Content Warning: this article discusses topics concerning animal death.
Gordon Ramsay has made it his mission to visit struggling restaurants across America and the United Kingdom and turn them around with his culinary expertise and a bit of tough love. His flagship show, Kitchen Nightmares, undoubtedly set the stage for future television outings and introduced viewers at home to eccentric restaurant owners and their equally questionable taste in food.
In almost every episode, Gordon has his work cut out for him, especially when it comes to the lack of hygiene seen within the restaurant. From unthinkable food combinations to flagrant health code violations, there's always something to be disgusted with on Kitchen Nightmares.
Shrimp, Goat Cheese, And Strawberry Salad (The Secret Garden)
"The Secret Garden" saw Gordon engage in his most heated argument yet with the arrogant chef Michel, who believed that his food was innovative and superior to Gordon's. One of his most puzzling creations involves a salad made of garlic shrimp, eggs, and strawberries, topped with goat cheese. How Michel came up with the flavor combination remains a complete mystery, and he lacks the proper experience to make it work.
Even before Gordon samples the salad, he quickly prays that he doesn't get food poisoning from the unappetizing meal. Unfortunately, the salad turns out to be just as bad as it looks, with cold, undercooked shrimp and a bizarre concept.
Vacuum-Packed Lamb (The Dovecote Bistro)
Most viewers expect to step into a restaurant and be served fresh meat, especially for high-quality products such as lamb. Unfortunately for Gordon, a waitress informs him that the lamb shanks he's about to dig into are vacuumed packed and can last for a year - all without refrigeration. Gordon is so appalled by the number of chemicals needed to preserve a lamb that long that he refuses to taste it.
As Gordon reads off the wild ingredients list for the lamb, it's hard to blame him for turning the dish away. What's more embarrassing is that the Dovecote Bistro boasted 'local produce' that was 'prepared fresh' outside, a sign that Gordon himself read closely.
Underwear On A Canvas (Ruby Tate's)
The UK episode "Ruby Tates'" featured owner Allan Tate, an eccentric actor and one of the most out-of-touch restauranteurs Gordon has met. One of Allan's more questionable decisions involves decorating his restaurants based on a Jackson Pollack painting he liked, going so far as to buy similar pieces from local artists.
Much to Gordon's disgust, one of these paintings involves a pair of panties that has seemingly been stuck to the canvas without much regard. Allan doesn't seem bothered by the presence of the panties as much as Gordon's insistent on calling them 'crusty.'
The Bathroom Blacklight Test (Casa Roma)
After a disastrous service at "Casa Roma" the night before, Gordon arrives early in order to inspect the general cleanliness of the restaurant. He gets disgusted by the condition of the walk-in fridge, but what really sets him off isn't in the kitchen but the bathrooms. Gordon doesn't usually bring out his trusty blacklight, but when he does, viewers know that what they're about to see isn't pretty.
Upon turning off the light, Gordon is horrified to find the bathroom walls and ceiling caked in bodily fluids, which show up as green under the blacklight. As soon as the owners arrive, Gordon ensures their first order of business is a deep-clean of the restaurant.
Chef Mike And 'His' Food (El Greco)
At the restaurant "El Greco," Chef Mike is the hardest worker in the kitchen and always available to turn out the nauseating dishes served within. When Gordon questions just who this mysterious chef is, he's stunned to learn that Chef Mike isn't a person, but the microwave. Even the waiters had come to refer to 'Chef Mike' as a fully-fledged employee from the amount of food heated inside.
As any Gordon Ramsay fan knows, the Michelin Star-winning chef never takes kindly to the news of a restaurant relying heavily on a microwave in the kitchen. When it's time to make serious changes, Gordon naturally starts by giving 'Chef Mike' the boot by throwing it out a window.
Expired Scallops (Bonaparte's)
A lot of fans consider the UK version of Kitchen Nightmares superior to the American one and for good reason: it's the original. "Bonaparte's," the very first episode of Kitchen Nightmares ever aired, features Gordon visiting the titular restaurant and attempting to release the potential of the talented yet conceited young chefs running the show.
When sampling their food, Gordon gets sick from some rotten scallops and ends up violently emptying the contents of his stomach in the back of the restaurant. It's a striking visual image that sets the stage for the rest of the series to come.
Buckets Of Old Beans (Fiesta Sunrise)
Many of the restaurants visited by Gordon are doomed to fail the moment he arrives, and "Fiesta Sunrise" is no exception. Gordon finds himself disgusted by the state of the walk-in fridge, but special attention is given to a bucket stored inside amongst the stale and rotting food. Inside the bucket is old refried beans with the texture of cement.
Stunned that people in the dining room are actively eating these beans, Gordon takes the bucket outside to show customers the toxic sludge inside. As soon as he confirms that the diners are just as revolted as he is, Gordon orders the restaurant to shut down service prematurely.
Rotten Lobster Tail (Mama Maria's)
While fans consider "Mama Maria's" to be among the most disappointing of Kitchen Nightmare's episodes, the New York-based restaurant wasn't without its dramatic moments. While observing an average night's service, Gordon is horrified to learn that a customer has gotten sick after eating lobster tail. As soon as he smells the lobster, Gordon knows it's past its expiration date.
The customer was taken to the hospital, where he, fortunately, made a full recovery. Despite the harrowing circumstances, the incident had a silver lining as it got the owner, John, to step up and take Gordon's advice seriously.
Contaminated Lobster (Spanish Pavilion)
There's just something about lobster on Kitchen Nightmares that only ends in disaster. While dining at the Spanish Pavillion, Gordon investigates the lobster tank used by the restaurant. Much to his horror, he discovers that one of the unfortunate lobsters has gone belly-up.
When Gordon confronts the chef about the contaminated lobster tank, the chef claims it to not be such a big deal and that he freezes all dead lobster immediately for the bisque. It's little comfort to Gordon, given that he's just eaten said bisque.
A Dead Mouse (Blackberry's)
Tensions at "Blackberry's" restaurant reached a new high when Gordon discovered a dead mouse near the entrance. He picks it up by the tail and approaches the staff with it, confused as to whether or not they ever hired exterminators. When they claim they have, he has trouble believing them.
Unfortunately for Gordon, manager Shelley and her boyfriend not only deny responsibility but accuse Gordon and his crew of planting the dead mouse themselves. Gordon, enraged, threatens to leave without fixing the restaurant after having a ridiculous accusation thrown his way. While he ultimately stayed on board, Gordon eventually was forced to walk away in the infamous "Amy's Baking Company" episode.