Status: OPEN
Dodge City Steakhouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is one of Restaurant Impossible’s most celebrated success stories. Featured in the Season 2 premiere, this family-owned steakhouse has thrived for over 14 years since Robert Irvine’s 2011 visit – and was even featured in a “Revisited” episode in 2019.
Three Decades of Family Business
Doug and Debbie Krick bought a local barroom in Harrisburg in 1980 and transformed it into a thriving eatery called Dodge City USA Restaurant, specializing in classic American cuisine with a Wild West theme.
For three decades, the Western-themed restaurant served the Harrisburg community. But by 2011, that same Wild West decor had become dated, and the food quality wasn’t matching customer expectations. The restaurant was $600,000 in debt, and Doug had dedicated his entire life to the business – it was all he had.
The Episode (Season 2, Episode 1)
Air Date: July 6, 2011
Designer: Taniya Nayak
Contractor: Tom Bury
As the Season 2 premiere, Dodge City represented Restaurant Impossible finding its groove after the pilot season.
What Robert Irvine Found
The Wild West theme had run its course after decades. Deer heads adorned the walls, porcelain pigs lined the counter – this cowboy’s dream had become a nightmare because the owners refused to modernize.
Robert’s challenge was clear: transform a dated theme restaurant into something relevant while honoring 30 years of family history. With more family now involved in the business, there was hope for a fresh start.
The Transformation
One of Robert’s biggest changes was renaming the restaurant. “Dodge City USA Restaurant” became “Dodge City Steakhouse” – a name that communicated exactly what they offered while shedding the theme-park associations.
The renovation modernized the Western theme without abandoning it entirely. The result was an upscale steakhouse aesthetic that could compete in Harrisburg’s dining scene. In the kitchen, Irvine focused on what matters most: properly cooking quality cuts of beef.
The Revisit (2019)
In May 2019, Robert Irvine returned to Dodge City Steakhouse for a “Revisited” episode – a testament to the restaurant’s success. He found the Kricks had not only maintained his changes but built upon them.
Doug Jr. is now the Executive Chef of Dodge City Steakhouse and has garnered several awards for his cooking. The next generation successfully took the reins, exactly what Robert had hoped for during his original visit.
A Proven Success Story
Dodge City Steakhouse has now survived over a decade after the Restaurant Impossible episode, making it one of the show’s most definitive success stories. The restaurant maintains excellent reviews:
- Yelp: 4 stars
- TripAdvisor: 4 stars
- Google: 4.4 stars
Visit Information
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Cuisine: Steakhouse, American
View Dodge City Steakhouse on Google Maps →
Dodge City proves that Restaurant Impossible’s formula works when owners embrace change, maintain standards, and successfully transition leadership to the next generation.
Last verified: January 2026
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