Suvechha Sarkar
In Fox’s new series ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service,’ the chef essentially modifies the vision of ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ by going undercover. Instead of making his usual dramatic entrance, he secretly observes the restaurants’ operations to figure out all their issues before revealing himself and catching the owners and staff in their unfiltered elements. In season 1 episode 1, titled ‘Parthenon,’ he heads to Washington, D.C., to help a rather renowned Greek restaurant. It has been a neighbourhood staple for nearly four decades and is owned by a true native of Greece, Pete Gouskos. According to Gordon’s insider, his deep-rooted attachment and resistance to any kind of change threaten the very legacy that he worked so hard to build.
The Owner’s Reluctance to Pass the Torch Put Parthenon’s Legacy at Risk
The Parthenon Greek restaurant was founded in 1989 by Pete Gouskos and Steve Tsiolis, taking over the location formerly occupied by the Swiss Chalet in Chevy Chase. From the beginning, it stood out as an authentic Greek eatery, quickly becoming a beloved neighbourhood restaurant. Pete, the current sole owner, was born in Zakynthos, Greece, and immigrated to the US when he was 18. Over the years, he used original recipes from his homeland to build the restaurant from the ground up and gradually turned it into a local favorite by incorporating his culture into it all too. So, at one point, it even became a great retreat for the members of Congress and the White House. That’s how Pete created a legacy and a livelihood for his entire family.
While Pete’s wife, Susie, serves as the restaurant’s Hostess, their son, Mikey, works as the restaurant’s Manager and the Line Cook. The couple’s daughter, Stephanie, is also employed at the family business to manage its administrative side, all the while Mikey’s wife, Stella, works as a server. Despite the entire family’s involvement, the restaurant ultimately faces a steep decline in sales, largely due to Pete’s unwillingness to let go of his control. He admittedly sees the restaurant as his life’s work, his “baby,” unaware that it transcended his relationship with his actual wife as well as his children. Although he has long given Mikey certain responsibilities, he believes his presence is still essential to ensure the smooth operation of the eatery.
Mikey has been pitching fresh and innovative ideas for years to Pete, but the latter has continuously resisted change. He is convinced that his son is not quite ready to take over yet. However, Stella believes otherwise, pointing out that Mikey has poured his heart and soul into this business and deserves the chance to lead. After all, it’s not like he is a young man with barely any experience – he is 45 years old, meaning the future of his two young children depends on the restaurant’s future. Meanwhile, Stephanie is caught in the middle. She often feels overwhelmed and exhausted by constantly playing the role of a family mediator. As the tensions keep rising and the destiny of the Parthenon is hanging in the balance, it is clear that something needs to change before it’s too late.
Gordon Ramsay Uncovers the Root of Parthenon’s Problems to be Both Internal and External
The episode kicks off as Gordon arrives at the restaurant at night to check the kitchen and the storage space. He is horrified to discover that the shelves have multiple spots and may not have been cleaned for months. He finds the grill still on and is baffled to see that the floor is messy. Additionally, Gordon discovers they still use an old and traditional meat cutter, which has not been cleaned for a while. He decides to do an ATP test to check for live bacteria on the surfaces. Although the acceptable range is 30, the chef is shocked that the result is 5550. Upon checking the ingredients, he finds the chicken that has been sitting in its own blood. The dining room appears equally underwhelming to him. Gordon places cameras under the racks to determine whether any rodents are present.
Gordon takes another swab of the surface for a closer look at the place’s hygiene. The following morning, he returns to the eatery. However, without entering the restaurant, he takes a look at the operations through the installed cameras. The owners/staff believed they were filming for a show called ‘Restaurant Refresh.’ As customers arrive, he notices that Pete oversees everything in the kitchen. However, it is not an ideal situation for Mikey, especially as his father’s presence hinders him more than it helps. From the camera he had placed in the basement the night prior, Gordon is baffled to find five rats in the kitchen’s basement, where the ingredients are kept. Then, after further analysis of the additional swab sample he had taken, an expert explains that the bacteria there only continue growing due to their access to food and water. He adds that although heat may kill them, the waste they produce is left behind. This prompts Gordon to understand that the place is a mess, just like the insider informed him.
Gordon then turns his attention to the staff during lunch service and observes that Mikey does not use his voice in the kitchen. Although he is the cook and the manager, the leader in the kitchen seems to be Pete, which causes disruption. He soon discovers that the food is sloppy and the customers are unsatisfied. Since Gordon needs a good taste of the food, he brings two culinary experts he knows thanks to ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ Rock Harper and Sammi Tarantino. They enter the restaurant undercover with a body cam. However, they are quite disappointed with the food. When the lamb they ordered arrives, Gordon forbids them to eat it because it is unhygienic. He finally reveals himself by entering the kitchen, leaving everyone shocked. Pete is quite nervous to see Gordon so frustrated. After instructing everyone to stop working, he goes to the dining area and asks the customers to leave.
