1 00:00:01,434 --> 00:00:02,765 "restaurant impossible" is intense. 2 00:00:02,867 --> 00:00:03,932 You better shut up talking to me. 3 00:00:04,001 --> 00:00:05,836 It's emotional. This is done. 4 00:00:05,938 --> 00:00:07,836 I'm not angry. I'm disappointed. 5 00:00:07,938 --> 00:00:09,273 And it's incredibly rewarding. 6 00:00:09,375 --> 00:00:10,573 -Oh. -Aah! 7 00:00:10,675 --> 00:00:11,707 It's beautiful. 8 00:00:11,809 --> 00:00:12,977 Woman: It looks like a whole different place. 9 00:00:13,079 --> 00:00:14,444 This kind of stuff doesn't happen to me. 10 00:00:14,546 --> 00:00:17,382 But it's all over in just 48 hours. 11 00:00:17,484 --> 00:00:21,152 Come on, guys! Let's go! Come on. Let's push. 12 00:00:21,254 --> 00:00:23,786 What happens when I leave? Do the changes stick? 13 00:00:23,888 --> 00:00:25,623 Are the owners doing their job? 14 00:00:25,725 --> 00:00:28,590 Are they making money, or are they still struggling? 15 00:00:28,696 --> 00:00:32,260 After all these years, I'm on my way to find out. 16 00:00:32,362 --> 00:00:35,431 ♪♪ 17 00:00:35,533 --> 00:00:38,002 [ sledgehammering ] 18 00:00:40,371 --> 00:00:41,906 I'm back! 19 00:00:43,375 --> 00:00:45,544 I'm going to revisit paul's bar and bowling 20 00:00:45,646 --> 00:00:49,748 in paterson, new jersey, where I originally came in 2014. 21 00:00:49,850 --> 00:00:51,881 The biggest thing to stand out for this episode 22 00:00:51,983 --> 00:00:53,385 was the minute I walked in the door, 23 00:00:53,487 --> 00:00:57,522 it was almost like time had stood still. 24 00:00:57,624 --> 00:01:00,722 You have got to be kidding me. 25 00:01:00,824 --> 00:01:03,860 It was the first time I'd ever had a mission to this scale. 26 00:01:03,962 --> 00:01:06,831 Bowling alley, bar... This is a dump. 27 00:01:06,933 --> 00:01:07,931 ...And restaurant issues... 28 00:01:08,033 --> 00:01:09,701 It feels very slimy. 29 00:01:09,803 --> 00:01:10,901 ...All wrapped up into one. 30 00:01:11,003 --> 00:01:12,001 I don't even know if we can get it done. 31 00:01:12,103 --> 00:01:13,235 And paul's bar and bowling 32 00:01:13,337 --> 00:01:16,539 is the only bowling alley in a business 33 00:01:16,641 --> 00:01:18,643 that "restaurant impossible" has ever tackled, 34 00:01:18,745 --> 00:01:21,914 and I can't wait to see how it's holding up today. 35 00:01:24,582 --> 00:01:26,251 Before robert came, 36 00:01:26,353 --> 00:01:29,851 I was about $250,000 in debt. 37 00:01:29,953 --> 00:01:31,589 I would have been banged up by that, 38 00:01:31,691 --> 00:01:33,122 you know, six months later. 39 00:01:33,224 --> 00:01:37,959 I would have had to sell the place. Yeah. 40 00:01:38,061 --> 00:01:40,263 Yes. I guess. 41 00:01:42,636 --> 00:01:44,401 I'm in paterson, new jersey, 42 00:01:44,503 --> 00:01:47,405 for a mission unlike any other I've taken on. 43 00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:48,972 I'm not here to save a restaurant. 44 00:01:49,074 --> 00:01:52,042 I'm here to save a business called paul's bar and bowling. 45 00:01:52,144 --> 00:01:55,780 Owner paul awramko runs the business along with his friend 46 00:01:55,882 --> 00:01:57,846 ed arzoomanian. 47 00:01:57,948 --> 00:01:59,650 Paul: My grandfather opened the place up 48 00:01:59,752 --> 00:02:01,850 in 1929 as a bowling alley. 49 00:02:01,952 --> 00:02:03,255 Irvine: With prohibition in effect, 50 00:02:03,357 --> 00:02:06,055 it wasn't legal to sell alcohol...Yet. 51 00:02:06,157 --> 00:02:07,725 Paul: He was in the ice business, so he had all his friends 52 00:02:07,827 --> 00:02:09,192 come here with his ice buckets, 53 00:02:09,294 --> 00:02:11,363 and apparently he was selling beer out of there, 54 00:02:11,465 --> 00:02:13,729 and that's where he made a lot of money, obviously. 55 00:02:13,831 --> 00:02:15,096 That's what the story is. 56 00:02:15,169 --> 00:02:17,267 And then a couple years later when prohibition ended, 57 00:02:17,369 --> 00:02:20,371 became a bar. 58 00:02:20,473 --> 00:02:22,971 Unfortunately, we're not doing that well financially. 59 00:02:23,073 --> 00:02:24,108 I can't pay my bills. 60 00:02:24,210 --> 00:02:25,508 Irvine: Unable to pay his taxes, 61 00:02:25,610 --> 00:02:28,046 paul's family business was on the brink of closing 62 00:02:28,148 --> 00:02:30,712 when a former customer became his saving grace. 63 00:02:30,814 --> 00:02:32,183 Paul: Ed's given me a big help. 64 00:02:32,285 --> 00:02:34,050 You know, he's a real good guy, has a good heart, big heart. 65 00:02:34,152 --> 00:02:35,687 He's just been a godsend, you know, 66 00:02:35,789 --> 00:02:37,087 as far as helping out physically 67 00:02:37,189 --> 00:02:39,925 because I'm disabled -- two, you know, arthritic knees -- 68 00:02:40,027 --> 00:02:41,291 and financially. 69 00:02:41,393 --> 00:02:43,862 I was behind in so much money in real-estate taxes. 70 00:02:43,964 --> 00:02:45,762 He saved the day. He saved paul's. 71 00:02:45,864 --> 00:02:47,296 He's a godsend. He's an angel. 72 00:02:47,398 --> 00:02:49,600 Ed: I was trying to help paul with the money, 73 00:02:49,702 --> 00:02:52,037 but this place is so massive, and there was just -- 74 00:02:52,106 --> 00:02:54,604 everything was breaking down, massive bills. 75 00:02:54,706 --> 00:02:56,808 And we were really struggling. 76 00:02:56,910 --> 00:02:57,874 Paul is a great guy. 77 00:02:57,976 --> 00:02:59,441 You know, he's a likable guy. 78 00:02:59,543 --> 00:03:01,779 I wanted to help paul because he was in need, 79 00:03:01,881 --> 00:03:04,045 and I saw the struggle he was going through. 80 00:03:04,147 --> 00:03:07,583 That's something, that loyalty, that you don't see nowadays. 81 00:03:07,685 --> 00:03:09,653 A person came here, loved the place, 82 00:03:09,755 --> 00:03:10,853 drank here every day, 83 00:03:10,955 --> 00:03:14,457 so he invested money and not only money, time, 84 00:03:14,559 --> 00:03:16,628 to try and help paul out of the mire. 85 00:03:16,730 --> 00:03:18,795 Unfortunately, even with ed's help, 86 00:03:18,897 --> 00:03:22,032 it just wasn't enough to stop the financial bleeding. 87 00:03:22,134 --> 00:03:24,803 Paul: My grandfather opened the doors 85 years ago. 88 00:03:24,905 --> 00:03:26,070 Now I'm looking at it like 89 00:03:26,172 --> 00:03:28,874 I'm gonna have to close the doors. 90 00:03:28,943 --> 00:03:29,974 Irvine: This is the first time 91 00:03:30,076 --> 00:03:31,907 I've ever had a mission like this -- 92 00:03:32,009 --> 00:03:35,045 bowling alley, bar, and restaurant issues 93 00:03:35,147 --> 00:03:36,645 all wrapped up into one. 94 00:03:36,747 --> 00:03:39,415 ♪♪ 95 00:03:39,517 --> 00:03:42,386 you have got to be kidding me. 96 00:03:42,488 --> 00:03:44,753 [ laughs ] 97 00:03:44,855 --> 00:03:47,757 I can't imagine what he thought when he walked in and said, 98 00:03:47,859 --> 00:03:50,628 "this place is a mess," you know? 99 00:03:50,730 --> 00:03:51,928 [ laughs ] 100 00:03:52,030 --> 00:03:53,161 this place should be condemned. 101 00:03:53,263 --> 00:03:54,765 I don't know about bloody helped. 102 00:03:54,867 --> 00:03:57,265 Paul! Come in this pigsty! 103 00:03:57,367 --> 00:03:59,336 [ chuckles ] 104 00:03:59,438 --> 00:04:02,373 my goodness. How old is this building? 105 00:04:02,475 --> 00:04:05,140 85 years. So tell me about this business. 106 00:04:05,242 --> 00:04:07,011 My grandfather opened the place up 85 years ago, 107 00:04:07,113 --> 00:04:08,277 put the bowling lanes up, 108 00:04:08,379 --> 00:04:10,281 and then several years later, he put the bar in. 109 00:04:10,383 --> 00:04:12,148 So how long have you owned it, then, or ran it? 110 00:04:12,250 --> 00:04:13,648 Basically, about 27 years. 111 00:04:13,750 --> 00:04:15,752 And you haven't made any changes here, right? 112 00:04:15,854 --> 00:04:18,090 -Correct. -It's like a time warp. 113 00:04:18,192 --> 00:04:19,223 -Correct. -Yes. 114 00:04:19,325 --> 00:04:21,656 And it's almost like 50 years ago, 115 00:04:21,758 --> 00:04:25,227 25 people came in, sat around the bar, 116 00:04:25,329 --> 00:04:28,064 and then somebody locked the door and threw away the key. 117 00:04:28,166 --> 00:04:30,635 So much do you lose per month here? 118 00:04:30,737 --> 00:04:32,835 [ exhales ] $10,000 a month, minimum. 119 00:04:32,937 --> 00:04:34,069 Taxes, we have -- 120 00:04:34,171 --> 00:04:37,039 we owe for years ago we're still paying off. 121 00:04:37,141 --> 00:04:38,977 They failed to pay their taxes for, 122 00:04:39,079 --> 00:04:40,777 like, three or four years during the recession. 123 00:04:40,879 --> 00:04:42,143 Which compounds in interest every pretty much day. 124 00:04:42,245 --> 00:04:43,748 Right, and then there's interest and penalties. 125 00:04:43,850 --> 00:04:46,314 Now he's bombarded with that to pay 126 00:04:46,416 --> 00:04:48,018 and still can't make his current payment. 127 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:51,256 So the total debt you're in right now... 128 00:04:51,358 --> 00:04:53,856 $250,000 and still climbing, 129 00:04:53,958 --> 00:04:57,160 so we're in trouble. 130 00:04:57,262 --> 00:04:58,860 The bartenders -- do they make good drinks? 131 00:04:58,928 --> 00:05:00,997 Yeah. Do you make money on the drinks? 132 00:05:01,099 --> 00:05:02,431 I hope so, yeah. I should be. 133 00:05:02,533 --> 00:05:03,935 -He's not automated. -Okay. 134 00:05:04,037 --> 00:05:05,535 You know, no point-of-sale registers. 135 00:05:05,637 --> 00:05:07,272 He doesn't even have a cellphone. 136 00:05:07,374 --> 00:05:08,972 If you look at the -- you don't even have a cellphone? 137 00:05:09,074 --> 00:05:10,072 -No. -No. 138 00:05:10,174 --> 00:05:11,139 He was shocked. You know, that was -- 139 00:05:11,278 --> 00:05:13,076 I said to him, "I don't need one. 140 00:05:13,178 --> 00:05:14,776 I go to the gym. I go to work, and I go home. 141 00:05:14,878 --> 00:05:16,447 You got to call me? Yeah, here's the number." 