Uncle Franky’s

I had the sausage in red sauce and my wife had the Hamburger value wise, the food was good, though if you are hungry and want a burger you should think about a double burger, I should give Uncle FrankieS 3 stars due to the fact the tables were dirty, the mustard bottles had caked on old mustard on them from the night before we got there right when they opened, I’m giving them the benefit of maybe 1 employee didn’t show up for work, they only had 2 people.

The coney island chili dog is the best I’ve had in the Twin Cities. Nicely steamed bun and good sized dog with just the right amount of chili, cheese, and onions. Fries were nicely cut and tasted fresh. Service was fine and pricing reasonable.
Would like to see hot sauce readily available and a menu option for a small side of fries without having to buy a combo meal with a soda. But no other complaints and I will definitely be back.

Best Chicago dog I have ever had. Been to this place twice and have no left unsatisfied. I am also super impressed with the Minnesota made pop machine, it’s nice to see a place supporting a local pop company.
When I first hard about this place it was on the internet on the US’S top 21 hot dog joints. This place really met y expectations. I have had a lot of Chicago dogs as they are my favorite but this place has been the best by far.
I also love the old diner look of the restaurant. It is a real comforting environment. Will be coming back again and again!

Best Italian beef, Italian sausage & corned beef in western suburbs. Friendly staff. I’ve been here dozens of times for lunch, because nothing better in the area

I love Uncle Franky’s ! Stellar service, awesome burgers, dogs, Italian beef ! I’ll drive miles out of my way to satisfy my Windy City Burger crave. The ONLY place where the owner and the staff thank their patrons as they leave. That’s old school, that’s appreciated. Keep up the great work!

Not sure what happened here. Polish sausage was either bad, or it wasn’t Vienna as advertised. Wrong flavor and texture. The cook behind the counter, the one that asked me what my order was 3 times insisted it was, but I’ve been eating Vienna dogs since the womb, and this wasn’t it.

We came here with my son and his family on a Friday night. We knew there was a bistro menu and music, but we thought they might have a burger on the menu. Most of the bistros have a good burger. Nope… no way to get a burger. I asked. They did allow our two toddlers to get hot dogs and fries. Thank goodness.
We ordered several items to sample and share. We ordered the fondue, charcuterie, prime beef, special egg and salmon, and hummus plate. The best was the charcuterie, and second was the hummus. The rest was not great. The fondue had a very sharp after taste. Most of us didn’t eat it. My son was the only one that thought it was ok. The prime beef and the salmon dishes were not seasoned enough.
It was all overpriced for what you got, as well.
We had a fun time with the toddlers dancing to the music. Everyone in the restaurant was having fun. The toddlers (of course) liked their hot dogs too.
So we all had a fun evening so I did give the place 3 stars. But I think they would do better to serve one of their nice burgers on a plate, with «frites» and offer some special «bistro» toppings, rather than put out mediocre «bistro» food.

i have to give credit where due. i was going to our neighborhood chicago hot dog stand kinda late. they were setting up a piano and had tablecloths on tables. i asked what was going on and the owner said they got their wine and beer license because business was slow in evening. my family and i looked st menu and decided to stay and wow what a surprise. had the best steak and fish wife had some great wine and i a great local beer and listened to piano it was so elegant and cheap. kinda like a secret place no signs nothing. it was awesome. thanks for the service. great idea. dash

Owner tries the sarcastic/​rude type of humor, some like it and others don’t. Personally I don’t mind it when he does it to regular patrons, but I go in there once every couple weeks with coworkers and don’t appreciate the rude service directed at me. The food is decent but by no means great for the price. If you’re interested in trying something new on a break go for it. Just don’t set your expectations high.

The first time I found this place I ate there 4 days in a row. Burgers are great. The fries rival state fair fries in awesomeness. Also a whole bunch of different options from dogs to Chicago beef.

Loved this place! Took the whole family and we all agreed– best fries, gyros, burgers, fountain soda and nutella malt to top it off! Great atmosphere and friendly service.

