Franks is my favorite pizza of all time. I started going there as a kid with the family. That was in the early 80's, I'm now 35. I was born and raised downriver and after some travels I now live in KC. Still, every time I go home I need a Franks Pizza. I have yet to find a pizza of this style - crisp crust, slight grease, enough cheese but not overflowing...and most importantly their pepperoni. I also have not found a pepperoni like it. It is small in terms of diameter, but thicker than what you get from a typical chain pizzeria. And yes, as you've seen in other reviews, it crisps and curls around the edges.
I know what you might be thinking: you think so highly of it because of nostalgia. Sorry, that's not the case. I am a true pizza lover. I'm the guy that says that I would choose pizza as my only sustenance if I were somehow stranded on a deserted island.
As I said, I had some travels; I had the good fortune to live in a true pizza town for the better part of my 20?s, Chicago. Yes, there is ""Chicago Style"" pizza, which is less defined that you'd think, but Chicago appreciates thick to thin. Even a little New York style (I'm thinking late night Lincoln Park Pizza by the slice). BTW, if you're ever in Chicago, Pequad's Pizza has one of the best - it's more a deep dish than a traditional Chicago style. But I digress. My point is simply that I love me some pizza and Franks rocks!
What spurred me to even right this are the few negative reviews I saw. One stated uncleanliness, even rats. I've never had that experience. Is the place overall tired, yes, but that's what happens when you've been in business as a mom and pop for over 40 YEARS!!! (Also BTW, I own two unrelated restaurants in KC so I fully understand it doesn't have to get tired, I wouldn't let mine, but lots do and still cook some mean food.) Someone else cited a lack of parking as a reason not to go? I've been to many a fantastic restaurant that was hard to find parking around. Or waiting an hour? Yes, that stinks but sometimes happens what a product is so good that the place is overflowing. I might mention that the famous original Uno's Pizzeria takes your order while you wait in line to get a table because it takes so long due to the volume of business (yes, I know, thick crust takes longer to bake and it helps turn table faster, but if they didn't volume would make them totally backed-up.).
My point is this, if you?re in the area and want a great, maybe even the best, thinner (not thin) style pizza from a pizzeria that does gang-buster business for a reason, go to Franks. I can only hope once this generation of owners has moved on, that someone will take up the mantle and keep it true Franks for decades to come.
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