The WORST Chicago Has To Offer! | S2 E12 | Full Episode | Kitchen Nightmares | Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay tries to help a husband and wife in Chicago with their Cafe 36 restaurant, which is losing money due to a lack of clientele and a head chef who isn't concerned with quality.
Season 2, Episode 12
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The WORST Chicago Has To Offer! | S2 E12 | Full Episode | Kitchen Nightmares | Gordon Ramsay
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[@lizshoemaker8713]

I personally thought Brian was 100% in his place to call out the owners and Pinto. He’s working for 0 income because all his tips are walking out the door.

[@miller5170]

It’s wild how dedication some of these servers are

[@NatPat-yj2or]

As someone with 21 years in the restaurant business, I listen to my servers every time they have a complaint or a suggestion. The servers are the link between the customer and the kitchen. A good server knows how to read a customer and they know if someone doesn't like something. The customers don't want to fuss and complain and 95% of the time they won't complain at all. That is where the good servers come in to play. I tell them to give me feedback as often as they want. If their tips start going down, I want to know, because customers will tip based on many factors that the server has no control over, so if their tips are going down, it's usually an issue with the kitchen. There is no chance a restaurant can thrive with an owner/operator that is clueless about the business AND refuses to listen to employee feedback.

[@bigenglishmonkey]

-staff tells cameras that pinto is the problem. -gordon comes in and tells the owners that pinto is the problem. -brian gets annoyed because customers are leaving, the owner is hiding, and pinto needs firing. -owner gets out of order, disrespectful, and insulting with brian, doesn't solve anything, says he almost fired brian. owner 5 minutes later - what do we do? whats going on? how could this happen to us? what do we do?

[@awkwardoctopus642]

You hit the nail right on the head.

[@jamiecoulson1016]

@@lizshoemaker8713 when are you going to repent ?

[@stefan_5.7]

Brian's a grest guy, props for standing up to the owner and that poor excuse of a head chef

[@maudlife]

For those curious about the fate of Cafe 36! The restaurant closed about a year after the episode was filmed. They fired Pinto and Barney took over for a little while before moving on, but things seemed good judging by reviews. Still, it closed due to a bad economy, and the owners are now retired.

[@xGamesDeanXx]

I was hoping they would go under after that bullshit remark the owner gave the server because the truth hurt him

[@mary-melissatyree4003]

When you walk in and see owners from the 60's, i would walk out. I cannot believe owners are so clueless.

[@demiaarmendibya7680]

Idk how I can smell the place before it was fixed

[@joshuablack7311]

They still got that wine??😂

[@maudlife]

@@joshuablack7311 Probably got to hold onto it. Maybe sell it off to pay for their debts. They never said!

[@connorhirst6952]

Where is the waiter now, he shown some balls telling the owner and pinto how he felt only to get the "you work for me, know your place"

[@SadieMccollough-mf3jl]

@connorhirst6952 My thought exactly. While owners/managers shouldn't let their staff run over them, they need to listen. In my own very long life's experience, as weak people are trying to learn to be stronger, they often start with reactive posturing. I think that's what the owner was doing. I think the owner's best response would have been "let's talk about this privately after closing"

[@turpyturtle8621]

Owner should be ashamed he is hiding while he has a waiter doing damage control that’s your job fat boy 👍

[@serendipidus8482]

Yeah and you're my boss but you're not doing your job and don't seem to know what your place is! 😂

[@eijek7]

Pinto has to be the worst chef I have seen on kitchen nightmares

[@aamirvorajee7643]

pinto is he going to watch it now and see how bad he is

[@yosephkindeya]

@@aamirvorajee7643 was

[@MichaelMcMoron]

Casimiro is worse

[@DQ62992]

Yeah fresh frozen

[@andyp1031]

One of them yea

[@mrazulik]

It's officially time for the annual Kitchen Nightmares run

[@addisonclawedeatsalot]

The old man trying to insert authority and dominance in the dumbest position and timing always makes me laugh

[@cwatson42785]

"You wombat" still might be my favorite Gordon insult

[@wareagle7753]

Terry always makes me mad with that “you’re a waiter. Remember who you work for.” I would’ve walked immediately.

[@kevintww4038]

The sanity tho...

[@Jk-ey7mp]

its because gordon told him to be firm right before. of course he used that advice in the wrong moment but we should understand he only said that bc gordon urged him to be firm so people stop walking over him and respect him

[@wareagle7753]

@@Jk-ey7mp I got that. Once terry walked to the window and started expediting food, I started cheering like SpongeBob thinking he got the manager position 😂😂😂

[@davidhawken570]

That conversation felt staged to me, personally. I think production got that to happen

[@joshuafrechette5936]

I hear the term 'fresh frozen' so often on this show, lol.