142 00:05:16,549 --> 00:05:17,747 it's just another expense. 143 00:05:17,849 --> 00:05:19,618 You're not very business-savvy. 144 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:21,518 Apparently. 145 00:05:21,620 --> 00:05:22,851 Show me the bowling alley, then. 146 00:05:22,953 --> 00:05:24,488 -Yes, sir. Here we go. -Okay. 147 00:05:24,590 --> 00:05:26,188 So how old are these lanes? 148 00:05:26,290 --> 00:05:28,626 -Over 80 years. -80 years old. 149 00:05:28,728 --> 00:05:31,093 We think they might be the oldest lanes in new jersey. 150 00:05:31,195 --> 00:05:33,697 It's got a certain nostalgic charm. 151 00:05:33,799 --> 00:05:35,697 So how do you keep score on this? 152 00:05:35,799 --> 00:05:37,267 'cause normally you have electronics, right? 153 00:05:37,369 --> 00:05:39,734 Yeah. We got pencils, and we got paper. 154 00:05:39,836 --> 00:05:41,171 [ laughs ] 155 00:05:41,273 --> 00:05:42,438 that is hilarious. 156 00:05:42,540 --> 00:05:47,076 Technology plays a huge part in restaurant evolution, 157 00:05:47,178 --> 00:05:48,813 not only from a guest experience 158 00:05:48,915 --> 00:05:51,880 but also the operations of a business, 159 00:05:51,982 --> 00:05:53,984 and the more modern an updated place is, 160 00:05:54,086 --> 00:05:56,354 the more money people tend to spend. 161 00:05:56,456 --> 00:05:59,588 Irvine: Wow. This project -- bowling alley, bar? 162 00:05:59,690 --> 00:06:01,192 This is a huge project, 163 00:06:01,294 --> 00:06:02,459 and I don't even know if we can get it done. 164 00:06:02,561 --> 00:06:03,692 But here's what we're gonna do. 165 00:06:03,794 --> 00:06:05,596 I want to see a service of your food, 166 00:06:05,698 --> 00:06:07,896 what you normally do on a daily basis. 167 00:06:07,998 --> 00:06:09,333 -Okay. Cool. -Okay. Great. 168 00:06:09,435 --> 00:06:12,267 -Great. Thanks, guys. -Thank you. 169 00:06:12,369 --> 00:06:15,104 Irvine: This business is like nothing else I've ever done, 170 00:06:15,206 --> 00:06:18,642 and turning it around will require everything I've got. 171 00:06:18,744 --> 00:06:20,042 Hiya, billy. 172 00:06:20,144 --> 00:06:21,979 Irvine: At the bar, there are the loyal regulars, 173 00:06:22,081 --> 00:06:24,779 but young people are the lifeblood of any bar. 174 00:06:24,881 --> 00:06:27,116 It'll be my challenge to get them into paul's. 175 00:06:27,218 --> 00:06:28,716 -How are you? -Come over to the men's side. 176 00:06:28,818 --> 00:06:30,354 You look like you're all at home here. 177 00:06:30,456 --> 00:06:31,421 Yes, we are. 178 00:06:31,523 --> 00:06:34,158 Paul's has a tremendous loyal following. 179 00:06:34,260 --> 00:06:35,958 We had our regular crew. 180 00:06:36,060 --> 00:06:38,129 The regulars were there, you know, 181 00:06:38,231 --> 00:06:39,629 four days, five days a week. 182 00:06:39,731 --> 00:06:40,895 So how long you been coming here? 183 00:06:40,997 --> 00:06:42,500 -21 years. -21 years. 184 00:06:42,602 --> 00:06:44,300 Who's been coming here the longest? 185 00:06:44,402 --> 00:06:45,233 -Him. -You, young sir? 186 00:06:45,335 --> 00:06:46,470 How long you been coming here? 187 00:06:46,572 --> 00:06:48,237 -50 years. -50 years? 188 00:06:48,339 --> 00:06:50,608 -I'll be 80. -I'm a new jack. 189 00:06:50,710 --> 00:06:51,608 How long have you been coming here? 190 00:06:51,710 --> 00:06:53,274 About 25 years. 191 00:06:53,376 --> 00:06:55,512 "I'm new -- 25 years." 192 00:06:55,614 --> 00:06:58,783 if we have a group of people like we do here 193 00:06:58,885 --> 00:07:02,653 that have been coming in from 25, 35, 45 years, 194 00:07:02,755 --> 00:07:03,753 it's great. 195 00:07:03,855 --> 00:07:04,853 We know they're coming here every day. 196 00:07:04,955 --> 00:07:06,124 They're gonna sit in the same seat. 197 00:07:06,226 --> 00:07:07,291 They're gonna order the same amount of drinks. 198 00:07:07,393 --> 00:07:09,591 But having the right mix of people was key. 199 00:07:09,693 --> 00:07:12,228 They needed to have regulars and new patrons 200 00:07:12,330 --> 00:07:13,728 for paul to make a profit. 201 00:07:13,830 --> 00:07:15,032 Why do you come back? 202 00:07:15,134 --> 00:07:17,499 I got a bunch of friends in here that I'm loyal to them. 203 00:07:17,601 --> 00:07:19,670 They're loyal to me. 204 00:07:19,772 --> 00:07:21,270 All right. Thank you very much. 205 00:07:21,372 --> 00:07:22,840 There's something going right here, 206 00:07:22,942 --> 00:07:25,674 and that can be, you know, the camaraderie. 207 00:07:25,776 --> 00:07:29,445 But his staff is a little too comfortable for me. 208 00:07:29,547 --> 00:07:31,215 They've gotten sloppy behind the bar. 209 00:07:31,317 --> 00:07:32,915 Whose are all these bags? Yes, a disgusting habit. 210 00:07:33,017 --> 00:07:34,549 That's where we keep our purses. 211 00:07:34,655 --> 00:07:36,719 Irvine: And their training leaves a lot to be desired. 212 00:07:36,821 --> 00:07:37,753 What can we get youse? 213 00:07:37,855 --> 00:07:40,523 A moscow mule -- two of them, please? 214 00:07:40,625 --> 00:07:42,257 I've never made that drink before. 215 00:07:42,359 --> 00:07:43,828 I've honestly never heard of it. 216 00:07:43,930 --> 00:07:47,465 Just like this building, the bartenders are subpar. 217 00:07:47,567 --> 00:07:49,232 They need to be on their game and update 218 00:07:49,334 --> 00:07:50,865 their knowledge of modern drinks, 219 00:07:50,967 --> 00:07:54,436 and I'm hoping the food isn't just as uninspiring. 220 00:07:54,538 --> 00:07:55,573 You mind if I sit here, guys? 221 00:07:55,675 --> 00:07:57,406 -Oh, no, please sit. -What can I get you? 222 00:07:57,508 --> 00:07:59,311 -What is good here? -Our burgers are great. 223 00:07:59,413 --> 00:08:00,911 I'll have a burger and pierogies. 224 00:08:01,013 --> 00:08:02,377 Tina fries. 225 00:08:02,479 --> 00:08:04,248 Tina fries it is. Is that good? 226 00:08:04,350 --> 00:08:05,381 Yep, that's good. Okay. 227 00:08:05,483 --> 00:08:06,848 Am I missing any delights off this menu? 228 00:08:06,950 --> 00:08:08,752 Nope. This is perfect. 229 00:08:10,887 --> 00:08:12,256 Oh, these are the tina fries, right? 230 00:08:12,358 --> 00:08:13,623 These are the tina fries. 231 00:08:13,725 --> 00:08:15,123 So why are they called tina fries? 232 00:08:15,225 --> 00:08:18,227 Because tina the bartender came up with the idea 233 00:08:18,329 --> 00:08:21,464 one day of putting mozzarella cheese and brown gravy on them. 234 00:08:21,566 --> 00:08:23,902 Tina, why'd you come up with these soggy fries? 235 00:08:24,004 --> 00:08:27,535 I was eight months pregnant when I came up with those fries. 236 00:08:27,637 --> 00:08:29,773 -And they're a big hit? -They are a big hit. 237 00:08:29,875 --> 00:08:31,706 They're usually a little more crispier than that, 238 00:08:31,808 --> 00:08:33,410 but they're not today. 239 00:08:33,512 --> 00:08:36,314 I like the concept, but there's no flavor. 240 00:08:36,416 --> 00:08:38,014 Burger -- well, you can get a burger anywhere, right? 241 00:08:38,116 --> 00:08:39,347 So I look at the bun. 242 00:08:39,449 --> 00:08:41,318 The bun's not toasted. 243 00:08:41,420 --> 00:08:43,885 The burger itself... 244 00:08:43,987 --> 00:08:47,356 No seasoning whatsoever, and it feels very slimy. 245 00:08:47,458 --> 00:08:48,760 I thought that robert would like our food.. Yeah. 246 00:08:48,862 --> 00:08:51,760 ...'cause our customers love our food. Yeah. 247 00:08:51,862 --> 00:08:54,397 -He was like, "no, no, and no." -yeah. 248 00:08:54,499 --> 00:08:56,601 So what am I gonna do, you know? 249 00:08:56,703 --> 00:08:58,301 Pierogies. 250 00:08:58,403 --> 00:09:00,739 It's drenched in grease. 251 00:09:00,841 --> 00:09:04,339 I'm almost nervous eating this right now. 252 00:09:04,441 --> 00:09:06,609 I love pierogies, but they have no taste whatsoever. 253 00:09:06,711 --> 00:09:08,643 Just full of grease -- look. 254 00:09:08,745 --> 00:09:10,047 I was not impressed at all. 255 00:09:10,149 --> 00:09:12,780 The fries were soggy. 256 00:09:12,882 --> 00:09:15,851 The burger was bland, and the pierogies were unedible. 257 00:09:15,953 --> 00:09:18,322 I wasn't impressed at all. 258 00:09:19,724 --> 00:09:22,326 I visited paul's bar and bowling five years ago, 259 00:09:22,428 --> 00:09:23,726 and I'm heading back there now to see 260 00:09:23,828 --> 00:09:25,363 exactly how they're doing. 261 00:09:25,465 --> 00:09:28,863 Is the business doing well, and is ed still there? 262 00:09:28,965 --> 00:09:30,601 Only time will tell. 263 00:09:35,406 --> 00:09:38,608 In 2014, I visited paul's bar and bowling alley 264 00:09:38,710 --> 00:09:40,208 in paterson, new jersey. 265 00:09:40,310 --> 00:09:41,513 The food was lackluster. 266 00:09:41,615 --> 00:09:44,013 Just full of grease -- look. 267 00:09:44,115 --> 00:09:46,517 The owner was seriously behind on technology. 268 00:09:46,619 --> 00:09:48,483 So how do you keep score on this? 269 00:09:48,585 --> 00:09:50,054 'cause normally you have electronics, right? 270 00:09:50,156 --> 00:09:52,387 Yeah. We got pencils, and we got paper. 271 00:09:52,489 --> 00:09:54,391 [ laughs ] 272 00:09:54,493 --> 00:09:58,962 irvine: And the way it looked sent mu designer into a shock. 273 00:09:59,064 --> 00:10:00,962 The floors are bad. The bar was bad. 274 00:10:01,064 --> 00:10:02,933 The chairs were bad. The ceiling was bad. 275 00:10:03,035 --> 00:10:04,566 I mean, you name it, 276 00:10:04,668 --> 00:10:06,870 it had seen the test of time. 277 00:10:06,972 --> 00:10:08,537 Obviously, there's a lot of work here. 278 00:10:08,639 --> 00:10:11,208 This was built during prohibition. 