Gordon Ramsay Gives Parthenon a Makeover While Facilitating a Long-Overdue Family Breakthrough
After informing the staff that they are on a restaurant renovation show, Gordon tells them he has been watching for days. When he questions Pete about the food quality, the latter insists they are entirely fresh. This prompts the chef to go downstairs and bring the blood-soaked chicken out from the basement. He disappointingly points out that the unhygienic kitchen can lead to severe food poisoning. When he asks Mikey about his performance in the kitchen, the latter declares that he is following his father’s wishes. Gordon pulls Pete aside for a conversation and asks him about the reason for his controlling nature. The owner discloses that he does not feel he can trust them. He adds that he can pass the restaurant on to Mikey a few years later. This makes Gordon realize he is still stuck in the past and hates change. Upon facing questions from his family, Pete silently walks away without any answer.
Gordon ultimately brings his team to revamp the Parthenon entirely. It first receives a thorough industrial clean to ensure the place is hygienic again. Meanwhile, the chef takes Pete and Mikey away from the restaurant for a heart-to-heart conversation. He urges Pete to understand that he has to change his ways for everything to work and even fix his familial relationships. After a deep discussion, the owner realizes he has never expressed love or appreciated Mikey. After an emotional reconciliation between the son and the father, they share a heartfelt hug. The latter even lets his son know that he loves him. In the meantime, Gordon’s team upgrades the dining space completely. As the family returns to the restaurant, they are awestruck at how it has been turned into a beautiful modern Tavern. Pete grows emotional and hugs Gordon, expressing his gratitude.
Gordon finally introduces everyone to the new and compact 18-item menu that he has curated for them. He brings Mikey to the kitchen to prepare the dishes and advises him to take charge. As everyone finishes tasting the delicious food, Pete apologizes to his family. In a shocking turn of events, Susie finally reveals herself as the insider who had reached out to Gordon for help. She had expressed her concern to the chef, noting how Pete was stubborn and quite hard on Mikey. It is now time for the restaurant to turn over a new leaf. As the serving begins with the updated interior and menu, Gordon observes that Mikey is being assertive and taking charge of the kitchen. The customers are also quite happy with the quality of the food. Mikey notes that Pete is truly welcoming the change with open arms. Gordon ultimately bids the owner and Susie goodbye as they wholeheartedly welcome a new chapter.
Parthenon Today: With Mikey’s Leadership, The Restaurant is Gradually Regaining its Former Glory
After finally stepping back and entrusting the restaurant to his son, Mikey, Pete witnessed a remarkable transformation at the Parthenon Greek Restaurant & Chevy Chase Lounge. Located at 5510 Connecticut Avenue in Northwest Washington, D.C., the business has since been thriving, and the once-fleeting restaurant is now bustling with customers. The eatery has even begun providing catering for private events. Their website proudly highlights the use of fresh ingredients and authentic Greek recipes, which has been their unique selling point from the very beginning. Apart from this, they now offer direct online ordering. Customers can easily order their food through iOS and Android apps, which have become available on the Play Store in February 2025. The new customers can enjoy $10 on their first order. Also, with a special code, the patrons can save 10% off on all their future purchases.
Parthenon’s updated and vibrant atmosphere has attracted so many guests that they are currently operating on a first-come, first-served basis. The restaurant has proudly launched a loyalty program where guests can earn rewards. They can choose to redeem these rewards to avail themselves of free meals and exclusive discounts. They have diversified their services, offering catering, curbside pickup, and reservations. In November 2024, they hosted the DMV-IHS night in the Parthenon Lounge, followed by their December holiday promotion of offering a $20 bonus with every expenditure of $100. That same month, they announced they would conduct a Teacher Appreciation Event on January 31, 2025. Additionally, Parthenon collaborated with Michael Masters, a local health food store, to sell high-quality Greek extra virgin oil in the restaurant.
In January 2025, Parthenon saw a series of live watch parties held in the lounge for football matches. The following month, they proudly celebrated the Greek Independence Day once again with DMV-IHS. In March 2025, the eatery took another leap and even got recognition from WTOP News when the network conducted one of its events in the restaurant. The same month, they also urged their customers to visit the restaurant for their Easter celebration, which was marked with several special dishes. It was followed by a stand-up night on May 1 with performers like Phil Mike and Chris Sintetos. Currently, the restaurant holds a 4.5-star rating on Google, along with 388 written reviews. Furthermore, they boast a 4.1-star rating on TripAdvisor from 131 written reviews, most of which praise their revived energy, authentic flavours, and even improved service.
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