Restaurant: Impossible

Restaurant: Impossible
Presented by	Robert Irvine
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	18
No. of episodes	191 (not counting specials, revisits, or back in Business)
Production
Executive producer	Marc Summers
Producer
Editors	John Gerbec Bryan Monzella Scott Markowitz Mark Wawrzenski Chip Schofield
Running time	42 minutes
Production companies	Alkemy X, Inc.
Original release
Network	Food Network Discovery+ (2021)
Release	January 19, 2011 (2011-01-19) – present
Related
Kitchen Nightmares

Restaurant: Impossible is an American reality television series, featuring chef and restaurateur Robert Irvine, that originally aired on Food Network from 2011 to 2016. After a three-year hiatus, the show returned on April 20, 2019. The premise of the series is that within two days and on a materials budget of $10,000, Irvine renovates a failing American restaurant with the goal of helping to restore it to profitability and prominence. Irvine is assisted by an HGTV designer (usually Taniya Nayak, Cheryl Torrenueva, or Lynn Kegan, but sometimes Vanessa DeLeon, Krista Watterworth, Yvette Irene, or Nicole Faccuito), along with general contractor Tom Bury, who sometimes does double duty as both general contractor and designer. After assessing the problems with the restaurant, Irvine typically creates a plan for the new decor, oversees the refurbishment of the restaurant, calculates profitable food costs, reduces the number of items on the menu and improves the quality of the entrees, develops a promotional activity, educates or resolves conflicts for the restaurant's owners, or trains the staff, as needed for each restaurant. On January 4, 2021, the show planned to move to Discovery+, with new episodes airing every Thursday. The move to the streaming platform was reversed in March 2021 due to negative viewer feedback, and now episodes will continue to premiere on Food Network for the near future.

Introduction

Currently, each episode opens with:

Chef Robert Irvine has 2 days and $10,000 to do the impossible!

Previously, each episode opened with:

Robert Irvine is a fearless chef and top restaurateur. He's never met a challenge he wouldn't take. Robert's new mission: fix America's most desperate restaurants. With limited time and few resources, this may be ... Restaurant: Impossible!

Synopsis

Irvine enters a restaurant, assesses the issues, and confronts the owners with the problems. He begins outlining the changes he intends to make. He typically reduces the size of the menu and frequently adds simple dishes that he believes will sell, changes the décor to make it more appealing to customers, oversees cleaning, trains the staff (sometimes changing the staff's duties, e.g. making one person an executive chef or making one person a host or hostess), and gives the restaurant's owners the practical tools and suggestions to succeed.

Each episode ends with a group of new customers and some that might have been there during Irvine's first visit being invited to the new-look restaurant. Occasionally, selected items from the new menu are prepared and samples are presented to the public to advertise the restaurant.

Series overview

Season		Episodes	Originally aired
			First aired	Last aired
	1	7	January 19, 2011 (2011-01-19)	March 2, 2011 (2011-03-02)
	2	18	July 6, 2011 (2011-07-06)	January 11, 2012 (2012-01-11)
	3	13	February 8, 2012 (2012-02-08)	June 13, 2012 (2012-06-13)
	4	13	July 11, 2012 (2012-07-11)	October 17, 2012 (2012-10-17)
	5	13	November 21, 2012 (2012-11-21)	March 24, 2013 (2013-03-24)
	6	13	April 14, 2013 (2013-04-14)	August 25, 2013 (2013-08-25)
	7	13	October 23, 2013 (2013-10-23)	February 5, 2014 (2014-02-05)
	8	13	March 5, 2014 (2014-03-05)	June 11, 2014 (2014-06-11)
	9	13	July 23, 2014 (2014-07-23)	November 3, 2014 (2014-11-03)
	10	8	November 24, 2014 (2014-11-24)	February 18, 2015 (2015-02-18)
	11	8	March 18, 2015 (2015-03-18)	May 13, 2015 (2015-05-13)
	12	8	October 22, 2015 (2015-10-22)	December 17, 2015 (2015-12-17)
	13	8	March 9, 2016 (2016-03-09)	May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)
	14	4	April 20, 2019 (2019-04-20)	May 11, 2019 (2019-05-11)
	15	8	July 20, 2019 (2019-07-20)	September 7, 2019 (2019-09-07)
	16	12	December 26, 2019 (2019-12-26)	March 12, 2020
	17	7	May 14, 2020 (2020-05-14)	July 16, 2020
	18	12	January 7, 2021 (2021-01-07)	April 8, 2021
	19	13	June 20, 2021 (2021-06-20)	August 19, 2021
	20	13	August 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)	April 21, 2022
	21	14	April 28, 2021 (2021-04-28)	July 28, 2022

Episodes

Main article: List of Restaurant: Impossible episodes

Season 1 (2011)

No. overall	No. in season	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
1	1	"Villari's"	Palmyra, New Jersey	January 19, 2011 (2011-01-19)
Chef Michael G (Giletto), who turned down the head chef position at Villari's, previously appeared on Food Network's Chopped and as a sous chef on Iron Chef America
2	2	"Mainelli's"	Providence, Rhode Island	January 26, 2011 (2011-01-26)
3	3	"Rascal's BBQ and Crab House"	New Castle, Delaware	February 2, 2011 (2011-02-02)
4	4	"Salt Works II"	Wilmington, North Carolina	February 9, 2011 (2011-02-09)
5	5	"Meglio's"	Bridgeton, Missouri	February 16, 2011 (2011-02-16)
6	6	"Secret Garden Cafe"	Jacksonville, Florida	February 23, 2011 (2011-02-23)
7	7	"Flood Tide"	Mystic, Connecticut	March 2, 2011 (2011-03-02)
Renamed The Wood Grill at Flood Tide during production.

