Status: CLOSED (2022)
Deno’s I-76 in Keenesburg, Colorado was a truck stop diner that couldn’t find its footing. Despite Restaurant Impossible’s transformation and community support, inconsistent hours and operational challenges led to closure just months after the episode aired in 2022.
Exit 39 Off Interstate 76
Take exit 39 off Interstate 76 in Colorado, and you’d find Deno’s I-76 – a family diner in tiny Keenesburg that served truckers and locals alike. Owner Darlene ran the place, serving American food and breakfast all day.
Darlene hadn’t planned to own a restaurant. She bought the place because the previous owner was selling and the staff would have lost their jobs. She saved their livelihoods but inherited a struggling business she didn’t know how to run.
The Episode (Season 19, Episode 9)
Title: “Not So Peachy Keen”
Filming: October 2021
Location: 245 Market St, Keenesburg, CO
Robert Irvine found Darlene abandoned by the very staff she’d tried to save. The employees she bought the restaurant to protect had left, and she was working herself into the ground trying to keep doors open.
His mission: transform a nondescript truck stop into a must-see destination and help Darlene find the staff and inspiration she needed.
Brief Hope
The transformation gave Deno’s I-76 a new look and renewed energy. Early reviews were positive:
- Great food
- Exceptional service
- Reserved parking and discounts for truckers
- “Friendly, clean, wonderful atmosphere”
For a moment, it seemed like Robert had turned the truck stop into that must-see destination.
Rapid Decline
The good reviews were quickly overshadowed by a fatal flaw: customers couldn’t find the place open. Diners complained about struggling to visit during posted hours. A restaurant can’t succeed if customers never know when it’s actually serving food.
Deno’s I-76 closed in May 2022 – just months after the makeover. The business entity shows as delinquent in Colorado state records.
Former Location
Address: 245 Market St, Keenesburg, CO 80643
Exit: 39 off Interstate 76
Closed: May 2022
Cuisine: American Diner
Deno’s I-76 shows that a restaurant transformation requires consistent follow-through. The best makeover in the world can’t save a business that doesn’t maintain reliable hours.
Last verified: January 2026
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