279 00:10:11,310 --> 00:10:14,379 It would be kind of neat if we could incorporate 280 00:10:14,481 --> 00:10:18,316 that prohibition type of speakeasy kind of, 281 00:10:18,418 --> 00:10:19,449 you know, that -- I love that. 282 00:10:19,551 --> 00:10:21,383 We could keep the character of the building 283 00:10:21,485 --> 00:10:24,487 and take all the grunge out of here. 284 00:10:24,589 --> 00:10:26,020 Wow. 285 00:10:26,122 --> 00:10:28,924 You can see it's very old, but it's a nostalgic place. 286 00:10:29,026 --> 00:10:33,295 I would really love to focus on making it fun. 287 00:10:33,397 --> 00:10:34,295 Yeah, that's what it's lacking. 288 00:10:34,397 --> 00:10:35,666 How do we use the bowling alleys 289 00:10:35,768 --> 00:10:38,066 to bring in young, vibrant people 290 00:10:38,168 --> 00:10:40,170 and use it for revenue? 291 00:10:40,272 --> 00:10:41,303 That's gonna be a tough job. 292 00:10:41,405 --> 00:10:43,441 And this is where you are good at this. 293 00:10:43,543 --> 00:10:46,574 I'm just telling you right now, this is the biggest 294 00:10:46,676 --> 00:10:48,745 and most overwhelming walk-through 295 00:10:48,847 --> 00:10:49,978 I have ever done with you. 296 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:54,349 Paul's was a classy place, you know, back in the '60s. 297 00:10:54,451 --> 00:10:56,286 You know, they had the moose head on 298 00:10:56,388 --> 00:10:59,857 and the cadillacs out in the parking lot. 299 00:10:59,959 --> 00:11:02,490 It was, you know, a really nice place to come to. 300 00:11:02,592 --> 00:11:05,628 And now this place is a mess, you know? 301 00:11:05,730 --> 00:11:08,065 It's a pigsty, yeah. 302 00:11:08,167 --> 00:11:11,165 And I told him, "you'll never fix this place, robert. 303 00:11:11,267 --> 00:11:12,869 You'll never fix this place." 304 00:11:12,971 --> 00:11:14,569 you know, it was falling apart. 305 00:11:14,671 --> 00:11:16,740 All right. Let's get this furniture out of here. 306 00:11:16,842 --> 00:11:19,073 Everybody grab a stool and follow me. 307 00:11:19,175 --> 00:11:21,244 I know it's a big job, but let's get it done. 308 00:11:21,346 --> 00:11:23,444 I've been coming here for 25 years, and, you know, 309 00:11:23,546 --> 00:11:25,615 it's kind of sad to see some of this nostalgia go, 310 00:11:25,717 --> 00:11:28,652 but, you know, the bar is in need of a good change. 311 00:11:28,754 --> 00:11:30,119 Irvine: All right. Pick it up, move it! 312 00:11:30,221 --> 00:11:32,290 If it moves, walk it! 313 00:11:32,392 --> 00:11:34,356 When we came to empty the actual restaurant 314 00:11:34,458 --> 00:11:37,294 and the bowling alleys and everything out, it took forever. 315 00:11:37,396 --> 00:11:40,498 There was so much stuff, so many knickknacks, 316 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:43,964 so much junk, for want of a better word. 317 00:11:44,033 --> 00:11:47,835 So, obviously, this building has been here since 1929, 318 00:11:47,937 --> 00:11:50,306 and I think some of the staff have been here just as long. 319 00:11:50,408 --> 00:11:51,673 I gathered them to figure out, 320 00:11:51,775 --> 00:11:53,543 are they entrenched in their ways, 321 00:11:53,645 --> 00:11:55,543 and if them ways are hurting his business. 322 00:11:55,645 --> 00:11:58,748 The staff here is my family because I've been involved 323 00:11:58,850 --> 00:12:01,318 with them for, you know, 25, 30 years, 324 00:12:01,420 --> 00:12:04,385 and I know about their kids, all about their grandkids. 325 00:12:04,487 --> 00:12:06,222 And that's seven days a week. 326 00:12:06,324 --> 00:12:07,389 Irvine: A lot of years between you. 327 00:12:07,491 --> 00:12:08,556 So here's my question. 328 00:12:08,624 --> 00:12:11,160 How come this business is $250,000 in debt, 329 00:12:11,262 --> 00:12:12,693 losing $10,000 a month? 330 00:12:12,799 --> 00:12:15,197 As far as the way the place is run, 331 00:12:15,299 --> 00:12:16,731 paul doesn't have a cellphone. 332 00:12:16,799 --> 00:12:18,801 Paul doesn't open up e-mail. 333 00:12:18,903 --> 00:12:20,635 We don't advertise. 334 00:12:20,737 --> 00:12:21,705 Do you make money? 335 00:12:21,807 --> 00:12:23,239 What's your tips a night, average? 336 00:12:23,341 --> 00:12:27,043 Between $100 to $125. 337 00:12:27,145 --> 00:12:28,176 Same for you guys, I presume? 338 00:12:28,278 --> 00:12:29,614 -Yes. -Yep. 339 00:12:29,716 --> 00:12:31,047 So you're all making money, 340 00:12:31,149 --> 00:12:32,980 but when was the last time you cleaned? 341 00:12:33,082 --> 00:12:35,318 If someone would ask me to, I'd have no problem doing it. 342 00:12:35,420 --> 00:12:36,784 Why should they ask you to? 343 00:12:36,886 --> 00:12:38,988 You know, we wipe down where our bottles are. 344 00:12:39,090 --> 00:12:41,493 But you're wiping down, you're wiping down with cloths 345 00:12:41,595 --> 00:12:43,826 that are disgusting already. 346 00:12:43,928 --> 00:12:45,259 -Paul's... -No, it's not paul's fault. 347 00:12:45,361 --> 00:12:49,701 He doesn't assign a schedule of cleaning religiously. 348 00:12:49,803 --> 00:12:51,667 Say, "every Saturday, you should go behind"... 349 00:12:51,769 --> 00:12:52,801 How can you say that's paul's fault? 350 00:12:52,903 --> 00:12:55,605 It's not paul's fault. It's common sense. 351 00:12:55,707 --> 00:12:58,576 Basically, you know, if somebody saw a box 352 00:12:58,678 --> 00:13:01,109 or something lying down, they'd just walk past it. 353 00:13:01,211 --> 00:13:03,713 If there was, you know, things to be washed or whatever, 354 00:13:03,815 --> 00:13:05,680 they'd leave it for the end. 355 00:13:05,782 --> 00:13:08,750 There just wasn't an urgency. 356 00:13:08,852 --> 00:13:11,055 You tell them what to do personally and say, 357 00:13:11,157 --> 00:13:13,488 "look, we can't do that anymore," 358 00:13:13,590 --> 00:13:14,659 and then they go, "okay," 359 00:13:14,761 --> 00:13:15,925 and that lasts for about two days, 360 00:13:16,027 --> 00:13:19,229 and then if I come upstairs unexpected, I watch. 361 00:13:19,331 --> 00:13:21,596 I go, "you're back to your old self again." 362 00:13:21,698 --> 00:13:22,767 irvine: Let me tell you something. 363 00:13:22,869 --> 00:13:24,500 He shouldn't have to tell you to clean. 364 00:13:24,602 --> 00:13:25,667 I'm sorry. 365 00:13:25,769 --> 00:13:28,004 It's complacency because paul allows you 366 00:13:28,106 --> 00:13:30,504 to run the business 'cause he can't. 367 00:13:30,610 --> 00:13:33,275 Why are you upset? 368 00:13:33,377 --> 00:13:34,846 It's just emotional. That's all. 369 00:13:34,948 --> 00:13:36,146 How do you feel? 370 00:13:36,248 --> 00:13:37,479 -I love him. -We love him. 371 00:13:37,581 --> 00:13:39,116 Man: Yeah, we all love him. 372 00:13:39,218 --> 00:13:41,416 He's gonna be here 16 hours a day, whether he can't walk, 373 00:13:41,518 --> 00:13:44,287 and he feels sick, and he's in pain every day. 374 00:13:44,389 --> 00:13:48,625 And your job is to make sure his pain is eased. 375 00:13:48,727 --> 00:13:51,462 Once I said my piece, tina got all emotional, 376 00:13:51,564 --> 00:13:53,095 as did a few other folks, 377 00:13:53,197 --> 00:13:58,800 and I really thought that everybody in that meeting 378 00:13:58,902 --> 00:14:03,270 were 100% supportive and real about paul. 379 00:14:03,376 --> 00:14:05,308 They loved the guy and they loved this place. 380 00:14:05,410 --> 00:14:06,741 You're his family, guys. -Aw. 381 00:14:06,843 --> 00:14:08,178 -Yes, we are. -That's true, yeah. 382 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:10,078 -No, you're so... -Now we need a box of tissues. 383 00:14:10,180 --> 00:14:11,345 -Yeah, right? -Yes, 'cause... 384 00:14:11,447 --> 00:14:14,616 -Seriously. -I appreciate your openness. 385 00:14:14,718 --> 00:14:16,187 -Thank you. -Thanks, robert. 386 00:14:16,289 --> 00:14:18,420 Irvine: I'd gotten the staff on board, and the design team 387 00:14:18,522 --> 00:14:20,957 was in full swing updating the look of this place, 388 00:14:21,059 --> 00:14:22,757 but I still needed to get the bartenders 389 00:14:22,859 --> 00:14:24,728 to update their drink-making skills. 390 00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:26,828 So I thought, "let's take them to a friend of mine, 391 00:14:26,930 --> 00:14:29,832 test their skills, show them some things 392 00:14:29,934 --> 00:14:31,032 to get them back on level." 393 00:14:31,134 --> 00:14:32,803 I want you to make me an old fashioned. 394 00:14:32,905 --> 00:14:34,070 Crap. 395 00:14:34,172 --> 00:14:36,003 Irvine: I'm having the bartenders' pouring skills 396 00:14:36,142 --> 00:14:39,907 judged by a professional mixologist. 397 00:14:40,009 --> 00:14:42,111 I think you over-poured. 398 00:14:42,213 --> 00:14:43,478 It's tremendously over-poured. 399 00:14:43,580 --> 00:14:45,815 The drink is really, really strong. 400 00:14:45,917 --> 00:14:47,615 Not acceptable. 401 00:14:47,717 --> 00:14:52,219 $10,000 loss a month is not coming from food, is it? Woman: No. 402 00:14:52,321 --> 00:14:55,590 Over-pouring -- this is the money right here. 403 00:14:55,692 --> 00:14:57,394 -Yep. -You just made me bankrupt. 404 00:14:57,496 --> 00:15:01,065 Just disheartening to see that because, you know, 405 00:15:01,167 --> 00:15:03,965 this is the job they have, almost guaranteed. 406 00:15:04,067 --> 00:15:07,402 They're servers, and they're killing me. 407 00:15:07,504 --> 00:15:09,940 Every time they give more than they're supposed to get, 408 00:15:10,042 --> 00:15:11,407 I'm losing money. 409 00:15:11,509 --> 00:15:13,844 You don't know everything there is to know about drinks, 410 00:15:13,946 --> 00:15:15,111 and for us to move forward, 411 00:15:15,213 --> 00:15:18,715 we need to figure out how to do this correctly. 412 00:15:18,817 --> 00:15:20,481 Irvine: I'm gonna have joe sharpen the skills 413 00:15:20,583 --> 00:15:23,719 the girls do have and teach them two new signature drinks 414 00:15:23,821 --> 00:15:25,423 that will bring in additional revenue. 