“We are really grateful for all the support and love that Kenosha gives to Franks. We really love K-town!” – Kevin Ervin, co-owner of Franks Diner (pictured above with wife Julie)
Q. I’m sure you’ve told this story a million times, but for those who don’t know — can you give us the nutshell story of Franks Diner?
A. Franks’ was purchased by Anthony Franks in 1924, from the Jerry O’Mahoney Company, a New Jersey company that manufactured Diners. They made them from scratch and shipped them all over the country.
Anthony was working in restaurants in Kenosha after immigrating here from Greece. He wanted to open his own place, and saw an ad in a magazine to purchase a diner for $7,500 plus $315 for shipping. It was shipped here on a flat bed train car. Unloaded, hooked up to horses and dropped on 58th street, where it’s sat since 1925. The diner didn’t open until 1926 though, because the city elders at the time thought that there were too many Greeks with restaurants in town.
Julie and I bought Franks in December of 2010. We were regulars and friends of the previous owners, Chris Schwartz and Lynn Groleau, they were looking to sell, and move on to another venture. They knew Julie and I were looking to own a business here in town, so after asking us a couple of times, and after many drinks, we decided to look into it. After we did our due diligence, we decided to buy the place.
Q. How has the menu evolved over the years since you and Julie took over?
A. We really haven’t changed much. A couple of items that were never very popular have gone away, and we changed the name of a couple specials, but mostly it’s the same as when we bought it. The only things that have changed is the addition of some different weekend specials that we try from time to time.
Q. What sets Franks Diner apart from others in the industry?
A. Our main difference is our building. We’re the oldest diner of this type in the world, and the longest continuously running diner in America. Also, we like to foster a sassy atmosphere that you won’t see at most places. But the biggest thing is our food. It’s mostly scratch made and delicious.
Q. How do you approach menu development and staying creative in the kitchen? Is this something you, Julie and the staff talk about?
A. Yes. Julie, myself, and our managers (Josh Fugate and Sandee Cornell) often come up with new ideas. Josh is great at making soups, so he does the lion’s share of those. Ashley Fugate, Josh’s sister, has been at the diner for years and is also very creative and comes up with great breakfast ideas to cook up. We have an open door policy with anybody on staff for food ideas though. If you have an idea you want to try, I want them to let me know, I’ll get the ingredients and let them go wild.
Q. You are very active in our community outside of the diner, what is it about Kenosha that you just love giving back and helping out?
A. I grew up in Chicago, and though I did some volunteering there, it wasn’t the amount I do here. I think Chicago was just too big and impersonal. In Kenosha, being smaller, you get to meet the city leaders. You see them out and about, it makes you feel connected to the city. Once we bought the diner, Julie and I were both approached to be on various boards throughout the city, for various institutions. We both love being involved with the city and giving back in the little ways that we can.
Q. Can you recommend any hidden gems or must-visit restaurants that you admire?
A. There are tons of great places in town. I’m going to make somebody mad if I don’t include them. We like, Wine Knot, Sazzy B, Villa d’Carlo, Apis, Twisted Cuisine, The Coffee Pot, Cut Stone Pizza, Gerhard’s, HobNob, and Tuscany Grill… off the top of my head. Rustic Road, Public Brewery, Tavern on 6th and Captain Mikes are favorites too. And I love a Kaisers pizza!
Q. Kevin, you are a bit of an artist and you often share your drawings and doodles, what has been your favorite one over the years?
A. I really don’t do customers, I don’t want to offend anybody, but I do draw myself in a cartoony way quite a bit. It’s not vanity, I just think I look like a cartoon character anyway.
Q. Can you tell us one of your funny customer stories?
A. We once had a guy flip his car onto its side it front once while he was trying to park. Everyday I have people ask me stupid stuff on the phone, that’s pretty funny. I could fill a book with those.
Q. What is your favorite dish at Franks Diner?
A. I love the Chorizo Garbage Plate, or our French Toast.
Q. Kevin, you’re a pretty funny guy, you like to do some pretty funny April Fools pranks on the Franks Diner Facebook page, can you tell us a little about some of your best pranks?