Went to Frankie’s hoping to get an excellent well-​crafted hot dog. The only relish they had was the neon green Chicago style which most people either love it or hate it. I would be a «hate it.» I don’t know how a hotdog restaurant has only one kind of relish.
My daughter got a corn dog. It came with the top of the batter broken off and was clearly deep-​fried that way because the hotdog itself was fried to a crisp.
The stools at the bar were horribly unsafe because they wobbled so much and the counters were sticky.

Wow… a warning to all of you… DO NOT step foot in this satellite of the original in NE Mpls. A different owner! I found out the hard way when I was charged more through my bank card than was on my receipt.
I went to great lengths to find the owner and let him know things were amiss with his accounting. Not only did he NEVER apologize …he had ME come back in to retrieve the amount they had put through «by mistake». He said they had no other way of doing it… well, Dodo… how about just offering to send me a gift card at least or just refunding the money to my card. He said he could not refund to my card… liar. I went in and do you think he even offered me a free dog for all the trouble I went through that was HIS FAULT? Moron!

Never coming back here again.
I walked in at 12:45. on a Sunday afternoon, one person ahead of me in line and two tables seated. It took 10 minutes for me to order as the person in front of me took a long time since the cashier did the order incorrectly.
Since it was my first time I had a question is two for the cashier. My questions were answered and I ordered a Chicago dog combo. The cashier stared at me for 10 seconds before I had to ask him how much I owed, I paid, then had to ask for my soda. The most annoyance came when I had to wait 30 minutes for s hotdog. Unacceptable.
Further rudeness from the man preparing the food made me never want to come back again. I told him I had been there for over a half hour, including wait time in line, he looked at me and said «really» in a very rude tone, saying my «order was placed at 12:55, it’s only been 20 minutes.» I held my tongue and waited until 1:25 to receive my mediocre hotdog and undercooked fries.
You won’t be getting my money ever again.

Only giving this 3 Stars based on the awkward greeting we received. It was «Free Family Picture Day!» I have two small kids and the last thing I want to have happen when walking into a restuarant for the first time is to be approached immediately. I wanted to get settled, look at the menu, then go order. Instead — I was asking someone what they were talking about over too-​loud music. The food was good but not as impressive as NE Minneapolis location. The fries were a bit greasy and limp which cemented my impression of the place. I would not return to this location and would rather make the drive to NE where it was quiet and fun.

Have been here several times for lunch, with decent food.
Took wife and kids last night, no French fries left for the day, yet charged my wife more than the full orders would have been.
One straw in the straw container right in front of employee, had to ask for ketchup and mustard.
What we got was ok at best
Apperantly they can’t count and my wife just believed him when he said I’ll just charge you $ 20.
When I added up the total of items ordered, it was $ 19.25, yet my kids only got a corn dog with their order, no fries and were overcharged.
I think he thought he was making it right, but actually overcharged!

2 stars…
I had a couple bites of my friends Chicago style Philly dog and I wish I could have traded, however I got the salmon burger.
Not sure why I got a salmon burger at a hot dog place, but I did… I can’t blame them completely but I’m not all too sure why it’s on the menu anyhow.
It wasn’t a burger, it was more of an over cooked small piece of salmon fillet. The girl that checked us out seemed very uninterested and not all that well put together… I’ve been in here a couple times now and both times she helped me out. Not rude, but not exactly nice or like she cared much to be there. Maybe if she washed her clothes she would be a little happier? Also, what’s up with the décor? Am I supposed to feel like I’m on the inside of a hot dog cart? I think it’s a bit odd. almost creepy to me.
I plan on going back again and getting a hot dog. I’ve had one here before but it wasn’t all that memorable. I will give it another shot and at that time I will update my review.

Wow, very disappointed. I am a long time fan of the Uncle Frankie’s in NE but this location is NOT the same. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the sausage they served inside the Gut Buster. I am not exaggerating when I say it looked like a sausage shaped charcoal briquette. Still don’t believe me? Check the photos, I left a note for the staff.

