Since six horses hauled a gleaming Jerry O’Mahony lunch car to its 58th Street perch in 1926, Frank’s Diner has been flipping eggs and tossing sass as America’s oldest continuously operating diner. 🚂
This registered historical landmark in downtown Kenosha serves breakfast and lunch the old-fashioned way—massive portions, homemade bread baked daily, and the world-famous Garbage Plate that’s been breaking forks and feeding legends for nearly a century.
How Franks Diner won Kenosha’s hearts
In 1924, Anthony Franks discovered a unique restaurant opportunity through a magazine article and purchased this lunch car diner from the Jerry O’Mahony Company in New Jersey for $7,500 plus $315 in shipping charges.
The structure was built from scratch, shipped on a flatbed train car, and placed on 58th Street in 1925—though the doors didn’t open until 1926 due to local objections from city leaders who thought there were too many Greek-owned restaurants in town. 🏛️
There was genuine excitement in downtown Kenosha when six horses pulled Frank’s Diner to the spot where it still operates today after nearly 100 years.
The Franks family operated the diner until 2001, creating three generations of breakfast memories before ownership transitioned, but the traditions remained intact. ❤️
The vintage lunch car seats 55 patrons in close quarters where strangers become friends over massive pancakes and eggs cooked right in front of you.
In 2008, Guy Fieri featured Frank’s on the breakfast episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” on Food Network, introducing the legendary Garbage Plate to a national audience.
Current owner Kevin Ervin maintains the tradition with friendly smiles, sassy service, and a unique atmosphere that keeps this Kenosha restaurant packed every weekend.
Food Highlights
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: Fresh-baked bakery treats that should come with a warning label, according to the restaurant, these oversized rolls deliver sweet, gooey perfection.
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Frank’s Famous Garbage Plate: The signature dish that’s been breaking forks and feeding legends since 1926—a massive omelet cooked together with hash browns and your choice of meat, served with toast.
- Homemade Biscuits & Gravy: Fresh-baked biscuits covered in country-style sausage gravy that sticks to your ribs.
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Meat Omelet: Customers describe this as next level, loaded with multiple meats and served with hash browns or American fries plus toast for a complete breakfast diner experience.
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Irish Sausage and Gravy: A popular special featuring savory Irish sausage smothered in rich country gravy over homemade biscuits.
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Spam and Eggs: An old-school classic that embraces traditional diner fare, served just the way grandpa liked it.
- Giant Pancakes: These massive pancakes, bigger than your steering wheel, are served golden-brown and fluffy with the perfect crispy edges.
Atmosphere
The authentic 1920s lunch car on 58th Street transports you back to an era when diners were the heart of American communities.
Counter seating puts you right opposite the stove and grill, where you can watch cooks work their magic—it’s quite a show while you wait for food.
The space is small and cozy with booth areas and bar seating, creating an intimate environment where you’ll squeeze together and make new friends.
Expect weekend waits for this Kenosha breakfast institution, but the local, family feeling and stellar food make every minute worthwhile. 🍳
Bottom Line
Experience America’s oldest continuously operating lunch car diner that’s been serving the same spot since 1926.
The world-famous Garbage Plate and homemade bread baked fresh daily showcase nearly a century of diner breakfast expertise.
Featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” and beloved by locals who know the best breakfast comes with sass and substance.
Address:
508 58th Street, Kenosha, WI 53140
📞 (262) 657-1017
🕔 Mon-Fri: 6:00 AM–1:30 PM | Sat: 7:00 AM–1:30 PM | Sun: 7:00 AM–12:30 PM