Franklin Cafe

This place was reccommended by a bartender at another restaurant when I asked where I could go eat at that time of night (around 11:00 PM). I was on vacation, my mother was in the hospital, and I had spent most of my time either there or lost somewhere. When I called the Franklin for directions, whoever answered the phone was very patient and specific. When I finally found the place, it was full except for one seat at the bar. The bartender acknowledged me right away. The menu isn't huge, but it's got all the essential fine-dining options even though the place is casual. I ordered the steak frites and a pinot noir from Chile, which the bartender let me taste before pouring the whole glass out, then served some crusty bread with a side of garlicky white bean hummus. The steak arrived quickly and was perfectly cooked...I enjoyed my meal as The Roots played on the cafe's sound system. I took note of the extensive liquor options also. I will make sure to go back next time I am in Boston and hopefully I can bring some people. more

Franklin cafe is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. It is impossible to have a bad meal here. I have been numerous times for dinner and always have a delicious meal. This place is also a great date spot if you are inclined; however, be aware that they do not take reservations, so if you are coming on a Friday or Saturday, be prepared to wait...or eat late. Pros: Never a bad meal, late night dining Cons: No reservations more

Consistently one of my favorite restaurants/bars in Boston. Hats off to the staff for making this place time and time again great. I never hesitate to bring an out of town guest or come to Franklin for a special meal. The menu is not huge and there are no desserts, however almost everything that comes of the kitchen is done right. My only complaint is that you have to come early. They dont take reservations and if you expect to be seated right away, opt for an early or late dinner. Keep up the good work, Franklin! Pros: Food, Location, Consistency Cons: Size (small place), wait more

I went to Franklin Cafe a few weeks ago with some friends for dinner, and was super impressed with everything! The food is delicious, fresh, and interesting and on top of that, the drinks were great too. I got some fantastic recommendations from the bartenders, and they are machines when it comes to consistency!\r \r great food, good service, awesome drinks! I will definitely be back. Pros: Great food, even better drinks! Cons: On the small side, can get crowded. more

The consistent quality of this restaurant makes it a popular, but crowded choice, so arrive early or be prepared to wait. The menu is creative, fresh, and inviting. The staff are attentive, friendly and professional. It is a high quality neighborhood place, not a destination for a relaxed lingering dining experience. Crowds waiting to eat lead to not so subtle pressure to finish up and leave. Pros: food Cons: crowded more

This past weekend I was visiting Boston for 3 rd time, I always hear that this restaurant is pretty good, so we decided to try, we arrived at 7:00 pm, the place was pack, the host told me 30 to 45 minutes, I have a glass of Wine, very good attention by the barttender, the restaurant is very well decorate and located, like the lights and the services of the staff is class A, they really take care of the clients. After 45 minutes I asked the Host in a very nice way, how long do I have to wait, I was told that he did have not idea, at the same time partys of 4 or 6 were sitting and my friend and I just waiting for a table, I finished my wine, he finished his drink, a gentlerman that was next to me arrived and 10 minutes later his party of 8 were seated, I ask again and the Host reply to me I do not have a cristal ball, after 1 hour and 45 minutes, we left no one try to help us, I did enjoyed my wine, but the waiting list is not fear, plus if you go with a big party you will have more possibilities to have a table otherwise good luck. Pros: nice elegant atmophera, the decoration very simple but clean Cons: no parking, have to go in large groups to be seated more

I love Franklin Cafe. I would even go as far as saying it is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Unfortunately, the last two times I have been there (twice since August 2007) the new wait staff has been a little less friendly than usual. Both of my parents and a lot of my friends are in the Service Industry, therefore, I have a lot of respect everyone in it.\r What is the wait staff lacking? Personality, pleasantries, politeness. They appear as if they are not trying to please the client. It almost seems as if he knows the restaurant is great and there is no need to try since people would come anyway...bad philosophy.\r I think the food is amazing, I love the ambiance and the drinks are great! I just hope they put the same level of care into their staff as they do to their food. Pros: Ambience, FOOD!!, Fish and corn chowdah! Cons: Service lately has not been very friendly more

We tend to work really late in the evening. Franklin Cafe is certainly becoming a frequent destination for after-work-late-dinner for us.\r \r The menu is quite nice and the specials are always there for us to look out for. The ""Steak frites with Roquefort butter"" is definitely a safe bet for anyone (except vegetarians I suppose). They allow you to call in even late. They serve until 1:30am which is a big plus for us.\r \r I would warn everyone though that parking could prove to be challenging. Be prepared to drive around the blocks a few times before finding a stop. Taking a cab may be your best option.\r \r Pros: Open until 1:30am, menu, specials, food quality Cons: Can be loud, no parking, no sign (could be hard to find) more

I love this place! It's trendy, has great drinks, everything on the menu is delicious, and it's open super late - what's not to love??? Although this restaurant is in the South End the location is a bit hidden - it's a little hard to find if you don't already know where it is. The music is a little bit loud and it's extremely dark in there. Those are the only cons - otherwise, the food is excellent and the prices are very reasonable especially considering the quality of the food, service, and wine list. The service at this restaurant is also very good - highly recommended! Pros: reasonable prices, excellent food & service Cons: quit loud - hard to talk in there, very dark more

