Frank’s Coffee Shop Burbank, CA: “Dig in Baby!”

They say the three most important things in business are “Location. Location. Location.” And that rang true recently on my virgin visit to Frank's Restaurant aka Frank's Coffee Shop in Burbank, CA.

See, I did not plan to dine at the vintage eatery that had been slinging hot comfort food since 1957. I didn't even know the joint existed. On a lunch trip to one of my favorite's The Tally Rand (as reported in a 2014 review) I was distressed to find the place packed to the gills with a line of folks waiting to get in and no parking to be had. Pressed for time I had to find an alternate place for lunch.

My pal Dave said, “We could just go to Frank's. It's right up the street and kind of old school.”

What an understatement! From the moment I walked in and saw the abundance of deep chocolate leather booths and counter stools I was hooked.

The place looks like a real life take on Edward Hopper's famous painting “Nighthawks.” Plus, Frank's shares it's parking lot with a cheap motel. I can only imagine the decades of dalliances that ended with coffee and pie at Frank's. Yup I'm a sucker for old time lore.

Frank's menu is small and focused. Basic coffee shop fair. Sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers and breakfast all day. Plus pie. And that's all. Nothing fancy.

All priced so low you wonder how they have stayed in business for fifty-seven years. For lunch, I had the burger with a cup of their world famous pea soup. Good. Almost as good as Anderson s. And a shorter drive from my home. My buddy had a mixed meat sandwich (turkey and ham.)

While the food at Frank's is not as amazing as some of the other places I've visited it was hot, fresh and cheap but not in a fast-food way.

If Frank's looks familiar to you, you've probably seen it in one of the dozen's of TV shows and films that filmed there including: “Larry Crowne,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “CSI” and “Gigli.” You know how you loved “Gigli.” On my visit I also noticed the ancient numbered device that was once used decades ago to alert the wait staff that orders are ready. Tally Rand has one as well.

Our waitress told us “That thing hasn't worked in years. Just sits there.” A lot like me after my lunch at Frank's. I just sat there. Soaking it all in.

If you find yourself in Burbank, CA, pop into Frank's. Although it was not my first choice for lunch that day it is now going into regular rotation as a solid backup.