Sept. 9, 2025 12:20p
(WGTD)---Franks Diner will be celebrating its centennial this Saturday with a day-long block party in front of the downtown Kenosha business.
But there’s room to argue whether Franks is actually just 99 years old and not 100. That’s because the original owner—Anthony Franks—had to let his pre-fabricated diner sit empty on its foundation for a year back in the 1920s. "The city council--the city elders at the time--wouldn't let him open for a year because they felt there were too many Greeks who owned restaurants in Kenosha," said current owner Kevin Ervin on WGTD's Morning Show. "So they put a moratorium on it and he couldn't open for a year," Ervin said.
No matter how you look at it, Franks is one of the nation’s oldest continually operating diners. While there have been some structural improvements over time, not much has changed at Franks over the years, including the menu. "For the most part, people don't come to Franks to eat healthy--and they know this," he said. "They come in. They want a big fat cinnamon roll. They want our home made bread. They want a garbage plate. I always say 'Franks Diner-- for all your high caloric needs.'"
Ervin and his wife Julie Rittmiller bought Franks in 2010. Neither are native Kenoshans but made the city their home because it was midway between Kevin’s former job in Chicago and Julie’s former employment in Milwaukee. They soon discovered Franks.
Franks developed a bit of a reputation over the years with servers that aren't afraid to joke or 'sass' a bit with customers. After all, Franks motto is "Order what you like--eat what you get!"
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