All language subtitles for Kitchen.Nightmares.US.S08E07.1080p.HEVC.x265.MeGusta

- This week, I'm in yonkers,
new york, where the owners

Of a family-run puerto rican
restaurant, el cantito,

Have asked for my help

After a disastrous few years
since opening.

- I'm julio. I'm 47 years old.

- I'm debbie. I'm 52 years old.

Both: And we're the owners
of el cantito cafe in yonkers.

- El cantito,
it didn't start here.

It started from mami's kitchen
when we were growing up.

- So my mom was a great cook.

The whole neighborhood
loved her cooking.

And then my brother,
he was always with her

In the kitchen,
and he became very passionate.

It was my mother's dream
to open up a restaurant.

My name is debbie.
- Debbie.

- And then
my brother's chef julio.

He's the executive chef.

My parents both are deceased,

And these are
my grandma's recipes.

In 2017, I took
an early retirement.

Have you been here before?
- No.

- Okay. Puerto rican food.

This location became available,

And me and my brother
went for it.

This is the dream.

I put everything in
this restaurant,

My whole entire life savings.

We opened el cantito
March 10th, 2020.

These are the empanadas.

For five days,
the place got full,

And I'm like, "oh, my god,
you know, this is it."

Such an amazing feeling to have

People eating
and enjoying our food.

And then all of a sudden...

[dramatic music]

The world shut down,

And el cantito had
to shut down 'cause of covid.

- We used all our money
to survive.

After covid, people just don't
wanna come out.

I don't know why they don't
come to el cantito cafe.

Why not?

- 'cause we don't make what
we need to make, I can't staff.

- The dishwasher is
not working too well.

- I don't have a dishwasher.
I cook, I clean, I wash dishes.

- Yeah.

- I'm chef e, the sous chef
at el cantito.

Every day, things are bad

Because of malfunctioning
equipment.

- I can't--I can't open it.

- The salad trough is busted
and the fridge was broken.

- Yeah.
- It is.

- Here's some water, guys.
I'm so sorry about the heat.

Our ac system broke down
last summer.

Have you guys ever been
to puerto rico, though?

- No.
- This is what it feels like.

- It's a lot to juggle,
and then to keep a smile...

What am I doing?
And to keep that energy...

- Really salty?
- It is, yeah.

- It's stressful.
And it's hard.

- This is unbelievable.
This is unreal.

- I have seen the--
the decline in his passion.

I know that his fire is out
because he's tired,

And I get frustrated sometimes.

[groans] come on, come on.

- Julio gets very, very quiet
when he's stressed out.

- You know, it's times
that we have gone through

In the past during service
where it's like,

We say bare minimum
to each other.

- I'm debbie's daughter,
and I'm julio's niece.

Things have been really tough,

To the point where my mom had
to get another job.

And it's like,
she gets no breaks.

- Did you guys want
something else?

- No, I think we're all set.
- Dessert? The bill.

Our money is, you know,
running low.

And the little cushion we had
is no longer there.

- I don't like to give up,
but it takes its toll.

- With the pressure,
I'm worried.

I believe that julio
will crumble.

- Things have to change.
If not,

The doors are going to close.

- I need help.
I need--I--we need help.

- Crazy, it doesn't take
that long to plate.

[bleep]

- This place is a death trap.

If I can't help you,
you can't help yourself.

Rot has set in.

Smell it!

Shut it down.

I'm in yonkers, new york,
to visit el cantito,

A puerto rican restaurant
serving food based

On their family recipes.

Now I'm really expecting
a celebration

Of those amazing flavors
that really does show off

That beautiful island.

And this is it.

Hello.

[tense music]

- Gordon is here
at el cantito cafe.

Hello.

I am very nervous.

But whatever it is
that gordon says,

I'm gonna give it my all.

How are you?
- Very well, thank you.

How are you?
Nice to see you.

- I am great, thank you.
- Good.

- Uh, table for how many?
- Uh--

- Just one, yourself? [laughs]

- I, uh--I think--
- sorry.

- It's all good.

And you are?
- Debbie.

- Debbie. Nice to meet you.

You're the owner, right?
- Yes, I am.

- Where would you like me
to sit?

[light whimsical music]

- Uh, sorry.
- Don't worry. You okay?

- Yeah, I'm good.
- Thank you.

- Oh, my god, I'm going to cook
for gordon ramsay.

