You’ve seen the episode. The shouting, the tears, and that legendary hummus prank where Gordon Ramsay basically proved the "fresh" chickpeas were anything but. If you're looking for Zayna’s Flaming Grill Redondo Beach today, you're likely chasing a ghost or, at the very least, a very complicated legacy.
Honestly, the story didn't end when the cameras stopped rolling in 2014.
Most fans of Kitchen Nightmares remember the friction between Fay and her niece Brenda. It was painful to watch. But the reality of running a Mediterranean bistro in the South Bay is a lot harder than reality TV makes it look. While many restaurants featured on the show fold within months, Zayna’s actually survived for nearly a decade after Ramsay’s visit. That’s a lifetime in the restaurant world.
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The Kitchen Nightmares Curse and the Ray Younis Era
Let's clear something up right away: the original owners, Fay and Brenda, haven't been at the helm for a long time.
In 2015, just about a year after their two-part episode aired, they sold the place to Raid "Ray" Younis. Ray took over a business that was famous for all the wrong reasons. He had to deal with the "Gordon Ramsay was here" tourists while trying to build a stable, local customer base that actually cared about the food, not just the drama.
For a while, he actually pulled it off.
Ray kept the name—Zayna’s Flaming Grill Redondo Beach—and even kept the interior design Ramsay’s team installed. Why wouldn't he? The redesign was sleek. He also leaned into the "Blue Zones" certification, which is a big deal in Redondo Beach. It basically means the food is healthy enough to help you live to a hundred. People loved the lamb meatball gyros and the flaming shrimp. The Yelp reviews shifted from "I saw this on TV" to "The garlic sauce is actually incredible."
But by March 2023, the doors finally closed for good.
What Really Happened to Zayna’s Flaming Grill?
It wasn't just one thing. It's never just one thing.
The restaurant faced a mountain of challenges that weren't related to frozen food or family squabbles. There was a messy, multi-year lawsuit involving Brenda, Fay, and the new ownership over breach of contract claims. Court filings in Los Angeles suggest the legal battle dragged on for nearly a decade, even as the restaurant tried to maintain its daily operations.
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Then, there was the bankruptcy.
The owners eventually filed for bankruptcy, which complicated the legal proceedings even further. It's a sad ending for a place that many locals genuinely enjoyed for its shawarma combos and lentil soup. Even though the TV episode painted it as a disaster, the post-Ramsay years saw it become a staple for South Bay Mediterranean catering.
- The Signature Dish: The "Laray Sauté" became a fan favorite, featuring tilapia, sautéed veggies, and those famous flaming shrimp.
- The Menu Shift: Under Ray, the menu moved away from Ramsay’s ultra-simplified version and brought back more traditional Egyptian and Levantine influences.
- The Location: 1310 S Pacific Coast Hwy was a prime spot, but the competition in Redondo Beach is brutal.
Life After the Flame: Where are Fay and Brenda now?
Fay eventually retired. After the stress of the show and the sudden end of her 30-year marriage—which happened right around the time of filming—she chose to focus on her health and traveling. It’s a bit of a silver lining. She’s reportedly enjoying a much quieter life far away from the heat of a commercial kitchen.
Brenda, on the other hand, stayed much more involved in the legal side of things, fighting to get back what she felt she was owed from the sale.
If you drive past the old location today, you won't find the flaming grill. The space has moved on, just like the people who ran it. It’s a reminder that while Gordon Ramsay can fix a menu and a floor plan, he can’t fix the long-term economics of the California restaurant industry or the personal lives of the people behind the counter.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Foodies
If you’re a fan of the show or a local looking for that specific Mediterranean flavor, here is the current state of play:
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Don't try to visit: As of 2026, Zayna’s Flaming Grill Redondo Beach is permanently closed. Don’t trust old Google Maps listings that might say "temporarily closed"—the equipment is gone, and the lease is over.
Check out the "Blue Zones" alternatives: If you liked Zayna’s because of the healthy, Mediterranean diet aspect, look for other Blue Zones Project-recognized restaurants in the South Bay. Places like Turquoise in Redondo or various spots in Hermosa Beach carry that same focus on longevity-friendly food.
The Recipes Live On (Sort of): While you can't get their specific garlic sauce anymore, many of the dishes they served are standard Egyptian-Mediterranean fare. Look for "Kibbi" or "Vegetarian Mousaka" at other local spots to satisfy that specific craving.
The legacy of the restaurant is now mostly digital—an episode on a streaming service and a cautionary tale about the pressures of family business. It’s a bit of a bummer, sure, but ten years of operation after a "nightmare" label is a win in most people's books.