Pimanyoli's Smokehouse - Restaurant Impossible Update

On this week's episode of Restaurant: Impossible, Robert Irvine and his crew are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to makeover Pimanyoli's Smokehouse.  Pimanyoli's is owned by Yolanda (Yoli) who is struggling to keep the restaurant going after her husband passed away.  She is supposedly over $250,000 in debt and the restaurant is falling apart.  Robert needs her to let go of the past and motivate her to help save her failing restaurant. 

As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Pimanyoli's Smokehouse to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews are post Restaurant: Impossible):

Positive Reviews:

• "Super delicious food!! Good service!! Newly Remolded just weeks ago and looks gorgeous. I had a fountain coke to drink and a double New Orleans Hot patty sausage sandwich with pepper Jack cheese, came with French fry's & I ordered a side of Mac n cheese which was homemade rich and creamy. Everything Tasted wonderful cannot come wait to come back and get something else also I'll probably get that hot sausage sandwich again, it's just so delicious on the soft sweet brioche bun."
• "The renovation is really nice. The food is always good and the service is great. The hours of operation have increased. Really a great change in atmosphere."
• "Good brisket. Good potato salad. Good service. Almost TX quality brisket. I'd go again."
• "Great food. Can’t lie, laughed whenever they brought out this “meatloaf sandwich” and it was a single slice of toast encumbered by a 1lb hunk of meatloaf with a half cup of baked beans poured on top. But it was delicious. Would give 5 stars but it took 30+ mins to receive our food and it was not busy."

Negative Reviews:

• "I don't understand what happened to this place. Oh wait, I think I have a good guess. Restaurant Impossible happened. We went in there today and the food wasn't the same. Firsr off, they didn't have any soft drinks. I had the burger which was awesome as usual but, they put like 8 fries on the plate.....My opinion? Go back to what you were doing 10 years ago, it worked. I used to wait in line to get in this place. Now, the front door is still locked 15 minutes after opening time."
• "You can not order sandwiches from their online service Toast! It does not make any kind of business sense at all, and they do not answer their phone to place an order!"

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

• The Restaurant Impossible makeover for Pimanyoli's happened in September 2022.
• Here is the Pimanyoli's website and Facebook page.
• Here are the reviews for Pimanyoli's from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google.
• Pimanyoli's Smokehouse closed for good on January 4th, 2023, just a few months after the Restaurant Impossible makeover and about two weeks before their episode aired for the first time. They posted the following message on their Facebook page, "As of today, the Smokehouse with the funny name, “Pimanyoli’s” is permanently closed.  Our closing albeit sad, has brought me remarkable joy.  I thank God for giving Piman and me the opportunity to bring to you our talents and favorable offerings.  I also thank all of our patrons and those of you who have supported us in various ways for the past 14.5 years.  My employees have been the absolute best and at this time I ache for them the most.  Their commitment and dedication is rare in this business.  However, these last 2 years have been painstakingly horrific.  I’ve witnessed small businesses and specifically local “mom and pop” restaurants closing down all around me, which makes me so extremely sad.   But the COVID pandemic, inflation/increased pricing and decreased sales has directly helped in making the inevitable choice to close.  If you’ve purchased a gift card I’ll contact you directly to settle your balance.  Now it’s time to hold onto what was, and keep the wonderful memories  that we’ve created alive.  The memories that brought Pimanyoli’s great success and notoriety. And for those of you who stayed and supported us through it all, you are my champions!   I must say I’ve met some extraordinary people and friends along this journey and I shall forever remember you if not by name surely by face.   It’s been a real pleasure knowing and serving you.  Just know, it’s what I’ve definitely lived for, and I’m certain that Piman would be pleased.   Signing off……………..With appreciation,   Yoli"
• A lot of people in the comments were sad they were closing and wished Yoli well.

Conclusion:

The reviews for Pimanyoli's Smokehouse since the Restaurant Impossible makeover were somewhat positive, but the restaurant has already closed before their episode even aired.  Pimanyoli's closed on January 4, 2023, citing the pandemic, increased prices, and decreased sales.  Pimanyoli's will be marked as 'Closed' on the Restaurant Impossible Update Page.