Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Franke's Cafeteria, A Little Rock Institution

Rodney Parham
Franke's is where we go to eat real home cooking when we don't want to cook at home.  That's what we did tonight.  




We usually get a lite plate and something we not only don't, but won't, cook at home.  I got roast beef, "the best", mashed potatoes "real" and Brussels sprouts (Chuck won't eat them :).  Chuck got liver and onions (I won't eat liver), mashed potatoes "real" and black-eyed peas (we do fix those at home).  He gets a roll and I get a corn muffin and give it to him.  I save my bread calories for something more worthy...maybe a dessert or a glass of wine.


I was introduced to Franke's in 1962 when they were on Louisiana Street across the street from the Arkansas Theater.  My friend, Carolyn, and I would go there on our lunch hour.  We sat at the counter and had a cheeseburger with  grilled onions.  Sometimes a group of us would go through the line.  Yes, Rufus was there to carry our tray and we tipped a whole quarter for his service.




Then, my Mom and Dad moved to Arkansas to be near their only child...that would be me :D.  


Dad managed the Franke's in Hot Springs for several years.  They fixed a baked ham dish with pineapple that was delicious.  They don't have it anymore.  Also, the egg custard pie was warm.  Then, everyone got worried about bacteria and the Health Department made them refrigerate it.  The only time we get warm egg custard pie now is when my sister-in-law makes it  at Easter.


There are two Franke's ....one on Rodney Parham and the other in the Regions Building.*


We love Franke's!


*(The Regions Building began as First National Bank Building where Chuck and I worked for many years...I'll save that for a story on my Blog: Plaid Papers, A Journal.)



Franke's Cafeteria on Urbanspoon

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