Is Pantaleone’s From Kitchen Nightmares Still Open in 2025?
Pantaleone’s was an Italian restaurant situated in Denver, Colorado. A couple, Pete and Paulette Fafalios had laid its foundations in 1985. Early on, the eatery bagged multiple awards for its exceptional cuisine. But with time, the menu and customer service lost their charm.
A narrow-minded owner, family disputes, and financial constraints aggravated the matter. Chef Gordon Ramsay came in and revamped the whole place and the menu. He also eased the conflict between Pete and his son Josh. The restaurant found a balance between preserving heritage and adapting to modern tastes.
As of 2024, Pantaleone’s is open, with notable changes in the modes of service. Read on to find out how this pizzeria has progressed following its revival.
Table of Content
Reputation of Pantaleone’s After Kitchen Nightmares
Local and Global Support
Pantaleone’s was in for a bumpy ride after the relaunch as some regular customers weren’t fond of the new menu. However, this problem was short-lived, and the business improved by around 70% after the Kitchen Nightmares episode aired. Fans from different parts of the world sent their best wishes to the eatery via social media platforms.
Customer Reviews
Pantaleone’s prides itself on a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and a 4.1-star rating on Yelp. Pizza lovers cherish the occasional chances to watch Pete making his classic pizzas. Most customers hold Pete’s food and service in high regard. They also praise his evolved, hardworking, and business-oriented personality. Others complain about overpriced, subpar food and Pete’s unpleasant behavior.
Recognition from Public Figures
Food Critic Gretchen Kurtz visited Pantaleone’s in April 2014 and expressed her views in a Westword publication. She noted remarkable improvements in food quality and crowned Gordon for this excellence. Fast Food Pit Stops’ Justin stopped by the eatery in June 2019. He ordered the Sausage Pizza that Ramsay had sampled on Kitchen Nightmares.
Pete conversed with the YouTuber in the kitchen and provided him with a pizza-making demonstration. Justin was impressed by the sausage-loaded, cheesy pizza. He regarded its price as reasonable for the size. In January 2020, Colorado Pizza Review complimented Pete’s pizza and declared the dough its finest component.
Owner’s Thoughts about the Appearance of Pantaleone’s on Kitchen Nightmares
According to an ABC Denver article from December 2013, Pete held Gordon responsible for the loss of his restaurant’s regular customers. Despite that, he remained optimistic that the business would prosper once the Kitchen Nightmares episode was aired. The premiere date was excitedly announced on the Facebook page of Pantaleone’s. Later, Pete and Paulette reported a surge in the number of customers and appreciated Ramsay’s helpful strategies.
During a dialogue with Food Reviewer Justin in June 2019, Pete claimed that Gordon’s visit was staged to create a negative image of his pizza place. Allegedly, Pete’s friends weren’t allowed to participate in the show as they loved his pizzas. Pete also revealed that Ramsay had a soft spot for his pizza dough and wanted to know the recipe. This headstrong fellow may have had issues with Gordon, but the website of Pantaleone’s proudly highlights his participation in Kitchen Nightmares.
Later Developments at Pantaleone’s
Key Changes and New Services
The official website of Pantaleone’s now acknowledges Josh Fafalios as one of the restaurant’s owners. A new Facebook page was created, advertising the eatery as Pantaleone’s New York Pizza. Pete started preparing most food items in-house after the relaunch. Pasta and fresh Mozzarella were imported from Italy.
Earlier, the delivery service initiated by Kitchen Nightmares was suspended. Contrarily, Pantalone’s no longer offers dine-in service. They are only open for takeout and home delivery. To expand the business, they started delivering food through Grubhub and Slice.
Key Event
The owners took to Facebook to cordially invite people to watch the broadcast of Kitchen Nightmares on 11th April 2014, at Pantaleone’s. No details about the event’s turnaround were shared online.
Menu and Service Availability
The current menu of Pantaleone’s is concise and straightforward. Pete has managed to retain some of the changes made by Gordon. The plethora of Italian dishes on the menu include:
- Caesar Salad: Made with Garlic Croutons and romaine drenched in a creamy dressing. Available for $15.
- Pizzas: A selection of ten meaty and vegetarian pizzas starting from $12. The Sausage Pizza is the top contender in taste.
- Baked Ziti: Topped with Mozzarella and Marinara sauce. Priced at $21 with additional charges for Ricotta cheese.
- Spaghetti & Meatballs: Served with Parmesan, tomato sauce, and basil for $21.
- Cannoli: A combination of Ricotta, chocolate chips, and powdered sugar. It is the only dessert on the menu and costs $10.
Pantaleone’s conducts delivery and takeout services between 11:00 AM to 09:00 PM from Tuesday to Saturday. Slice orders can be made from 11:00 AM to 04:00 PM. As shown in the episode, the restaurant remains closed on Sundays and Mondays. The owners seem to have abandoned their website and social media.
Owners’ Pursuit of Fortune
Over the years, Pete has maintained a public presence through interviews. Paulette and Josh have chosen to take a back seat in enjoying their joint accomplishments. Initially, it was hard for the family to uphold the high standards set by Gordon.
Some old habits crept back but they stuck to Ramsay’s tactics and changes. Pete is committed to making flavorful pizzas and compensates for culinary shortcomings with commendable hospitality. The family continues to run the business with Josh playing a vital role in its operations.
Conclusion
Overall, Pantaleone’s has emerged as a real-time Kitchen Nightmares success story. Pete, Paulette, and Josh Fafalios have finally adopted an efficient restaurant management approach. They have treasured their secret pizza crust recipe and Chef Gordon Ramsay’s mentorship time and again. Their journey serves as a testament to the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and collaboration in a business.
Where can you watch Kitchen Nightmares? You can watch Kitchen Nightmares on Fox.
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- Full Season 7 Updates
- Gordon Ramsay Merchandise
- Restaurants Closed or Not?
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