415 00:15:25,525 --> 00:15:29,760 By training and getting used to these drinks and pouring, 416 00:15:29,862 --> 00:15:31,560 you're gonna be an asset to the business 417 00:15:31,662 --> 00:15:34,698 other than people coming in to talk to you. 418 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:35,964 Joe, teach them well. 419 00:15:36,066 --> 00:15:38,768 -I'll do you proud, chef. -Thank you. 420 00:15:41,204 --> 00:15:42,639 Irvine: With one mystery solved... 421 00:15:42,741 --> 00:15:43,973 Excellent. They're all good. 422 00:15:44,075 --> 00:15:47,043 All: To paul and to the new paul's bar and bowling. 423 00:15:47,145 --> 00:15:49,243 -Cheers! Yay! -Whoo-hoo! 424 00:15:49,345 --> 00:15:52,147 Irvine: ...I can focus my attention on paul's lack of knowledge 425 00:15:52,249 --> 00:15:53,814 when it comes to technology. 426 00:15:53,916 --> 00:15:56,552 This is a phone. 427 00:15:56,654 --> 00:15:57,452 Hold it. Don't be afraid. 428 00:15:57,554 --> 00:15:58,789 Woof! 429 00:15:58,891 --> 00:16:00,889 I was joking. It doesn't bite. 430 00:16:00,991 --> 00:16:02,022 This is a tablet. 431 00:16:02,091 --> 00:16:03,260 The laptop computer. 432 00:16:03,362 --> 00:16:04,993 Amazing technology. 433 00:16:05,095 --> 00:16:08,197 I was ecstatic that we're trying to get paul out of the ice age 434 00:16:08,299 --> 00:16:10,568 and into, you know, the new modern day. 435 00:16:10,670 --> 00:16:12,535 What?! [ laughs ] 436 00:16:12,637 --> 00:16:14,472 [ laughs ] 437 00:16:14,574 --> 00:16:15,839 hey, he's a funny guy, ain't he? 438 00:16:15,941 --> 00:16:17,072 Yeah, sure. 439 00:16:17,174 --> 00:16:18,372 Irvine: Paul's homework tonight is to learn 440 00:16:18,474 --> 00:16:21,609 how to use new technology to communicate to me. 441 00:16:21,711 --> 00:16:23,880 Cellphone -- I want to text. 442 00:16:23,982 --> 00:16:25,114 The tablet... Social media. 443 00:16:25,216 --> 00:16:26,851 ...You'll want some social media. 444 00:16:26,953 --> 00:16:29,184 -And the laptop... -And the laptop, an e-mail. 445 00:16:29,286 --> 00:16:31,088 An e-mail. I think you can figure this out. 446 00:16:31,190 --> 00:16:32,788 -Okay. -I've got faith in you. 447 00:16:32,890 --> 00:16:33,822 Okay? -Thank you. 448 00:16:33,924 --> 00:16:34,855 And I'll see you in the morning. 449 00:16:34,961 --> 00:16:36,326 Okay. Here I go. 450 00:16:36,428 --> 00:16:37,626 Thank you, robert. 451 00:16:37,728 --> 00:16:41,463 Social media is of paramount importance 452 00:16:41,565 --> 00:16:43,167 to what we do in this business. 453 00:16:43,236 --> 00:16:45,901 What to do now? I have no idea. 454 00:16:46,003 --> 00:16:47,505 You can send messages. 455 00:16:47,607 --> 00:16:49,571 You can show people what your specials are. 456 00:16:49,673 --> 00:16:51,038 It's gonna be a long night. 457 00:16:51,140 --> 00:16:52,709 I can tell you that already. 458 00:16:52,811 --> 00:16:54,575 You can say, "hey, you ought to come over here. 459 00:16:54,677 --> 00:16:55,880 We're doing this tonight in the bar. 460 00:16:55,982 --> 00:16:57,180 We're doing karaoke. We're doing this." 461 00:16:57,282 --> 00:17:00,150 whatever it is, social media is the fastest way 462 00:17:00,252 --> 00:17:01,584 to get attention. 463 00:17:01,686 --> 00:17:03,150 Paul: How do I get anything on? I don't know. 464 00:17:03,252 --> 00:17:04,588 Nothing's happening. 465 00:17:04,690 --> 00:17:06,588 Irvine: My worry was that paul would get frustrated 466 00:17:06,690 --> 00:17:07,959 and give up, 467 00:17:08,061 --> 00:17:11,425 leaving him stuck in a time warp with a failing restaurant. 468 00:17:11,527 --> 00:17:13,263 [ laughing ] oh, my goodness. 469 00:17:13,365 --> 00:17:16,467 I quit. That's it, done deal. 470 00:17:20,838 --> 00:17:24,140 I'm in paterson, new jersey, revisiting paul's bar and bowling, 471 00:17:24,242 --> 00:17:26,374 the first ever bowling alley, bar, and restaurant combo 472 00:17:26,476 --> 00:17:27,644 we've ever done. 473 00:17:27,746 --> 00:17:29,144 This is a huge project, 474 00:17:29,246 --> 00:17:30,544 and I don't even know if we can get it done. 475 00:17:30,646 --> 00:17:33,615 Never in my wildest dreams would I ever, or have I ever, 476 00:17:33,717 --> 00:17:36,453 thought about tackling a building 477 00:17:36,555 --> 00:17:40,490 that's never been changed in 60 years of his existence. 478 00:17:40,592 --> 00:17:44,027 You have got to be kidding me. [ laughs ] 479 00:17:44,129 --> 00:17:46,561 it's got a certain nostalgic charm. 480 00:17:46,663 --> 00:17:48,465 If you think about businesses, you know, 481 00:17:48,567 --> 00:17:53,136 if we get 3, 5, 15, 20, years, we're doing really well, 482 00:17:53,238 --> 00:17:57,306 but to be around since 1929 is a miracle. 483 00:17:57,408 --> 00:17:59,944 But the true shocker will be if paul, 484 00:18:00,046 --> 00:18:02,844 who didn't use technology, had actually done the homework 485 00:18:02,946 --> 00:18:04,515 I gave him the night before, 486 00:18:04,617 --> 00:18:05,981 when I asked to send him to send me a text, 487 00:18:06,083 --> 00:18:08,519 an e-mail, and a social-media post. 488 00:18:08,621 --> 00:18:10,952 I did pass the test last night. I did do my homework. 489 00:18:11,054 --> 00:18:12,256 -Morning. -Morning. 490 00:18:12,358 --> 00:18:13,389 I hope to make him proud of me. 491 00:18:13,491 --> 00:18:14,889 That's it. I really do. 492 00:18:14,991 --> 00:18:17,460 He seems like a really good guy, but he's a real ball-breaker. 493 00:18:17,562 --> 00:18:18,860 That's for sure. 494 00:18:18,962 --> 00:18:20,364 How was the homework? 495 00:18:20,466 --> 00:18:22,064 The phone -- I wanted you to text me, 496 00:18:22,166 --> 00:18:23,531 and I got your text. 497 00:18:23,633 --> 00:18:25,468 -Oh, you did? Yeah. -Yeah. Yeah. 498 00:18:25,570 --> 00:18:28,672 It made me chuckle. Let's put it that way. 499 00:18:28,774 --> 00:18:31,539 "hey, it's me, paul, first-time texter. 500 00:18:31,641 --> 00:18:32,977 Thanks again." 501 00:18:33,079 --> 00:18:34,510 right? 502 00:18:34,612 --> 00:18:35,677 There is a saying -- 503 00:18:35,779 --> 00:18:38,747 "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." 504 00:18:38,849 --> 00:18:40,547 I'm calling garbage. 505 00:18:40,687 --> 00:18:43,218 You can teach anybody new tricks, 506 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:44,551 and if I can teach paul -- 507 00:18:44,653 --> 00:18:46,522 never had a cellphone in his life -- 508 00:18:46,624 --> 00:18:49,860 how to use technology, there's hope for everybody. 509 00:18:49,962 --> 00:18:52,460 Nothing is impossible. 510 00:18:52,562 --> 00:18:54,197 What about the tablet and social media? 511 00:18:54,299 --> 00:18:55,630 What did you do on that? Tell me. 512 00:18:55,732 --> 00:18:57,468 Paul: Tablet -- I hit the right button 513 00:18:57,570 --> 00:18:58,601 almost the first time, 514 00:18:58,703 --> 00:19:00,734 and then I go to to the social media. 515 00:19:00,836 --> 00:19:02,638 Then I had to type in your name. 516 00:19:02,740 --> 00:19:04,872 Boom -- there comes your social-media page. 517 00:19:04,974 --> 00:19:06,443 So what about the computer? 518 00:19:06,545 --> 00:19:07,643 So that was a little more difficult. 519 00:19:07,745 --> 00:19:09,480 I didn't know how to use the e-mail to you, 520 00:19:09,582 --> 00:19:12,347 so I had to call for ed, and he showed up, 521 00:19:12,449 --> 00:19:14,584 and he showed me really simply how to e-mail. 522 00:19:14,686 --> 00:19:15,651 So here's the thing. 523 00:19:15,753 --> 00:19:17,855 It's very important that technology 524 00:19:17,957 --> 00:19:20,155 finds its way into this business. 525 00:19:20,257 --> 00:19:21,892 I understand the frustration, 526 00:19:21,994 --> 00:19:23,692 and you're not gonna get it overnight. 527 00:19:23,794 --> 00:19:26,430 And I'm proud of you. I really am proud of you. Thank you. 528 00:19:26,532 --> 00:19:31,000 I will promise to continue to... 529 00:19:31,102 --> 00:19:34,571 Follow up with you as far as technology goes. 530 00:19:34,673 --> 00:19:36,405 -Almost crying there. -Almost, yeah. 531 00:19:36,507 --> 00:19:38,242 What are you thinking? 532 00:19:38,344 --> 00:19:40,642 I got to change to make this business keep going. 533 00:19:40,744 --> 00:19:42,779 I got a little choked up at the time. 534 00:19:42,881 --> 00:19:43,946 That really hit home -- 535 00:19:44,048 --> 00:19:47,783 you know, things I have to do at that time 536 00:19:47,885 --> 00:19:50,254 to keep the business afloat. 537 00:19:50,356 --> 00:19:51,421 -Morning, guys. -Hey, robert. 538 00:19:51,523 --> 00:19:53,288 Cheryl: Hey, robert. 539 00:19:53,390 --> 00:19:54,725 It's still a mess. Honestly... 540 00:19:54,827 --> 00:19:56,258 Irvine: I don't see much of anything. 541 00:19:56,360 --> 00:19:57,392 Well, we got the floor done. 542 00:19:57,494 --> 00:19:58,562 Let's just be happy about the floor 543 00:19:58,664 --> 00:19:59,429 'cause that was a huge, huge... 544 00:19:59,531 --> 00:20:00,696 The floor is done. 545 00:20:00,798 --> 00:20:02,533 The ceiling's done, which were two big projects. 546 00:20:02,602 --> 00:20:04,233 But the problem is, I feel like all I did 547 00:20:04,335 --> 00:20:05,800 all day yesterday was repair things. 548 00:20:05,902 --> 00:20:08,771 You know, this afternoon, I've got to open a business. 549 00:20:08,873 --> 00:20:10,404 Well, I'll tell you right now, 550 00:20:10,506 --> 00:20:13,441 we are really far from opening up this business. 551 00:20:13,543 --> 00:20:16,279 Irvine: It was a circus inside with all the construction, 552 00:20:16,381 --> 00:20:18,245 so I set up my own tent to teach the cooks 553 00:20:18,347 --> 00:20:20,216 some new tricks in the kitchen. 554 00:20:20,318 --> 00:20:23,320 I kept thinking, "how can we get people to come in here 555 00:20:23,422 --> 00:20:25,187 that have never seen this place before?" 