[@serendipidus8482]

Yeah I wouldn't mind but everything si fresh when it's frozen and the fish there was " twice" frozen. Insane!

[@kristencarlbon4561]

Brian is right. The old man was hiding not doing anything. Didn’t care about that kitchen.

[@pauljordan4452]

@@kristencarlbon4561 That jerk was only 58 which is not old. Old man is a term for somebody's dad though.

[@dereksamples902]

Gordan trying to explain to pinto about stuff being cold had me dying 14:51

[@MaiCaulk]

The way the way Terry was talking to Brian makes me glad his restaurant went under

[@Mr00Chief00]

I think Terry wasn't really a bad person, he just was ineffective at first and stepped up to the platform at the wrong moment feeling he needed to assert his leadership position. His straightening out of Brian (who was absolutely correct in his criticism) instead of Pinto was absurd though and showed he did not have sufficient leadership qualities.

[@sarebear4351]

It never ceases to amaze me how many crazy ppl put everything they own into a business they no absolutely nothing about. 🤦

[@Romzylicious]

Brian was 100% appropriate for saying what he said to the owner. I love the "you work for me" they always say but the owners aren't doing anything.....there IS no work for them!

[@EricMoore-nw5qn]

Servers work for the customer, we live on tips. I'm a server.I have never gotten a paycheck. Naturally I'm going to harp on the kitchen and owners for putting out trash and leaving me with no pay at all. The cooks get paid hourly or salary, we sing for our supper.

[@jamesfox2579]

As a former server, I totally understand Brian's frustration!

[@KibaSakuraLove]

15:26 "They're terrific" IM SOBBING always gotta love the servers in this show

[@TeKnoVKNG23]

The owner's attitude of "remember who you work for/know your place" is the main reason the place failed. Pinto sucked, but the owner, as his wife said, didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground and carried a lot of arrogance and ego for someone who accomplished nothing.

[@tellurye]

What Happened Next at Cafe 36? At the end of the show, we are told that Pinto was fired and Barney was offered the Head Chef job but he left to finish his culinary degree. He was replaced by Jorge Flores and Pinto was said to be working as a chef for a family in the area. Yelp reviews after filming were mixed, with some complaints about the food. Cafe 36 closed on 18 April 2009, blaming the economy and Gordon's changes to the restaurant. On a forum, "Barney" reported that Terry was previously an Executive Chef at a country club for more than 20 years but was made to look like he had little to no industry knowledge during the episode. He also revealed the personal reasons behind his fractured relationship with Pinto, comments Pinto had made about his wife and calling him as a "diner cook". Cafe 36 aired on January 15 2009, the episode was filmed in February 2008 and is Kitchen Nightmares season 2 episode 11

[@Tatersmama101]

All I have to say is that Brian is the strongest employee in that failing restaurant... yet he was spoken to like that? The owner just didn't like hearing the truth!!

[@FaithAndRepentance]

Gordan Ramsey for Life. Hes good at acting the part of a Chef and even a Better Person. I appreciate how over the years he has reached out and helped many he has come across while filming this show and other shows. Wether paying for staffs education, renovations, providing employment,establish goals and jobs for prisoners or new merchandise Gordon really tries to help people. We Love you Mr.Ramsey ❤ Wish I had the pleasure of meeting you .

[@frankmaiorana66]

It still could happen. I have eaten at two restaurants featured in Kitchen Nightmares and he has opened a Hell's Kitchen in Foxwoods Resort and Casino not far from where I live.

[@somzep]

(i have no life)

[@mryoutubeuncle8403]

😂😂😂 You not alone, same here 😅

[@FaithAndRepentance]

Perfect time to establish new goals, plan something, self improve and so much more. Don't let this free time go to waste❤

[@bishopthecat2277]

We find meaning in life in Gordon, praise be his name!

[@sarebear4351]

Me neither

[@Dee-em1iz]

Me neither 😂

[@miller5170]

And to any restaurant owners who are wondering what’s wrong … it’s ALWAYS the food! If you have slamming food you can sell it on a street corner and people will eat it while standing up!

[@ncbeachbum7222]

I can put up with staff who mail it in. I can put up with a place that doesn't look super clean. But with crap food? I'm out.

[@kylekelley3461]

not true by a mile. good food is important, but its not everything.

