Valley Inn Restaurant Set to Appear on Food Network Show This Week
The Palos Hills joint is scheduled to appear on the television program 'Restaurant: Impossible' this Wednesday.
Dennis Ristucci thought his younger brother was joking when he said a television show wanted to feature his restaurant.
"I actually hung up on the guy thinking it was one my of brother’s buddy’s busting my chops," said Dennis, who runs Valley Inn Restaurant.
But after a quick call back, scouts for the Food Network television show "Restaurant: Impossible" had worked out the details with Dennis for shooting an episode featuring the family run restaurant in Palos Hills.
Valley Inn's episode is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. p.m. (CST) Wednesday. Promotional commercials for it began running last week.
Join the conversation. Like Palos Patch on Facebook and sign up for the breaking news alerts!
Ristucci and his wife Becky recently granted Palos Patch a chance to photograph the new digs and provided old photos to contrast the changes made during the show's remodeling.
The $10,000 makeover happened back in July. The show's host Robert Irvine heads the operation, flinging the occasional insult while offering advice on how to overhaul the establishment.
"He was really hard on our staff, which was needed," said Becky. "He brought his own chef in (Chef Lee) and showed the guys in the kitchen new ways."
The "kind of jerky" persona is mainly for the camera, Becky said. At one point, he pulled the couple aside and gave his personal insight into restaurant operation.
Even with the friendly advice, the 2 1/2 days of shooting was grueling for the Ristuccis and the restaurant staff, Becky said. Most of the changes were made to the dining area, adding more lighting and giving the whole place a more contemporary feel.
Becky said she saw the first commercial for the show on Oct. 3. The realization that he restaurant was about to appear on national television suddenly hit her.
"I almost choked.”
Read more:
Dianna
7:47 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
After the makeover Valley Inn lost some of its personality. I want the old Valley.
Gina
10:56 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
They also changed some of their best dishes. I hope once the limelight wears off they'll bring some of the items back.
Nick Swedberg
11:06 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
You should let them know. I'm sure they would they would appreciate the feedback.
Terri
12:56 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
I'm happy for them and wish them success!
Nick Swedberg
2:39 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Me, too!
Change is good. You have to roll with the times to keep up. Or you will never know what could be.
6:45 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Change is good. You have to roll with the times to keep up. Or you will never know what could be.
jeri
7:05 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
It was fun being there and watching all the changes and excitment going on.
Main thing is..."It is still the RISTUCCI family" Success and a great future
will prevail.
jeri
Jennifer
7:48 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
It defiently was exciting 2b a part of the transformation! THer was defiently sum new & imporved dishes on ther menu! In the mist of taping the sho, the poor family had a flood in ther home so I do just hope for ther success & happiness. BTW, I think the place looked great & everything was delicious! Kutos 2new menu!!!
Jennifer
7:52 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Change is hard 4any1 2handel!!
John Laskey
5:21 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
After watching the show and seeing how dirty and unsanitary the restaurant was I am glad that I have never dined there. And, I might not in the future.