556 00:20:25,289 --> 00:20:27,791 so I created some fun dishes that also catered 557 00:20:27,893 --> 00:20:30,691 to large parties to increase revenue. 558 00:20:30,793 --> 00:20:32,129 Irvine: A party platter. 559 00:20:32,231 --> 00:20:35,129 Wings are a simple, inexpensive cost item, 560 00:20:35,231 --> 00:20:36,366 but everybody loves them. 561 00:20:36,468 --> 00:20:39,437 It takes two minutes. Into a bowl. 562 00:20:39,539 --> 00:20:42,137 I'm gonna do a little sweet-and-sour sauce. 563 00:20:42,239 --> 00:20:43,907 A little toss. 564 00:20:44,009 --> 00:20:45,241 Mmm, mmm, mmm. 565 00:20:45,343 --> 00:20:46,474 Paul: Right in a bucket, just like that. 566 00:20:46,576 --> 00:20:47,912 -That's nice. -Yeah, it's pretty cool. 567 00:20:48,014 --> 00:20:49,245 This looks appetizing. 568 00:20:49,347 --> 00:20:51,512 I've never gotten involved in the food business. 569 00:20:51,614 --> 00:20:53,582 I never took any classes or anything like that, 570 00:20:53,684 --> 00:20:57,120 so I was happy that I could learn something. 571 00:20:57,222 --> 00:20:58,620 I always want to learn. 572 00:20:58,722 --> 00:21:00,257 All right -- burgers. 573 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:01,690 You make your own patties now, right? 574 00:21:01,792 --> 00:21:02,624 Yes, we do. 575 00:21:02,726 --> 00:21:04,995 Salt, pepper... 576 00:21:05,097 --> 00:21:07,995 ♪♪ 577 00:21:08,134 --> 00:21:09,365 ...Little cheese. 578 00:21:09,467 --> 00:21:10,665 See how fast this burger is? 579 00:21:10,767 --> 00:21:15,203 A little lettuce -- there's my crunch. 580 00:21:15,305 --> 00:21:18,907 This is a one-bite, right in. 581 00:21:19,009 --> 00:21:19,940 It's really tasty. 582 00:21:20,042 --> 00:21:21,411 -That's very nice. -Yeah, very good. 583 00:21:21,513 --> 00:21:25,648 So we figured out the cost of this for six people is $36. 584 00:21:25,750 --> 00:21:28,115 The whole platter cost us $10.50. 585 00:21:28,217 --> 00:21:29,186 That's a deal. 586 00:21:29,288 --> 00:21:30,586 I think food and bowling go hand-in-hand 587 00:21:30,688 --> 00:21:33,257 because they're both social, you know? 588 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:35,490 You grab a beer. You grab some wings. 589 00:21:35,592 --> 00:21:40,261 You sit on a table with a group of friends, and you bowl. 590 00:21:40,363 --> 00:21:43,298 And with the right food, they could capitalize on that. 591 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,935 What is it, the -- she used to put mozzarella cheese and... 592 00:21:46,037 --> 00:21:48,402 -Brown gravy. -...Disgusting brown gravy. 593 00:21:48,504 --> 00:21:49,873 Irvine: My next dish is an improvement on 594 00:21:49,975 --> 00:21:52,106 the soggy tina fries I had yesterday. 595 00:21:52,208 --> 00:21:53,910 Now, one of the problems was, 596 00:21:54,012 --> 00:21:56,177 when you put french fries that are crispy into a sauce, 597 00:21:56,279 --> 00:21:57,814 they become soggy immediately, 598 00:21:57,916 --> 00:22:00,181 so what we've done is really simple. 599 00:22:01,887 --> 00:22:03,152 Shake. 600 00:22:03,254 --> 00:22:04,519 Same time, while it's hot, 601 00:22:04,621 --> 00:22:09,256 taking just regular shredded cheese, sauce. 602 00:22:09,358 --> 00:22:11,493 Oh, just drizzle. Nice. 603 00:22:11,595 --> 00:22:12,727 Green onion -- you want some crispiness. 604 00:22:12,829 --> 00:22:14,731 Whoa! Yeah, baby! 605 00:22:14,833 --> 00:22:16,097 [ laughs ] 606 00:22:16,199 --> 00:22:17,164 and that's pretty awesome, right? 607 00:22:17,266 --> 00:22:18,368 -Yeah. -Yes, very nice. 608 00:22:18,470 --> 00:22:20,668 Pretty straightforward. 609 00:22:20,770 --> 00:22:23,406 -Still crispy. -Very tasty, too. 610 00:22:23,508 --> 00:22:24,839 It's crispy. You got the seasoning. 611 00:22:24,941 --> 00:22:26,110 You've got the cheese. I love the scallion. 612 00:22:26,212 --> 00:22:27,443 Right? The scallion gives it a little texture, 613 00:22:27,545 --> 00:22:28,310 a little oniony, right? 614 00:22:28,412 --> 00:22:29,710 Whole different flavor. 615 00:22:29,812 --> 00:22:33,247 Several items that he cooked up were easy to prepare, 616 00:22:33,349 --> 00:22:36,085 easy to serve, and short time to cook. 617 00:22:36,187 --> 00:22:37,751 I go, "how does this guy think about that?" 618 00:22:37,853 --> 00:22:39,822 but he's really good. 619 00:22:39,924 --> 00:22:41,355 He is just so good at doing that -- 620 00:22:41,457 --> 00:22:42,859 boom, boom, boom, boom. 621 00:22:42,961 --> 00:22:44,926 I'm like, "this guy really knows his stuff." 622 00:22:45,028 --> 00:22:47,230 so here it is. It's quarter to 5:00 on day 2. 623 00:22:47,332 --> 00:22:51,801 Supposed to open this bar and bowling alley at 6:30, 624 00:22:51,903 --> 00:22:54,101 and right now, it's in a shambles. 625 00:22:54,203 --> 00:22:55,705 The front of the bar is not done, 626 00:22:55,807 --> 00:22:57,005 lighting going over here, 627 00:22:57,107 --> 00:22:59,009 shelving going over here in a wall. 628 00:22:59,111 --> 00:23:01,442 I've got a bowling alley that's been painted. 629 00:23:01,544 --> 00:23:02,847 We're still putting lights up. 630 00:23:02,949 --> 00:23:04,413 At least we've got the diamonds up. 631 00:23:04,515 --> 00:23:06,513 It's the biggest thing we have ever done. 632 00:23:06,615 --> 00:23:10,217 Right now, my mission at paul's bar and bowling alley 633 00:23:10,319 --> 00:23:13,521 is gonna be a bust if I don't get it going. 634 00:23:13,623 --> 00:23:16,492 We're supposed to open, and yet we're still frantic 635 00:23:16,594 --> 00:23:19,630 trying to set the restaurant because we were far behind, 636 00:23:19,732 --> 00:23:22,996 but, hey, I'm not opening this restaurant until it's perfect. 637 00:23:23,098 --> 00:23:26,034 This is the future for paul and ed 638 00:23:26,136 --> 00:23:28,004 and everybody that's worked here. 639 00:23:29,273 --> 00:23:31,138 So let's talk about the business. 640 00:23:31,240 --> 00:23:33,709 How's finances? You get rid of the taxes? 641 00:23:33,811 --> 00:23:35,275 ♪♪ 642 00:23:38,682 --> 00:23:40,314 I'm revisiting paul's bar and bowling 643 00:23:40,416 --> 00:23:41,951 in paterson, new jersey, 644 00:23:42,053 --> 00:23:44,888 a spot that is somewhat of a historic landmark. 645 00:23:44,990 --> 00:23:46,622 So how old are these lanes? 646 00:23:46,724 --> 00:23:47,922 Ed: Over 80 years. 647 00:23:48,024 --> 00:23:50,059 We think they might be the oldest lanes in new jersey. 648 00:23:50,161 --> 00:23:51,926 Irvine: And while it's fun to be nostalgic, 649 00:23:52,028 --> 00:23:53,897 this business was out-of-date 650 00:23:53,999 --> 00:23:56,230 and had no technology whatsoever. 651 00:23:56,332 --> 00:23:57,534 So how do you keep score on this? 652 00:23:57,636 --> 00:23:59,667 Yeah. We got pencils, and we got paper. 653 00:23:59,769 --> 00:24:01,238 [ laughs ] 654 00:24:01,340 --> 00:24:03,872 irvine: My team tried to update as much as we could, 655 00:24:03,974 --> 00:24:05,409 but time was running out, 656 00:24:05,511 --> 00:24:09,142 and I felt immense pressure on me because paul was -- 657 00:24:09,244 --> 00:24:11,080 you just wanted to hug him. You wanted to hold him. 658 00:24:11,182 --> 00:24:13,450 You want to say, "everything's gonna be okay," 659 00:24:13,519 --> 00:24:15,917 because he'd worked hard for all this time, 660 00:24:16,019 --> 00:24:18,188 and I felt, you know, he's got two bad knees. 661 00:24:18,290 --> 00:24:19,855 He wasn't feeling good. 662 00:24:19,957 --> 00:24:22,525 He wasn't in good health, and yet he smiled every day, 663 00:24:22,627 --> 00:24:24,059 and he was here every day. 664 00:24:24,161 --> 00:24:25,359 Where's all the staff? 665 00:24:25,461 --> 00:24:27,596 Somebody get me brooms. 666 00:24:27,698 --> 00:24:29,934 Cheryl! 667 00:24:30,036 --> 00:24:31,600 All the boxes out the bar now. 668 00:24:31,702 --> 00:24:32,700 Remember, we have all these people 669 00:24:32,802 --> 00:24:34,638 who are expecting a great environment, 670 00:24:34,740 --> 00:24:35,871 and a brand-new bowling alley 671 00:24:35,973 --> 00:24:37,504 is gonna knock the socks off people. 672 00:24:37,606 --> 00:24:41,675 But they don't get it back until I'm ready and it's perfect. 673 00:24:41,777 --> 00:24:43,312 Robert said it would be beautiful. 674 00:24:43,414 --> 00:24:44,479 It's gonna be beautiful. 675 00:24:44,581 --> 00:24:46,183 Paul is a good friend, 676 00:24:46,252 --> 00:24:48,517 and he'd take his shirt off his back for you, 677 00:24:48,619 --> 00:24:51,354 and he's put everything that he could possibly do, 678 00:24:51,456 --> 00:24:53,821 working a 100-hour week for a couple years now 679 00:24:53,923 --> 00:24:54,858 to make this work. 680 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:56,125 How we doing, guys? 681 00:24:56,227 --> 00:24:58,058 -Ah! -Ah! Here's the man. 682 00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:00,929 I mean, this is the uplift we need right here in paterson 683 00:25:01,031 --> 00:25:02,262 after 85 years. 684 00:25:02,364 --> 00:25:04,500 Here we go. We're gonna start something new. 685 00:25:04,602 --> 00:25:06,533 Then we'll be around for another 85 years. 686 00:25:06,639 --> 00:25:07,804 You ready to see the restaurant? 687 00:25:07,906 --> 00:25:09,137 -Yes, we are. -Yes. 688 00:25:09,239 --> 00:25:11,441 -Okay. Keep your eyes closed. -All right. 689 00:25:11,543 --> 00:25:12,908 We're gonna start walking. 690 00:25:13,010 --> 00:25:15,212 The reveal was a bittersweet moment. 691 00:25:15,314 --> 00:25:17,612 I was so happy the way the restaurant turned out, 692 00:25:17,714 --> 00:25:20,049 but I was nervous because, remember, 693 00:25:20,151 --> 00:25:21,883 it was paul's mum and dad 694 00:25:21,985 --> 00:25:24,753 that started this back in 1929. 695 00:25:24,855 --> 00:25:29,691 This restaurant has not been touched for 60 years. 