[@BBB-rd2qi]

@@kylekelley3461- Which episode are you referring to that the food was a 10 and the restaurant was clean, yet it was failing? People will wait if they know the food is worth it. I’ve worked in fine dining for 20 years as a Sommelier.

[@auntiejuly]

​@@BBB-rd2qi Momma Cherries (a British episode) -> her problem was that no one knew the restaurant and couldn't recognize the building as restaurant

[@Boyso5407]

I seriously wish I was born with half the energy that Gordon has. He’s just non stop all the time

[@MaroAsmr369]

Brian represents me. I tell the manager this, then I submit my resignation, and after I leave work, in less than a year, the place closes with bankruptcy or a bad reputation. I applaud you, Brian, for your courage and your annoyance that you lie to customers because of the ignorance of a manager and the deception and exploitation of a chef. God blesses you.

[@thegrumpydragon7601]

Pinto should have been fired 15 minutes after Gordon walked in

[@Patrick-yk9jd]

Calling Pinto a chef let alone a head chef is like calling a car a whale....

[@benegner6900]

Im glad someone else hated him as much as me 😭

[@stefan_5.7]

Let alone an executive chef lmao

[@TheRealAdk]

Executive whale

[@kellibradley]

Brian was right. I hope he is doing well. ❤❤

[@Moneybill01]

It’s so random I became addicted to watching these

[@phenohunter2504]

They closed. Owners ended up suing Gordon Ramsay. It went nowhere. The owner used to be a chef at a country club but during the production had to lie about not being a chef before 😂

[@mary-melissatyree4003]

@@phenohunter2504 ...so why was everything so vile when the owner had experience. I don't think he wanted his hair messed up, so he was the greeter. Pathetic.

[@miller5170]

These owners on this show sometimes get so stuck in the 80s

[@tanikokishimoto1604]

Actually WORSE on the owner if he did have prior experience.

[@jagreen2603]

It's a freaking TV show. ....lol producers probably told him to not disclose his work experience. It's extremely crazy that some of y'all can't see pass the entertainment of the show. The music, the added drama. The edits. It's all show business.

[@Cinemaniac1981]

Sued him for what exactly?

[@pauljordan4452]

My God. Pushing a trolley like that will screw up your back.

[@normiels3]

I still can’t wrap my head around these head chefs cooking way too much ahead of time and freezing it for so long. That’s why so many of these places lose money, if they just made smaller fresher portions every day they wouldn’t have crap sitting around.

[@peanutbutterisfu]

Rice doesn’t even taste good when you rewarm it up the same day you made it let alone 8 days later. I worked at a restaurant in high school the meats were ordered twice a week because we didn’t freeze it. The meats weren’t even stored in the walk in cooler other than a couple hours when they were delivered until they were portioned and put in the line cooler. When this show came out I couldn’t believe how so many restaurants buy enough meats to last weeks.

[@Rose29137]

“You work for Me” shit no anymore peace the fuck out 😂

[@gorillaglue7232]

I don't understand why Pinto wasn't sacked half an hour into the show!

[@yesuare1756]

That has to be the oldest 58 year old I've seen in my entire life

[@EmperorDank]

Lost all respect for the old man after talking like that to his server

[@ericchang3820]

"remember who you work for" yeah he working for a broke ass restaurant owner 😅😂

[@Patrick-yk9jd]

Pinto sticking his fingers in the food to taste it is disgusting

[@kellibradley]

Right?! So so gross!!

[@fabfafa]

🇮🇳

[@ikapatino3214]

He's Indian they are lucky he didn't put his foot or some other body part in it.

[@troismoutonsetuntigre5988]

How are so many of these owners so hands off. If I owned a restaurant you'd never get rid of me. I'd be in there every day, tasting and testing and going through the fridge. These guys are there but they are not doing anything. They should have bought a vending machine.

[@potentiallyunfunnyguy9716]

it's always fun trying to guess if they're gonna say either: 1. it's fresh - then get found out and try to backpedal while stammering like they have a class presentation 2. use the 'fresh frozen' excuse 3. or use the 'it's still good just cause it's frozen doesn't mean it's bad' (and then sell it on an upscale menu where a dish with it costs like 30+ dollars) I also think people sometimes misrepresent Gordon's distaste of frozen or pre-packaged food. Frozen food is indeed not bad for home-cooking or daily meal-prep, especially if you have to be clever with your budget. But for an upscale dine-out occassion? Fresh food should be something you'd at least be allowed to expect.