A. The one that’s made the biggest impact is when I said we were expanding — tearing down the old place and replacing it with a three story version with a rooftop deck. That was three years ago and people still ask about it. We also said we were bought by Hooters once, and offered chicken sushi.
Q. What do you love about owning Franks Diner?
A. The crazy atmosphere and my staff, they can be really fun to work with, and if we get that Franks vibe going, it can be a blast.
Q. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
A. I’ve never met Guy Fieri, but I spent five days with Gene Simmons of Kiss. I also once was a bodyguard for strippers. Maybe that’s not so surprising.
Q. How do you see Downtown Kenosha in the next few years?
A. Nothing but good things and growth. The Mayor has laid out an impressive plan for downtown that will start soon, and hopefully the next Mayor will carry that through. The current BID (Business Improvement District) Board is filled with very dedicated, intelligent people all rowing in the same direction. Dennis DuChene, Laura Gregorski, and the rest of the staff at Visit Kenosha are killing it with getting projects done. Downtown is thriving – come down on any night and it’s packed.
Q. So Franks Diner is a pretty famous joint, how many times has it been featured on the Food Network?
A. We’ve been on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” twice. And that’s amazing to us. Julie and I weren’t here the first time, but everyone said Guy was fantastic, very down to Earth. The second time they came was a recap episode during COVID, so Guy didn’t come for that, but his crew was amazing. They closed us for the day and set up for shooting, the crew works like a machine. Everyone had their job, and they did it with speed and efficiency. They were really nice, fun people too. Joked and had fun with us all day. The crew was from all over the country. It was a very fun time.
Q. Please tell us about those ever popular Garbage Plates?
A. They are our most popular dish. They start off with hash browns, green peppers and onions, then we add the meats (ham, bacon, sausage, chorizo, and/or corned beef hash), then add cheese (American, Swiss, cheddar, pepper Jack, mozzarella, and/or feta), add tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach and/or zucchini if you want. Add three or five eggs, finish it with jalapeños and homemade toast. It’s a lot of food. It’s delicious and filling. My favorite is the Chorizo with cheddar.
Q. What is the story behind the always changing pics on the restrooms doors?
A. It’s just something I do to set us apart from other places. Every month I change them out. There’s always a theme, sometimes tied into the month. I try to fill the place with little creative touches, funny things, here and there.
Q. Can you tell us a little about your awesome staff?
A. They are awesome! Right now I have one of the best groups we’ve ever had. Josh, and Sandee are great managers. Then we have Ashley and Casey who aren’t managers, but step up every time we need it. Christina and Jake are newer cooks and they’re rocking it. We have our older staff; Sal, Nico, Jess, Rayia, Heidi, and Nalani, who we can’t live without. And then we have some newbies who are fitting right in. I really like my staff right now, and it’s been a while since I’ve had a complete team like this.
Q. What do you think is the secret to all the success of Franks Diner?
A. I think our success is due to all the hard work our staff puts in. We try hard every day to make some great food and give our customers a fun unique experience.
Q. I hear you are a big fan of WGN radio? Who are some of your current and past favorite hosts/shows?
A. Oh boy. Dave Plier is a personal friend and has a couple of great shows. Landecker and Sirott are long time classic radio guys, I’ve listened to them since I was a kid. I loved Bill Lawrence and Lou Rugani on WLIP, until they were let go.
Q. What is next for Franks Diner?
A. Retirement? We’ll keep churning it out for a couple of years, then turn it over to the next owners, who will hopefully keep the tradition going.
Q. Will the Cubs ever win another World Series in your lifetime?
A. I hope. Maybe in 5-10 years?
For more w/ Kevin of Franks Diner checkout his appearance on the Ktown Connects Podcast
Spotify • Apple Podcast
Franks Diner is located at 508 58th Street
262-657-1017 • franksdinerkenosha.com
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Q&A and photos by Donny Stancato
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(This article first appeared in Vol 16. #4 2023/24 Go Downtown Kenosha Magazine)
