Millersville Eatery Rebounds After Food Network Makeover

Business Booms For Zandi’s Grill Since Televised Renovation

By Ellen Kinsella

Zandi’s Grill in Millersville is prospering, thanks to a spring makeover by Chef Robert Irvine, designer Taniya Nayak, and the rest of the crew from the popular Food Network TV show “Restaurant Impossible.” The premise of the show is to transform a failing restaurant within 48 hours, while not exceeding a budget of $10,000.

When sisters Yvonne Zandi and Evette Aponte, both from Arnold, bought the restaurant in 2009, business was steady for the first year and a half. “Then it started falling off,” admitted Evette. They were losing money, and their hidden location tucked away in a business park off Veteran’s Highway wasn’t helping attract customers.

A friend and weekend waitress, Lisa Fantinato, had an idea. She took a longshot and secretly submitted an application to have Zandi’s featured on the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” show. After a competitive multi-step process that included visits from talent scouts and a video interview, the sisters were informed they made the cut.

“We were dumbfounded when we found out,” exclaimed Yvonne. “I think the producer liked us together – our personalities – from watching the video.”

“We didn’t think we were going to get it. He had never done a show in Maryland,” she confessed.

On April 4 the 48-hour odyssey began, and the small business-center parking lot between I-97 and Veterans Highway filled with tents and became a beehive of activity. The sisters were excited and scared, as they nervously waited around during the renovations. “We had mics taped to our shirts and cameras in our faces the whole time,” explained Yvonne. Through the entire renovation, they were not allowed inside.

When the renovated restaurant was finally revealed to Evette and Yvonne, they could hardly believe their eyes. Gone were the tropical theme and beach mural that used to grace the front wall; in its place was a 15x8-foot modern and colorful centerpiece, backlit to show off the brilliant orange, purple and pink artistic swirls.

New flooring replaced the worn, half-carpeted old floor, and dark purple with orange accents became the dramatic new color theme. New sleek lighting and shelving was installed, and updated seating was brought in.

One of the favorite additions to Zandi’s was a brand new milkshake machine. To promote it - and the restaurant - Irvine’s crew took the milkshakes on the road to neighboring community Shipley’s Choice, where the Food Network van gave out samples of the milkshakes to eager children and their parents. One little girl, Annabelle, became such a fan she still returns regularly with friends for milkshakes. “She is like our mascot, such a darling girl,” Yvonne smiled.

To finish off the project, the menu was revamped and food preparation lessons were taught. “Virtually everything we serve is homemade, including our salad dressings,” said Yvonne, noting their most popular items include crab cakes, sausage biscuits and gravy, and creamed chipped beef.

The grand re-opening of the restaurant was Friday, April 6, for which reservations were required. Tables booked in one hour, and all night the house was packed. Needless to say, it was a very successful launch.

The Zandi’s Restaurant Impossible TV episode aired July 25, and since then business has picked up a lot. “They put us on the map,” stated Evette. “A slow day now is like what a big day was before the show.” For more information, visit Zandi’s website at www.zandisgrill.com or call them at 410-729-7666. Zandi’s is located at 8258 Veterans Highway in suite 11.

Author's Note: While at Zandi's taking photos, I was hungry, so I decided to order sandwiches for me and my husband. My crab cake sandwich was one of the best I've ever had in my life, with big chunks of crabmeat in it!