696 00:25:29,793 --> 00:25:32,928 Are you ready to see the new paul's? 697 00:25:33,030 --> 00:25:35,095 Ready and willing and able. 698 00:25:35,197 --> 00:25:36,432 [ laughs ] 699 00:25:36,534 --> 00:25:39,299 open your eyes. 700 00:25:39,405 --> 00:25:41,203 -Oh! -Oh, [bleep]! 701 00:25:41,305 --> 00:25:43,203 Guys, oh, my god. 702 00:25:43,305 --> 00:25:44,774 I would never imagine. 703 00:25:44,876 --> 00:25:47,340 Oh, my god. Look at [bleep]. 704 00:25:47,442 --> 00:25:49,245 Wow! 705 00:25:49,347 --> 00:25:51,849 I was shocked because I was actually gonna bet robert 706 00:25:51,951 --> 00:25:53,649 that this is gonna be the first episode 707 00:25:53,751 --> 00:25:57,586 he's not going to finish, and... 708 00:25:57,688 --> 00:25:59,924 Good thing you saved your money. 709 00:26:00,026 --> 00:26:01,457 Yeah. You proved me wrong, robert. 710 00:26:01,559 --> 00:26:02,624 You proved me wrong. 711 00:26:02,726 --> 00:26:04,228 Very elegant! 712 00:26:04,330 --> 00:26:06,261 Oh, my god. Paul: Awesome. 713 00:26:06,363 --> 00:26:07,494 And we kept the same windows, yes. 714 00:26:07,596 --> 00:26:09,132 Holy christmas. -Look how beautiful they are! 715 00:26:09,234 --> 00:26:11,565 -Wow. -Look at the bar! 716 00:26:11,667 --> 00:26:13,836 -Bar, man. -New stools! 717 00:26:13,938 --> 00:26:16,607 [ laughs ] oh, my god! -Wow. 718 00:26:16,709 --> 00:26:19,173 This is gonna be unbelievable! 719 00:26:19,275 --> 00:26:22,611 There's no bumps on the floor. 720 00:26:22,713 --> 00:26:25,348 Open your eyes and walk up the stairs. 721 00:26:25,450 --> 00:26:28,315 -Holy [bleep]. -[ laughs ] 722 00:26:28,417 --> 00:26:29,485 oh, man! 723 00:26:29,587 --> 00:26:30,852 It's a little bit brighter here now! 724 00:26:30,954 --> 00:26:33,456 It's a lot brighter, a lot cleaner, too. 725 00:26:33,558 --> 00:26:35,056 Lights! Fun! 726 00:26:35,158 --> 00:26:37,860 Those little score pads, the new score pads. Oh! 727 00:26:37,962 --> 00:26:40,760 Irvine: Oh. It's a bowling app 728 00:26:40,866 --> 00:26:44,598 so that nobody has to think about pen and paper. 729 00:26:44,700 --> 00:26:45,735 Wow. 730 00:26:45,837 --> 00:26:47,102 Paul, no more pencil and paper. 731 00:26:47,204 --> 00:26:48,602 I don't have to put them out no more. 732 00:26:48,704 --> 00:26:50,539 [ laughs ] beautiful! 733 00:26:50,641 --> 00:26:52,206 You fixed all the holes in the ceiling. 734 00:26:52,308 --> 00:26:53,543 Wow! 735 00:26:53,645 --> 00:26:56,843 It's fabulous. I was -- it was great. 736 00:26:56,945 --> 00:26:58,947 Robert and his crew did a great job. 737 00:26:59,049 --> 00:27:01,752 Just to see them is just a joy. 738 00:27:01,854 --> 00:27:05,052 I have two amazing people... Yes. 739 00:27:05,154 --> 00:27:07,522 ...Cheryl, my designer, and tom, my builder. 740 00:27:07,624 --> 00:27:08,922 Here they come. 741 00:27:09,024 --> 00:27:11,493 All right! Hi, cutie. 742 00:27:11,595 --> 00:27:12,760 Nice bowling alley. 743 00:27:12,862 --> 00:27:14,997 Thank you. Thank you so much. 744 00:27:15,099 --> 00:27:16,397 -It's...It's... -It's lively! 745 00:27:16,499 --> 00:27:17,664 It's energetic. -Yeah. 746 00:27:17,737 --> 00:27:20,235 -I'm even more proud of you. -Are you really? 747 00:27:20,337 --> 00:27:21,668 -Yeah. -Stop it. 748 00:27:21,737 --> 00:27:23,339 Irvine: I am. I don't say that. 749 00:27:23,441 --> 00:27:24,605 I mean that. Yeah. 750 00:27:24,707 --> 00:27:27,743 You embraced technology, and you've embraced change, 751 00:27:27,845 --> 00:27:29,176 which is very difficult. 752 00:27:29,278 --> 00:27:30,480 -Yeah. -You've done an amazing job. 753 00:27:30,582 --> 00:27:32,314 I didn't know if I was capable, but thanks, dude. 754 00:27:32,416 --> 00:27:35,318 It was so cool to watch their reaction, 755 00:27:35,420 --> 00:27:41,388 and kudos to the whole team -- all the volunteers, tom, cheryl. 756 00:27:41,490 --> 00:27:45,192 Yeah, this was a big one, and they pulled it off. 757 00:27:45,294 --> 00:27:46,497 All right, everybody! 758 00:27:46,599 --> 00:27:49,030 [ cheering ] 759 00:27:49,132 --> 00:27:50,601 more, more, more, more! 760 00:27:50,703 --> 00:27:52,234 [ cheering intensifies ] 761 00:27:52,336 --> 00:27:53,867 welcome to the new paul's, 762 00:27:53,969 --> 00:27:56,071 and you won't believe what they did to this joint. 763 00:27:56,173 --> 00:27:57,438 I'm amazed. 764 00:27:57,540 --> 00:27:59,109 Let's go! Find your places. 765 00:27:59,211 --> 00:28:01,342 Everybody bring your cash. Whoo-hoo! 766 00:28:03,382 --> 00:28:05,246 Lenny, go to your spot. 767 00:28:05,348 --> 00:28:06,646 Plenty of seats, so walk around the bar. 768 00:28:06,748 --> 00:28:07,684 Plenty of seats. 769 00:28:07,786 --> 00:28:09,450 -Hey. -Hey, buddy. 770 00:28:09,552 --> 00:28:11,221 Oh, man, what's up? 771 00:28:11,323 --> 00:28:13,788 ♪♪ 772 00:28:13,890 --> 00:28:15,259 woman: It's so bright and light. 773 00:28:15,361 --> 00:28:17,525 Everything looks so clean and pretty. 774 00:28:17,627 --> 00:28:18,625 I love the bookshelves. 775 00:28:18,727 --> 00:28:20,529 I think that's a really cool touch. 776 00:28:20,631 --> 00:28:22,463 And, you know, I can definitely see myself 777 00:28:22,565 --> 00:28:23,867 coming here with my friends now. 778 00:28:23,969 --> 00:28:27,437 Now I can tell my mom I hang out in a nice place. 779 00:28:27,539 --> 00:28:30,937 This is dorothy over the rainbow, kansas. 780 00:28:31,039 --> 00:28:33,108 I can't believe I'm in oz. 781 00:28:33,210 --> 00:28:34,675 This is fantastic. 782 00:28:34,777 --> 00:28:36,346 Ed: We have our regular people here. 783 00:28:36,448 --> 00:28:37,746 We have young people here. 784 00:28:37,848 --> 00:28:41,083 We have people bowling in the new lanes. 785 00:28:41,185 --> 00:28:42,283 Ah! 786 00:28:42,385 --> 00:28:43,921 I can't believe I'm getting very emotional. 787 00:28:44,023 --> 00:28:46,054 I feel this. I can't believe it. 788 00:28:46,156 --> 00:28:47,587 Ed went beyond himself. 789 00:28:47,689 --> 00:28:50,058 Ed's not a great verbalizer. 790 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:53,929 He kind of keeps emotions to himself. 791 00:28:54,031 --> 00:28:56,066 Opening night was a slam dunk, 792 00:28:56,135 --> 00:28:59,599 smashing success beyond my wildest dreams. 793 00:28:59,701 --> 00:29:02,237 It came out beautiful. 794 00:29:02,339 --> 00:29:04,941 It's so cool and so happening, 795 00:29:05,043 --> 00:29:07,741 so awesome to see the place like this. 796 00:29:07,843 --> 00:29:09,245 And all these people coming in tonight, 797 00:29:09,347 --> 00:29:11,978 and I can tell you right now, I know they'll all be back. 798 00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:13,449 And the food's amazing. 799 00:29:13,551 --> 00:29:16,116 ♪♪ 800 00:29:16,218 --> 00:29:17,187 the platters are outstanding. 801 00:29:17,289 --> 00:29:18,587 The wings are a lot better. 802 00:29:18,689 --> 00:29:22,757 Everything tastes, like, fresh and great. 803 00:29:22,859 --> 00:29:24,557 We came up a notch. 804 00:29:24,626 --> 00:29:26,561 It's not a shot-and-beer place anymore. 805 00:29:26,663 --> 00:29:28,899 We're making drinks. We're using shakers. 806 00:29:29,001 --> 00:29:30,632 We haven't don't that in a long time. 807 00:29:30,734 --> 00:29:32,432 We're having so much fun. 808 00:29:32,534 --> 00:29:34,803 [ cheering ] 809 00:29:34,905 --> 00:29:36,903 robert saved the bar. 810 00:29:37,009 --> 00:29:38,140 Hell yeah. That's why we're still here. 811 00:29:38,242 --> 00:29:40,840 Robert definitely saved the bar, without question. 812 00:29:40,942 --> 00:29:43,711 But he just turned it into something totally different 813 00:29:43,813 --> 00:29:48,849 and totally, business-wise, a boost in business. 814 00:29:48,951 --> 00:29:51,419 He really is a really good guy, and he knows what to do. 815 00:29:51,521 --> 00:29:53,219 He's very, very smart. 816 00:29:55,125 --> 00:29:58,161 -Strike! -No way! 817 00:29:58,263 --> 00:30:00,428 -Oh! -No! 818 00:30:00,530 --> 00:30:05,565 ♪♪ 819 00:30:05,671 --> 00:30:08,302 I visited paul's bar and bowling five years ago, 820 00:30:08,404 --> 00:30:09,502 and I'm heading back there now 821 00:30:09,604 --> 00:30:11,340 to see exactly how they're doing. 822 00:30:11,442 --> 00:30:14,877 Is their business doing well, and is ed still there? 823 00:30:14,979 --> 00:30:17,711 Another funny but big question is -- 824 00:30:17,813 --> 00:30:20,781 is paul still using his cellphone, 825 00:30:20,883 --> 00:30:23,985 his computer, and his ipad? 826 00:30:24,087 --> 00:30:25,852 Only time will tell. 827 00:30:29,727 --> 00:30:32,462 ♪♪ 828 00:30:32,564 --> 00:30:35,195 I visited paul's bar and bowling five years ago, 829 00:30:35,297 --> 00:30:36,333 and I'm heading back there now 830 00:30:36,435 --> 00:30:38,366 to see exactly how they're doing. 831 00:30:38,468 --> 00:30:41,837 This is the only bowling alley we've ever tackled on the show, 832 00:30:41,939 --> 00:30:44,341 and to be honest with you, I'm really glad. 833 00:30:44,443 --> 00:30:46,441 What I remember most about this episode was 834 00:30:46,543 --> 00:30:48,274 everything was stuck in the past -- 835 00:30:48,380 --> 00:30:51,012 the bowling alley, the bar, the food, 836 00:30:51,114 --> 00:30:53,249 and even the owner, paul. 837 00:30:53,351 --> 00:30:55,382 But that guy quickly stole my heart, 838 00:30:55,484 --> 00:30:58,787 and I dove in headfirst to save his business. 839 00:30:58,889 --> 00:31:02,224 And I just hope that it stands the test of time. 840 00:31:02,326 --> 00:31:05,628 Well, here we are. [ cellphone chimes ] 841 00:31:05,730 --> 00:31:07,928 [ laughs ] "hey, robert. 842 00:31:08,030 --> 00:31:09,565 It's paul from paterson, new jersey. 843 00:31:09,667 --> 00:31:10,732 I can't wait to see you. 844 00:31:10,834 --> 00:31:12,132 I'm sending you this text." 845 00:31:12,234 --> 00:31:16,570 which means, hey, he's learned how to use technology. 