Status: OPEN
Spin A Yarn Steakhouse in Fremont, California is one of Kitchen Nightmares’ genuine success stories. The vintage steakhouse survived Gordon Ramsay’s intervention and continues serving customers nearly 15 years later.
The Vintage Charm
Spin A Yarn has been around since 1976. Greek immigrant Saki bought the restaurant in 1995. The decor featured taxidermied animals – elk heads on walls, stuffed birds in corners, the whole rustic hunting lodge aesthetic. For some customers, this vintage vibe was the appeal – a glimpse into the past.
Jennifer applied to be a waitress, they got into a relationship, and two years later she became his wife and business partner. When business dropped, Jennifer suggested a remodel that cost $950,000 – over 300% of the initial $300,000 budget.
Gordon’s Assessment
When Kitchen Nightmares arrived in 2011 (Season 5, Episode 11), Gordon found quality issues alongside the quirky atmosphere. Frozen steaks were being passed off as fresh – a cardinal sin in a steakhouse. The kitchen had fallen into bad habits over decades of operation.
Ramsay pushed for updated food practices while preserving the restaurant’s distinctive character. The taxidermy stayed, but the execution improved dramatically.
After the Show
Saki and Jennifer eventually divorced in 2014, but remarkably still work together to keep the restaurant running. During the pandemic, they creatively organized events and launched an online store to stay afloat.
Location
Address: 45915 Warm Springs Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539
Hours: Monday-Saturday (closed Sundays)
View Spin A Yarn on Google Maps →
Current Reviews
The restaurant maintains strong reviews: 3.5 stars on Yelp, 4.4 stars on Google, and 4 stars on TripAdvisor. They’ve built a community who thoroughly enjoy spending time at Spin A Yarn Steakhouse.
Spin A Yarn remains one of Kitchen Nightmares’ more successful stories. More than a decade later, it’s still serving up steaks to happy customers in California.
Last verified: January 2026
Leave a Reply