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Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant in Lebanon, New Hampshire is a Restaurant Impossible success story that proves hard work and commitment can pay off. Featured in Season 4, this family-owned Mexican restaurant has not only survived but thrived – paying down two-thirds of their debt since Robert Irvine’s visit.
A Family Dream in Trouble
When Robert Irvine arrived at Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant in Lebanon, New Hampshire in 2012, owners Nick and Maria were in desperate need of help. Their six-year-old restaurant was on the brink of closure, threatening to destroy the family dream they had worked so hard to build.
The Episode (Season 4, Episode 6)
Air Date: August 29, 2012
Location: Lebanon, New Hampshire
Robert Irvine found a restaurant with authentic Mexican food and passionate owners who simply needed guidance on running a sustainable business. The challenge wasn’t the food – it was the operations and debt that were dragging them down.
The Transformation
Working with his $10,000 budget, Irvine and his team renovated the space while streamlining operations. Nick and Maria learned the business fundamentals that would allow them to keep their dream alive without sacrificing their family’s financial future.
A Remarkable Turnaround
What sets Gusanoz apart from many Restaurant Impossible subjects is what happened after the cameras left. Nick and Maria didn’t just maintain Irvine’s changes – they built on them:
- Paid down approximately two-thirds of their debt
- Expanded to offer online ordering for to-go pickup
- Added catering services
- Maintained mostly very positive reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor
Why It Worked
Gusanoz succeeded because Nick and Maria did what Robert Irvine always asks: they committed to change and kept working long after the show ended. The debt payoff is particularly impressive – it shows they took the business lessons to heart and applied them consistently for years.
Visit Information
Location: Lebanon, NH
Cuisine: Mexican
Services: Dine-in, To-go Pickup, Catering
Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant stands as evidence that Restaurant Impossible’s guidance can lead to genuine, lasting change when owners fully embrace the opportunity.
Last verified: January 2026
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