846 00:31:16,672 --> 00:31:18,640 I can't wait to go in, see how he's doing, 847 00:31:18,742 --> 00:31:20,040 see if ed is still there, 848 00:31:20,142 --> 00:31:22,211 and see if they're keeping up with the building. 849 00:31:22,313 --> 00:31:23,444 All right. 850 00:31:23,546 --> 00:31:25,178 Here we go. 851 00:31:30,621 --> 00:31:35,957 ♪♪ 852 00:31:36,059 --> 00:31:38,861 it takes me back five years ago when I walked through that door, 853 00:31:38,963 --> 00:31:41,427 and the whole place stopped in time. 854 00:31:41,529 --> 00:31:43,432 It's just a weird feeling to come back into a place, 855 00:31:43,534 --> 00:31:45,165 especially when we had to everything, 856 00:31:45,267 --> 00:31:48,269 and I mean everything -- the floor, the ceiling, the bar. 857 00:31:48,371 --> 00:31:49,736 You name it, we did it. 858 00:31:49,842 --> 00:31:51,173 It doesn't look any different. 859 00:31:51,275 --> 00:31:53,340 In fact, chairs were done. 860 00:31:53,442 --> 00:31:54,544 The front of the bar was done. 861 00:31:54,646 --> 00:31:56,211 We put a backbar in. 862 00:31:56,313 --> 00:31:57,511 I want to see the bowling alley now, 863 00:31:57,613 --> 00:31:59,215 say hi to these folks. 864 00:31:59,317 --> 00:32:09,256 ♪♪ 865 00:32:09,358 --> 00:32:11,227 so remember, five years ago, 866 00:32:11,329 --> 00:32:13,060 there was very few people playing up here. 867 00:32:13,162 --> 00:32:14,194 Why? It was old. 868 00:32:14,296 --> 00:32:15,664 The ceiling was broken. 869 00:32:15,766 --> 00:32:18,331 The only coolest thing that I remember here 870 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:19,968 were the lanes were the original lanes, 871 00:32:20,070 --> 00:32:21,435 and still look at them now. 872 00:32:21,537 --> 00:32:24,572 They're better than most bowling alleys that are modern-day. 873 00:32:24,674 --> 00:32:26,272 Thing was, five years ago, 874 00:32:26,374 --> 00:32:28,510 technology had taken such a huge leap, 875 00:32:28,612 --> 00:32:30,781 and they were still using paper and pens. 876 00:32:30,849 --> 00:32:32,047 [ laughs ] 877 00:32:32,149 --> 00:32:34,985 we put ipads in here, but apparently this is the best way. 878 00:32:35,087 --> 00:32:36,851 How long you been coming here? 879 00:32:40,324 --> 00:32:41,222 What about you? 880 00:32:41,324 --> 00:32:42,789 Oh, probably about 30 years. 881 00:32:42,891 --> 00:32:43,960 So what about you guys in the corner? 882 00:32:44,062 --> 00:32:45,160 You're all quiet, eh? 883 00:32:45,262 --> 00:32:47,230 It'll be our second time on Thursday. 884 00:32:47,332 --> 00:32:50,297 When you drove by, what did you like about the place? 885 00:32:50,399 --> 00:32:51,634 Honestly, it was just one of those places 886 00:32:51,736 --> 00:32:53,234 that looked like it was a cool place to hang out. 887 00:32:53,336 --> 00:32:54,534 This is an historic place. 888 00:32:54,636 --> 00:32:57,705 We all know each other. We have fun. 889 00:32:57,807 --> 00:32:59,072 All right. Sorry to interrupt. 890 00:32:59,174 --> 00:33:00,743 Enjoy what you're doing. 891 00:33:00,845 --> 00:33:04,113 ♪♪ 892 00:33:04,215 --> 00:33:06,480 there's something about this place that's really special. 893 00:33:06,582 --> 00:33:09,884 Up here, we have old-timers mixed in with young folks 894 00:33:09,986 --> 00:33:11,651 having a laugh, eating great food, 895 00:33:11,757 --> 00:33:15,222 drinking beer, but there's still lots to see. 896 00:33:17,494 --> 00:33:20,596 The man, the myth, the legend in his own bar. 897 00:33:20,698 --> 00:33:21,963 That's my line. 898 00:33:22,065 --> 00:33:23,430 How are you doing, robert? Good to see. 899 00:33:23,532 --> 00:33:25,034 So what's news? 900 00:33:25,136 --> 00:33:26,501 Are they all -- everybody still here? 901 00:33:26,603 --> 00:33:28,105 Yeah, just about, yes. 902 00:33:28,173 --> 00:33:30,138 Everybody -- yeah. Tina's still here. 903 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:32,309 Tina -- I mean, listen, if you sell this place, 904 00:33:32,411 --> 00:33:34,575 she has to go with it. Tina: I'm coming with you. 905 00:33:34,677 --> 00:33:36,446 [ laughter ] 906 00:33:36,548 --> 00:33:38,313 so how is your health? 907 00:33:38,415 --> 00:33:40,246 Eh, I got some problems. Couple... 908 00:33:40,348 --> 00:33:41,584 What about your knees? They still there? 909 00:33:41,686 --> 00:33:43,217 -The knees are fine. -Your knees are fine? 910 00:33:43,319 --> 00:33:46,254 Yeah, I got stem-cell injections from one of those stem cells. 911 00:33:46,356 --> 00:33:48,892 But my main problem is I got three compression fractures 912 00:33:48,994 --> 00:33:51,458 in my back, so that hurts a lot. 913 00:33:51,560 --> 00:33:52,896 So what about ed? Is ed still here? 914 00:33:52,998 --> 00:33:54,663 Yeah, he bailed me out. 915 00:33:54,765 --> 00:33:56,933 He's working every day, seven days a week. 916 00:33:57,035 --> 00:33:58,167 He's a godsend. 917 00:33:58,269 --> 00:33:59,333 He's really a godsend. 918 00:33:59,435 --> 00:34:00,600 -Hey. -Hey, buddy. 919 00:34:00,702 --> 00:34:01,971 -How are you? -I just asked about you. 920 00:34:02,073 --> 00:34:03,337 Oh, really? Yeah, I'm still here. 921 00:34:03,439 --> 00:34:04,537 -So how have you been? -Very good. 922 00:34:04,639 --> 00:34:06,041 Tell me about the taco tuesdays. 923 00:34:06,143 --> 00:34:08,441 Ed: Oh, it's unbelievable. We got the best tacos around. 924 00:34:08,543 --> 00:34:10,046 So why did you go into taco Tuesday? 925 00:34:10,148 --> 00:34:11,146 Well, you know, paul and I -- 926 00:34:11,248 --> 00:34:12,646 we go to this local joint down the road. 927 00:34:12,748 --> 00:34:14,616 I said, "wow. Look at these prices. 928 00:34:14,718 --> 00:34:16,183 They're so freaking low." 929 00:34:16,285 --> 00:34:18,854 I said, "you know what? Maybe we should do that." 930 00:34:18,956 --> 00:34:20,420 yeah, it's a good idea. 931 00:34:20,522 --> 00:34:22,791 Our burgers -- our 5-ounce sirloin burger 932 00:34:22,893 --> 00:34:25,529 for $3 with anything on it. 933 00:34:25,631 --> 00:34:27,062 Irvine: You know, here I am five years later. 934 00:34:27,164 --> 00:34:28,495 They've done great with tacos 935 00:34:28,597 --> 00:34:30,699 and all these other things that are bar food -- 936 00:34:30,801 --> 00:34:32,599 something fast, something tasty, 937 00:34:32,701 --> 00:34:34,537 something they're gonna remember and keep coming back. 938 00:34:34,639 --> 00:34:36,170 Listen, you get them in the door, 939 00:34:36,272 --> 00:34:37,603 they're not having one drink. 940 00:34:37,743 --> 00:34:39,341 They're having a couple. 941 00:34:39,443 --> 00:34:41,208 Listen, I have to ask you this one question. 942 00:34:41,310 --> 00:34:42,412 Okay. 943 00:34:42,514 --> 00:34:45,278 You had no idea of how to use a phone. 944 00:34:45,380 --> 00:34:46,716 Well, I got your text. 945 00:34:46,818 --> 00:34:48,282 Thank you very much. 946 00:34:48,384 --> 00:34:50,686 Are you photographing these and putting them on social media? 947 00:34:50,788 --> 00:34:51,720 Yes, we do. 948 00:34:51,822 --> 00:34:53,753 Social media helped out a lot. 949 00:34:53,855 --> 00:34:55,191 Social media is huge. 950 00:34:55,293 --> 00:34:57,991 We have bands here, so people know when the bands are playing. 951 00:34:58,093 --> 00:35:00,928 The girls make great home-cooked specials, 952 00:35:01,030 --> 00:35:02,432 and they're all, like, under 10 bucks. 953 00:35:02,534 --> 00:35:04,532 It's unbelievable. That brings people in. 954 00:35:04,634 --> 00:35:06,536 So let's talk about the business. 955 00:35:06,638 --> 00:35:10,336 How's finances? You get rid of the taxes? 956 00:35:10,438 --> 00:35:13,240 Well, I mean, uh... Caught up. 957 00:35:13,342 --> 00:35:17,578 We had an outstanding August through present. 958 00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:19,815 You know, when you make an extra $500 on a Friday 959 00:35:19,917 --> 00:35:22,582 and Saturday, all of a sudden that adds up. Yeah. 960 00:35:22,684 --> 00:35:25,053 You can start buying things and making the place better. 961 00:35:25,155 --> 00:35:26,619 You pay off the bills. 962 00:35:26,721 --> 00:35:28,523 You know, it's been great. 963 00:35:28,625 --> 00:35:31,061 If I could wave a wand and say, 964 00:35:31,163 --> 00:35:33,761 "what do you need help with?" what would it be? 965 00:35:33,863 --> 00:35:35,831 I definitely need help in the kitchen. 966 00:35:35,933 --> 00:35:38,065 In the day, it used to be a sandwich bar. 967 00:35:38,167 --> 00:35:39,669 -Right. -And we have it on the menu. 968 00:35:39,771 --> 00:35:42,002 But no one orders it from the menu. 969 00:35:42,104 --> 00:35:44,606 Yeah, we're throwing out a lot of sandwich rolls 970 00:35:44,708 --> 00:35:48,010 because they're all having the specials that the girls make. 971 00:35:48,112 --> 00:35:49,144 What's your special today? 972 00:35:49,246 --> 00:35:51,815 Potato and leek soup and hot roast beef. 973 00:35:51,917 --> 00:35:53,715 All right. I'm gonna try the food, 974 00:35:53,817 --> 00:35:55,315 and we'll chat on some stuff. 975 00:35:55,417 --> 00:35:56,419 -Yeah, yeah. -Sure. 976 00:35:56,521 --> 00:35:57,919 -Okay? -We'll be here. We'll wait. 977 00:35:58,021 --> 00:35:59,052 I know you're not going anywhere. 978 00:35:59,154 --> 00:36:01,189 You owe me beer. [ laughs ] 979 00:36:01,291 --> 00:36:04,260 here we are. We got a kitchen that's like 4x3, 980 00:36:04,362 --> 00:36:06,693 so I'm impressed they're utilizing it 981 00:36:06,795 --> 00:36:09,431 to draw in folks with specials on the menu, 982 00:36:09,533 --> 00:36:13,702 but will it taste special or be bland like before? 983 00:36:16,674 --> 00:36:19,006 ♪♪ 984 00:36:19,108 --> 00:36:20,876 irvine: I'm revisiting paul's bar and bowling 985 00:36:20,978 --> 00:36:22,843 in paterson, new jersey. 