Five years ago, Lisette and Steve got married, blending their families, and purchased the Mill Creek BBQ Restaurant in Redlands, Calif., modeling it after her father's established nearby restaurant. Instead of the faster, more casual version of her father's restaurant, Chef Robert Irvine finds some of the most tasteless barbecue and inefficient management he's ever come across. He'll have just two days to change the barbecue from boring to bold, get Steve to regain his mojo and find a way to repair the severely broken relationship between Lisette and her 21-year-old daughter.
Bland food, poor service and no lunch crowd are among the problems identified by Robert, when he arrives at "Tootie's Texas Barbecue" in Cathedral City, Cal., which is owned by a woman who recently battled cancer.
A couple who have spent two years trying to make Pasion Latin Fusion Restaurant, in Albuquerque, N.M., a success ask for help from Robert Irvine, who determines that tension between the owner's wife and brother is bad for business.
A New York-style pizzeria, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, serves great food but the business struggles because of a stubborn owner who is scaring away customers with his "my way or the highway" attitude.
Robert Irvine is in Houston to turn around the Gratifi Kitchen and Bar. In addition to a kitchen so filthy that Robert shuts it down just minutes into his visit, Kevin's poor attitude is a cause of tension for the employees.
Robert tries to help "Urban Roots", a restaurant and entertainment venue in Oklahoma City, become a success, but first he has to reignite the owner/chef's passion for cooking and light a fire under the lackadaisical staff.
Robert offers advice to a seemingly passionless businesswoman who's finding it difficult to keep "Bryant's Seafood World" in Hueytown, Alabama, afloat after taking over the hometown favorite four years ago.
High emotions and yelling mark Robert's trip to "Bumbino's Italian Ristorante" in Orange County, Florida, where he deals with crumbling relationships, the firing of staff and a switch made in the kitchen.
Chef Robert Irvine celebrates the show's 100th episode by offering a glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes. Included: interviews with the people who make the makeovers possible; and a look back at the dirtiest kitchens.
A BBQ restaurant, with a caveman/dinosaur theme, needs to be saved from extinction in Winter Garden, Fla. On Robert's to-do list is an overhaul of the décor, consisting of inflatables & foam rocks; & offer tips to control the kitchen chaos.
Robert helps the owner and operator of a successful sawmill turn "Big Jim's Bama Q" in Hammondville, Ala., into a barbecue destination, but first he has to teach him a thing or two about what it takes to thrive in the food business.8
A business and marriage are in trouble when Robert arrives at "Grace's Place Bagels and Deli", in Palm Coast, Florida, which is owned by a couple who are $320,000 in debt and are failing because of a lack of communication and teamwork.
The Portu-Greek Café in Hudson, Florida, proves to be a challenge for Robert, who has to teach the self-described stubborn owner and his bickering family how to cooperate.