Sometimes just the sound of some food genre can get you drooling before you see, smell, or even taste the cuisine. "Gourmet fast food" definitely falls into this category. Fast food, as terrible as it is for you, is sinfully delicious as it is. Add "gourmet" to the front end and you've got a concept that's very hard not to love.
Well, that's Frankies for you; "fast" food with extra attention to detail and flavor that'll leave you coming back for more, and more, and a little more after that. Don't be mistaken, there's no white linens on the tables here or anything, just food a respectable step up from any McMeal you'll find in the area.
So what'll you get when you head to Frankies in South Tampa? Well, their crowning achievements are definitely the hot dogs. Lightly fried, then grilled, and measuring in at a foot long, these half-beef, half-pork behemoths come in a wide variety of forms at Frankies.
The Irish dog comes with strips of bacon on top of this foot-long dog nestled inside a hot-pressed bun that's delightfully greasy and crisp on the outside and adequately soft on the inner. Other dogs include the Italian Dog with peppers and onions, a Mexican dog with chili, and a French dog with hot cheddar.
Frankies also offers a variety of standard, American fast food fare and a few inventive treats for good measure. These include sweet potato fries with pancake syrup, a combo that is, apparently quite delectable; fried broccoli, fried zucchini, fried cheese cubes, and more.
Other standards at Frankies include hamburgers, fries, Philly cheesesteaks, and an assortment of fried seafood including clam strips, calamari, and shrimp.
If you find yourself in Tampa with a greasy, fast food craving and a need for something a bit tastier than bland, chain food, head on down to Frankies and see what they're all about.