[@grahamlucas208]

The owner is the oldest 58 year old I have seen

[@SirStrikeFreedom]

"Let me tell you something: You work for me ***booom*** I don't work for you ***booom*** You're a waiter. Remember who you work for ***WHOOOSH*** These effects dude is going crazy

[@pauljordan4452]

That's why the British version was better and less distracting.

[@gibsonman4]

Yeah owner was a clueless prick.

[@EliseStaples]

And mean. I hate it when one of these couples turn from sweet old people to abusive and the ultimate insult - suing GR for their own failure. So glad to hear that the sous chef left. Hope he took Brian with him.

[@ReliRacooon]

16:45 "this is why i dont wear watches" proceeds to check his watch ha!

[@fabfafa]

Why people buy restaurant when they know f...all about restaurant.

[@mikesternmike]

Usually garden goes off on such clueless owners. But also if there's one person in the kitchen that is really bad he'll let the owner slide. This time he let them slide right to out of business.

[@GirlfriendNinja]

These owners are useless.

[@Gonk_101]

Its the owners fault on how things went I think Brian should have been the manager because that was one of the hardest workers its sad seeing how the owner wanted to fire him but not pinto

[@hithisthers7214]

I need to stop watching this show while I'm eating

[@MaxUmbra]

lol I do the same 😂

[@ckwind1971]

I watch when I'm hungry for motivation to cook😅

[@crimsonmaelstrom573]

I watch so I will lose my appetite and stick to my diet

[@scofab]

Ahhhh here we go again. People who have no idea what good food is, opening a restaurant on hope and faith without a damn clue. Sure, the chef sucks but how did Carol and Terry ever get together with their money in the first place...? Chopping down an employee speaking the truth to a complete failure of an owner...? What can you say? I can't find it in me to feel sorry for the owners this time, they screwed themselves. [Edited for spelling.]

[@poobalanpather7454]

Pinto is a chef from cooking on the streets of India 😅

[@007JNR]

Great joke

[@fabfafa]

What I was thinking 😂😂😂 thank you come again

[@subh_8208]

They should rename the restaurant to "Natural selection accelerator"... Only the brave survives! (Same goes for the food on streets of India)

[@Brock_Landers]

Ok, so show me a failing restaurant owner who has put EVERYTHING in their life into their restaurant who can afford to buy fresh food every day to cook for two tables of customers per night. If the resturant is too far gone to need Gordon's help, they're already screwed and beyond anyone's help unless it's financial.

[@elisaseegercastellano7648]

I love that Ramsay is so hype he jumps when he talks to the camera

[@finalgothform]

The owner complaining in a confused way about what he didn’t know was wrong after Brian had to flat out tell him is so frustrating to watch. Yes, he did it in a posturing, I'm in charge way but to say he has no idea what's going on when his staff is telling him is being willfully ignorant.

[@fabfafa]

Chef "thank you come again "

[@violetstarrlight]

23:12 Ramsay tastes risotto and puts the same spoon back into the pan

[@nessie986]

I dont get why all owners pick shit chefs

[@jpegjared]

I’m guessing when Pinto said he worked for an italian restaurant the owner turned into Krusty Krabs with money signs in his eyes

[@kelleighohara83]

#Justice4Brian

[@lordshadowclaw6157]

Café 36 has been closed

[@Mr00Chief00]

What I always find funny is that food is constantly being send back from the guests yet the owners keep stating they don't understand the problem with their business and why it's failing.

[@travisegedy7178]

pinto licking his finger and sticking it back in the food is actually insane.

[@machogwapito246]

Risoto with rice 8days old? That's dogshit 😅

[@jordanjojodenise4502]

Wow Terry!! “You’re a waiter” you’re about to lose your business fool

[@klgw99]

"I believe put food is so far above excellence" "This shit ass"

[@RickyBaker-i8w]

Brian told you the truth and the owner couldn't stand the truth.

[@TheKeeperMadz]

Closed down in April 2009

[@lmillssafc]

The nicest owners every seen on this programme. Hope they’re both well.

[@arbetor12]

They blamed Gordon for the restaurant's closure

[@lmillssafc]

@@arbetor12 WOW!! Really?

[@arbetor12]

@@lmillssafc Google it if you don't believe me

[@lol-cowExpress]

@@lmillssafcalso I heard they were not 100% truthful about Terry’s experience in the food industry

[@pauljordan4452]

@@lol-cowExpress Dishonest. My old neighbour and therapist was a psychology professor for 45 years and then therapist for another 18 - retiring at 90. At least SHE used her experience. If you're a home cook opening a restaurant to serve your ethnic food - then it's similar yet different.