You know, it--it puts on
so much more pressure on me.

- Is it hot in here,
or is it me?

- Yes, no, it's very hot
in here.

Our air conditioner broke down.
- Air condition broke down?

Damn, I'm sorry.
Maybe start with some

Ice cold water, please?
- Water?

- Yes, please. Thanks, love.

[upbeat music]

Okay.
"all about us.

"el cantito translates
to 'the small piece.'

"now through my cooking,
I strive to bring

"the authenticity
of puerto rico.

"my gratification emerges

"when a customer tries a meal
"I've prepared for them

"and leaves feeling fulfilled,
and most importantly,

Nostalgic, as they've just left
grandma's kitchen."

Multiple times I've been
to puerto rico,

And the island's just gorgeous.

And I think of colors,
flavors of puerto rico.

And there is nothing
that takes me back

To puerto rico in here,

Not even a [bleep] two-dollar
fake candle.

The interior here is
a little bit dreary.

It's dark.
It's gray, unfinished.

- Hello, I'm your server,
justin.

What are we thinking?

- So let's start off
with the bacalaítos.

Let's do the shrimp ceviche
as well, please.

I gotta take an empanada
as well.

- Oh, you have to.
- Yeah. Who makes them?

- Julio.

- And how would you describe
his food

On a scale of one to ten?

- Oh, I always say ten.

- I love that.
- This food is good.

- Can I try the snapper
as well, please?

- Got it.

- Okay.

[suspenseful music]

- This is the bacalaíto
and the ceviche.

- Love it. Thank you.

So why did you decide
to buy this place?

- Our dream was
to open up a restaurant...

- Right.
- All our lives.

- Where was julio's job?

- He was working
as a general manager

Right before we opened here.

- So not as a chef?

- He never worked
as a chef-chef.

- Why would he become a chef
if he's never trained as one?

- He already knew the recipes,
cooked with my mom.

She was an amazing cook.

So we put our heads together
and opened it.

Enjoy.
- Okay.

Well, this looks unappetizing,
and the presentation is awful.

Just take that greasy [bleep]
off of it.

I lived on empanadas
in puerto rico,

And empanadas should
be stuffed of excitement.

But this thing is
just greasy and bland.

That is gross.

Okay. Bacalaítos.

That's supposed
to be a codfish fritter.

It is so greasy.

Justin,

Are these things normally
supposed to be that greasy?

- They are straight
from the fryer.

- They should be crisp
and less greasy.

I'll, uh--I'll make room
for my ceviche, thank you.

- And I'll bring you
some more napkins.

- And a, uh,
[bleep] degreasing mat.

- Julio. Okay.

So his critique was
that they were very greasy.

They were supposed
to be more crispy.

- Okay.

- Okay. Ceviche.

Shrimp look sort of
a weird, off-color.

The flavor's bad. Wow.

The shrimp taste frozen.

They taste watery.

The secret, like any ceviche,
it's all about the combination,

The freshest ingredients
put together

In the simplest of fashion.

And this is thrown together
with someone

That has fallen out of love
with cooking.

It says here, "flavors
that just come straight

From my grandma's kitchen."

Well, this does taste like
my grandma's kitchen,

Except my grandma's
[bleep] dead.

Justin, it looks off.

The color's gone.
What's happened there?

Are they frozen?

- I'm not sure.
- Wow. Okay.

Well, I'm struggling to get
to a ten three appetizers deep.

- Okay, so his critique was
that it looks off.

He was like, "it looks gray."
- okay.

Everything is going wrong.

Like, we--you know, we have--
I've done this so many times,

And it's just like--
it's not--it's not coming out.

- Hi, are you guys ready
to order?

- Fried chicken chunks
to start?

- Sure.

- How is it?

- Maybe I'm spoiled.

My grandma's so good
at cooking the rice, but--

- And is your grandma
from puerto rico?

- Yeah, she's from puerto rico.

- Taste any grandma's flavor
in there?

- No, no.
- 'cause the--chef julio said

That the grandma essence is
in his food here, so.

- Uh, justin.

He's not even saying the rice
is anywhere near a five,

Let alone a ten.

- Well, maybe he has
a different preference.

- No, his grandma's
from puerto rico,

And I think he knows his stuff.

- Here. Press it on top.
Chef, press it on top.

[bell dings]

- So here we have the chillo...
- Oh, wow. Thanks.