986 00:36:22,945 --> 00:36:25,681 I haven't been back since 2014, 987 00:36:25,783 --> 00:36:29,118 and the place looked just like how I left it. 988 00:36:29,220 --> 00:36:31,251 Paul is still using technology. 989 00:36:31,353 --> 00:36:33,422 Are you photographing these and putting them on social media? 990 00:36:33,524 --> 00:36:34,489 Ed: Yes, we do. 991 00:36:34,591 --> 00:36:36,022 Social media helped out a lot. 992 00:36:36,124 --> 00:36:37,926 Irvine: And they're making money. 993 00:36:38,028 --> 00:36:38,959 How's finances? 994 00:36:39,061 --> 00:36:40,459 You know, it's been great. 995 00:36:40,566 --> 00:36:42,730 You can start buying things and making the place better. 996 00:36:42,832 --> 00:36:44,230 You pay off the bills. 997 00:36:44,332 --> 00:36:46,168 Irvine: But it's time to try the food. 998 00:36:46,270 --> 00:36:48,268 -Our roast-beef sandwich. -Roast beef. 999 00:36:48,370 --> 00:36:50,005 -There's our... -Soup. 1000 00:36:50,107 --> 00:36:52,538 -...Potato-and-leek soup. -Thank you. 1001 00:36:52,640 --> 00:36:54,009 Tina: Okay. 1002 00:36:54,111 --> 00:36:55,543 [ laughter in background ] 1003 00:36:55,645 --> 00:36:59,347 ♪♪ 1004 00:36:59,449 --> 00:37:01,984 that is good, nicely -- that's a good soup. 1005 00:37:02,086 --> 00:37:03,617 I'd be proud to serve that in my restaurant. 1006 00:37:03,719 --> 00:37:04,884 It's very good. 1007 00:37:04,986 --> 00:37:06,955 Sandwiches -- this is the beef. 1008 00:37:07,057 --> 00:37:11,226 ♪♪ 1009 00:37:11,328 --> 00:37:14,930 I mean, it's a good sandwich, but nothing wow. 1010 00:37:15,032 --> 00:37:16,330 The italian. 1011 00:37:16,432 --> 00:37:19,300 ♪♪ 1012 00:37:19,402 --> 00:37:22,804 it's crispy lettuce, good meat, cheese. 1013 00:37:22,906 --> 00:37:24,071 I mean, it's a good sandwich. 1014 00:37:24,173 --> 00:37:25,404 There's nothing wrong with these sandwiches, 1015 00:37:25,506 --> 00:37:27,075 but you've got to be a little bit more exciting, 1016 00:37:27,177 --> 00:37:30,546 and that's where we make money. 1017 00:37:30,648 --> 00:37:34,083 I have the perfect idea that will not only taste delicious 1018 00:37:34,185 --> 00:37:38,054 but will use up extra breads so they're not wasting any product. 1019 00:37:38,156 --> 00:37:41,954 So first of all, the soup I tried, the potato leek -- 1020 00:37:42,060 --> 00:37:44,725 that was a 10, but I thought I'd give you a different idea 1021 00:37:44,827 --> 00:37:47,329 of a more millennial kind of soup. 1022 00:37:47,431 --> 00:37:48,562 Gonna do a french onion soup. 1023 00:37:48,664 --> 00:37:50,833 It's quick, easy food we can prep beforehand 1024 00:37:50,935 --> 00:37:52,200 and sell a lot of. 1025 00:37:52,302 --> 00:37:53,866 Right. Starts with onions -- 1026 00:37:53,968 --> 00:37:56,771 lots of onions, just sliced onions. 1027 00:37:56,873 --> 00:37:59,075 Then we'll take a little brandy 1028 00:37:59,177 --> 00:38:00,508 that I'm gonna add. 1029 00:38:00,610 --> 00:38:04,612 You smell that already starting to sweetness to the onions. 1030 00:38:04,714 --> 00:38:09,783 Into that, I'm gonna take some beef stock and salt, 1031 00:38:09,885 --> 00:38:13,620 some thyme, a little tarragon, 1032 00:38:13,722 --> 00:38:15,858 and I thought we could use some of the leftover bread -- 1033 00:38:15,960 --> 00:38:19,462 cut into a disk and put some cheese on the top of it. 1034 00:38:19,564 --> 00:38:21,928 Into your little pizza-oven thing here. 1035 00:38:22,030 --> 00:38:23,966 Oh, baby. 1036 00:38:24,068 --> 00:38:25,366 Get the cheese to melt. 1037 00:38:25,468 --> 00:38:27,837 All right. So take my bowl. 1038 00:38:27,939 --> 00:38:31,307 ♪ do-do-do-do-do-doot doot-doot-do ♪ 1039 00:38:31,409 --> 00:38:35,278 french onion soup in a minute. 1040 00:38:35,347 --> 00:38:37,545 All right. So next thing I'm gonna do -- 1041 00:38:37,647 --> 00:38:38,778 crispy chicken sandwich. 1042 00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:43,382 I'm gonna start with chicken thigh into seasoned flour. 1043 00:38:43,488 --> 00:38:46,286 Into the fryer. 1044 00:38:46,388 --> 00:38:48,290 Little bacon. 1045 00:38:48,392 --> 00:38:50,590 A nicely toasted bun. 1046 00:38:50,692 --> 00:38:52,695 Chicken is ready. 1047 00:38:52,797 --> 00:38:56,232 French fries, salt and pepper, spicy ranch dressing, 1048 00:38:56,334 --> 00:38:58,365 and the chicken. 1049 00:38:58,467 --> 00:38:59,632 There we go. 1050 00:38:59,734 --> 00:39:04,040 Crispy chicken sandwich with bacon, french fries. 1051 00:39:06,009 --> 00:39:08,378 All right. I did a french onion soup. 1052 00:39:08,480 --> 00:39:10,244 Some way to use some of the leftover bread. 1053 00:39:10,346 --> 00:39:14,348 This one is a ranch-marinated chicken thigh, bacon, 1054 00:39:14,450 --> 00:39:16,148 a little sriracha, give it a little spice. 1055 00:39:16,288 --> 00:39:18,052 It literally takes three minutes, four minutes 1056 00:39:18,154 --> 00:39:19,719 to do this dish. 1057 00:39:19,821 --> 00:39:22,590 Now, look, try the soup first. 1058 00:39:22,692 --> 00:39:24,323 Paul: Let me see. 1059 00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:30,431 I tell you what -- that's tasty. 1060 00:39:30,533 --> 00:39:32,902 Really, really, really tasty. Very good. 1061 00:39:33,004 --> 00:39:36,435 Gonna take a bite of the chicken. 1062 00:39:36,537 --> 00:39:39,040 Mmm. 1063 00:39:39,142 --> 00:39:40,673 That's good. 1064 00:39:40,812 --> 00:39:42,777 And by the way, this will go a long way 1065 00:39:42,879 --> 00:39:44,144 to solving your sandwich problems. 1066 00:39:44,246 --> 00:39:46,081 Everybody loves a fried-chicken sandwich. 1067 00:39:46,183 --> 00:39:47,381 And you know what it does? 1068 00:39:47,483 --> 00:39:49,652 Salt and spice... Mm-hmm. 1069 00:39:49,754 --> 00:39:52,352 ...Increases your need for... 1070 00:39:52,454 --> 00:39:53,556 Something to drink. 1071 00:39:53,658 --> 00:39:55,023 -...Alcohol. -Alcohol. 1072 00:39:55,125 --> 00:39:57,560 Even though you have a small kitchen, 1073 00:39:57,662 --> 00:39:59,560 you can still create magic food. 1074 00:39:59,662 --> 00:40:01,864 I'm gonna love you, leave, and tell you this -- 1075 00:40:01,966 --> 00:40:03,597 it's been awesome to see you both. 1076 00:40:03,699 --> 00:40:06,401 To see the people that I saw five years ago 1077 00:40:06,503 --> 00:40:09,939 still sitting in these chairs and some fresh faces upstairs, 1078 00:40:10,041 --> 00:40:13,743 it just goes to show that you're doing something right. 1079 00:40:13,845 --> 00:40:15,310 I'm very proud of you. Thank you. 1080 00:40:15,412 --> 00:40:17,713 It's heartfelt, really. 1081 00:40:17,782 --> 00:40:19,314 Thanks, robert. Thank you. 1082 00:40:19,416 --> 00:40:21,380 Robert -- he was very happy with us. 1083 00:40:21,482 --> 00:40:23,051 -Thank you, pal. -Take care of him. 1084 00:40:23,153 --> 00:40:24,051 Yeah, take care, robert. 1085 00:40:24,153 --> 00:40:25,618 It makes me feel wonderful. 1086 00:40:25,720 --> 00:40:27,889 You know, like, five years hasn't gone wasted. 1087 00:40:27,991 --> 00:40:31,126 We got the guru to tell us, "yeah, you passed the test." 1088 00:40:31,228 --> 00:40:33,393 -[ chuckles ] -appreciate it. 1089 00:40:33,495 --> 00:40:35,597 Before robert came, a lot of people associated 1090 00:40:35,699 --> 00:40:36,930 with a dive bar. 1091 00:40:37,032 --> 00:40:38,868 After robert came, it became more lively. 1092 00:40:38,970 --> 00:40:41,634 We have bands now. We have djs now. 1093 00:40:41,736 --> 00:40:44,272 We get different crowds in, and everyone really likes it. 1094 00:40:44,374 --> 00:40:45,838 You think I can eat a wing? 1095 00:40:45,940 --> 00:40:46,942 -Yes. -With your permission? 1096 00:40:47,044 --> 00:40:48,642 -Yes, you can. -My name is andré sayegh. 1097 00:40:48,744 --> 00:40:50,747 I'm the proud mayor of the city of paterson, 1098 00:40:50,849 --> 00:40:54,584 and we appreciate paul's bar because it's an institution. 1099 00:40:54,686 --> 00:40:57,617 This is the kind of place where everyone knows your name. 1100 00:40:57,719 --> 00:40:59,921 [ indistinct talking and laughing ] 1101 00:41:00,023 --> 00:41:01,588 the bread on this french onion soup 1102 00:41:01,690 --> 00:41:02,859 tastes just like garlic bread. 1103 00:41:02,961 --> 00:41:05,125 The cheese on top makes it absolutely pop. 1104 00:41:05,227 --> 00:41:06,392 It's delicious. 1105 00:41:06,494 --> 00:41:07,696 If they're gonna have this as a new item, 1106 00:41:07,798 --> 00:41:11,034 I would eat it all the time. 1107 00:41:11,136 --> 00:41:13,834 I ordered a bacon, chicken, and ranch sandwich. 1108 00:41:13,936 --> 00:41:17,938 It was crunchy, tasty, and I love the bacon. 1109 00:41:18,040 --> 00:41:20,142 Paul: Robert comes back in five years, 1110 00:41:20,244 --> 00:41:22,442 I'm thinking that he's gonna be very impressed again, 1111 00:41:22,544 --> 00:41:25,579 and if we get out of debt totally and no new debt, 1112 00:41:25,681 --> 00:41:28,550 he's gonna be ecstatic. 1113 00:41:28,652 --> 00:41:29,983 Irvine: People think I'm tough at what I do, 1114 00:41:30,085 --> 00:41:32,987 and I make no apologies for being tough or being direct 1115 00:41:33,089 --> 00:41:35,925 because if you're gonna make a change, 1116 00:41:36,027 --> 00:41:37,392 you need to jolt the system. 1117 00:41:37,494 --> 00:41:41,029 We jolted the system here, and look -- five years later, 1118 00:41:41,131 --> 00:41:43,800 we're still in business, five years of life. 1119 00:41:43,902 --> 00:41:46,066 I mean, there's plenty of years left to go, so... 1120 00:41:46,168 --> 00:41:48,770 And I say if you listen, you can be successful, 1121 00:41:48,872 --> 00:41:50,137 and you have to do the work -- 1122 00:41:50,239 --> 00:41:53,841 in this case, paul, tina, ed, and the rest of the team. 1123 00:41:53,943 --> 00:41:56,145 Here we are. That's why I love my job. 1124 00:41:56,247 --> 00:41:59,912 ♪♪