Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace in Columbus, Ohio
Photos courtesy of Harold LaRue, Jen Killius and Kiesha Jenkins.
In early July, Columbus, Ohio became home to Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace, quite possibly the best-looking hot dog joint I've seen in a while. The logo was designed by fellow Philadelphia artist and chili-dog aficianado Thom Lessner, whose amazing paintings of hair metal stars and classic baseball players cover every inch of the restaurant's interior.
The hot dogs look just as incredible. They've got the classics—the Chicago dog, chili dog with "Coney Sauce," and a slaw dog (whose slaw is spiked with Sriracha). Also on the menu are original creations like the Nikola, covered in tzatziki sauce and green relish; the Ohiana, topped with jalapeño corn relish and celery salt; and the decadent Whoa Nellie, jammed with pulled brisket and barbecue sauce. Then there's the Korean-style Seoul Dog topped with kimchi and a Bollywood Dog blanketed with spicy mango chutney.
Dirty Frank's standard hot dog is Chicago's Vienna all-beef, but they'll do anything on the menu with a polish sausage, bratwurst, veggie dog or veggie brat. Definitely something for everyone.
Along with the dogs, Dirty Frank's is also doing hand-cut french fries, tater tots, baked beans, and a Chicago-style mac & cheese with Vienna sport peppers. To drink there's Frostop root beer from Springfield, Ohio, and ice cream sodas featuring Columbus's own Jeni's ice cream.
You can also guzzle down a habanero-lime slushie (add booze for $4) or check out their full bar, whose beer selection includes local Ohio, New York state, and Pennsylvania breweries such as Troegs, Barrel House, and Great Lakes Brewing Company. (Or keep it simple and crack open a can of Schlitz or PBR.)
Swing by if you're in the area, or order a Dirty Frank's T-shirt to add to your hot dog shirt collection. (Don't we all have one?)
Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace
248 South Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215 (map)
614-824-4673
dirtyfrankscolumbus.com
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21 Comments:
i live in columbus! haven't had a chance to make it to dirty frank's yet, but after this article i may just have to make it my mission to go this weekend! i'm torn tho-i loooooooooooove jeni's ice cream & the floats sound awesome, but how's a girl supposed to pass up boozy lime slushies? perhaps i'll report back on what i pig out on-thanks for reporting on it-i needed reminding! :)
gastronomeg at 1:43PM on 07/24/09
I moved from Chicago to Washington to London to Cambridge, UK...I haven't had a proper dog in so long,,,my last was last August, at Comiskey Park (they might have renamed it, but I haven't). That was my first proper dog in almost eight years. All I want is a proper, steamed, beef dog, natural casing, on a soft bun with some spicy mustard. Actually, I want two. And Tater Tots. I demand Tater Tots.
NotAmerican at 3:10PM on 07/24/09
As a self-defined gourmand and Columbus resident, I was thrilled to hear that Liz Lessner — of Betty's, Tip Top Diner, and Surly Girl Saloon fame — was going to open a hot dog restaurant not too far from my home.
My friends and I have visited a few times since they opened their doors recently, and I haven't been at all disappointed: creatively imagined and well-executed hot dogs (and only $3 apiece!), delectable (and occasionally alcoholic) slushies, and impressive sides (I'm especially fond of the onion rings, though I wish they had ranch to dip them in) for just $2. This place is an instant favorite.
By the way: The T-Dog — Sriracha mustard, roasted red peppers, bacon crumbles and cheddar — is AWESOME.
orpheum at 3:32PM on 07/24/09
Despite working just down the street I haven't been able to try it so far. On the other hand quite a few of my coworkers have worked their way through about 7 or 8 of the options. The general consensus is that they're pretty good.
winternutt at 3:33PM on 07/24/09
How are the dogs prepared? Steamed? Grilled?
hotdoglover at 4:55PM on 07/24/09
I've eaten at Dirty Frank's a number of times now and every time it's absolutely killer! The mac 'n cheese is to die for, along with everything else. My favorite so far is the Classy Lady, with cheese sauce and crushed potato chips. We're so lucky to have Liz Lessner in Columbus!
karenevans at 5:38PM on 07/24/09
Thom's art is the best! This place looks great.