- Served with tostones
with the garlic sauce.

- Wow. Hello, baby.

- Hello, baby.
- [kisses] thank you.

[bleep]

Oh, [bleep].

[tense music]

Both: Thank you.

- Back to talk
to you right now.

- I thought they were gonna
just--at least

Just cut these off
so I don't have to, uh,

Rip my esophagus off
halfway through eating.

Not an ounce of seasoning,
just overcooked and dry.

It's like we've forgotten
what puerto rico stands for.

It's dull.

A tad under $30 for that,
in yonkers--

Anyone paying that needs
to be [bleep] bonkers.

So this food could be
so much better

If the individual cooking it
understood the basics.

It's like there's no blood
running through his veins.

It's bland.

- He basically just said
it was bland.

- Bland? Oh, lord.

The best chef, and--and I've
messed up all of his dishes.

I cook so well, you know?

And for me--and for me
to mess up his dishes--

- Here you guys go.
Both: Thank you.

- And I'm coming back
with your card.

- Have you been to puerto rico?
- Never. I'm puerto rican.

- And you've never been there?
- It's--it's a shame.

- [retching, coughing]

- That's--that's not right.

[toilet flushing]

Oh boy.

- [coughs]

- Are you okay?

- You've just thrown up
in the bathroom?

What did you eat?

- The chicken's raw?

- Oh, my god.

Have you got chicken
on there as well?

Are they cooked?

Please check
that's cooked properly,

Will you, please?

[squelching]

[bleep]

[sizzling]

- I'm at el cantito, where
I've just witnessed

Food being served that could
have killed someone.

No more customers.
Shut it down, okay?

- Uh, chef, the chicken
was undercooked.

- I hope that, you know,
you're okay.

And if you need anything,
just let us know.

- Thank you.

- This is not the first time
that's happened.

It's happened a few times.

- Gordon asked me
to tell everyone to leave.

- I need to talk
to head chef, julio,

And his sister, debbie, now...

- Chef wants to meet you.
- Are you kidding me?

[bowl clatters]

- To figure out
what the hell is going on.

Because this place is
a total nightmare.

Hey.
- Hey, chef.

- It's julio?
- Yes. How are you, chef?

- That lunch was
not what I expected.

Julio, how do you send
raw chicken out to a young kid?

The poor kid was puking up
in the bathroom.

I'm disappointed
because I came in,

I grabbed this bio,

And the line that stands out is
that "my gratification emerges

"when a customer tries a meal
I prepared for them

"and leaves feeling fulfilled,

As if they've just left
my grandma's kitchen."

Honestly, halfway
through my lunch,

I wanted to pick you up
and fly down to puerto rico

To remind you
of what it should be like.

Who wrote the recipes there?
- Me, but I don't have 'em

Written down.
I have 'em--

- So you're just cooking
from memory?

- Mm-hmm.
- So we're guessing?

- Uh, well, yeah.
- [burbles lips]

[bleep]

Everything just tasted greasy,
no seasoning, and just--

It was--it was
really unpleasant.

If this young man wasn't
your brother,

Would you employ him?

[tense music]

- No.

My brother has a passion
for cooking,

And I believe in his food,
and we had it.

We had it there
at the beginning.

We lost it
because we don't have help.

We don't have
the proper personnel.

- I work under a lot
of pressure.

I mean, I do everything.
I do the groceries,

I come back, I prep, I cook it,
I plate it, I serve it.

I ask the guests
how they're doing.

I go back there.

I do it all over again
and every day.

- He's tired, just like I am.

I come in here, I sweep, mop.

[stammers] you know,
and--and have a second job,

'cause I have another job, so.

- Do you have a second job?
- Yes, I do.

[somber music]

- [bleep]
- yeah. I work--

- And does that money come
into the business?

- Mm-hmm. Yeah.
- [bleep]

I had no idea we were
this far down the ladder.

And the one ingredient
I'm missing most,

Do you know what it is?

- Love?
- Love.

The one ingredient
you can't buy.

When you don't raise
those standards

In that kitchen,
it just disappears.

It's hard to help a chef
that's given up.

I'm here to help.

Do you want to be here?

- Of course I want to be here.

- I'll be back in 24 hours.

I wanna see this place
functioning.

I want to see what it's like
behind the line,

In the dining room.

