Status: OPEN
Ranch House Cafe in Ash Fork, Arizona sits on historic Route 66 and serves as one of the only food options in this small desert town. After Restaurant Impossible, this mom-and-pop diner continues welcoming both locals and travelers on America’s most famous highway.
A Mother’s Sacrifice
Felicia Ramirez opened Ranch House Cafe as a simple mom-and-pop restaurant serving straightforward cuisine. But running the restaurant had consumed her life, forcing her to sacrifice precious time with her three children.
The business was failing. Debt was mounting. And Felicia was overwhelmed by guilt – working endless hours to save a restaurant while missing her kids’ childhoods.
The Episode (Season 22, Episode 1)
Title: “A Mother’s Guilt”
Air Date: December 29, 2022
Filming: May 2022
As the Season 22 premiere, Ranch House Cafe represented Restaurant Impossible tackling one of its most emotional challenges. Robert Irvine had to help Felicia change both her attitude and her strategy – saving not just her restaurant, but her relationship with her children.
Route 66 Location
Ranch House Cafe’s location on historic Route 66 is both a challenge and an opportunity. Ash Fork is tiny, but the Mother Road still draws travelers seeking authentic Americana. A diner on Route 66 can tap into that nostalgia.
Post-makeover, the restaurant attracts both locals and road-trippers. One group of 20 Harley riders from a HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter stopped in and “liked the new decor provided by Restaurant Impossible.”
Post-Makeover Reviews
Reviews since the Restaurant Impossible visit are mostly positive:
- Customers praise the food quality
- Small-town atmosphere appeals to visitors
- Locals appreciate having a reliable dining option
- Some mention increased prices (common after makeovers)
Visit Information
Location: Ash Fork, AZ (on Route 66)
Style: Mom & Pop Diner
Draws: Locals + Route 66 travelers
View Ranch House Cafe on Google Maps →
Ranch House Cafe shows that Restaurant Impossible understands not every restaurant needs to be trendy – sometimes they just need to work well enough for their owner to have a life.
Last verified: January 2026
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