Olde Hitching Post - Kitchen Nightmares Update - Open or Closed?

In this Kitchen Nightmares episode, Gordon Ramsay visits the Olde Hitching Post in Hanson, Massachusetts.

Olde Hitching Post was purchased by Greek restaurateur Tom Kessaris.

He bought the restaurant to give to his daughter.

Although he bought the restaurant for his daughter Andrea, Tom runs the restaurant.

Tom has not let Andrea run it six years later.

Tom is supporting the restaurant with his own savings.

Andrea says that she wouldn't have signed up to it if she knew 7 years later she still would not be in control.

Tom picks up Gordon at the train station and he is eager to meet him.

On the drive down he gives him a summary of the restaurant.

The restaurant serves mostly American food with some Greek food.

He says he has successfully run two restaurants.

Tom bought this restaurant for his daughter’s future but she is not ready or hungry for it.

He has tried serving quality food, generous portions and affordable prices but nothing is working.

Tom tells him that he is buying quality produce but despite this he is losing $7-8,000 a week.

The Manager Janice meets him at the restaurant.

She quickly tells Gordon not to believe everything Tom told him.

She doesn’t believe he is open to change or will accept any changes Gordon has for the restaurant.

Next, he meets Andrea and she tells him her role is manager of the front of the house.

Her dad still runs it overall and he is not ready to pass the reigns.

Andrea counters all Tom says, she says that she works hard.

It's been her dream to run a restaurant but her father is frustrating her.

Her husband also works at the restaurant.

Tom was brought in to help in the kitchen and he reiterates his belief and they butt heads on it.

Gordon is served by waitress Carla, who has been there for 26 years.

He orders a Cranberry Haddock, Meatloaf and Lobster Ravioli.

Carla says the food is made fresh because Tom tells them they have to say it's fresh.

The Lobster Ravioli is brought quickly.

Carla admits the lobster is frozen and Gordon spits it out on the plate.

Next, the Cranberry Haddock is bought out to Gordon.

He says it looks like bird cr*p as it is watery, undercooked and bland.

The Meatloaf arrives and he is assured it was made today.

It is disgusting, not seasoned properly and bland.

Carla finds out it is frozen from the Chef and tells Gordon it is frozen.

He sends it back to the kitchen and goes to meet the kitchen staff.

Dan, Kevin and Spyros work behind the line in the kitchen.

They admit the meatloaf is made every 2 weeks.

It is frozen and defrosted as needed during service.

Tom is adamant that people love the Meatloaf and come far and wide to order it.

Dan the Chef says he has tried the meatloaf and hates it.

Kevin says their food is about a 3 out of 10.

Gordon leaves and Tom lays into Kevin for saying the food isn’t good.

All three of the kitchen members say they do complain,

They complain about the food and conditions often but they are not allowed to change the menu.

Gordon arrives to see and evening service.

He observes the kitchen work and sees them serving frozen calamari.

Tom insists that they serve the dish with frozen calamari because customers don’t ask for it to be fresh.

Gordon comes across the frozen Meatloaf they serve and they are as hard as bricks.

He dares Tom to tell customers their Meatloaf is frozen but he refuses to do so.

Gordon says if he isn’t ashamed he should be able to tell customers what their foods are made from.

Gordon meets Andrea and tells her she must have standards for the restaurant if her father doesn’t.

Gordon asks Carla to tell customers which of the food is frozen and which is fresh and customers rethink their orders.

Many customers complain that their food tastes more like frozen TV dinners.

Gordon then goes back in to inspect the kitchen including their fridges, freezers and walk-in.

He comes across some frozen scallops defrosting in milk.

They smell off but Tom says they smell ocean fresh.

Tom is insistent the scallops are still fresh.

He gets Gordon riled up on their frozen and precooking practices.

Andrea is embarrassed by the display and Gordon commiserates with Andrea.

The next day, Gordon goes on the radio to hear from locals about their opinions on the restaurant.

The calls gave very negative reviews with complaints ranging from food poisoning to the dated decor.

Gordon speaks to the staff later.

He tells them the reason the restaurant is suffering is because of Tom and the bad practices.

Tom admits he is stuck mentally and economically.

That's why he instituted the practices but he does want to change so the place can be better.

Gordon has an exercise for the staff where he presents two Meatloaf dishes.

These are made using fresh ingredients and are a plain meatloaf and a turkey meatloaf.

The staff say they look nice and taste nice too.

Gordon reveals the meals were made by customers of the restaurant.

He shows them they must make food better than people can make at home to keep the restaurant in business.

Gordon’s team made some much-needed changes to the restaurant overnight.

The staff are shocked at what is revealed as the cranberry walls are now a bluish grey.

The decor is bright with rustic wooden chairs.

The reception area has reclaimed shutters as an art installation.

The booths have been removed, opening the place up with decorative plates on the walls.

Gordon creates a new menu for them made from all fresh ingredients.

The dishes include a clam chowder, a New England Lobster roll and an improved fresh meatloaf

The staff love the taste and they especially love the new meatloaf.

On relaunch night, Andrea is put in charge of the kitchen and new systems and processes are put in place.

Tom is in front of house greeting customers.

Andrea starts well, being the go-between the kitchen and service staff.

Gordon spots a salmon dish that is still raw in the middle.

The plate is re-prepared and taken out.

He reminds Andrea to insect the food carefully and for the chefs to slow down.

Tom is supportive of Andrea, giving her words of encouragement.

After the successful relaunch, Tom sits with his daughter.

He tells her he is proud of her and hands over the restaurant to her.

What Happened Next at Olde Hitching Post?

In the following weeks, Tom leaves Andrea to run the restaurant as promised.

The locals are happy with the new menu and new restaurant.

After Gordons visit Yelp reviews and Trip Advisor reviews are mixed.

More of the more recent reviews are mostly positive.

It appears that Andrea is now owner/manager of the restaurant.

Planning a visit to the restaurant? Check out their website for more info including opening hours.

Olde Hitching Post was aired on January 25 2013, the episode was filmed in June 2012 and is Kitchen Nightmares season 6 episode 6.

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