Get Brooklynian.com by Email! 
Grab the Feed (RSS)
There is a new sign and awning up at 688 Franklin Avenue that reads " Franklin Roadhouse ". I googled it and apparently it is a restaurant in the making. Anyone know what type of food? Sounds BBQ like to me or perhaps an Homage theme restaurant to late great throat tearing Patrick Swayze.
Brooklynian » Forum » Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens »
-
I was just about to write about this!
Looked inside today... full bar with taps, lots of tables (already set with ketchup and salt/pepper, meaning they must be ready to open almost immediately).
It seemed a bit road-house-y, but also just a comfy dinner spot.
The guys hanging out in the front (not affiliated with anything besides sidewalk-standing) said it was to be burgers, pizza, fries, etc. and was delicious.
How did this go under the radar?
-
They must have built it at night, when we were sleeping.
Or during the day, when we are at work.
Sneaky bastards
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
for those you who wonder what this site looked like in 2007, I give you Google street view.
[might not load on smart phones]
The Avenue is changing fast!
<small>View Larger Map</small>
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
WhyNot, are you saying that Google Street View has a time machine function... That you can dial back and see what a given street looked like a few years ago? Surely that isn't possible?
-
WhyNot, are you saying that Google Street View has a time machine function... That you can dial back and see what a given street looked like a few years ago? Surely that isn't possible?
-
LOL. Yeah, it's a time machine, all right.
They just haven't updated their Street View photos in a few years.
-
Oh... For one crazy moment there I hoped to look back in time and see my kids playing on the front stoop... When they were still kids. But even if Street View did work that way, it didn't exist long enough ago to make that possible.
-
booklaw said:
WhyNot, are you saying that Google Street View has a time machine function... That you can dial back and see what a given street looked like a few years ago? Surely that isn't possible?Booklaw-
I'm sure the folks at google are saving their streetview photos, and we will soon be able to select a year that a street was surveyed (2005, 2007, 2011, etc) and enjoy a virtual walk back in time.
I thought of the concept a few years ago, and there are brighter people than me who work there.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
More fun?
As per google, here is what 733 Franklin Avenue looked like in 2007:
<small>View Larger Map</small>
The site is presently for rent, but I don't think a tattoo parlor is going to be able to pay the new rent.
As per the landlord, here is what the same address looks like today:
P.S. Not far from the new Franklin Roadhouse!
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Last weekend Daver and I took a stroll up Franklin- we got some fancy fruit at Bob and Betty's, we got gelato at Pine Tree, went to Compare to pick up a few things, and then had a beer and picked up some take-out at Chevella's. I cannot believe I'm saying that it was a really nice (albeit total yuppafied) day on FA.
Except for the part where Daver got a summons for his pocket knife. That was shit.
"...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa -
According to Ilovefranklinavenue, they open today!
-
Someone report the beer selection ASAP!
Spend a buck, light a number for one the 400,000 victims in Darfur: darfurwall.org -
Then:
<small>View Larger Map</small>
Today:
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Ilovefranklinavenue is not true. The husband and I went to check it out and it was closed. Talked to the guy inside (owner?) and he said because of the rain they decided to delay the opening to tomorrow. I'll report back soon.
-
Just called and checked, they say they're opening at 5pm today and going until...
RE: 718.622.0019
688 Franklin Ave. between Prospect and Park Pl. -
Husband and I went for dinner.
My findings:
- Fast service. We ordered a customized pizza and it was cooked in about 15 minutes. Beers were out almost immediately after ordering.
- Delicious pizza. I'm usually a big "more cheese, more better" person, but this pizza was great even though it was decidedly not super cheesy. We got a large pizza with spinach and the spinach was incredibly fresh and there was a ton of it. It had a thin crust (but not too thin or crispy that it was like Nice Pizza further up on Frankling ... also delicious, but very very thin/crisy)
- Decent beers. But not great. We got some "Roadhouse Reds" which under further inspection were Killians with a different tap handle. But they had 6point on tap too and had some Porkslap and whatnot in cans. They also had wine.
- Large Space including a nice yard. When we went 3 tables inside were filled and all 20-ish seats out back were filled too. The inside has a nice vibe of tables with NO bar. Personally, I like that. It's definitely a place to eat and drink - not a bar that also serves food.