Season 2 (2011–12)

No. overall	No. in season	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
8	1	"Dodge City"	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	July 6, 2011 (2011-07-06)
9	2	"La Stanza"	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	July 13, 2011 (2011-07-13)
10	3	"Sweet Tea"	Chapin, South Carolina	July 20, 2011 (2011-07-20)
11	4	"County Fare"	Stafford, Virginia	July 27, 2011 (2011-07-27)
12	5	"Snooty Fox"	Indianapolis, Indiana	August 3, 2011 (2011-08-03)
13	6	"Pastori's"	Ellington, Connecticut	August 24, 2011 (2011-08-24)
14	7	"Scrimmages"	Wilmington, Delaware	August 31, 2011 (2011-08-31)
15	8	"Mamma D's"	Pipersville, Pennsylvania	September 7, 2011 (2011-09-07)
16	9	"Off Street Cafe"	Cerritos, California	September 14, 2011 (2011-09-14)
17	10	"The Trails Eatery"	San Diego, California	September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21)
18	11	"Cap'n and the Cowboy"	Port Charlotte, Florida	September 28, 2011 (2011-09-28)
19	12	"Mad Cactus"	Strongsville, Ohio	November 2, 2011 (2011-11-02)
20	13	"McShane's"	East Syracuse, New York	November 9, 2011 (2011-11-09)
21	14	"Coffee's Boilin' Pot"	Madisonville, Louisiana	November 16, 2011 (2011-11-16)
22	15	"St. James Soup Kitchen"	Newark, New Jersey	November 23, 2011 (2011-11-23)
Features an extra food challenge from Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
23	16	"Wildcat Café"	Canton, Ohio	December 7, 2011 (2011-12-07)
Renamed from The Heritage Room during production. The Wildcat Café is operated by the students of the culinary program at Canton South High School.
24	17	"Sullivan's Grill"	Fruita, Colorado	January 4, 2012 (2012-01-04)
25	18	"Hoffman's Bistro"	Santa Cruz, California	January 11, 2012 (2012-01-11)

Season 3 (2012)

No. overall	No. in season	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
26	1	"Moss' Prime Rib & Spaghetti House"	Elyria, Ohio	February 8, 2012 (2012-02-08)
27	2	"Chatterbox"	Windham, New Hampshire	February 15, 2012 (2012-02-15)
28	3	"Anna Maria's"	Dunmore, Pennsylvania	February 22, 2012 (2012-02-22)
29	4	"Del's"	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	February 29, 2012 (2012-02-29)
30	5	"Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse"	Tupelo, Mississippi	March 7, 2012 (2012-03-07)
31	6	"Valley View"	Quarryville, Pennsylvania	March 14, 2012 (2012-03-14)
Note: This restaurant closed permanently 4 days before the episode aired.
32	7	"Pelican Grill"	Seabrook, Texas	April 25, 2012 (2012-04-25)
33	8	"Mama Lee's Soul Food Restaurant"	San Antonio, Texas	May 2, 2012 (2012-05-02)
34	9	"Pappas Restaurant"	Benicia, California	May 9, 2012 (2012-05-09)
35	10	"Ristorante Barolo"	Aptos, California	May 16, 2012 (2012-05-16)
36	11	"University Grill"	Burlington, North Carolina	May 23, 2012 (2012-05-23)
37	12	"Pollard's Bar-B-Que"	Memphis, Tennessee	May 30, 2012 (2012-05-30)
38	13	"Horton's Kids"	Washington, DC	June 13, 2012 (2012-06-13)
In this episode, Robert is given a mission by First Lady Michelle Obama to transform a community center for underprivileged children.

Season 4 (2012)

No. overall	No. in season	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
39	1	"Longbranch Steak and Seafood"	Fayetteville, Georgia	July 11, 2012 (2012-07-11)
40	2	"The Main Dish"	Meridianville, Alabama	July 18, 2012 (2012-07-18)
41	3	"Zandi's Grill"	Millersville, Maryland	July 25, 2012 (2012-07-25)
42	4	"Italian Village"	Milmont Park, Pennsylvania	August 1, 2012 (2012-08-01)
43	5	"Stella's Italian Restaurant"	Stratford, Connecticut	August 8, 2012 (2012-08-08)
44	*	"Wedding: Impossible"	NA	August 18, 2012 (2012-08-18)
Recaps Robert's wedding to wrestler Gail Kim.
45	*	"Behind the Impossible"	NA	August 22, 2012 (2012-08-22)
Behind-the-scenes footage and revisits to Moss', Dodge City, Trails, and McShane's.
46	6	"Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant"	Lebanon, New Hampshire	August 29, 2012 (2012-08-29)
47	7	"Frankie's"	Three Rivers, Michigan	September 5, 2012 (2012-09-05)
48	8	"Paliani's Restaurant"	Burton, Michigan	September 12, 2012 (2012-09-12)
49	9	"Michele's"	Corry, Pennsylvania	September 19, 2012 (2012-09-19)
50	10	"Maple Tree Cafe"	Las Vegas, Nevada	September 26, 2012 (2012-09-26)
51	11	"Whistle Stop"	Hot Springs, Arkansas	October 3, 2012 (2012-10-03)
52	12	"Valley Inn"	Palos Hills, Illinois	October 10, 2012 (2012-10-10)
53	13	"Oleander Bar And Grill"	Olean, New York	October 17, 2012 (2012-10-17)

