Suvechha Sarkar
Season 1 of Fox’s ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service’ follows the chef as he uses his culinary insights to help failing eateries regain their footing. In episode 11, the focus shifts to the titular restaurant, ‘Dahlak,’ a family-owned restaurant in Pennsylvania run by the owner, Neghisti Ghebrehiwot, for over four decades. It is known for its authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisines and has been a beloved destination for many. However, the owner is overworking herself with no proper system in place at the restaurant, losing thousands of dollars. As Gordon steps into the eatery, he can see that they may have to shut their doors for good if they do not receive assistance.
The Owner’s Relentless Attachment to the Restaurant Threatens Dahlak’s Future
Dahlak restaurant is located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has been a cornerstone of Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes since 1984. The restaurant owner, Neghisti Ghebrehiwot, was born in Eritrea, a country in Africa. However, she was forced to leave her homeland during the tension between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Ultimately, she was granted political asylum, and she settled into a new life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two years later, Neghisti opened Dahlak with her sister, Belinish, and they focused entirely on sharing the authentic flavors of their roots and heritage. Gradually, the family expanded the team and employed relatives who also arrived in the country. Her husband, Amare Solomon, also played a significant role as the chef during the initial days.
However, tragedy struck the family’s life in 2005 with the passing of Amare from a heart attack. Over the years, Neghisti took on the reins and currently leads the restaurant as the owner and Head Chef. When Amare passed away, their eldest son, Ephream, stepped in to help his mother by taking on the role of General Manager. Her daughter Carmen, who is now also a model and was discovered while working as a waitress there, frequently works at the eatery to assist her mother. While she works as a Server, there is also Jesse, who is the Floor manager. The latter was initially a temporary hire but has now been working at Dahlak for five years. Then there is Natasha, the Bartender and Server, who has contributed her energy for the past year and a half.
Despite the devoted team, Carmen fears that Neghisti’s “workaholic” nature may repeat the history since she believes the stress from overwork contributed to her father’s death. Ephream shares similar concerns, hoping her mother can live a life beyond the restaurant. He aims to save the family’s legacy by working on what his mother started and keeping it for the future generation. Although Neghisti wants her children to take over one day, she is reluctant to let go because she sees Dahlak as her “baby.” However, the restaurant is sinking deep into debt, and she has to turn towards her savings to stay afloat. While Jesse feels the eatery has no streamlined business practices, Natasha recognizes that the business has no clear structure. With finances draining and organization lacking, the restaurant has reached a critical crossroads, where its cherished legacy teeters on the edge.
Gordon Identifies a Poor System and Missteps in the Menu as Some of the Issues at Dahlak
Gordon sneaks into Dahlak in the darkness of the night as the episode begins. He first steps into the kitchen for inspection and immediately notices it is messy and congested. He discovers dirty surfaces, the oven coated with grease, and residue on the stove. As he moves to the refrigerator, it reveals overcooked and dry chicken wings and food without labels. Gordon then goes to the basement and horrifically finds that there are massive cockroaches on the floor all around. He also gets a pungent odor when he spots a bag of onions. Gordon notes that they have been sitting there for a while and have clearly been festering. As he moves to the bar, he finds that it is in no better condition, as there is so much dust coating on its surface that he can scrawl his name in it.
The following day, Gordon returns undercover in a van and parks it outside the restaurant. He begins watching the restaurant’s service through the cameras installed there. The staff believes the cameras have been set up because they are participating in a show named ‘Restaurant Refresh,’ so they never question the cameras. As he focuses on the kitchen, he finds that Neghisti is unwilling to delegate tasks to anyone else. The chef also notices that each staff member meddles in one another’s work, and the system is disorganized. Despite the restaurant’s focus on heritage, Gordon disappointingly discovers that the menu is also cluttered with items like pasta, chicken wings, and even Philly cheesesteaks. He watches in horror as the overcooked wings from the night before are served to the customers, while a frozen cheesesteak is being cooked. Gordon then secretly orders three dishes for himself to better understand how they taste.
While Gordon finds the cacio e pepe quite hard and rubbery, he observes that the wings were quite dry. However, he is impressed with traditional Injera due to its flavors. He realizes that the team is wasting their precious time on modernized dishes rather than focusing on what they specialize in. Shortly after, Gordon notices a cockroach on the wall inches from the table where two customers are sitting. He is shocked that, although the cockroach should be visible to the waitress, she seems unaware of its presence. Since the chef is cautious about not embarrassing Neghisti in front of her family, he texts the insider to send her home before entering the restaurant. Once the owner leaves the premises, Gordon storms into the restaurant and stops the service, determined to address the chaos before the situation worsens.
