A woman went viral on TikTok after calling out Gordon Ramsay for “ruining her birthday.” However, not everyone agreed she had a reason to complain.
Birthday Celebration Goes Wrong
TikTok creator @lesligz shared what was supposed to be a solo birthday dinner at Hell’s Kitchen in Las Vegas. Her video, captioned “Watch how Gordon Ramsay ruins my birthday dinner,” has racked up more than 702,000 views.
“It’s my big 30, so that’s why I’m going big,” she says in the clip. “One of the things I wanted to do is take me out to dinner.”
She pans the camera to reveal the restaurant: Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. Modeled after the hit TV show, the restaurant has an open kitchen and aims to bring the drama of the show into real life.
“So come with me, and have dinner by myself,” she adds—just as TikTok’s infamous “Oh No No No” audio kicks in.
The next moment, she’s back outside the restaurant, clearly upset. “Why do I wanna cry?” she asks. Her voice wavers.
What Happened Inside Hell’s Kitchen?
In the video, @lesligz explains that she did call the restaurant to make a reservation.
“They said they don’t do reservations for one,” she says. “Which I knew ’cause I tried to make a reservation over the phone and they said we don’t do reservations.”
But she adds that the person on the phone told her she could just walk in. So she did.
“I go in and they’re like, we only have the bar,” she says. “I’m like, well, I want a table.”
The staff repeated that they don’t seat solo diners at tables. “I’m like, what if I pay for two people?” she says. “She’s like, we just don’t do tables for one.”
@lesligz says she didn’t want to sit at the bar because it was too crowded. “I wanted to see the kitchen and all that,” she explains. “I’m trying not to feel low. I’m trying to live my life and do things I want to do.”
In a moment of frustration, she even jokes, “I’m about to grab a homeless [person] and bring them in.”
But the restaurant wouldn’t budge. “The girl, while everybody’s like in groups, she’s like, ‘No, he can’t come in. ‘Cause it’s only you.'”
Now, left without a seat and feeling rejected on her birthday, she tries to stay upbeat: “I look cute. So let’s find something to do and something to eat.”
Commenters Weren’t Exactly on Her Side
Though she pinned the blame on Gordon Ramsay in her video, most viewers weren’t convinced he had anything to do with the issue.
“Girl you could have sat at that bar,” one person wrote.
@lesligz I just wanted to enjoy a nice fancy meal by myself… #foryou #hellskitchen #gordonramsay #lasvegas #turndownservice ♬ Oh No No No – Music Falcon
Others questioned the premise entirely. “Did I miss the part how Gordon Ramsay ruined it lmao?” another commenter asked.
One user quotes her directly: “‘Which I knew’ willllddddd.”
In response, @lesligz clarifies in a comment that she misunderstood the policy. “I did not know they don’t do tables for one,” she wrote. “I was only told they don’t hold reservations for one and was told it was okay for me to walk in… Was not informed that the bar was going to be my only option.”
Does Hell’s Kitchen Not Accept Solo Diners?
First, it’s important to note that Hell’s Kitchen is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment under Gordon Ramsay’s name, and while the brand might reflect his culinary reputation, he likely doesn’t dictate table policies for every guest.
Restaurants all manage solo diners differently. Some do seat them at tables if space allows. Others limit them to the bar or chef’s counter, especially during peak hours.
Other Hell’s Kitchen solo diners have shared similar stories online, saying they weren’t allowed to sit at a table—only at the bar. But some have said they were able to book a reservation.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Hell’s Kitchen through their official website for clarification. We’ve also contacted @lesligz via TikTok direct messages.
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