Season 5 (2012–13)

No. overall	No. in season	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
54	1	"Poco's on the Boulevard"	Kansas City, Missouri	November 21, 2012 (2012-11-21)
55	2	"Rohrer's Tavern"	North Bend, Ohio	November 28, 2012 (2012-11-28)
56	3	"Bronk's Bar and Grill"	Lake City, Minnesota	December 5, 2012 (2012-12-05)
57	*	"Holiday: Impossible"	Joplin, Missouri	December 9, 2012 (2012-12-09)
Renovation of the Boys & Girls Club which served homeless children following the 2011 Joplin tornado. Robert and his team, including Chef Michael Chiarello, must also cook a child-friendly meal for the staff, children, and their families. Unlike other episodes, the team was given three days and $30,000 to renovate and improve.
58	4	"Rising Sun Bistro"	Kalispell, Montana	December 19, 2012 (2012-12-19)
59	5	"Whiskey Creek Steakhouse"	Keyport, Washington	January 2, 2013 (2013-01-02)
60	6	"Windseeker Restaurant"	The Dalles, Oregon	January 16, 2013 (2013-01-16)
61	7	"Sapori D'Italia"	Fountain Hills, Arizona	January 23, 2013 (2013-01-23)
62	8	"Nanny Goats Cafe and Feed Bin"	Kilgore, Texas	February 20, 2013 (2013-02-20)
63	9	"Dinner Bell"	Madison, Tennessee	February 27, 2013 (2013-02-27)
64	10	"Maniaci's Italian Bistro"	Mohnton, Pennsylvania	March 10, 2013 (2013-03-10)
65	11	"Caseyville Cafe"	Caseyville, Illinois	March 13, 2013 (2013-03-13)
66	12	"Soup to Nuts Diner"	Tavares, Florida	March 17, 2013 (2013-03-17)
67	13	"Sweet Tea's Restaurant & Catering"	Pineville, North Carolina	March 24, 2013 (2013-03-24)

Season 6 (2013)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
68	1	"Something's Fishy"	Joe Willy's Seafood House	Fishkill, New York	April 14, 2013 (2013-04-14)
69	2	"Father Knows Worst"	Old World Italian Restaurant	Murrells Inlet, South Carolina	April 21, 2013 (2013-04-21)
70	3	"Creepy in Clearwater"	Smitty's Restaurant	Clearwater, Florida	April 28, 2013 (2013-04-28)
71	4	"Drowning in Debt"	Mom & Dad's Italian Restaurant	DeFuniak Springs, Florida	May 12, 2013 (2013-05-12)
72	5	"Muskrat Mayhem"	Wagon Wheel Family Restaurant	Smyrna, Delaware	May 19, 2013 (2013-05-19)
73	6	"In the Pits"	Bryan's Smokehouse	Lufkin, Texas	May 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)
74	7	"Lost in the Woods"	Pinehurst's Country Lodge	Greeley, Pennsylvania	June 9, 2013 (2013-06-09)
75	8	"Sink or Swim"	Pier West Restaurant	Twin Lakes, Wisconsin	June 16, 2013 (2013-06-16)
76	9	"It's All Greek to Me"	Angelo's Family Restaurant	Woodstock, Illinois	June 23, 2013 (2013-06-23)
77	10	"Kalico Kraziness"	Kalico Kitchen	Douglas, Michigan	July 14, 2013 (2013-07-14)
78	11	"Barely Edible"	Edibles Restaurant & Pub	Horsham, Pennsylvania	July 21, 2013 (2013-07-21)
Renamed Hurley's American Grille during production.
79	12	"Benner Street in Bethlehem"	Benner Street Restaurant	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	July 28, 2013 (2013-07-28)
80	13	"Pie in the Sky"	Aponte's Pizzeria	Mason, Ohio	August 25, 2013 (2013-08-25)