- Self Serve for now. They haven't hired a waitstaff yet, so you order at the counter and bring it yourself. It will be nicer when there is a staff to take orders
- Other food. In addition to a lot of pizzas and toppings (a plain, large is $14 and toppings are $3 each - although they have pizzas that are already planned out like a Veggie Delight or Hawaiian, etc.) they also have a lot of "bar food" apps like mozz. sticks, fries, jalapeno poppers, etc. and a list of burgers. I was tempted to get the veggie burger ($7.50 WITH fries? If it's decent, they have certainly beat out Dutch Boy for me just by price alone)
- A stage. They have a very small stage area up front - like maybe open-mic nights or karaoke or something. Who knows...So yes. For $23 we got a large pizza with fresh spinach and 2 pints. And we didn't have to cross a single intersection. It's only day one, but they said they'll start take-out/delivery in the next 2 weeks.
I Love Franklin Ave has pics.
-
Seems like Matthew D was not impressed.
-
My report:
At this time and place, one can enjoy a Stella and a house burger with cheese for $13.
One will find that EVERY customer ordered a beer with thier dinner.
New businesses should take note of this fact, and that the place is nearly full on a Thursday.
I also think the poster of Notorious B-I-G next to a Doors Morrison poster is a nice touch, given the location.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
How was the burger? As bad as the above Yelp review? I was planning to go tonight for dinner, but ended up too busy with Girl Scout cookie stuff..
-
Unlike the yelp guy's burger, my burger actually was yummy.
(I find those Yelp people to be very grumpy)
Back on topic:
I had the house beef burger with cheese.
It came with fries.
Dude patiently waited out front while I ate inside.....they have a vegetarian burger, as well, but Mrs. Whynot is at her final class for the semester
, 
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I'm a fan.
I went there with 4 friends on Saturday. We sat in the back, which is cozy but nice. I had a bacon cheeseburger made with Canadian bacon, a nice change. Though they did not ask me how i wanted it cooked, the burger was alright for $11 but I would have love it had it been $9. There was a good amount of meat and the bun was a nice size. It came with a side of no-thrill fries that I ate.
Other food partaken of were sweet potato fries (pretty sweet), jalapeno poppers (store bought, somewhat disappointing), fried calzone (FANTASTIC) and onion rings (decent).
Beers were had, all reasonable. When we asked about the "Roadhouse Red" the waiter seemed to think for a second and told us "It is very popular" and they were "selling out of it quickly". At $3 this is not surprising, even if it is just killians.
Service was decent, food was pretty good and cheap. I will be returning.
-
We walked past there the other night- the lighting inside is for shit. Blech- no one looks good in that light.
"...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa -
This place reminds me of a smaller version of Soda on Vanderbilt.
I think it will be a more intimate version of Franklin Park. Maybe a first date destination?
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I've had a pizza and a burger so far.
Beer selection is OK. It could use improvement but there is enough good beer there to keep me coming back. They have a few micro brews, Sweet Action, which is a very good hoppy pale ale, and Sly Fox IPA in a can, which is a very good IPA, and Sly Fox Pils in a can too. They have the usual suspects you can get anywhere such as Stella.
I had pizza there the first week. It was huge. Came out fast. but it really needed some spices, including salt, pepper and basil. It was a little pricey and too big for the two of us to finish.
The burger is a little thin. I ordered it medium rare but with such a small burger it might always come out the same. It was still tasty and the sweet potato fries were very good. I will def come back for a quick burger and beer. I'm glad to have a place in the nabe to have a good beer, a decent burger, and I like that the service is so quick.
I hope they improve the pizza. because the crust was very nice, just needs some flavor in the sauce.
-
Went back there again last week. On the negative, they raised the price on drinks. The back garden was lit with only candles which kept on being blown out by the wind. Drinking in darkness isn't as much fun as it sounds.
On the plus side, they had a great little band playing.
-
I'm hoping for an improved beer selection
Spend a buck, light a number for one the 400,000 victims in Darfur: darfurwall.org -
My friend and I took a look at their menu one night, didn't even bother to go in. $10 for a burger on Franklin Ave?
Go do something useful. -
I mean, if it's a 'gourmet' burger with good quality meat? $10 seems reasonable in any neighborhood.
If it's sh-tty diner meat, then yeah, I agree
Spend a buck, light a number for one the 400,000 victims in Darfur: darfurwall.org -
My friend and I took a look at their menu one night, didn't even bother to go in. $10 for a burger on Franklin Ave?
the only other burger place on franklin has $10 burgers.
i wouldn't go to either place though.
-
$10 is the going rate for burgers around here (including Vandy). Pretty sure Dutch Boy still has a daily lunch special- $6 or $7 for a burger with fries.
