Leo's Italian Grill - Kitchen Nightmares Update

On this week's episode of Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay is in Cedar Creek, Texas to help out the restaurant Leo's Italian Grill. A family tragedy has made the restaurant decline with low-quality ingredients and a lack of customer service.  While Gordon is there, he finds they are reusing pans in the kitchen and a customer has to send back a shrimp dish because it is not properly cooked. Gordon will need to help the owner rediscover his passion in hopes of turning this restaurant around.

Kitchen Nightmares visited Leo's Italian Grill in October 2024 to film the episode, and I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Leo's Italian Grill to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Gordon Ramsay visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews are post Kitchen Nightmares):

Positive Reviews:

• "I was craving Italian for dinner. The perfect local spot for it! Everything was great and the service was impeccable. I had the Bucatini with meatballs and meat sauce. I will definitely come back"
• "The pepperoni pizza was delicious! Everything tasted very fresh, especially the tomato sauce/marinara. Crispy crust, cupped pepperoni, fresh sauce...As for atmosphere, the décor isn't super modern, but I can't eat decorations."
• "I don't understand how this place is in a small town. It has amazing food and they were very courteous. Must try if you're ever near."
• "Great little Italian place. There are lovely rooms for both a date night and a family dinner. Food is great!! Really enjoyed the Chanti. Wonderful service."
• "Just had lunch (and went back a few days later for dinner!) at the new Leo’s Italian Grill in Cedar Creek, and I absolutely love the changes to the decor, and the food menu. I tried five different things from the menu, and my friend tried a couple different things. Loved the Tomato Salad, Fried Polenta Sticks, Fingerling Potatoes, Eggplant Parmesan! I absolutely adore the cozy Italian vibe atmosphere that has been created with the changes they did."

Negative Reviews:

• "Food is extremely mediocre. Not true Italian. Service was acceptable. Nothing tasted home made. Will not go back. I make so much better at home."
• "The place itself is cute, well decorated and clean. The food is fresh but just very underwhelming and flavor profiles are not traditional. Marinara should not have sugar and taste overly sweet. The hospitality is definitely not Italian. Whatever dinner entree you order, that is all you're going to get along with a small, airy piece of bread that lacks crust, bite, flavor and doesn't hold its sauce. No salad, soup or other bread included. Ordering a side salad costs almost as much as a meal. Portions are small."
• "No idea how this place is rated so high. The food was bland and needed flavor added at the table. I doubt the " homemade bread" was freshly made. The pasta was off the shelf. The cheesecake was oddly dense. This is an honest review, I hope they do better."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

• The makeover for Leo's Italian Grill happened in October 2024 and here is a preview video of the episode.
• Here is the Leo's Italian Grill website and Facebook page.  
• The restaurant posted the following message on their website about the upcoming episode, "Attention Guests!  The rumors are true!  Our restaurant will be featured on Kitchen Nightmares with Chef Gordan Ramsay!  The episode will air Tuesday, March 4th at 7pm cst on Fox (available to stream on Hulu starting Wednesday, March 5th).  A "Nightmare" means something different for everyone.   We have lived through ours (at least we are trying to).  Most of you will be surprised at what is revealed in this emotional episode (don't forget the tissues), but you should know that serving you is what has helped us get up and face each new day.  We have a story to tell, and while it may include some of the typical "drama" Kitchen Nightmares is known for, this episode will be quite different from any you have ever seen.  I thought we were crazy to agree to be a part of this show; but on this side of things, I firmly believe that we were incredibly brave.  We pray that you feel the same way.  We will close the restaurant at 6pm on Tuesday March 4th for a private viewing of the episode with our team.  We hope you will watch our journey unfold.  You will discover the reasons behind some of the recent changes, learn more about Leo, Michelle, and their family, and see a flame reignited.  Then come see us when we reopen for normal business hours on Wednesday, March 5th (11am - 8pm)."
• A recent comment from the restaurant says they have gone back to their original sauces because the customers preferred them over Gordon Ramsay's.  Also portion sizes remain the same as before.
• Here are the reviews for Leo's Italian Grill on Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google. 
• They have a 4.4-star average on Yelp and there are a lot of reviews.
• The restaurant takes the time to respond to reviews on review sites.

Conclusion:

The reviews for Leo's Italian Grill since the Kitchen Nightmares makeover have been somewhat mixed with some people liking the food and others calling it bland.  The restaurant was advertising its upcoming appearance on the show and said a flame was reignited.  Leo's said they have gone back to their original sauces because that is what customers preferred and their portion sizes remain the same. They also take the time to respond to reviews(both positive and negative) on review sites.



*To see updates on all the restaurants from Kitchen Nightmares and to see which ones are open or closed, visit the Kitchen Nightmares Update Page. Plus Follow on Twitter to keep up to date on closings.