Season 7 (2013–14)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
81	1	"Bring Mama Back"	Mama Campisi's Restaurant	Saint Louis, Missouri	October 23, 2013 (2013-10-23)
82	2	"Feathers Fly"	Ducky's Family Restaurant	Kokomo, Indiana	October 30, 2013 (2013-10-30)
83	*	"Restaurant: Impossible Sneak Peek"	NA	NA	October 30, 2013 (2013-10-30)
Favorite moments from Restaurant: Impossible as well as a sneak peek at Robert Irvine's new series Restaurant Express.
84	3	"His Way or the Highway"	Windsor 75	Windsor, Connecticut	November 6, 2013 (2013-11-06)
85	4	"Outside the Box"	Coach Lamp Restaurant & Pub	Louisville, Kentucky	November 13, 2013 (2013-11-13)
86	5	"Soul Searching"	Georgia Boy Cafe	Hagerstown, Maryland	November 20, 2013 (2013-11-20)
87	*	"Restaurant More Impossible"	Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant	Lebanon, New Hampshire	November 20, 2013 (2013-11-20)
The episode was a re-air of Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant with trivia and behind-the-scenes stories.
88	6	"Unlucky Number Seven"	SEVEN	La Porte, Indiana	November 27, 2013 (2013-11-27)
89	7	"Unfixable Family"	Mike LaSusa's Italian Restaurant	Oak Creek, Wisconsin	December 4, 2013 (2013-12-04)
90	8	"Holiday: Impossible 2"	LBI Pancake House / Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Department	Ship Bottom, New Jersey	December 8, 2013 (2013-12-08)
Robert tries to revive the LBI Pancake House and the town's volunteer fire department, the Ship Point Fire Department, which were both devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Similar to the first Holiday: Impossible, the team is given three days and $50,000 instead of the usual $10,000. Also, there are two designers this time, with Lynn Kegan designing the LBI Pancake House, and with Cheryl Torrenueva designing the Ship Point Fire House.
91	9	"Goombazz Gone Wild"	Goombazz Big City Eatzz	Rock Island, Illinois	December 18, 2013 (2013-12-18)
92	10	"Clueless in the Country"	Heather's Country Kitchen	Plains, Montana	January 1, 2014 (2014-01-01)
93	11	"Monkey Business"	Spunky Monkey Bar & Grill	Auburn, Washington	January 15, 2014 (2014-01-15)
94	12	"Dirty Laundry"	Hillbillies Restaurant	Murphys, California	January 29, 2014 (2014-01-29)
95	13	"Mumbo Jumbo"	Estrada's Restaurant	Daly City, California	February 5, 2014 (2014-02-05)
96	*	"Restaurant More Impossible"	Angelo's Family Restaurant	Woodstock, Illinois	February 12, 2014 (2014-02-12)
The episode was a re-air of Angelo's Family Restaurant with trivia and behind-the-scenes stories.
97	*	"Restaurant More Impossible"	Coach Lamp Restaurant and Pub	Louisville, Kentucky	February 19, 2014 (2014-02-19)
The episode was a re-air of Coach Lamp Restaurant and Pub with trivia and behind-the-scenes stories.
98	*	"Restaurant More Impossible"	Maple Tree Cafe	Las Vegas, Nevada	February 26, 2014 (2014-02-26)
The episode was a re-air of Maple Tree Cafe with trivia and behind-the-scenes stories.
99	*	"Restaurant More Impossible"	The Trails Eatery	San Diego, California	March 1, 2014 (2014-03-01)
The episode was a re-air of The Trails Eatery with trivia and behind-the-scenes stories.

Season 8 (2014)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
100	1	"Up in Smoke"	Mill Creek BBQ	Redlands, California	March 5, 2014 (2014-03-05)
101	2	"A Lot to Lose"	Tootie's Texas BBQ	Cathedral City, California	March 12, 2014 (2014-03-12)
102	3	"Fiery Family Fusion"	Pasion Latin Fusion	Albuquerque, New Mexico	March 19, 2014 (2014-03-19)
103	4	"Pizza: Impossible (f/k/a N.Y. State of Mind)"	Mama Della's N.Y. City Pizzeria	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	March 26, 2014 (2014-03-26)
104	5	"Ungratifying"	Gratifi Kitchen and Bar	Houston, Texas	April 2, 2014 (2014-04-02)
105	6	"Face the Music"	Urban Roots	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	April 9, 2014 (2014-04-09)
106	7	"Treading Water"	Bryant's Seafood World	Hueytown, Alabama	April 23, 2014 (2014-04-23)
107	8	"Bummed Out"	Bumbinos Italian Ristorante	Orange City, Florida	April 30, 2014 (2014-04-30)
108	9	"Meet the Impossible"	NA	NA	May 7, 2014 (2014-05-07)
109	10	"Living in the Dark Ages"	Cave Inn BBQ	Winter Garden, Florida	May 21, 2014 (2014-05-21)
110	11	"The Writing on the Wall"	Big Jim's Bama Q	Hammondville, Alabama	May 28, 2014 (2014-05-28)
111	12	"Saving Grace"	Grace's Place Bagels and Deli	Palm Coast, Florida	June 4, 2014 (2014-06-04)
112	13	"No Day at the Beach"	Portu-Greek Cafe	Hudson, Florida	June 11, 2014 (2014-06-11)

Season 9 (2014)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
113	1	"Fork in the Road"	Fork Diner	Calhoun, Georgia	July 23, 2014 (2014-07-23)
114	2	"Culture Clash"	Marie's at Ummat Cafe	Atlanta, Georgia	July 30, 2014 (2014-07-30)
115	3	"Bowling: Impossible"	Paul's Bar & Bowling	Paterson, New Jersey	August 6, 2014 (2014-08-06)
116	4	"Golf: Impossible"	Pomona Golf and Country Club	Egg Harbor City, New Jersey	August 13, 2014 (2014-08-13)
117	5	"Holy Cow!"	Country Cow Restaurant and Bar	Campton, New Hampshire	August 20, 2014 (2014-08-20)
118	6	"No Laughing Matter"	Uncle Andy's Diner	Portland, Maine	August 27, 2014 (2014-08-27)
119	7	"Take It Or Leave It"	El Bistro	Titusville, Pennsylvania	September 3, 2014 (2014-09-03)
Renamed Renae's Corner during production.
120	8	"Spicing Things Up"	Spicy Bar & Grill	Falls Church, Virginia	September 10, 2014 (2014-09-10)
121	9	"Military: Impossible"	Green Beret Club	Fort Bragg, North Carolina	September 17, 2014 (2014-09-17)
Renamed Smoke Bomb Grille during production.
122	10	"Drama at Mamma's"	Mamma Lucrezia's Restaurant	Bellefonte, Pennsylvania	September 24, 2014 (2014-09-24)
123	11	"Paradise: Impossible"	Padre Rita Grill	South Padre Island, Texas	October 6, 2014 (2014-10-06)
124	12	"An Abundance of Emotions"	Abudanza Ristorante	Wilbraham, Massachusetts	October 13, 2014 (2014-10-13)
125	*	"Gross, Grosser, Grossest"	NA	NA	October 20, 2014 (2014-10-20)
126	*	"Worst of the Worst"	NA	NA	October 27, 2014 (2014-10-27)
127	13	"Recipe for Disaster"	Papa C's Eastside Cafe	Fairport, New York	November 3, 2014 (2014-11-03)