I wanna have a look
at where the cracks are.

Try to put some passion
into it, would you, please?

- Yes, I will, chef.

[dramatic music]

- It's a new day,
and after tasting

A disastrous menu
at el cantito,

I'm coming back
to see how the restaurant runs

During a busy service,

Which I hope is filled
with passion.

- Tonight I'm gonna find
that fire

And I'm gonna fight,
and I'm gonna cook

With the taste,
the passion, the love.

We need communication tonight.
- Yeah.

- We need to make sure that
we're all on the same page,

That we're all communicating,
and we need to help.

All hands on board.
- Yeah.

Both: Let's get ready
for dinner.

[tense music]

- Here are some menus
to get you guys started.

- Thank you.

- So chicharron de pollo,
but with mofongo?

- Sure.

- There's grilled chicken.

- Hi, guys.

So, uh, julio, just talk me
through the process.

Who's doing what?
- I'm saute--

- Right, so chef e is on fry.
- Fry and grill.

- Gotcha.
[bell dings]

What the [bleep] is that for?

- So this is for julio,
and he starts off the shift

Like this, which is
the smiley face.

And then by the end
of his shift, he's like this.

You tell us your mood
from back there.

- So what kind of mood
are you in today?

- I'm in a happy mood.
- You're in a happy mood?

- I'm in a happy mood.
- Thank [bleep] for that.

Man, this is tight here, right?
- Yeah.

- Why is everything so close?

Yeah, what's happened
to the gap behind there?

What happened?
- Well, going back and forth

Was a challenge for me,
and when we had--

- Going back and forth
was a challenge?

- Yeah.
- Really?

- It took me a long time, yeah.
So we--

- It takes you a long time
to get over there?

- Well, to you get what I have
to go and then drop it off

And then bring it back, it was
easier for me to kind of--

- So we're bumping
into each other?

I can't get past chef e.

- Yeah,
that's my challenge also.

- Your challenge?
- Yeah.

We're always bumping
into each other.

- You created the challenge.

Come with me.
- Sure.

- We're going
for a really long walk.

Just step here. Ready?
We'll do this together.

- Okay.
- It takes a long time

To get the other side
of the kitchen.

One, two, three.
- [laughs]

- How long did that take?
- Didn't take much at all.

It didn't take that long.
- 1 1/2 seconds.

He sort of almost
encased himself

In this tiny little square.

All this space.

This is so weird.

Kitchens shouldn't be run
like that.

They should be seamless,
organized,

And have enough space
to navigate.

[upbeat percussive music]

- Fried corn fritters.

- Does the chef ever
call orders out?

Does he talk to you?

Is--is it always this silent?

- We're pretty quiet.

- Does he not tell you
what's on?

- Um, he'll say sometimes.

- You don't call anything out?

You just read the tickets?
- I just read the tickets.

- Wow.

That's a very strange setup,
very strange indeed.

Hello. How are we?
- Hello.

- How's the food?

- No. A lot of carcass.
All: Yeah.

- Enjoy.

For the--the pat
that she's doing.

- Crispy, yeah.

[tense music]

[water running]

- That is my fresh shrimp.

- Oh, I didn't put that in.
- Julio.

- I know, but I need it
for now, chef.

- You need it now?
- Yeah.

I'm doing, uh, rice
and seafood.

- But you just fast-tracked
the defrosting of them.

When you soak them,
they just absorb the water.

- Chef, I don't have enough--
- what are you doing?

Whatever flavor,
you've washed that off.

It's gone, so they're just
gonna turn into rubber.

Oh, julio, julio.

Oh, my god.

- Yes, chef.
- What's wrong with you?

- I don't know, chef.
I'm tired, chef. I'm trying.

- That's--that's worse
than being tired in there.

What's happened there?
- I don't have the staff.

I'm really nervous
'cause you're around, and--

- I'm here to help, julio.

But that there, I mean,
it's just like--you're so--

- It's sloppy.
- You know it's sloppy.

- It's sloppy. I know.
- [bleep]

- I know.
- If your mother walked in,

Would she say?

- She would probably slap me.
- She'd be fuming.

- Yeah, she would.
- Fuming. It's crazy.

[bleep]

He's just literally cooking
like a zombie, no love,

No flare, but more importantly,

Cooking like he doesn't want
to be here.

