Dirty Frank's Dogs: My Worst Restaurant Hot Dog Experience.
Friday, October 9, 2009 at 4:14PM 
Earlier this year yet another Elizabeth Lessner restaurant opened around the CCAD area, here in Columbus. Much like Lessner's previously themed restaurant endeavors, Dirty Frank's Dogs has the vibe of a post-baseball game hang out. If you are reading this, chances are you are a fan [much like I am] of Tip Top, Surly Girl, and Betty's. The problem I had with my first visit to Dirty Frank's was their claim to fame...the hot dogs. It was more dog than hot, but seeing as it was a couple days after the restaurant opened I gave it a pass. I recommended friends and my girlfriend's friends go to Dirty Frank's, I figured this is something a good local business supporter should do...even if they did not enjoy their first meal.
The second or third time I visited Dirty Frank's I decided to take these little photos and I was super siked to eat, because...well I was hungry, but moreover a couple months had passed so I expected the dogs to be better. Unfortunately, lightening struck twice. The 'jumbo dog' that I got was hidden under beautiful sauce and seemed smaller than the bun it came in. This is nitpicky, my issue is how my dogs tasted. Cold! Again...cold! How can this be? I already feel like a fool going to a restaurant to specifically order something I could [with minimal effort] make at home.
I got no beef [no pun intended] with the mac & cheese, the tater tots or even the cole slaw [which is something I hate in general]. I think if we are to support our local businesses a major part of doing that is being honest with them. My personal experience was pretty bad as far as the hot dogs went, my girlfriend and her friends was similar and just today [hours ago] a co-worker told me he had a similar experience. Are we alone here?
Dirty Frank's Hot Dogs taste terrible. This is my experience, please post below if you've eaten at Dirty Frank's and have had a positive/negative experience.
Reader Comments (8)
I've eaten there a couple times, and my hot dogs have always been hot, delicious, and out pretty quick for what is usually a pretty busy place. I've had nothing but good experiences there, and I'm surprised that you didn't. Also, the funnel cakes are delicious.
I've heard the funnel cakes are the bomb, but I've have yet to get a hot dog from there that didn't feel like it came out of the refrigerator.
I eaten there twice and both times were no good. Like you, my hotdog wasn't hot and there was nothing distinctly special about it. I could of made a better one at home on a George Foreman grill. Honestly, I have no intentions of going back even though I'm all about supporting local places. I've read nothing but positive reviews on Columbus Underground and other foodie blogs, and not to be a hater because I'm all about the other Lessner places, but it just seems like a whole lot of butt kissing to me.
Hey there, we are so sorry for your experience. We are always happy to remedy problems on the spot, simply let your server know when s/he checks back to make sure everything is ok, we want you to leave happy! I noticed you ordered dogs that have a lot of cold toppings on them so the dogs do tend to cool down quickly when piled w/ cold vegetables like the Chicago dog. We appreciate you bringing the matter to our attention, we will work to make sure we maintain consistently hot hot dogs thanks to your input. If we can remedy your unpleasant experience by reimbursing you for your meal, we are always happy to, just let me know. Thanks for the feedback.
elizabeth lessner
yeah i am just not getting it with this place. there are certain dubious aspects to the other lessner resteraunts but overall the food and atmosphere are enjoyable and, like others said, supporting local restaurateurs is important to me. but i just am not feeling it with Dirty Frank's. i've been there twice and tried five different dogs and....ehhh. i feel like i'm crazy because all the reviews for this place border on the sycophantic and plenty of people around town praise it to high heavens. it's not terrible but there must be others who feel that Dirty Frank's is coasting on Liz's reputation (however well deserved it is). why is everyone afraid to say so?
@Elizabeth
Thanks again Elizabeth for responding [incredibly logical] and I'll definitely be back to Dirty Frank's in the future.
@V for ViennaDog and @D
It sucks that you guys wouldn't want to give Dirty Frank's another shot. At the same time though...I understand why you wouldn't. In some cases the only way a customer may feel comfortable in voicing their opinion is with their dollar.
@Isaiah Sorry to hear you had negative experiences at Dirty Frank's - my experiences have been generally good, but I learned the trick is to customize my order a bit. I, too, had a problem with the cold toppings on a not super hot dog, so just started ordering my chili cheese dogs with the cheese sauce instead of the cold grated cheese. They rock now. Ditto with the tater tots - not a huge fan when they're plain, but they rock with chili and cheese on them. Keep experimenting, until you find your Dirty Frank's sweet spot.
@D As one of the aforementioned foodies who reviewed Dirty Frank's positively, I can assure you that there is no butt kissing going on - I was more than outspoken about any less than stellar aspects of the meal. Yes, Dirty Frank's has things it can improve on. That's a big part of running a restaurant - constant quality improvement. However, Liz and Harold are customer service super-stars. If you have a negative experience, speak up while you're there, and they'll do everything they can to fix it for you. That, above all, is why I keep going back.
Thanks Becke...and I'll definitely keep experimenting!