LONDONER at 10:29PM on 07/24/09
I've eaten here once and I was very disappointed that the blocky cheddar cheese was out of a package and not shredded fresh and the hot dogs were not even remotely hot...............the decor is fantastic and the service very friendly but the food needs some work.
Since the owners have three or four other restaurants in Columbus everyone is really "drinking the Kool-aid" but I have got to be honest here and say I won't be rushing back anytime soon.
Nemis at 8:13AM on 07/25/09
Is Dirty Franks (the bar) still open in Philly? Pine St. around 13th or Juniper.
browngravy at 10:14AM on 07/25/09
Liz Lessner — of Betty's, Tip Top Diner, and Surly Girl Saloon fame
no kidding-i didn't realize that! now i'm even more excited to go!
gastronomeg at 10:47AM on 07/25/09
The dogs are not natural casings and the onion rings are out of a bag. Other than that, they're pretty good. I think the Sriracha slaw dog is my favorite.
paulf at 1:27AM on 07/26/09
Thanks so much for featuring us, SeriousEats, we are seriously honored!
Paul F, our casings are in fact all natural, we use all beef Vienna Franks from Chicago, you can view more of our trip to their factory where we watched the hot dogs being stuffed:
http://cmhgourmand.com/2008/11/17/hot-dog-daze-a-dirty-franks-field-trip/
also, next time you are in you might enjoy our hand-battered fried leeks.
Nemis, hold tight, we are working on the cheese situation as I type! I hope you do come back sometime, feel free to email me at elizabeth@bettyscolumbus.com and I'd be happy to send you a gift certificate for your troubles.
Thanks to everyone for such kind comments-most of them anyway!
elizabeth lessner, dirty frank's hot dog palace
lizlessner at 2:53AM on 07/26/09
Elizabeth,
How are the dogs prepared?
hotdoglover at 8:58AM on 07/26/09
I've heard rumors of elephant ears and funnel cakes :) Corn Dogs too? :)
Kbear919 at 8:36PM on 07/26/09
@browngravy - pretty sure dirty franks is still there at 13th & Pine. haven't been by there in a bit, but that place seems likes it will be there forever.
l_destouches at 7:41PM on 07/27/09
Hi hotdoglover,
We prepare the dogs traditional Chicago style and steam them at 140 degrees. If we cooked them any hotter we would damage the thick natural casing and the hot dog would lose it's snap. The buns are also steamed and come out warm, soft and pillowy.
Kbear919,
Yep, we've added funnel cakes to the menu! Hope you try them, they are made to order and taste like the fair!
lizlessner at 1:13PM on 07/28/09
Can't wait to try it out. Dirty Frank's isn't a Pearl Jam reference is it?
http://www.last.fm/music/Pearl+Jam/_/Dirty+Frank
redlegs at 2:41AM on 07/29/09
The name Dirty Frank is a reference to Frankfurter, our mascot! Dirty Frank is a cross between Burt Reynolds and Mel from Mel's Diner and is our logo and mascot.
lizlessner at 11:21AM on 08/03/09
My goodness I just got so very hungry. Wish you were in Florida!!!
JeffM at 11:25AM on 08/03/09
Of course Dirty Franks in Philadelphia is open. If the world came to an end two things would survive. Cockroaches and Dirty Franks bar in Philadelphia..
Holly Moore at 11:27AM on 08/03/09
I'm in Columbus for a conference. We ate at Dirty Frank's last night. I had a Ohioana dog and a Zippidy Zam (good but the pepper juice melted the bun a bit). My partner had a Chicago dog. All good. One of my friends at the conference enjoyed the Nikola dog and Seoul dog. He wanted to try the Hot Bollywood dog too, but thought three hot dogs would be a little too much. :)
jolene278 at 4:11PM on 10/05/09