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Vinny’s Little Italy in Boulder City, Nevada is a Restaurant Impossible story about a stubborn owner who finally learned to change. After refusing to listen to family, staff, and common sense for years, Vinny embraced Robert Irvine’s intervention – and his sales jumped 30%.
A Family Business, A Stubborn Father
Vinny’s Little Italy is a true family operation – owned by Vinny and his wife Tina, with their five children all working in the restaurant. But there was a problem: Vinny was stuck in his ways and refused to listen to anyone.
His brothers had suggested implementing a modern POS system. His kids had ideas for improvements. His wife tried to help. Vinny ignored them all. He was running the restaurant like it was still the 1980s, and it was driving the business into the ground.
The Episode (Season 21, Episode 12)
Title: “Stuck in the Old School”
Location: Boulder City, Nevada
The episode title said it all. Robert Irvine didn’t just have to fix a restaurant – he had to drag Vinny into the 21st century.
Behind the Scenes
A volunteer who worked on set confirmed in an IMDB review that everything viewers saw was genuine. There were no “takes” except for multiple camera angles. According to the volunteer, the show was “the real deal with minimal editing” – Vinny really was that stubborn, and the transformation really was that dramatic.
The Transformation
Robert finally got through to Vinny. The changes included:
- Modern POS system – the upgrade Vinny’s brothers had been begging for
- Updated pricing – Robert taught Vinny proper menu pricing
- New dishes – White Bolognese Pasta, Chicken Milanese, Calamari Pizza
- Renovated space – Modern design with reds, whites, and blacks
- Bigger kitchen – More spacious and efficient workspace
A Father Changes
The biggest transformation wasn’t the restaurant – it was Vinny. After years of refusing to listen to his family, he finally started hearing them. His son Gino got to contribute. His wife Tina’s input mattered. The whole family could work together instead of around their stubborn patriarch.
The Results
Sales increased by 30% after the remodel. For the first time, Vinny could afford to take a vacation with Tina. Customers praised the generous portions, consistent service, and warm atmosphere.
More importantly, a family business became a family effort again.
Visit Information
Location: Boulder City, NV
Cuisine: Italian, Pizza
Known For: Generous portions, family atmosphere
View Vinny’s Little Italy on Google Maps →
Vinny’s Little Italy proves that it’s never too late to change – even for the most stubborn owners.
Last verified: January 2026
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