[dramatic music]

[sizzling]

[tense music]

- I'm at puerto rican
restaurant

El cantito,

Where it's become clear
that chef julio has

Let standards slip.

- I just want this day
to be over.

- So I've had to resort
to drastic measures.

I've invited renowned
puerto rican chef

And star of "next level chef,"
omi hopper,

To dine undercover.

The most outstanding dish
tonight

Was the halibut three ways.

[applause]

That has shown such creativity.

Omi will be dining in disguise

So she's not recognized
by debbie or julio.

- Omi is a incredible
puerto rican chef

That understands flavors,
understands freshness,

But more importantly,
cooks from the heart.

Her deep-rooted passion
for puerto rican cuisine

Makes her the perfect person
to help identify

Just what's going wrong
at el cantito.

- You're doing this one.

Okay.

That one.

- Here we go.

- We have the alcapurrias.

I'll put this like this.

- Okay, thank you.

- The fried chicken is
already fighting up.

- Uh-huh. [laughs]

- I got you.

- Oh, my god.

Um, what--what--

- Oh, [bleep].
- Ooh, be careful.

- You okay?
- You all right?

- You good?
- Is that oil down there?

- Yeah.

- Why is it
so [bleep] greasy here?

Is something leaking?
- I don't think so.

- Two seconds.
Just come out the way a minute.

Well, who cleans this?

Chef, when was the last time
you cleaned it?

- Every three months.
- Every three months?

But it needs
to be cleaned once a week.

Wait. Let me find out...

Oh, [bleep].

- [bleep]

- That right now is
an absolute fire hazard.

- Yeah.
- That's full.

All that [bleep]
dripping down the back,

Coming down through here,
and causing an absolute hazard.

Oh boy.

- Tonight is the worst night
in three years.

- What else are
you hiding here?

Where's the walk-in
refrigeration?

- The refrigeration is
downstairs in the basement.

- [bleep]
what's the smell in here?

[shudders]

What the [bleep]?

The [bleep] is that?

That was--

A [bleep] lemon.

Bloody hell.
[bleep]

Oh, [bleep].

Chicken breasts on top
of the plantain.

[bleep]

Who the [bleep] is gonna eat
that?

Marinated in what?

This just proves
that the whole place

Has got a lack of standards.

So sad.

[tense music]

I mean, [bleep].

These owners have given up,
man.

[trills lips]

[bleep]

[toilet flushes]
[bleep]

Sorry. [bleep]
no, you come out first.

[bleep] sorry.
- You sure?

- Yeah, well, I'm more
concerned you've seen that now.

Sorry. Oh, [bleep].

Debbie?
What--

Just stop what you're doing.

What the hell is going on here?

What is that? What is this?

Talk to me, please!
What are you doing?

Fresh ones on top
of the old one.

Now come on. Talk to me, julio.

- Chef, I-I lost interest,
chef.

- Oh, my god, I can't believe
this is happening.

- [bleep]

What is this?

What is this?

Talk to me, julio.

[coughs]

- It's bad.
- It's what?

- It's bad. It's ham.

- This is basic cleanliness.

This is dangerous.

Stop taking orders and ask
those customers, politely,

To get the [bleep] out
of here now.

Now!
- I--

- Now, now, now!
[clapping]

- Hello, guys.

Um, so we're having a bit
of a problem,

And we're having
everyone leave.

I'm so sorry about that.

Bye-bye, guys.
Have a good one.

- All right. Thank you.

- You have dignity and respect
and self-esteem.

- Yes. My mom taught me, yes.

- And none of that is
being practiced

On a daily basis in here.
- I did.

- What do you mean, "I did"?
I'm talking about the present!

We're in the [bleep].

- I know. I know we [bleep].

- You can dig deeper,

And you can step up
to the mark.

We can't do it without a fight.

My big question is,
do you have it in you?

[dramatic music]

[sizzling]

- I'm in yonkers, new york.

I've had to shut down
family-run restaurant

El cantito due
to the kitchen's lack

Of hygiene
and safety standards.

- I haven't lost it, deb.
You know I--

- I know. I know you have it.
- You know that I'm still here.

And I wanna make this place
great, you know that.

- I know, and we're gonna make
it great.

[moving piano music]

The reason why I put up
that money is

Because I believe in you.

I ate your food all my life.

Our friends, our family,
we know

That your food is good.

That is the reason why
I trusted my money

Into your passion.