Season 10 (2014–15)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
128	1	"Without a Prayer"	Mama E's Wings & Waffles	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	November 24, 2014 (2014-11-24)	N/A
Note: This restaurant was previously featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2009.
129	2	"Holiday: Impossible"	Double "H" Ranch	Lake Luzerne, New York	December 8, 2014 (2014-12-08)	N/A
Robert and his crew help transform and renovate a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses. Unlike most episodes, the team has three days and $50,000.
130	3	"Oh Brother!"	Knife and Fork Gastropub	San Antonio, Texas	December 15, 2014 (2014-12-15)	0.948
131	*	"Biggest Blowups"	NA	NA	December 29, 2014 (2014-12-29)	N/A
132	4	"Revved Up"	Shade Tree Customs and Cafe	Albuquerque, New Mexico	January 14, 2015 (2015-01-14)	0.987
133	5	"Mystic Mystery"	Mystic Treats	Ashland, Oregon	January 28, 2015 (2015-01-28)	N/A
Note: This restaurant closed permanently a month before the episode aired.
134	6	"Betting the House"	Zoog's Caveman Cookin	Port Hadlock, Washington	February 4, 2015 (2015-02-04)	0.968
135	7	"Dog and Pony Show"	Dog & Pony Alehouse	Renton, Washington	February 11, 2015 (2015-02-11)	0.996
136	8	"Game Over"	Be'ne Pizza & Pasta	Omaha, Nebraska	February 18, 2015 (2015-02-18)	N/A

Season 11 (2015)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
137	1	"4,000 Square Feet of Trouble"	WhaBah Steakhouse	Bowling Green, Kentucky	March 18, 2015 (2015-03-18)	1.144
138	2	"Double Trouble"	Valentino's and Italian Bistro	Summerville, South Carolina	March 25, 2015 (2015-03-25)	1.152
In this episode, Robert is asked to transform two restaurants: Valentino's and Italian Bistro.
139	3	"Chocolate: Impossible"	Cocoamoda	Calvert, Texas	April 1, 2015 (2015-04-01)	1.152
140	4	"When Life Gives You Lemons"	Zest Bistro	Downers Grove, Illinois	April 8, 2015 (2015-04-08)	1.315
In this episode, Robert transforms a restaurant inside of The Lemon Tree Grocer. He also transforms the grocery store.
141	5	"Prescription for Failure"	Lyon's Pharmacy of Elkton	Elkton, Maryland	April 22, 2015 (2015-04-22)	1.016
In this episode, Robert transforms an old lunch counter inside of a local family-owned pharmacy.
142	6	"Going Down with the Ship"	Gigi's Music Cafe	Sunrise, Florida	April 29, 2015 (2015-04-29)	1.045
143	7	"The Ambush"	Tornatore's Pizzeria	Orlando, Florida	May 6, 2015 (2015-05-06)	1.101
For the first time ever, Robert ambushes a restaurant by not telling the owner in advance that the show is coming.
144	8	"Bad Juju"	The JuJu Bag	New Orleans, Louisiana	May 13, 2015 (2015-05-13)	0.967
In this episode, Robert is tasked with transforming both a restaurant and a barber shop.

Season 12 (2015)

Beginning this season, Irvine ambushed owners of failing restaurants, making changes without telling them in advance that he is coming.

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
145	1	"Ambush: Breakfast Break-In"	Theresa's Restaurant	Bradenton, Florida	October 22, 2015 (2015-10-22)	1.219
146	2	"Ambush: Son Sneak Attack"	Lake Arrowhead Sports Grille	Blue Jay, California	October 29, 2015 (2015-10-29)	1.012
147	3	"Ambush: Eyes on the Surprise"	Copper Still Restaurant	Crestwood, Illinois	November 5, 2015 (2015-11-05)	0.894
148	4	"Ambush: Stay ... Or Go?"	Ellendale's Restaurant	Nashville, Tennessee	November 12, 2015 (2015-11-12)	1.013
149	5	"Ambush: Fight to the Finish"	Stella's Restaurant	New Kensington, Pennsylvania	November 19, 2015 (2015-11-19)	1.099
150	6	"Ambush: Facing Fears"	Cape Horn Family Restaurant	Red Lion, Pennsylvania	December 3, 2015 (2015-12-03)	0.958
151	7	"Holiday: Impossible"	Broken Arrow Ranch	Jackson, Wyoming	December 10, 2015 (2015-12-10)	0.671
In this episode, Robert and his team transform a summer camp for at-risk teens. Unlike most episodes, the team has three days and $50,000.
152	8	"Ambush: Special Delivery"	La Casa Bianca	Whitehouse Station, New Jersey	December 17, 2015 (2015-12-17)	1.015

Season 13 (2016)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
153	1	"Ambush: Faded Star"	Starlite Restaurant & Pizza	West Orange, New Jersey	March 9, 2016 (2016-03-09)
154	2	"Ambush: Beneath the Surface"	De Rican Chef	Virginia Beach, Virginia	March 16, 2016 (2016-03-16)
155	3	"Ambush: A Taxing Situation"	BFE Bar and Grill	Waynesboro, Georgia	March 23, 2016 (2016-03-23)
Renamed Pointers Grill At Hancock Landing during production.
156	4	"Ambush: In Robert We Trust"	Peppino's Ristorante Italiano	Oviedo, Florida	March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)
157	5	"Ambush: Out of Control"	SiP Bistro	Holly Springs, North Carolina	April 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)
158	6	"Ambush: Exercise Surprise"	So Natural Organic Restaurant	Harker Heights, Texas	April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)
159	7	"Ambush: Cray Cray"	Cray Eatery and Drinkery's	Columbus, Ohio	April 27, 2016 (2016-04-27)
Renamed Factory on 4th during production.
160	8	"Ambush: Third Ambush Is the Charm"	Broadstreet Bistro	North Versailles, Pennsylvania	May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)

Season 14 (2019)

The show returns after a three-year hiatus. The "ambush" format of 2015–2016 has been discontinued.