What’s worse than ants in your pants? Uncles in your pants. That was my greeting from the somewhat eccentric owner when I stopped in Uncle Franky’s yesterday. And, it’s also a big part of why I love this place. The owner (Franky?) has so much personality that he makes each visit unique.
As for the food, it’s more or less Chicago style stuff, hot dogs, Italian beef, sausages, pastrami sandwiches, etc. I stopped in yesterday to satisfy a craving for a Coney Island dog. I’m a bit disappointed in myself that yesterday was the first time I’ve been in this place in at least a year. I need to go back more often. The dogs were outstanding. They were served in freshly steamed poppy seed buns, as they should be, covered in a boat load of slightly spicy chili, raw onions and mustard and, just because this wasn’t already unhealthy enough, a spoonful of cheese whiz.
I noticed yesterday that they have phillys on the menu so I’m going back soon to try one of those for sure.

The reasons I enjoy Uncle Franky’s seem endless, but I’ll do my best to articulate them:
1.) The Scooby Doo shrine reminds me of the happy years of childhood, and I’ve never seen anyplace else so committed to décor that isn’t considered hip or trendy, but has the «I like Scooby Doo so I’m plastering my joint with him and if anyone doesn’t like it, they don’t have to eat here» attitude.
2.) The grey-​haired guy that walks around like he owns the place (because he probably does) is not Minnesota nice as one person put it, and it provides a lot of entertainment for me when I eat here. The first time I visited, I walked in with 3 other people, and as we were looking up to view the menu he just starts talking to us and asking us what we wanted to drink. He then proceeded to start pouring random fountain pops and water – Seemingly he was trying to offer us free pops with our meal if we ever got around to ordering. I had eaten at the Uncle Franky’s stand at Home Depot at the Quarry before, so I pretty much knew what I wanted when we arrived… so I walked up to order from the grey-​haired smart ass and when I asked for both a Chicago dog and an Italian beef sandwich AND fries, he really gave me some flack. He asked who all the food was for, and when I said me, he said there was no way I would be able to finish it and then gave me a deal of an even $ 10 for it all (including the drink, which he never rung up). He then bet me that I wouldn’t be able to finish everything, but if I did he said he would give me my $ 10 back. It was sure a lot harder than I thought it would be, but somehow I managed to power through it and keep my stomach from exploding and when I showed him my empty baskets, he kept his word by giving me a $ 10 gift certificate for our next visit! My boyfriend chatted with him a bit about Chicago, and discovered that he’s the real deal – I love Chicago and the attitude that is often dished out there at their establishments (a la Ed Debevik’s), so this guy really is the cherry on top of the sundae that is Uncle Franky’s.
3.) Wow, I just realized I’m 2 points in and I haven’t even mentioned food other than the fact that I stuffed my face with it. So the food is AWESOME! They serve real Vienna beef dogs and italian beef, and if you’ve read any of my other hot dog joint posts you know that I don’t think anything compares to a Vienna. But I have visited some other places here in Minneapolis that serve Viennas that don’t prepare them quite as well as Uncle Franky’s. If you’re looking to experience a real bite of Chicago around here, this is the place to go.
4.) Family Photo Days – they’re advertised on the wall behind the counter, and we happened to stumble upon one on my second visit. This guy came up and took a picture of me and my boyfriend and then came back shortly after with 2 pics w/​magnets on the back and Uncle Franky’s logos in the corner. They have a tall metal tower that you can post your photos on and still have one to take home as a souvenir. I have no idea who the guy is that takes the pictures, but it’s a really cool idea! I think they’re typically on Saturdays and it seems like they have them once a month or so.
5.) What a steal! I already mentioned the deal I was given for all the food I ordered, but he gave most of our group free pops as well. Even if you pay the listed price though, this place is well-​priced. It’s not as cheap as The Wienery, but the experience is completely different… not to mention the portions seem bigger. It definitely beats Chris & Rob’s for value. I ordered the same thing there that I got at Uncle Franky’s and had no problem finishing it, and my wallet was a little lighter after. So… all around I would give Uncle Franky’s 5 stars: Value, Quality, Atmosphere, Character, Service, and Extras. Check it out!