Felony Franks owner Jim Andrews has an edgy sense of humor. His hot-dog shop at the corner of Western and Jackson (west of the United Center, on the edge of East Garfield Park) hires ex-cons. But Andrews has turned the counter-service spot into a sort of prison-redux, and that’s turning heads. (Ald. Bob Fioretti has been the most vocal opponent to Felony Franks, saying that it is “actually in a sense elevating the life of crime here in our city and we cannot tolerate that.”) Yesterday, I scooped up Eat Out Intern Sarah Grainer and headed west on the Blue Line to check the place out.
The decor is reminiscent of visiting someone in a high-security lock-up: You place your order through a voicebox in a Plexiglas divider. The friendly woman behind the counter asks, “Are you ready to plead your case?” when you step up and choose from a menu featuring Misdemeanor Wieners, Felony Franks (Jumbo, duh), Probation Burgers and more. (The food here isn’t the reason to make the trek, but if you’re curious how it stacks up, check out the listing in next week’s TOC.) The grub is delivered through a turnstyle of the kind I am familiar with only from the convenience stores featured on The Wire. It’s this theatricality—almost as though patrons and employees are “playing prison”—that’s most divisive. Personally, I found it darkly funny—but @TOCEatOut Twitter followers responded with three strong and opposing reactions:
BlueSkyInn@TOCEatOut Ex-offenders being employed, hot dogs being served, these are all good things. As long as they are in on the joke, I like it.
anhalt@TOCEatOut Offensive. The establishment itself is entirely offensive.
desireekoh13@TOCEatOut Just a silly schtick - it seems awkward and while I appreciate the clever pun, it would take moment (or 2) to register, I imagine
Decide for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments—you can make it there and back from the Loop in about an hour, and you can easily get lunch there for under $5. Felony Franks, 229 S Western Ave, 312-243-0505.
great i’d like to try it in detroit please get in touch………..
i don’t really get the argument that fioretti is making, that this somehow glamorizes a life of crime? how? by stating if you go to prison the only job you’ll be able to get upon release is in a hot dog place?
As an ex-offender myself it is nice to see someone who is willing to give us a 2nd chance. Not all offenders are bad, (wrong place, wrong relationship, whatever the case it doesn’t end the way we want) but we have done our time and need places like this all over the country to help us get that 2nd chance.
There used to be a Mom & Pop place called “Capone’s Pizza” in Fairview Heights IL in the late 1970s. The decor was somewhat similar, the pizza fantastic- first place I knew that had nice-sized chunks of tomato in their wonderous sauce. The interior scheme was the “Big House” with Big Al looking over the joint. COme on…give the guys a break and as long as there is Daly machine, Chicago needs all the positive help it can get! (Yes- I lived there and loved it- except for the bullcrap politics.)
Felony Franks is offensive not only because it gives the impression that the neighborhood is full of excons, but also because all the people I saw working in “the joint” were white. Where are the white people who live in the neighborhood. Even the East Indians who come into the neighborhood hire local people up front so that the neighborhood accepts them.
We don’t need white excons coming into a struggling neighborhood working at a place that has sky high hot dogs, who were quite rude to the patrons when I was there.
What excon wants people to only identify them as an excon? How is identifying them as negative giving them a chance to make themselves productive citizens who want to be part of a positive community?
Thank you Ald Fioretti for not buying into the hype of help the poor, excon, no matter what. Help the excon who wants a job become part of a supportive community.
I work with cons, and they don’t advertise that they have a record. That’s not how they want to be identified.
The rest of you who live in nowhere land, invite Andrews to your community.
Here we go again. I just got back from Felony Franks - the food was phenomenal, prices ($4 for jumbo dog and FRESH CUT fries) were more than affordable, the staff (black and white) was friendly and professional. I went in with one expectation: great food, and I was BEYOND satisfied. Gloria, no offense, but you missed the point. People, that’s right, PEOPLE who have records have a more difficult time securing employment that those who do not have a record. The Andrews’ wanted to help. Felony Franks is a gateway opportunity for so many people. I read somewhere that hundreds of people applied for jobs at Felony Franks - hundreds of people wanting to get back to work and earn an honest living. I support Felony Franks wholeheartedly.
I doubt Gloria lives in the neighborhood, I doubt the Alderman does either. Giving anyone a second chance is something to be applauded for and probably a better job than the others that are offered. I have heard some horror stories on job offers for felons. At least this provides an opportunity. Good job Alderman, shut this place down for image sake and make several ex felons and community members unemployed, way to go, thanks for helping. Resign and do everyone a favor. I heard this place is good by the way. After reading the debate I am goig to stop by and check it out, also goign to make sure I vote against the soon to be ex Alderman