- Debbie, julio, I...

I need to see you both here.

I feel that julio,
he's bringing himself down,

The restaurant down,
but more importantly,

His family down.

If you wanna play the big chef
with your name on the jacket

And the big intro as you walk
through the door, then step up.

You're not being true
to yourself.

The way you're performing,

It's downright disrespectful
to here.

I love puerto rico.
I fell in love with that place.

And I reached out
to a friend of mine.

I said, just--
just come and eat.

And trust me, she knows
her puerto rican food,

Let me tell you,
because she is a phenomenon.

[dramatic music]

Please would you take
your glasses

And your wig off, please?

This is--
- hola, mi gente.

- This is omi.
- It's me under here.

- You'll recognize her
from "next level chef."

- It's amazing to have omi
in the restaurant.

- My god.

- Omi was present tonight,

Having dinner,
my eyes and ears.

- This is crazy.

I actually attended to her,
and I didn't realize.

Was that embarrassing
a little bit?

Oh, my god.

- If you would describe
tonight's experience,

How would you put that
in your own words, omi?

- It's really tough because
when I go and I eat our food,

I expect a level of excellence.

And there was just so many
things that it was lacking.

So greasy.

If that is someone's
first experience

Eating puerto rican food,
would they come back?

[tense music]

There is a level of excellence
that we have to strive for.

[gentle music]

- Why has that love gone
from your food?

Do you want this?
- Hell yeah.

I wake up every morning wanting
to cook with that passion

I've always done it for,
since I was 14 years old, chef,

Cooking with my mom.

I love to cook.

- And if your mother was sat
with omi tonight?

- She would be embarrassed.

- We have to get
that fire back.

The fire was there,
the first year.

We have to get it back,

And the first year was
our toughest year.

- What she just said,
that's how I want to hear you,

With that desire,
and that fight, that spirit.

And that's the only thing
that's gonna

Dig you out of this hole.

Now it's been a long day.

What I am gonna tell you is

That there are
big changes coming.

I wanna say a special thank you
to you and your girlfriends,

And would you come back
tomorrow night?

Just give us 24 hours.
- Absolutely.

- I appreciate it.
I'll see you tomorrow.

Take care. Thanks.
- Bye, mama. Gracias.

[dramatic music]

- I want you to take a moment,
and to thank your sister

Like you've never done
in the last three years,

Because she's always
been there.

You need to think about stress,
and how hard it is

Bringing two jobs
into this business

To keep the lights on.

- Deb, I never get to talk,
so I never tell you this.

But I appreciate you so...
- I know.

- Much.
- I know.

- And I'm proud of you.

And I know you believe in me.
- I do.

- I'm sorry
if I disappointed you,

And I'm sorry if I--
if I got too comfortable, or--

You mean so much to me.

- I know.
- You know that, right?

- And you mean a whole lot
to me.

We got this. We got this.
We got it. We got it.

- When gordon told me
that I cook like I don't care,

It stung, because it's true.

And I don't wanna disappoint
my sister.

You know,
she's my number one fan.

She's, like, my rock.

She--you know,
she--she pushes me.

- Bring it back
to that kitchen.

Bring it back.

[sizzling]

- Last night,
I closed el cantito

And called out chef julio
for his lack

Of hygiene and passion
in the kitchen.

Overnight, my team have
renovated the restaurant,

Ready for today's relaunch.

I've invited julio
and his sister back to see

The changes, and hopefully

Reignite their passion
for their cuisine

And the restaurant.

- Wow!

- Welcome
to the grand reopening

Of el cantito.

- Wow.
- Take it in.

We have a brand-new
air conditioning system.

- It's amazing.

- And then
to the tropical colors.

- Mar chiquita!
- Mar chiquita.

That was
my mother's playground.

She used to always tell us
stories about being there.

- Home, sweet home, my darling.

- It's like you're walking
into a little café

On the beach in manatí.

- Opposite that beautiful place
is one more.

- Ay, mami! [laughs]

- Amazing surprise.
- Wow.

That's her, her kitchen.

- If you ever needed
any inspiration...

- Absolutely.
- Take a glance.

This is the lady that deserves
the pride of place, agreed?

- Yeah. Yeah.

My mom's picture,
it reminds me we do have

That puerto rico in us,
that fire.

- It's the first point
of reference,

And personally,
the only reference we need.

