Freak Ales Pub And Grill

The selection of hot dogs is incredible, and I can't wait to go back to try more of these amazing combinations. I had the Cowgirl Carmen, which featured a hot dog topped with meaty Coney sauce, cheddar cheese, and crushed Fritos. It was absolutely delicious, and I’m not sure anything could top it. I also tried the unique fried leeks, which resemble giant green onions and have a milder flavor than regular onions. Those quickly became a favorite as well. Both of these dishes were so fantastic that I'm hesitant to try anything else on the menu. All the hot dogs come served on a steamed poppy seed bun, and you can choose between Vienna all-beef or Tofurkey veggie dogs. While the dogs are typically steamed, you can also have them ripped or charred. If you're looking for a great place to eat, I highly recommend giving this spot a try. I can guarantee you’ll want to come back!

I decided to give this restaurant another chance, and it turned out to be a much better experience. Last night, my son, granddaughters, and I enjoyed a delightful dinner. The girls ordered the fun octopus hot dog, which came served on a small bowl of mac 'n cheese. Fortunately, the tots were cooked perfectly this time (a win!). The service was satisfactory as well. I appreciated that the girls' lemonade was served in compostable cups (I really love that—check out the photo!). I've tried various hot dogs from their menu before, and I believe I've finally found my favorite: the veggie dog topped with slaw and crushed potato chips—it was fantastic. Overall, this place offers good food, a nice selection of beers, and is a great spot to take the kids.

I visited Dirty Frank's West after having been to the original location, and I must say it's not located in as nice an area. However, the food remains just as delicious. The atmosphere here isn't as lively, but it's less crowded, which means you can actually get served in a reasonable amount of time. I tried the vegan hot dogs, which come with a wide variety of options. Typically, the hot dogs are priced around $2 to $3, and many can be made vegan. The vegan hot dogs are served wrapped in lettuce, but it would be great if they offered vegan buns as well. Although the sides may not get as much attention, they are tasty too. They have alcoholic slushies that are definitely worth trying. The interior decor isn't as vibrant as the original location, but the place is still enjoyable. For anyone unable to visit the original Dirty Frank's, I would recommend Dirty Frank's West. The food and drinks are just as good, and while the atmosphere may not be quite as appealing, the service is definitely better.

We ordered the Alex-style tater tatchos, which arrived quickly. They could have used a bit more cheese, but they were just what I expected from the original location. As I browsed the menu for differences from the other location, I spotted the Westgate Stagger—a burger, beer, and a shot of Old Crow for $4. It’s similar to the Greyhound special offered at the 4th Street location. There were also some new items like the Westgate dog and drinks I didn’t recognize, presumably exclusive to this new spot. Some favorites from the downtown menu were missing, but I was told they plan to add Westgate exclusives based on customer preferences. We also ordered some classic hot dogs, which came out quickly and tasted great. Now, about the ambiance and decor. One of my favorite aspects of Lessner's ventures is her choice of locations that can benefit from revitalization, and this one is no exception. In fact, it might be the best spot she's selected since the original Dirty Frank's opened, particularly in terms of pushing boundaries. However, this comes with its own challenges. An intoxicated local tried to grab my friend's iPhone off the bar and interrupted our meal several times with unwanted small talk. After he left, the bartender asked if he was gone, and we agreed he was. The bartender remarked that he would be banned in the future, and we shared a laugh since I had witnessed many unruly patrons get ejected from the downtown location. After I informed the staff about the phone incident, it was clear the individual wouldn't be welcome back. While this situation could have been worse—particularly if he had managed to take the phone—this kind of disruption is part of the territory. I’d much prefer this over the restaurant opening in a more typical area like Grandview or Franklinton, where I had heard rumors it might go. As for the intended ambiance, the bar has a nostalgic 70s/early 80s vibe, likely original to the location. It’s well maintained, and I enjoyed the atmosphere. Despite the larger dining area, the walls have less art than downtown, although it's of a similar style. There’s a dividing wall between the bar and the main dining area, featuring cutouts that remind me of a Mexican restaurant, which made me wonder if one had been there before. A few more details: Unlike the downtown location, there’s free guest Wi-Fi, although it kept disconnecting on me. They have at least two TVs, which is more than downtown. There's ample parking in the adjacent lot. Currently, they're open from 5 PM to 11 PM but will eventually serve lunch and stay open until midnight on Sundays and Thursdays, and until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. One final note: there’s no sign out front at the moment! I’m curious if one will be added later; right now, there’s just a plain metal door with a sign saying "hotdogs" and a picture of a hot dog, along with some handwritten notes instructing people to enter. I imagine improvements are on the way. For now, it’s somewhat charming. Overall, it was a good experience, and I'd like to point out that a three-star rating is completely fair. In fact, I might rate it a four based purely on the location. I'm confident that the two vacant storefronts next door will soon feature bars, restaurants, or shops thanks to Ms. Lessner, and for that, I'm grateful. But let's not push out Yang and his Tae Kwon Do shop!

The atmosphere is much more spacious than the original, and we were pleasantly surprised by how empty it was, which made getting a table a breeze. Unfortunately, the service was a bit slow, particularly when it came to drink refills. We had to go up to the bar ourselves to get our sodas topped off, which was a little frustrating. As for the food, my experience with Dirty Frank's has been hit or miss. I ended up choosing three solid hot dogs: the Chicago, the Slappy Pappy, and the Dog From Hell. The Slappy Pappy's Super Sloppy (or SPSS, not to be confused with the software) was definitely my favorite, and my friend agreed after trying it too. The other two were pretty good as well. My friend opted for the Picnic Table, Razzle Dazzle, and The Nicola, which features a Greek-style hot dog. He really enjoyed the Razzle Dazzle but found the other two to be just okay. While Dirty Frank's has some good hot dogs, I see them more as a local staple rather than the best in town, especially with the emergence of new places like Daredevil Dogs and Jailhouse Rock. They have unique combinations that you can't find elsewhere, so if I'm in the area, I might stop by for a quick bite. However, there are simply too many other fantastic options nearby to make the trek to Hilltop a priority.