"...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa -
How is the air conditioning? The owners who can figure out how to keep thier customers cool, will get $10 for a burger.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I went to do laundry today at Park and Franklin and decided to go across the street to get some mozz sticks and beers. (note: I ended up falling asleep back at my apartment this afternoon before putting away all of my laundry -- meaning I probably won't have beers after a long day of teaching before eating some food again)
The AC was good (I hate when places really crank it up just as much as places with too little AC- it was super comfortable both walking in from outside and staying for an hour or so) and while the food was nothing to get excited about, crappy mozz sticks and cheap beers was what I wanted after a long/hot/crappy day.
-
Very few people I know around here are going to pay $10 for a burger, no matter how good it is. Dutch Boy's burgers aren't that great either and their fries are way too salty. Pasha Pita Pizza on Bergen And Classon make an amazing burger for half the price and it's twice the size of Dutch Boy's.
Go do something useful. -
The Spot also has a good burger. on weekends it's 6-7 bucks for a nice burger and fries.
-
Well, Caseo- judging by the fact that every place that's selling a burger around here is not lacking for business, I'd say you're in the minority. There are plenty of folks around here that are willing and do pay $10 for a burger. The nabe she is a changing.
Also, I heard the Spot was nasty.
I had the Woodwork sliders yesterday, I do not recommend.
"...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa -
The Spot is pretty terrible, especially their mimosas.
If a burger is costing me less than about $8, I'm questioning the quality and freshness of the meat. I'm all for a good bargain when it comes to food, but wholesale prices are a beast these days, which means small restaurants selling burgers for $5-6 are cutting corners somewhere. It could be on their workers wages or they could be buying the meat the processing plant scrapes off the floor.
-
Wait...I totally forgot about liquor sales. You can sell burgers for cheap when you can also offer booze to go with it.
-
$10 is not the going rate for burgers on "Vandy". In fact, most places charge more than that.
Cornelius - $12
Beast - $14
Branded Cattle - $11
The Vanderbilt - $12Places not technically on Vanderbilt, but in PH, also charge more:
James - $15
Dean Street - $12The only ones I could find that charge less than $10 were Plan B ($8) and The Usual ($6). Not sure how much Soda costs, as I never go there.
-
I think Soda's burgers are about $10ish. Their veggie burgers are AWESOME.
-
The lamb burgers at Dutch Boy are superb and well worth $10.
-
Jack Krohn said:
$10 is not the going rate for burgers on "Vandy". In fact, most places charge more than that.Cornelius - $12
Beast - $14
Branded Cattle - $11
The Vanderbilt - $12Places not technically on Vanderbilt, but in PH, also charge more:
James - $15
Dean Street - $12The only ones I could find that charge less than $10 were Plan B ($8) and The Usual ($6). Not sure how much Soda costs, as I never go there.
That's with cheese!
"...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa -
with the interior temps inside the dining room, this guys sign should say free beer not 3 dollar beer. Pies looked pretty good but some of the other people eating there had sizzling skin from the 300 plus inside.
-
As we approach the hot month of July, can I request that people post which has the best A/C?
I seek good meat plus good a/c, and will pay up to $12.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I was trying to be nice but I meant a lot of the people who've lived here for years that aren't on Brooklynian. My neighbors aren't paying $10 for a burger on Franklin and neither will I.
Go do something useful. -
Right, issues of gentrification are different than, 'this place is crazy to charge $10 for a burger'
Spend a buck, light a number for one the 400,000 victims in Darfur: darfurwall.org -
Never said they were crazy for charging $10 for a burger. We all know who's going to go there and who won't though, that's why they're charging $10 for a burger.
Go do something useful. -
Went last month and we had burgers/fries for two (a plain cheeseburger and a bacon and blue cheese burger with cheese fries made on request). Not the most amazing food ever but better -- and cheaper -- than Dutch Boy.
-
caseopele said:
Never said they were crazy for charging $10 for a burger. We all know who's going to go there and who won't though, that's why they're charging $10 for a burger.Ok, I may be either opening a can of worms or putting my foot in my mouth by not phrasing this correctly. Obviously, I can't tell someone socioeconomic background by looking at them -- however, the large majority of these supposed "gentrifiers" are white - and yet every time I've gone, my husband and I have been the only white customers. We've also been marginally younger than most (though not all) of the other customers. Actually, the customer base seems to be more 40-year-old working men and women in the neighborhood and are generally of Caribbean or African decent.
I'm sure I've phrased this wrong -- but all I meant was, compared to the customers I see when I walk past Dutch Boy, Franklin Roadhouse seems a lot less young and white.
-
I'm going to go out on a limb and state that the combination of "burgers and beer" has wide appeal.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
Welcome! Please log in to post, or register a new account!