Restaurant Revisited: Whistle Stop by Maria Russo in Shows, October 3rd, 2012
When Robert Irvine arrived at Whistle Stop restaurant in Hot Springs, Ark., he found an outdated dining space and dirty kitchen in desperate need of a makeover. Linda Todd, employee-turned-owner of Whistle Stop, needed Robert’s help to transform her restaurant into a profitable business and effectively manage her staff. We checked in with Linda to see how the restaurant is doing a few months after its Restaurant: Impossible renovation. Hear from the owner below then take a photo tour of the restaurant and see before-and-after snapshots of the Whistle Stop’s dining room and buffet station.
Since Robert left, the restaurant has begun breakfast service, which Linda says “is doing pretty well” so far. “We started doing breakfast a little over 2 weeks ago and it is doing pretty well. Hopefully it will continue to grow.” She also notes that Brett does not work at Whistle Stop anymore.
In terms of the decor, Robert turned to designer Lynn Kegan to take what was once a dark and drab dining room with multicolored holiday lights, faux greenery and dated black chairs and turn it into a bright, relaxing area with comfortable, contemporary silver seating.
Additionally, the team improved the flow of Whistle Stop by moving the buffet station from one side of the restaurant to the other.
“What I love about the Whistle Stop,” said Lynn, “is that we took an outdated buffet and layout that just consumed space and reimagined the look and layout to make it more customer friendly.”
Tell us: What do you think of the new space?
More From Restaurant Revisited:
The Maple Tree Cafe (September 26)
Michele’s (September 19)
Paliani’s Restaurant (September 12)
Frankie’s (September 5)
Gusanoz (August 29)
Stella’s (August 8)
Italian Village (August 1)
Zandi’s (July 25)
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 Maria Russo.
Tags: Restaurant Impossible
wrong episode…..
Yes some of the posts are deleted if they are inappropriate. This is the website for the FN RI updates.
The update comes from the owners so what you see is what you get. That gives us more information than the update does, from what isn't said. The restaurant is still open and Ms. Todd is still running it.
We haven't heard from too many people that have actually eaten in the restaurant since the makeover. So there isn't too much information at this time on how the restaurant is doing. There are more questions than there are answers on this one!
The actual write up said Brett was no longer there !
It's AR not AK (that would be Alaska). Learn your US state abbreviations before commenting with an exclaimation point! I am from TX (that's Texas ;) )
T
That is good to hear…Linda obviously has her heart in the right place & I admired her determination…I wish her continued sucess
It's AR not AK (that would be Alaska). Learn the US state abbreviations before commenting with an exclaimation point! I am from TX (that would be Texas ;) )
I don't understand why you have thumbs down. I completely agree, but personally I don't enjoy eating in filth. I guess not everyone minds it.
What I think about restaurants getting away with having unsanitary conditions, putting customers health on the line, is the inspectors themselves are lazy and have that "I don't care attitude, I still get paid whether or not I pass them". Maybe health inspectors should have their own homes inspected before they are hired to make sure they are clean in their own homes. After watching these types of shows, I would LOVE to be an inspector! If I came across a restaurant like the ones we have seen, I would have them shut down ON THE SPOT! Don't give them another 6 months to 'clean it up'….They would have to clean it up, then inspect again. You don't pass, you don't open!
My family has eaten at The Whistle Stop about once a month since the Makeover in July. We like it. And we aren't Hillbillies like one posting person said those who eat there must be. I did let the owner know the baked catfish tasted dirty/muddy. Missy the waitress is still very friendly. Everything looks clean. Buffet is great. More flavor now.
catfish many, many times have this "taste"..they eat mud and food that sits in mud..either you get a catfish taste that is better than trout…or it tastes like mud..nothing the owner can do
Hi Glenn, this is where you are wrong. Secret to excellent catfish. First keep cat fish alive and place them in your bathtub full of fresh cold water. Pour 1 cup of "corn meal" and allow catfish to stay over night. They will digest corn meal quickly which completely gets rid of all foul taste and leaves you with the sweetest tasting catfish ever!! Bona Petite… Charlie J.
This site is very hard to navigate to find out up dates…..!