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When Robert Irvine arrived at Whistle Stop restaurant in Hot Springs, Ark., he found an outdated dining space and dirty kitchen in desperate need of a makeover.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“What I love about the Whistle Stop,” said Lynn, “is that we took an outdated buffet and layout that just consumed space and reimagined the look and layout to make it more customer friendly.”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
ROBERT WASTED HIS TIME AND MONEY ON THE WHISTLE STOP.
DID NOT EVEN STAY TO EAT…
I totally agree! NOBODY had a clue!!
No, you didn't have to tell someone, especially not here. Go post it on Facebook or something.
Sorry to hear it closed.
I tried to go to the Whistle Stop on 3/14/2013 and it had been closed down.
I just saw the episode , with hope for a happy ending that sucks to hear
what kind of life do you have when you feel compelled to post an off-subject feel-goody anecdote about your day at the beach with your kids on a forum dedicated to something entirely different? Jepchamp is right….YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO TELL SOMEONE ON THIS FORUM. Find the RIGHT forum for your mindless rantings and ravings about completely off-topic things. Find the right forum for that…believe me, there are many. Do you have a life AT ALL???
I can't believe Linda (Whistle Stop) just threw it all away. Robert and his crew busted their asses on that dump!
What made you think Linda wouldn't throw it all away? She seemed about as incapable of a person to run a restaurant than I've ever seen. Something tells me she couldn't even run a lemonade stand much less a restaurant filled with those morons. You just knew Linda and the head cook had no chance to remember anything that was taught to them. I can see Linda landing on her feet and running a mediocre "antique store" — w/o antiques, just a bunch of crap that people like Linda's workers would buy.
Alot of these guys wait until it's too late to save. One month from closing!!! Yet it never occurred to Linda in 4 years to take one online class to learn how to do her books. I think Robert needs to help people with at least a chance at making it.
Have watched Chef Robert Irvine for the past several years. Looks like Food Network is setting him out to dry. He should be in a venue that truly showcases the talent he possesses. My wife and I are disappointed in Food Network that they waste his talent for accomplishing the 'impossible" when he could be put to much better use.
My daughter and her family lives in Hot Springs,AR and they definitely know the difference between Salmon and a chili dog and much prefer Salmon. The Whistle Stop is now a Pizza Restaurant. My Granddaughter just started working there.
It's always sad to see one's dream go down the drain and you lose your investment,it means nothing to a major restaurant corporation, but when an individual loses everything it has to be devastating. My heart goes out to her and her family and I hope she was able to recover some of her investment.
Yes, we definitely know the difference! We do prefer Salmon & Seafood over anything else. And for the record, Hot Springs does serve and has the best Seafood and the best Ma & Pop burger places! It is sad to see The Whistle Stop shut down. It had been open for a long time and had tones of business. I don't know what happened or why, but, it obviously needed help or Linda would not have asked for help and it is devastating to lose everything in this community of Ma & Pop business's that are not connected to big chains like Chili's, Outback etc….It is now a Pizza Pub and I hope it works out! It looks really nice in there and it's really comfortable, and the food and service is great :)
You're probably right but if you'll give us a way of contacting you some of us might be able to teach you some manners…unless you're too buried in "stupid" to see beyond it.
That's good stuff right there
As far as "TheRick" comment is concerned about not the classiest spot to live, let me remind you, this is a retirement community surrounded by Natural Forrest that people from all over come to visit. It is one of the "hot spot" vacation destination, and we do have a lot of classy people who live here!! My question to you is, for you to make that comment, you must live here and aren't classy and not happy with yourself and you went there too, so what does that make you?. And who are you to judge anyone by the way they look?
Quit being so butt hurt over someone's opinion. Be happy that at least you're not Mississippi!