- Seeing that picture, to me,
she said, "you got this."

To him, she was like,
"you better get it together."

- Let this be our compass.

- Thank you so much.

- There's one more thing
I'd like to show you.

It's called a kitchen.
Follow me.

[both laugh]
- go ahead.

[emotional music]

- I've placed everything back,

So you've got a lot more space
to work.

- The rotisserie.
- My god!

- I can't even speak...
- Yeah.

- How happy I am right now...
- This is incredible.

- How relieved and...
- Oh, my god.

- Refreshed I feel.

- We have
a new refrigerated salad bar,

Fully equipped.

- Thank you.
- If you as much as touch

Any of this
and reposition it...

- I will--
- no, I will.

- Promise me you will call me.

- [laughs]

- This is amazing.
This is so amazing.

We definitely got this.

- Come and take a seat.

[uplifting music]

We've gone back
to the beginning

With mama's recipes.

We've updated her recipes
with fresh ingredients.

The food is now light,
bright, with minimal grease.

And we've written
mum's recipes down.

[both laugh]
some delicious appetizers.

We've got a beautiful,
crispy...

All: Bacalaítos.

- Crunchy, crispy,
and that beautiful salt cod

Running through the middle.
- Wow.

- Next to that, we have
a beautiful ceviche.

Just look at the vibrancy
and the colors

Running through there.

- Amazing.

- Then we've got mofongo,

And it's served
with a chicken broth,

Very traditional.

This was your dream, so you
have to commit to that dream.

- Absolutely.

- My mother used
to always say it.

She was like, "I want
to give you guys this."

And this is that and more.

I won't have
to work my extra job.

And this is where I belong.
- Mm-hmm. I agree.

- My heart feels overjoyed.

This is her recipes.
This is el cantito cafe.

This is what I wanted to open.

Bacalaítos.
Yep. On point. On point.

- I am super excited

To cook my mom's recipes
in this amazing kitchen.

Both: Hey, chef.
- How's it going?

- How are you?

- How are you feeling?
- I'm good.

- Now that julio has all
the equipment needed

For success...

Okay.

I'm giving him a crash course

In the culinary arts
to get him ready for service.

First of all, just open up.
Just let the knife do the work.

God, look how moist that is.
How beautiful is that?

Plus a little drizzle
of the lime.

And then we just take
our kosher salt,

And we give
that a little season.

Dressing on the side.
And that is it.

Bang. To the window.

- Ramsay, he gives me,
like, these little tips.

It's really good.
It's a very good feeling.

I haven't felt like this
in a really long time.

- The only thing I need is
the voice.

Let's bring that passion
and communicate, yes?

- Yes, chef.
- Good luck.

Let's go, my man.

It's time to open
the restaurant doors.

[upbeat music]

- Hi. Welcome.
- We gotta go.

For tonight's relaunch,
I've invited a host of guests,

Including omi, who agreed

To give el cantito
a second chance.

- So what would we like to try?

- I really, really want
to try the chillo frito.

- Chillo? Okay, sure.

- We got this.
- I'm good?

- We got this.

- This is a whole new julio.

He seems a little bit
more enthusiastic.

- We're live.
First order in.

I want to hear it. Let's go.
- Yes. All right.

- Tonight, julio is gonna find
that passion,

The desire, the hunger.

He owes it not just
to his mum,

But to his sister.

Okay. Call it out, please.
- All right. Chef, b3.

We have baca--
two bacalaítos...

- Perfect.
- Two chicharrones,

Ceviche, one ceviche.

- Excellent.

- Salud, salud, salud.
- Cheers.

- Okay. 30 seconds out.

- Check on the chicharron.

How much longer, chef?
- 30 seconds.

- Okay.
- That's nice.

[bell rings]
bing.

- Enjoy.

- It's like, crispy,
but then it just melts

In your mouth right after.

- How are they?

- Wow, that's amazing.
- Oh, my god.

The seasoning is so flavorful.

- Okay. Good, so--

I love the fact
you're crossing tables off.

- The party has arrived, girl.
- Yes!

- Now we're filling up.

- So two baca
and two chicharron,

And one ceviche.

- What's next, please?
- Uh--

- Bloody hell.

- How's everything, guys?

- Yes, let me check
on that, yes.

Um, julio, there's something
missing from 21,

A mofongo with chicken.

- I-I gave you the mofongo
and the chicken there.

