Frank’s Restaurant

Okay, there’s some weirdness going on with the address to this place. On the placemat the address is 614 Smithfield but looking it up online it’s also 616 Smithfield. Is this because they also cater? Who’s to know? A note, the sign outside and the placemat also claim the name of this place is Frank’s Family Restaurant.
Anyway on to the review.
I realize that my reviews are mostly based on the staff service and how quiet places are typically. I can eat in a place that is dilapidated looking yet have a good time because the food is good, the waiter is pleasant and I am not aggravated by other customers or the attitude of the staff. This place lead me to that general conclusion.
On a whim while my Mom got her skates sharpened I pointed this place out to her for lunch. My stomach wasn’t strong enough today for the Weiner Genie (yeah, the spelling is correct,) and although I wanted to try Hartley’s Pork Pies, Frank’s called to me. The area looks like certain parts of Worcester, run down, old school shops, shabby main street but still kept up in that way that says people have forgotten about the area but the elderly still keep it alive. The building looks like it should have a few abandoned cars parked in the spaces but there were more than a few customers’ cars parked there when we went in. Although not jumping, this place looks like a local joint with many older people frequenting it but I saw a younger couple too.
The waitress asked if we wanted to see a menu, that tipped me off to most people knowing what they want here. No menus on the tables and none offered at the door. We were told to sit anywhere and chose a rickety table from the clean but motley chairs and tables in the dining room. Believe me when I say that I mean this in the nicest way. The dining room was clean but had seen better days. The place looked homey in an unpretentious way. The waitresses were busy and were being followed around by a little girl seriously imitating the ladies as they took people’s orders. It wasn’t obnoxious to me which surprised me. Usually kids can get under my skin when they are being «cute». This little girl was ernest in her actions and wasn’t looking for attention. She only accompanied the waitresses on their orders. It was February vacation so the kids are out this week.
Mom ordered one of the specials of the day: Stuffed Peppers, one of her favorite dishes. I ordered a Tuna and Swiss grilled sandwich. We were expecting different than what we received. The Diet Cokes we ordered were skunked. It was canned and from last year. I’ve learned that you can’t keep bottled or canned soda for too long without it losing taste. So they have no fountain here for sodas. Oh well. On the bright side the stuffed peppers were HUGE. They were moist with a tomato meat sauce that had rice mixed in and the green peppers were cooked so that they were droopy but not overcooked. Delicious, Mom gave me one half of one the portion was so big. They came with garlic spinach and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were real, with small chunks in it and the spinach was also real not canned and garlicky but not potent. The chef knows home cooking.
My sandwich was perfect. Two slices of Swiss on top and bottom of the rye bread (which the waitress asked if that was an alright choice for me,) and a very mild tuna salad sandwiched between, grilled just right. I didn’t get my fries with the sandwich nor my coleslaw. The Fryolator wasn’t on and needed to be heated. I waited for the fries which were great when they were served. Crispy and almost greasy with no salt only ketchup was placed on the table to accompany them. I was surprised there was no Malt Vinegar already there. I didn’t ask for the coleslaw but should have. Still with what I was served I’d had enough to eat for lunch.
This place is a curious diner type restaurant. I hope to return again. On Friday nights and Saturday nights they are open and the menu promises some wonderful «seafood» entrees (like those with Diablo and Creole sauces,) many more than their beef and pasta offerings. I want to try their Chicken Marsala now after eating their Stuffed Peppers. The building is kind of seedy but so is the area. Don’t let that stop you from coming in and trying their home cooking. Their waitresses are fast and efficient. You may have to point out how the dishes are served if you want to get what you ordered. I believe you won’t have a problem if you order a special, though.
Even though overall the event wasn’t perfect, I didn’t expect much when we came here. I still would like to come back just because the food was great. The prices were good, most lunch dishes were under $ 10. The placemat said they offer catering and that they had a function room. The room upstairs didn’t look prepared for events considering that the ceiling leaked downstairs and one window pane was missing. Don’t let that deter you from trying this place.