Visited Franklin Cafe for a much anticipated dinner. The dishes were swimming in salt. And I don't mean just the feature of the course - the whole plate was doused with salt (salad, side dish included). We weren't impressed with the server either. She greeted our table asking if we wanted water but never asked if we wanted a cocktail. The rest of her service was just as bleak. Not much personality and not very interested in making the experience enjoyable. Unless it was ""salt night"" at this restaurant, I would not recommend it. Much better choices elsewhere in the South End. I E-MAILED THIS SAME REVIEW TO THE OWNER OF THE RESTAURANT. HE WAS QUICK TO RESPOND, APOLOGETIC, GRATEFUL FOR THE CRITISICM AND DISAPPOINTED WITH OUR EXPERIENCE. BECAUSE OF THAT, WE PLAN TO RETURN TO GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY. more

This neighborhood spot in the South End is great meeting place for late dinner or drinks. Keep in mind it is dark and half the space is a bar. When busy it can be a little loud and caters to most people under forty and people in the restaurant industry. Menu is a mix of items that you might find at more upscale eateries and is very good in quality and very reasonable prices. You will find fish, seafood, meat, salad, soup but no desserts. You can't find a better late night dinner any place else in Boston. The drinks are good and the Cristal Champagne is the cheapest in the city. This place is very reliable and I get over to it at least 4 times a month. Keep in mind the area is residential so parking is very difficult. Pros: Upscale Food Late, Good Prices on Champagne, Cons: Terrible Parking, Crowded, Busy, Noisy more

i don't get the hype. the food is good (make sure you get a higher temp on your food, i ordered med rare and got a raw steak instead.) but the service is questionable. i've never gone early, which could be the problem. if i get there, it's late night and it seems like the servers, esp bartenders are completely weeded and stressed out. i get that. it's busy. but if you can't handle a crowd, work someplace else. at this point there's more options in the south end lately...i think the franklin needs to reconsider some employees that seem a bit too entitled since they work there. Pros: crowd, late night eats Cons: what is up with the attitude? more

I heard a lot about Franklin Cafe before I went, and while I was a little disappointed in one of the appetizers (mussles that were tiny and def. not fresh catch) the entree of tilapia and purple sticky rice was AMAZING and lived up to the reputation. I would def. recommend this place. Good for dates. Most of the tables (of which there are only about six) seat four but would be more comfortable with two and everyone was eating at the bar. Pros: Hidden Jem Cons: No Reservations, No real parking more

I love this place never disapointed. Delicious Steak frites, cocktails and service always superb!\r Always a fun crowd especially to get last call! Pros: Great crowd, delicious food, excellent service Cons: parking at times more

I hate to heap too much praise on Frnaklin Cafe, as it is already supremely popular. However, unlike other popular places, Franklin Cafe's longish waits for a table are well deserved. My steak frites was simply perfect. The crisp, seared outside of the steak hid its juicy, perfectly cooked interior. While I was tempted to ask for some sort of condiment for my frites, I realized that as I cut into the steak, its juices would flavor the fries in a way that is far superior to any type of special sauce. The calamari in a garlic cream sauce demonstrates the kitchen's ability to provide a decadent treat that wasn't overly rich. \r \r Franklin Cafe is comfortable, cozy, friendly, and warm. The food is nearly perfect. Just go in the middle of the week! Pros: Great food. Friendly workers. Cons: Long waits. more

The Franklin is the first place I want to go whenever I return from time away from Boston. The food is always fantastic (the turkey meatloaf!!!), the staff is the same group of people that's been there for years and they are always welcoming. Yeah, there's always a long wait, but I usually get a seat at the bar while I'm waiting and then just dine there. Either way, just go prepared for that fact, and it's the best restaurant in town. Pros: food, staff, price Cons: parking, wait more

One of my favorite places. Cool place with great food. Pros: Food, Ambiance Cons: The Wait, No Reservations more

Franklin Cafe comes close to being perfect for American fare dining; great food, great drinks and good atmosphere - what more can you ask for? Love the variety on the menu and that the menu changes throughout the year; Never will you be over-stuffed or leave hungry, always perfect! Once you learn how to work the seating and days/times to dine there - you'll love it! Enjoy! (Jodi is a great Bartenter too!) Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Price Cons: Small, Loud n Dk at times, Long wait for seating more

Tried it last night. Arrived ready to wait, but landed bar seats. Waited forever to order drinks with frazzled bartender & were barked at for trying to order food at same time - told us to wait until he was ready. Had to ask for bread, my dinner arrived cold, bartender ignored/mistreated other customers including one group who'd had coats on for 10 minutes waiting for bill. Also saw a friend leaving in a huff - after waiting forever for drinks, bartender refused to serve her - she'd been standing in waitstation. Next drinks arrived 3/4 full & 10 minutes late. We decided to leave & 20 minutes settledup. I'm a waitress & forgiving of service, but this place is tiny -wasn't extremely busy. I won't go back. When you go out, you wait & pay for service... this place isn't worthit. I wasn't impressed by anything but the menu. Pros: inexpensive, good menu, ambience Cons: awful service, awful service, awful service more

I have dined in nice restaurants all over the world...but the food at the Franklin is what I remember the most. There is a reason why people wait one hour, two hours, or maybe more here. Don't be left out...you must go, and be assured that you can't go wrong. more