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
161	1	"Dying Diner"	Rosie's Cafe	Escondido, California	April 20, 2019 (2019-04-20)
162	2	"Fight at Filomena's"	Filomena's Italian Kitchen and Market	Costa Mesa, California	April 27, 2019 (2019-04-27)
163	3	"Mom Finds Her Mojo"	Incredible Cafe	San Diego, California	May 4, 2019 (2019-05-04)
164	4	"Smoky Steakhouse"	Copper Steer Steakhouse	Safford, Arizona	May 11, 2019 (2019-05-11)

Season 15 (2019)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
165	1	"Hard Times at Josephine's"	Josephine's Cooking	Chicago, Illinois	July 20, 2019 (2019-07-20)
166	2	"A Family Restaurant at War"	McLank's Family Restaurant	Columbia, Missouri	July 27, 2019 (2019-07-27)
167	3	"Caribbean Catastrophe"	Chez Olga	Grand Rapids, Michigan	August 3, 2019 (2019-08-03)
168	4	"A Single Dad Sparks His Passion"	Mike Audia's Restaurant	Nutter Fort, West Virginia	August 10, 2019 (2019-08-10)
169	5	"Dull Diner Dilemma"	Rosie's Diner	North Chelmsford, Massachusetts	August 17, 2019 (2019-08-17)
170	6	"Saving a Family's Legacy"	Al's Seafood	Essex, Maryland	August 24, 2019 (2019-08-24)
171	7	"Lakefront Disaster"	Besse's on Clear Lake	Tomahawk, Wisconsin	August 31, 2019 (2019-08-31)
172	8	"A Daughter Finds Her Groove"	Madison Street Retro Diner	Muncie, Indiana	September 7, 2019 (2019-09-07)

Season 16 (2019–20)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
173	1	"Dumplings in Delaware"	Southern Grille of Ellendale	Ellendale, Delaware	December 26, 2019 (2019-12-26)	N/A
174	2	"Cleaning Up in Mississippi"	Rossini's Cucina Italiana	Ridgeland, Mississippi	January 2, 2020 (2020-01-02)	N/A
175	3	"Help Is On the Way"	Edgar's Restaurant	Akron, Ohio	January 9, 2020 (2020-01-09)	N/A
176	4	"Old Habits Die Hard"	Perella's Ristorante	Warren, Rhode Island	January 16, 2020 (2020-01-16)	N/A
177	5	"New Roles, New Results"	Foxfire Grill	Alexandria, Virginia	January 23, 2020 (2020-01-23)	N/A
178	6	"Out with Old, In with New"	The Chianti Cow	Port Jervis, New York	January 30, 2020 (2020-01-30)	N/A
179	7	"Saving a Piece of History"	Garrett's Mill & Brewing Company	Garrettsville, Ohio	February 6, 2020 (2020-02-06)	N/A
180	8	"Restaurant on the Rocks"	Drake's Place	Ferguson, Missouri	February 13, 2020 (2020-02-13)	N/A
181	9	"Cajun Seafood Crisis"	The Balcony	Larose, Louisiana	February 20, 2020 (2020-02-20)	N/A
182	10	"Chattanooga Blues"	Blue Orleans	Chattanooga, Tennessee	February 27, 2020 (2020-02-27)	N/A
183	11	"Lost in the Bayou"	Lil G's	Belle Chasse, Louisiana	March 5, 2020 (2020-03-05)	N/A
184	12	"Greek Tragedy"	Taverna Trela	Delray Beach, Florida	March 12, 2020 (2020-03-12)	N/A

Season 17 (2020)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
185	1	"Saving a Pastor's Passion"	Loyd Have Mercy	Titusville, Florida	May 14, 2020 (2020-05-14)
186	2	"Fixing a Family in Houston"	Habanera and the Guero	Houston, Texas	May 21, 2020 (2020-05-21)
187	3	"Revisited: Helping Our Own"	Rosie's Cafe	Escondido, California	May 28, 2020 (2020-05-28)
188	4	"Back on Track in Glendora"	T. Philip's Alehouse and Grill	Glendora, California	June 4, 2020 (2020-06-04)
189	5	"The Ginger Monkey is Going Under"	Ginger Monkey	Chandler, Arizona	June 11, 2020 (2020-06-11)
190	6	"Revisited: Out of Date But Not Out of Time"	Paul's Bar and Bowling	Paterson, New Jersey	June 18, 2020 (2020-06-18)
191	7	"Revisited: The Soul of a Marriage"	Mama E's	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	July 16, 2020 (2020-07-16)

It is unknown at this time whether the new episodes in 2021 will be a part of Season 17 as the production codes do not match the other Season 17 episodes.

