Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace has a name you don’t soon forget. 

 Established in 2009, the restaurant was part of the surge of entertainment that occupied the 4th St. downtown area. Entrepreneur, Liz Lessner, opened the hot dog palace amongst other various restaurants and bars in the area as she created the Columbus Food League. Although Liz is no longer in Columbus, Dirty Frank’s continues to be a staple. 

The dogs are true to their name and dirty, but only in the sense of indulgence. 

To add to the feast, I started the meal with a root beer float. When in Rome, right?

The menu is chocked full of hot dog creations that are the wildest of fantasies. Hannah’s favorite is the Classy Lady, a hot dog topped with cheese sauce and crushed potato chips. The menu is extensive with fried sides, sweets, beverages of all kinds, and even “sloppy plates.” After describing all that, I doubt it needs to be said, but go hungry and maybe even on a lazy day. These dogs were filling!

The diner has a small and intimate atmosphere with quirky art covering the walls, which perfectly complements their eclectic and fun menu. We were lucky to secure the last available table at lunchtime during the week. They don’t take reservations, so it’s essential to plan ahead. The opening hours are from 11 am to 10 pm, providing plenty of options for visit times. 

While they don’t accommodate large parties, they offer catering services and have a “Weiner on Wheels” truck available for events. Despite being in a rush that day, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and are looking forward to returning for a more relaxed experience. Pairing it with a visit to 16-Bit next door seems like a great idea for a full night out.