved a poor investment and she has used her inheritance to keep the doors open.
The episode was rated 7.46 from 13 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine heads to Frankie's "by the tracks," a 30-year-old staple in Three Rivers, Mich., which was purchased by then best friends Jay and Tina 13 years ago. The stress of owning a failing business has corroded Jay and Tina's relationship to the point where they are unable to be in the same room with each other, much less run their restaurant successfully. Robert has only two days and $10,000 to fix the fractured relationship responsible for the root of Frankie's problems.
The episode was rated 7.50 from 16 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine heads to Lebanon, N.H., to help husband and wife team Nick and Maria save their six-year-old Mexican restaurant, Gusanoz. Locals flocked to Gusanoz to taste Maria's authentic Mexican food, but growing pains got the best of the restaurant, which suffered in food and operations quality, leaving a huge, expensive mess for Robert to clean up. Can Robert and his team give Gusanoz a new life -- and Maria a renewed passion for her business?
The episode was rated 7.69 from 13 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine heads to The Main Dish in Meridianville, Ala., where he finds a family desperate for help. Owners Lynn and Ken bought the restaurant five years earlier because Ken loved to cook, but with no restaurant experience at all, the couple is now working 80 hours a week and in more than $50,000 debt.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 14 votes.
26-year-old Ashley has hired mostly inexperienced family members. Robert has to to fix the strained family relationships and give Ashley the tools and courage she needs to run her business.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 12 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine quickly realizes that Zandi's Grill in Millersville, Md., isn't just failing because it's in a hard-to-find location, with lackluster food, poor service and tired decor. It's failing because sisters and owners Yvonne and Evette have completely lost their passion for the restaurant and are watching it decay before their eyes. While Chef Robert can come up with a new look and a new menu, will he be able to give Yvonne and Evette the tools they need to successfully run the business?
The episode was rated 7.85 from 13 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine travels to Burton, Mich., where he's on a mission to rescue a single mom, Marina, and her restaurant, Paliani's, from demise. Paliani's has a kitchen in disarray, a dining room that's a disgusting mess, and an owner who doesn't realize her own role in its downfall. Robert needs to use every penny of the $10,000 budget and every second of the two-day deadline to help turn Paliani's into Burton's new hot spot!
The episode was rated 7.93 from 14 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine arrives at Italian Village in Milmont Park, Pa., hoping to uncover the keys to returning the 30-year-old staple to its early glory days. Not only will he need to overhaul the menu and dark interior, but he will need to fix the control issues hurting the business and the family behind the restaurant.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 12 votes.
Chef Robert Irvine is in Stratford, Conn., to help Michael and his mother, Camille, keep their 15-year-old restaurant, Stella's, alive. Despite the exhausting 90 hours a week Michael is working, he is clueless about his food costs and lacks the leadership skills to manage his staff. From the management to the decor and everything in between, Robert must give Stella's a complete overhaul or else its doors will certainly close.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 10 votes.
