Restaurant Revisited: Zandi’s by Sara Levine in Shows, July 25th, 2012
At Zandi’s in Millersville, Md., sisters and co-owners Evette Aponte and Yvonne Zandi were just a few months from closing down when Robert Irvine showed up. He was discouraged to find not only lackluster food, poor service and tired decor, but a lack of passion on the part of the owners. A few months after their emotional Restaurant: Impossible makeover, we checked in with Evette and Yvonne to see how business is going.
Since Robert’s Restaurant: Impossible intervention, sales at Zandi’s are up 39%. They’ve gone from roughly 30 customers per day up to 70. Evette and Yvonne are slowly catching up on their debt and will soon be able to start paying their mother back.
Evette and Yvonne have made great headway to get the word out about their restaurant and its out-of-the-way location. They fax out specials for the day to local businesses and have distributed menus around town. “We’re also the main sponsor for a local high school; they put our business information on their sporting event handouts such as cups, shirts and rally towels,” they explain.
“Everyone loves the new look! Our favorite changes are the new floor and [interior designer] Taniya’s wall art.” Evette and Yvonne’s mom also likes the changes and is optimistic that business will continue to grow.
The chef that the owners hired, Alan, is no longer at the restaurant. The sisters were able to find a new replacement who has impressed everyone so far. Zandi’s used to hire chefs based solely on their resumes; now, thanks to Robert, they have any chef candidate cook for them as part of the interview process.
Regarding the menu, Evette and Yvonne learned from Robert that less is more, and they’ve stuck with “fewer menu items prepared really well opposed to a lot of items done mediocre.” Customers love the burgers, and milkshake sales are picking up for the summer. They are now gearing up to start serving dinner a few nights a week and are working to secure a beer and wine license.
“Our passion is back and gets stronger as we slowly get caught up on our debt,” Evette and Yvonne say. “We are proud to say we own Zandi’s.”
More from Restaurant Revisited:
The Main Dish (July 18)
Longbranch Steak and Seafood (July 11)
Horton’s Kids (June 13)
Pollard’s (May 30)
University Grill (May 23)
Ristorante Barolo (May 16)
Pappas (May 9)
Mama Lee’s (May 2)
Pelican Grill (April 25)
Valley View (March 14)
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More posts from Sara Levine.
Morons
Unfortunate Alan did not work out. He seemed to bring some professionalism to the place. However, its probably for the best for all concerned. Alan's expertise is probably a better fit at a more upscale establishment where his creativity can be expressed. He brought Zanis up from obscurity, so Zanis made a good decision grabbing him to start.
These food shows are all about conflict – that's why people tune in. Without the drama, it would be a rather boring show. It's interesting to see the transformations, but we have to realize these makeovers often do not last long after the TV staff leave. With the limited time and budget the show has to renovate, we have to keep in mind that the makeover is most often superficial – enough to make a good show set, but not likely something that can last the test of time.
Sorry you feel that way about shows needing the drama, and otherwise being boring. I watch to see transformations of what don't work to what does, and how the process evolves, and how the new businesses are built. I don't care for the drama of conflicts between staff members or anything like that. It's a shame that that's what people think 'sells' this stuff.
I'm from Maryland but not Millersville area so I will probably never visit Zandi's. i agree with the fact that a new sign visible out on the road is a definite to find the front door. After watching the show tonight, I finished the episode thinking these sisters (and mother) were given a great new start with milk shakes and a small menu for their small restaurant. However, after reading the follow-up, and saw that the sisters want to pursue getting a beer and wine license — what are they thinking?!?!?! They are not back at the tiki bar and Zandi's will never be a tiki bar. Please do not ruin what Robert gave you!
I lived in Millersville for 20+ years; less than two miles from Zandi's, and actually saw the camera crew's tents outside, but never went into the joint before or after. Their location is just TERRIBLE, and probably turns people off even when they find it. Local ads and a street sign might help.
You just made an irrelevant and ridiculous comment. You live 2 miles away and have not been. Do you talk in your sleep also? Shut up with the nothingness that could have been something, Ed.
Robert Irvine is an excellent role model for the restaurant business.I wish he was the chef in every restaurant in Queensbury and Glens Falls New York. He should actually check out the restaurants and diners here. I miss the food in Brooklyn and New York City. I learned to cook more and pick up great recipes from him and other chefs from Foodnetwork. Also Rachel Ray is overrated. I used to see her in Pricechopper in the early 1990's handing out test tasters to customers in Malta, New York and she thought she was a great cook. She doesn't do it for me. Robert Irvine should teach her how to cook like him.
Then restruant is actually very small, I have been there in person twice and it looks much larger on TV.