Season 18 (2021)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
TBA	1	"Moving On in Montana"	Don Luis Restaurant	Billings, Montana	January 7, 2021 (2021-01-07)	N/A
TBA	2	"Destination, Hawk Springs"	The Emporium	Hawk Springs, Wyoming	January 14, 2021 (2021-01-14)	N/A
TBA	3	"Colorado Couple In Crisis"	Millonzi's	Fairplay, Colorado	January 21, 2021 (2021-01-21)	N/A
TBA	4	"Bogged Down In Buffalo"	Casa Di Francesca's	Buffalo, New York	January 28, 2021 (2021-01-28)	N/A
TBA	5	"Community Hub In Chaos"	Park Vue Soul Food Bar and Restaurant	Buffalo, New York	February 4, 2021 (2021-02-04)	N/A
TBA	6	"Taking Ownership In Vegas"	Polaris Street Cafe	Las Vegas, Nevada	February 11, 2021 (2021-02-11)	N/A
TBA	7	"Saving an American Dream"	Burnt Offerings	Las Vegas, Nevada	February 18, 2021 (2021-02-18)	N/A
TBA	8	"A Dream in Shambles"	A Pizza Melody	Las Vegas, Nevada	February 24, 2021 (2021-02-24)	N/A
TBA	9	"House of Cards"	Cafe No Fur	Las Vegas, Nevada	March 4, 2021 (2021-03-04)	N/A
TBA	10	"Listless in Louisiana"	Boutte's Bayou Restaurant	Lafitte, Louisiana	March 11, 2021 (2021-03-11)	N/A
TBA	11	"Friends in Need"	Dunbar's Creole Cuisine	New Orleans, Louisiana	March 18, 2021 (2021-03-18)	N/A
TBA	12	"Nancy Foots the Bill"	Cosentino's Ristorante	Geneva, New York	April 8, 2021 (2021-04-08)	N/A

Season 19 (2021)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
TBA	1	"The Sinking Anchor"	The Anchor	Louisville, Tennessee	May 20, 2021 (2021-005-20)	N/A
TBA	2	"R.E.S.P.E.C.T."	Mr. B's Southern Kitchen	Tampa, Florida	May 27, 2021 (2021-05-27)	N/A
TBA	3	"Floundering Fish House"	Z Fish House	Loudon, Tennessee	June 3, 2021 (2021-06-03)	N/A
TBA	4	"Sub Shop SOS"	Turnpike's Rest Stop	Spring Hill, Florida	June 10, 2021 (2021-06-10)	N/A
TBA	5	"Restoring a Reputation"	Deraney's Two City Tavern	Barnesville, Georgia	June 17, 2021 (2021-06-17)	N/A
TBA	6	"A Friendship in Peril"	J's	Waveland, Mississippi	June 24, 2021 (2021-06-24)	N/A
TBA	7	"Big Trouble in Tennessee"	Big Tom's Backyard Grill and Bar	Cleveland, Tennessee	July 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)	N/A
TBA	8	"Irish Eyes Are Frowning"	Grille No. 13	Waldorf, Maryland	July 8, 2021 (2021-07-08)	N/A
TBA	9	"Soul Food in the Park"	Soul Food	York, Pennsylvania	July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)	N/A
TBA	10	"The Sinking Ship Inn"	Ship Inn	Exton, Pennsylvania	July 22, 2021 (2021-07-22)	N/A
TBA	11	"Resentment on the Bayou"	On The Bayou	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	July 29, 2021 (2021-07-29)	N/A
TBA	12	"The Dutiful Son"	Mexican Village	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	August 12, 2021 (2021-08-12)	N/A
TBA	13	"Delusions of Grandeur"	Gaston's	Orland Park, Illinois	August 19, 2021 (2021-08-19)	N/A

Season 20 (2021–22)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
TBA	1	"Extreme British Makeover"	From Across the Pond	Colleyville, Texas	August 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)	N/A
TBA	2	"A Big Mess in Texas"	Fun Time Cafe	Joshua, Texas	September 2, 2021 (2021-09-02)	N/A
TBA	3	"Big Ego, Big Trouble"	Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen	Colorado Springs, Colorado	December 30, 2021 (2021-12-30)	N/A
TBA	4	"Dirtiest. Kitchen. Ever."	Jalisco Cafe	San Diego, California	January 6, 2022 (2022-01-06)	N/A
TBA	5	"Burnt Out in Berkeley"	KC's BBQ	Berkeley, California	January 13, 2022 (2022-01-13)	N/A
TBA	6	"Virtually Impossible"	Casa Real	Loveland, Colorado	January 20, 2022 (2022-01-20)	N/A
TBA	7	"Slumping Sales in San Jose"	The Breakfast Place	San Jose, California	January 27, 2022 (2022-01-27)	N/A
TBA	8	"Out with the Old, In with the New"	Kaiserhof	San Diego, California	February 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)	N/A
TBA	9	"Not So Peachy Keen"	Denos I-76	Keenesburg, Colorado	February 24, 2020 (2020-02-24)	N/A
TBA	10	"Holding on to the Past"	Rest Haven	Clarksdale, Mississippi	March 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)	N/A
TBA	11	"It's Not Rocket Science"	Mizz Juju's	Huntsville, Alabama	March 24, 2022 (2022-03-24)	N/A
TBA	12	"Hard Knocks in Hendersonville"	Dreadlife Kitchen	Hendersonville, North Carolina	April 7, 2022 (2022-04-07)	N/A
TBA	13	"No Help Wanted"	7th Restaurant and Lounge	Charlotte, North Carolina	April 21, 2022 (2022-04-21)	N/A

