(Image: Caroline Aksich)
A funny thing happened when Angelos Economopoulos opened Fancy Franks Gourmet Hot Dogs on College Street, with no prior advertising. “As soon as I opened the door,” he told us, “the place was full.” Granted, locals have been eyeing the spot ever since a campy, nostalgic mural (painted by Andrew Kidder ) showed up, livening the bleak corner of College and Major. A couple years ago, Economopoulos first heard of the haute hot dog craze that was spreading from Los Angeles across the States. After a few cross-boarder reconnaissance field trips, Economopoulos was sure the concept could take off in Toronto too.
The menu at Fancy Frank’s is made of up 18 different signature hot dogs with campy names like Frank’s Got Seoul (a Korean-inspired dog served with Korean beef ribs, kimchi, sesame seeds and scallions, $7.50) and the Frankathenapolis (feta, tomatoes, olives, green pepper, onions, olive oil and lemon, $7). The dogs themselves are 100 per cent beef, and have an all-natural lamb casing (sausages are a buck extra, and veggie dogs are available too). Don’t expect an answer to the failed M:Brgr’s $100 burger, however: there’ll be no foie gras–smothered, gold-flecked wieners here (although the Frankaphone, $9, does have smoked gruyere, horseradish cheddar cheese curds and honey Dijon mayo). For hot dog purists, there’s the Plain Ol’ Frank ($4.25), although this probably isn’t the place for hot dog purism—that’s what The Little Dog down the street is for. The shop stays open until 11 p.m., but isn’t intended to be a destination for post-boozing snacks; the beverage of choice here is the classic frank-accompanying milkshake ($4.25), available in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
172157 Frankie Goes To Buffalo ($7.25): The wiener is breaded in panko and then deep fried topped with chicken bacon (made from chicken skin), carrots, celery, blue cheese dressing and buffalo wing sauce (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks15/ oct12fancyfranks15 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172156 Franko Fancy-Aano ($9.00): the wiener is wrapped prosciutto and topped with parmagiano reggiano, arugula and balsamic-Dijon mustard (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks14/ oct12fancyfranks14 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172154 Frank’s Got Seoul ($7.50): Kalbi beef, kimchee, sesame seeds and scallions (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks12/ oct12fancyfranks12 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172155 Fancy Franks owner Angelos Economopoulos (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks13/ oct12fancyfranks13 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172153 Sweet and mild, spicy and chicken sausages are available for an extra dollar (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks11/ oct12fancyfranks11 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172152 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks10/ oct12fancyfranks10 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172150 Chocolate, strawberry and vanilla milkshakes are $4.25 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks08.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks08/ oct12fancyfranks08 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172149 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks07/ oct12fancyfranks07 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172148 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks06/ oct12fancyfranks06 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172147 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks05/ oct12fancyfranks05 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172146 Fancy Franks’ buns come from Silverstein’s Bakery (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks04/ oct12fancyfranks04 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172145 The branding work was done by Justin Adam, art director at Pulp and Fibre Inc. (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks03/ oct12fancyfranks03 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172144 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks02/ oct12fancyfranks02 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172142 Marc Kyriacou designed the space (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks_intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks_intro/ oct12fancyfranks_intro 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
172143 Mural painted by Andrew Kidder (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Fancy Franks Introducing: Fancy Franks https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12FancyFranks01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-fancy-franks/slide/oct12fancyfranks01/ oct12fancyfranks01 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
Fancy Franks Gourmet Hot Dogs , 326 College St., 416-920-3647, fancyfranks.com
Another over-priced joint. Bah.
Check this hot dog place in Cleveland, all the toppings you want and for only $5. When are we going to learn, Torontonians! – http://www.happydogcleveland.com/food.php
Agreed. 14$ for a hotdog and a milk shake Plus! you have to pay for toppings. Take it elsewhere Frank; make room for real food.
Been to Fancy with the kids & seems reasonable for what they’re offering. Fancy Frank Hot Dog is under $5 with selection of free toppings. Place in Ohio is a bar, i’m sure they make it up on beer & cocktail prices & the 20% Gratuity added to total. Plus the flight to Ohio is too expenive to save a few pennies. Stop penny pinching Maggie.
T
@Trevor – what’s their free toppings: ketchup & mustard? hah.
wasn’t telling people to go to Cleveland, just showing that there’s a cheaper way to sell hot dogs with different choices of toppings. Oh and the craft beers at that place were $3-4 for a pint and taxes are less than 13%. Just saying.