Gordon Revives Dahlak By Restoring Order and Introducing a Fusion Menu
Gordon gathers the staff and promptly lets them know he has been to the restaurant in the early hours. He immediately points out the disorganized systems, lack of cleanliness, and even the cockroach on the wall. The chef’s disappointment becomes clear when Ephream explains that it is an old building and the mess is inevitable. Gordon then points out the dusty bar coated in dust and brings out the bag of rotten onions from the basement, leaving Natasha unable to deny the problem. Natasha soon protests that she will not let Gordon blame the owner because she has been working daily for the past year and a half beside Neghisti. The chef quickly states that rather than blaming, he is holding them accountable for the mistakes that should be rectified. Carmen promptly adds before the team that although Gordon’s words may sting, they are meant to correct the course of the restaurant.
Gordon then proceeds to reveal that he has been getting information from an insider, and it turns out that it is Carmen herself because she wants to protect her family’s legacy. Addressing the menu, the chef criticizes the inclusion of the modern dishes, mentioning the overcooked wings and the frozen Philly cheesesteak. When Ephream voices his frustration, claiming that Gordon’s approaches are unhelpful, Carmen remarks that he is reluctant to change. Gordon decides to speak with Ephream privately, and in a one-on-one conversation, the latter opens up that his mother buried herself in work after his father passed away. He also stated that, although he wants her mother to rest, he struggles with confronting her. Gordon explains to him that standing up to Neghisti is necessary to protect her health and the restaurant’s future. To explain the importance of change to Neghisti, Gordon visits her home. They share a traditional Eritrean coffee while discussing the issues at hand.
Neghisti expresses concern about handing Dahlak to her children, as she feels they may not handle the stress as well as she does. However, Gordon reassures her that the changes are about safeguarding her legacy. So, Neghisti states that if she can see her children prove themselves, she may let go. Meanwhile, Gordon’s team organizes the kitchen, makes the bar spotless, and transforms the eatery into a hub of Eritrean heritage with family photos on the walls and traditional seating. The chef then brings his team to teach the staff about fusion dishes, blending modern culinary techniques with their traditional recipes. During the relaunch, Gordon is impressed to see Neghisti finally stepping back and letting her children lead. He notes that Carmen is using her voice to guide a structured workflow in the kitchen. Shortly after, Gordon goes inside and urges Neghisti to stay in front of the house. With a system in place, Gordon wishes Carmen and Ephream all the best and bids farewell.
With New Generation at the Helm, Dahlak is Flourishing With Its Tradition
Dahlak Restaurant is located at 4708 Baltimore Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has once again become a lively hub for food, music, and the community. They are open from Wednesday to Sunday from 4 pm to 2 am. The eatery serves not only authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian traditional dishes but also offers a happy hour daily, ensuring there is always something for everyone. In 2023, Dahlak became one of the 50 best restaurants and has earned a reputation for quality and atmosphere. The guests can easily check their website or social media for updates on special events, which range from live music performances to themed nights. In December 2024, the restaurant hosted a magical event featuring a popular band, Mariposas Galacticàs, delighting the customers with food and tunes.
Throughout the year, Dahlak regularly features local bands, giving customers live music on weekends. In February 2025, they celebrated the performance of the Eagles team at the Super Bowl by offering $4 shots and $5 well drinks. Their weekly events schedule is regularly updated on their website and social media so patrons can easily access it. In April 2025, they even revealed their revamped menu, introducing new flavors and fusion dishes. In the same month, the eatery held an album release show for the band, Galactic Prism Sounds (GPS). By May, a new Afghan & Egyptian DJ, Sadia, was added to the weekend excitement.
In July, Dahlak revealed that their kitchen now stays open until 1 am, allowing them to cater to late-night diners. Customers can now also book private events, whether it be a DJ night, live music, karaoke, or even comedy shows. On August 15, they hosted the pop-up of the Afropop band, UGŪM, to showcase their commitment to culture and community. As of writing, the restaurant holds a 4.3-star rating on Google with 888 reviews and a 4.2-star rating on TripAdvisor with 29 written reviews. The customers consistently praise their authentic, flavorful food, lively atmosphere, and affordability of the dishes. The attentive and friendly staff have also made it a favorite destination for the locals.
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