[@juliethomas66]

That was only 58?! He’s only 10 years older than me and easily looks 20 to 30 years older.

[@Kfirc2]

One of the most respectable couples I've seen on the show. They 100 percent deserve Chef Ramsey's help. A very special and very beautiful episode

[@Jk-ey7mp]

people are criticizing the owner for saying that to brian but you also have to understand that right before that gordon urged him to be firm in order to gain respect. after hearing that, he probably thought it was best to react that way yet it was misdirected. he most likely doesnt like to respond that way but thought it was a bit disrespectful for a waiter to come up to him in the middle of the service to tell him what and what not to do, things like that you say in private and respectfully so he thought it would be right to take up gordons advice in that situation. i dont think hes the mean ignorant boss we make him out to be, he literally was just given advice to be firm.

[@AgentMTB]

Think Pinto lied on his resume. He isn't a chef!!

[@MarioLuigi-vb3rp]

That’s what happens when you hire a fake

[@EricMoore-nw5qn]

I never send food back or complain about it, i just dont go back and i tell my friends not to go there

[@iinspireNP]

Is crazy he claims hes from Italy but everything is frozen 🙄🙄

[@fabfafa]

He is Indian

[@StarsetFlight]

I will NEVER understand how it's even possible to take over an hour to get one dish out...

[@jeffyboi6969]

"you're a waiter" and? better than a failed business owner? dude just quit and go work as a bartender or in a warehouse and youd make way more.

[@fted4734]

We just don’t understand what’s not working-Pinto’s not working😂😂😂😂😮

[@qxaxe4721]

29:00 was not expecting that

[@mroceans8336]

That restaurant is not even in Chicago, it's in the suburbs. It's very hard to get a bad meal in Chicago because competition is fierce.

[@007JNR]

Competition is fierce in most cities...I very doubt that it's hard to find a bad meal in Chicago 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@whatta3188]

I rewatched KN episodes many times.. Never saw this one O_O Brian, you did great. The owner's response - horrible.

[@ScarletGhost53]

31:26 Wait am I watching the Lion King now???

[@terrypoole9598]

Most restrant owners are panicking because there is so much Competition.Ive seen this program before, the manager and Manageress haven't got a clue, regarding running a Restaurant.They are letting and employing unsuitable staff.My mum,ex Army Cook would have gave them a kick up the backside, out the door

[@MaroAsmr369]

Carol is always nervous!

[@SJRice]

Barney was more than happy to chat shit to the camera but he was just as clueless in the kitchen as anyone else

[@kaniahankston4310]

The owner made me so mad talking to Brian like that. Because he is a server he has most likely worked in other restaurants and know how a kitchen is supposed to run smoothly. The owner just wanted to be mean because he knew Brian was right.

[@marcsoundz]

"Wombat" LOL

[@alwaysthesleepless1]

yup it's fresh-frozen

[@richasigotia113]

They always say it's only your opinion yeah? He's a world class chef shouldn't his opinion matter to you? What's the attitude most chef have

[@KathrynL-b8w]

Pinto looks like he’d bathe in the Ganges river so…..

[@brianb1995]

@34:02 they clearly didn't reupholster the booths, they just put couch cover type sheets on them. It looks so bad!

[@ed_2422]

The head chef is pulling everybody down. He's gotta go if they wanna be successful

[@Herbster0]

Dude those among us sound bites are so out of place but make it so hilarious 😂

[@carolb29]

I think I might be related to this couple. I've only met them like twice my whole life and many years ago so just not sure but sure looks like them.

[@therabbitthing]

This is the sweetest episode ever. I teared up at the end.

[@manwithoutadollar]

26:10 why does KZbin highlight the like/dislike buttons when she says "fillet"? (Am I the only one this is happening to?)

[@ikapatino3214]

That's true.

[@anindyaghosh4282]

Guess what restaurant closed just after 4 months, after Gordon left

[@robinmabbott7334]

Terry's really to blame He should have fired Pinto ages ago Pinto is dragging everyone down .

[@chioniwilliams8]

The owner doesn't know where direct his frustration. Chef Ramsey should have addressed that clip for Brian because as he said they were just lying to customers. Taking it too easy on pinto. I've seen chef fire terrible cooks and don't see why he hasn't fired pinto yet

[@HeatherHalsey-vw2gh]

Gordon Ramsay ❤

[@brookeforbes8624]

If I was Brian I would have walked after he said that to me