Frank's Diner

1516 W. Second Ave., Spokane, WA - (509) 747-8798

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Posted By Michael Stern on 8/30/2009 2:12:00 AM

Hungry in Spokane? Really, really hungry? If so, we have a meal for you: a King of the Road omelet at Frank’s Diner. This big boy is made from six eggs, ham, cheddar and Swiss cheese, peppers and onions, and is served with hash brown potatoes and toast.

Not quite that hungry? How about a Joe’s Special, named in honor of the “New Joe Special” that is so popular in the San Francisco Bay area. At Frank’s, the Joe’s special is a mere three eggs scrambled with ground beef, spinach, and onion and flavored with Parmesan cheese. There are plenty of normal-size breakfasts, too, from hefty biscuits and gravy to eggs benedict, and from silver-dollar pancakes to French toast made with cinnamon swirl bread. The breakfast menu boasts that Frank’s serves 12,000 eggs per month.

Our tipster, Charlie, told us that breakfast is the meal to eat at Frank’s; but the lunch selection looks pretty inviting, too. It includes, and we quote from the menu, “the best hot turkey sandwich ever,” made from turkey roasted in Frank’s kitchen, as well as a grilled meat loaf sandwich, chicken pot pie, and a large assortment of 1/3-pound Vista Cruiser Burgers made with assorted combinations of cheese, dressings, bacon, and barbecue sauce.

Grand food! But what will strike you even before you eat is the place itself, which is the state of Washington's oldest diner. It really was a railroad diner, Car #1787, built in 1906, and now completely restored in hash-house configuration with a counter that provides a view of the grill. Frank’s was located in Seattle from 1931 to 1991, at which point it lost its lease and was moved to Spokane.

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"One of the best breakfasts you will find anywhere! That is the Joe's Special in the foreground and cheesy hashbrowns in the rear."
Cliff Strutz

"Looking along the length of the diner back towards the front door."
Jovon Shuck

"Although the outside is interesting, it only hints at the beautiful interior."
Cliff Strutz

"This great sign is in the parking lot."
Cliff Strutz

"Franks is an observation car turned diner, home of the biggest and best breakfasts in Spokane."
Michael Stern