- That was for 24.
- Uh...

- Julio, all good?
- Yes. Yes, chef.

- What's going next?
- We are working on b3.

- You can't just keep
on guessing what he wants.

He needs to talk to you.
You know that, right?

- Um, tasha--
- yes, chef. Sorry.

- You're finishing
my order, right?

- Yes, I'm--
- okay.

- Take it, mami.

- We're in the middle of
service now, and he's sort of

Starting to shut down
a little bit.

He gets so overwhelmed
too easy.

What--what's happened to him?

- Yes, I mean, he is
the [bleep] wet lettuce man.

[bleep]

[sizzling]

- Don't put it up there.
Don't put it up there.

It's not done yet.
It's not done yet.

- I'm in yonkers,

Where the restaurant
el cantito is relaunching.

- Put in the chicken now.

- Halfway through service,

Chef julio is having problems.

- Oh, [bleep]. 26.

[bell rings]

- Where's the crackling
from here?

Remember the crackling on top?

No, no, just leave it.
Bring the crackling.

- Give me one second.
Let me--let me get my--hold on.

I started to break down.
I started to--

To shut down,
and you know, I'm done.

- Hey, I'm here to help.
Both: Okay.

- Crackling.
Think about it, yes?

- All right.
- 'member what I said to y'all

About stepping up?
- Yes.

- Okay. Let's go.
Come on. Yeah?

- And he calmed me
right then and there.

I was like, "oh, okay."

Six mofongos with pernil
for table 22 and 25.

And we went right back
into that rhythm.

After that,
you're gonna work with b3.

We got this.
- All right.

- 21.

- Hey, how does it feel
to be talking?

It feels good?
- Feels good. It feels very g--

- Good. Welcome back.
- Thank you.

- Let's go.
- [laughs]

- Ceviche was--
- everything's been so good.

- Oh, good, good, good.
Thank you so much, guys.

Appreciate your compliments.

I'm elated.

This is the feeling
that I wanted

To have when I opened my doors,

The dining room full,

Clicking of the utensils
on the plates.

This is el cantito cafe.

That dining room is on fire!
[bell dings]

- I'm super excited because
I have a system that works.

I feel like, "oh, my god,
I can breathe! I'm good!"

[chatter]

- Right. Well done.

You have a absolute jewel
here--

Stunning restaurant,
beautiful family,

Great food,
lovely atmosphere, okay?

Look after each other...
- Absolutely.

- And look after
the restaurant, okay?

- Mm-hmm.
- Don't let her down.

- No.
- 'cause if you do,

You'll hear from me.

- Oh, I know.
- Again.

My time is done.

- Thank you.

- Good luck.

I see a bright, successful
future for el cantito.

You can feel in the room
the energy and the love,

And my mom's legacy
being out there.

- Come here, you.
- Thank you.

- Oh, my god.

- This has been an experience
that I never even dreamed of.

And I truly, truly,
from the bottom of my heart,

Appreciate gordon ramsay
for saving our restaurant.

[sweet music]

- [exhales] what a week.

Honestly, when I first arrived,

I found
a puerto rican restaurant

That had drifted so far
from its island roots,

The owners had lost
their passion

And their love for food.

But I promise you now,

Debbie and julio have
everything they need

To sail this restaurant
into the sunset.

But my only worry is,
if julio decides to slip back

To his old ways again,
el cantito could sink forever.

- I'm ready to plate the--
the ceviche, chef.

- With a fresh start
and a revitalized menu...

[bell dings]

Julio's passion
for cooking has returned...

- Chicken is done.

- And so have the customers.

- There's a lot
of people out there.

- Debbie is committed
to keeping julio

And el cantito
on the right course,

To create a lasting family
legacy in their community.

Next time
on "kitchen nightmares"...

- Just a few more minutes,
okay?

We're just waiting
on your food, okay?

He said it's overcooked.
- At the end of the day,

I could give two [bleep].

- Going to sleep at night,

Thinking about the debt
that I'm in--

I'm struggling!
- So go get another job too.

Kelly and I do have
a toxic relationship.

- I don't know how to fix it.
- Come here.

It's cold in the middle,
just another reason

To confirm
that you don't give a [bleep].

- You know what he's gonna do?
He's gonna go to the bank.

He's gonna take all the money.
I won't have any money.

- You're robbing her!

[dramatic music]