Stepping into Frank’s Restaurant on 134 E. Main Street in downtown Zeeland is a bit like walking into a time machine. I am not sure exactly what decade I have arrived – but I know it is a time long ago, and far away. The checkerboard floor, the fixed bar stools at the counter, and the memorabilia hanging on the wall all add to the sense that you are in a bygone era.
Early birds are welcome here – Frank’s opens during the week at 4:30am for breakfast. Groups of contractors and trades people, many wearing shirts with their name sewn over the pocket, fill the tables. They are attempting to wake themselves up with the coffee served with their eggs and bacon. Soon they are off to their shops which require them to show up by 7am. Next up, come the groups of retired men holding court at their regular tables discussing local (and probably national) politics. Once the clock hits 11am, though, breakfast is no longer served.
Another round of locals begin to stream in for lunch. They will no doubt order one of “The Classics” – one of the restaurant’s delicious assortment of burgers served with a pickle spear and fries. Sure, there is a salad or two offered on the menu; but this isn’t the kind of joint one comes to for salads. The lunch crowd is more eclectic; the banker eating solo at the counter with his tie draped over his shoulder to avoid a ketchup mishap; mothers with pre-school children out for a treat after story time at the nearby Howard Miller Library. All might be found sitting side by side along the counter, mesmerized by the cook sizzling their burgers on the griddle mere feet away.
First timers might be surprised to have their hamburger plunked directly on their table in a paper wrapper with no plate. Regulars know to unwrap the burger and use the wrapper as their plate for both their burger and fries.
Frank’s was founded in 1924 by Frank Dionese and his wife Mary. They were new immigrants from Italy. The restaurant has been continuously run by various descendants of Frank ever since opening. The restaurant’ website has a nice historical write-up of the restaurant’s history.
When its time to pay for your meal, don’t expect the wait staff to take your payment from the table. You will need to walk up to the counter to pay for your meal. One more thing: be sure to bring cash or your check book. Frank’s takes cash. They do not take credit or debit cards!