Season 21 (2022)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
TBA	1	"The Final Shot"	Smith's Soul Food Bistro	Gastonia, North Carolina	April 28, 2022 (2022-04-28)	N/A
TBA	2	"Best Friends Forever"	Moondoggy's Pizza	Brunswick, Georgia	May 5, 2022 (2022-05-05)	N/A
TBA	3	"My Way or the Highway"	Forks and Flavors	Kennesaw, Georgia	May 12, 2022 (2022-05-12)	N/A
TBA	4	"Family Recipe for Disaster"	Giovanni's Italian Restaurant	Sylacauga, Alabama	May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19)	N/A
TBA	5	"Marriage on the Rocks"	Sweet Potato Cafe	Stone Mountain, Georgia	May 26, 2022 (2022-05-26)	N/A
TBA	6	"Mistrust and Malaise in Madison"	Grumpy's Diner	Madison, Florida	June 2, 2022 (2022-06-02)	N/A
TBA	7	"Fighting for Your Family"	Amistad Grill	Homestead, Florida	June 9, 2022 (2022-06-09)	N/A
TBA	8	"Schooling a Teacher"	333 Restaurant	Grenada, Mississippi	June 16, 2022 (2022-06-16)	N/A
TBA	9	"Legacy on the Line"	Eddie's	Shreveport, Louisiana	June 23, 2022 (2022-06-23)	N/A
TBA	10	"Anguish in Abilene"	Texas Cowboy BBQ	Abilene, Texas	June 30, 2022 (2022-06-30)	N/A
TBA	11	"A Trifecta of Failure"	Steak-N-Stuff	Cottonwood, Arizona	July 7, 2022 (2022-07-07)	N/A
TBA	12	"Stuck in the Old School"	Vinny's Little Italy	Boulder City, Nevada	June 14, 2022 (2022-06-14)	N/A
TBA	13	"Lifting the Weight"	Greg's BBQ	Belen, New Mexico	July 21, 2022 (2022-07-21)	N/A
TBA	14	"Small Town, Big Problems"	TBA	Hawk Springs, Wyoming	July 28, 2022 (2022-07-28)	N/A

Restaurant: Impossible: Revisited

The companion series Restaurant: Impossible: Revisited premiered in July 2019. Robert returns to restaurants previously featured on Restaurant: Impossible, interviews the owners and checks on their progress.

Season 1 (2019)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
1	1	"Owner Tries To Do It All"	Dodge City	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	July 20, 2019 (2019-07-20)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 2.
2	2	"One-Woman Show"	Covered Bridge Farm Table	Campton, New Hampshire	July 27, 2019 (2019-07-27)
This restaurant, originally named Country Cow Restaurant and Bar, was originally featured in Season 9.
3	3	"Family Regains Confidence"	Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant	Lebanon, New Hampshire	August 3, 2019 (2019-08-03)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 4.
4	4	"The Hidden Costs of Business"	The Trails Eatery	San Diego, California	August 10, 2019 (2019-08-10)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 2.
5	5	"Learning Leadership"	Off Street Cafe	Cerritos, California	August 17, 2019 (2019-08-17)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 2.
6	6	"All in the Family"	Sapori D'Italia	Fountain Hills, Arizona	August 24, 2019 (2019-08-24)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 5.
7	7	"Revisiting the First Ambush"	Tornatore's Pizzeria	Orlando, Florida	August 31, 2019 (2019-08-31)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 11.
8	8	"Marriage: Impossible"	Joe Willy's Seafood House	Fishkill, New York	September 7, 2019 (2019-09-07)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 6.

Season 2 (2020)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Restaurant	Location	Original air date
9	1	"No Laughing Matter"	Uncle Andy's Diner	Portland, Maine	January 2, 2020 (2020-01-02)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 9.
10	2	"An Owner Losing Control"	Theresa's Restaurant	Bradenton, Florida	January 9, 2020 (2020-01-09)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 12.
11	3	"Ruffled Feathers"	Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse	Tupelo, Mississippi	January 16, 2020 (2020-01-16)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 3.
12	4	"Chaos in the Kitchen"	Padre Rita Grill	South Padre Island, Texas	January 23, 2020 (2020-01-23)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 9.
13	5	"Family Recovering"	De Rican Chef	Virginia Beach, Virginia	January 30, 2020 (2020-01-30)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 13.
14	6	"Going Down"	Gigi's Music Cafe	Sunrise, Florida	February 6, 2020 (2020-02-06)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 11.
15	7	"Family Matters"	So Natural Organic Restaurant	Harker Heights, Texas	February 13, 2020 (2020-02-13)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 13.
16	8	"Life Savings"	Hillbillies Restaurant	Murphys, California	February 20, 2020 (2020-02-20)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 7.
17	9	"For the Troops"	Smoke Bomb Grille	Fort Bragg, North Carolina	February 27, 2020 (2020-02-27)
This restaurant, originally named Green Beret Club, was featured in Season 9.
18	10	"Out of Date"	Paul's Bar and Bowling	Paterson, New Jersey	March 5, 2020 (2020-03-05)
This restaurant was originally featured in Season 9.

Restaurant: Impossible: Back in Business

A spin-off series, Restaurant: Impossible: Back in Business premiered on July 30, 2020, revisiting restaurants previously featured in past episodes to assist them in addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their operations.

See also

• Designed to Sell – previous show starring Taniya Nayak and Lynn Kegan
• Dinner: Impossible – previous show starring Robert Irvine

External links

• Official website
• Restaurant: Impossible at TV Guide