Hospitality veterans Brian Ayala (Amboy) and chef Mario Aguilar (Howlin’ Ray’s) just opened Frank & Frank’s, a new focaccia sandwich shop, in Chinatown’s Historic Central Plaza. The restaurant debuted in the former Burgerlords space on June 10 with a slim menu of sandwiches, hot dogs, and salads served until late in the night.
Frank & Frank’s menu goes for simplicity with five sandwiches served on sesame focaccia from Ceor Bakery. The Spicy Italian gets layered with spicy salami, ‘nudja stracciatella, olive oil, arugula, shaved Parmesan, pepper, and Maldon salt, while the Chrissy stacks pastrami from the Burbank-based RC Provisions with caramelized onions, American cheese, aioli, and brown mustard. A club sandwich (the Nostalgia) gets revamped with turkey, candied bacon, American cheese, romaine, tomato, and thinly sliced red onions. Frank & Frank’s even has a crunchy peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich with candied Nueske’s bacon, served hot from the plancha.
A double hot dog comes with two beef sausages nestled into a potato roll, then topped with caramelized onions and French’s Brown Mustard. The shareable Dima salad tosses arugula with burrata, roasted tomatoes, olive oil, a balsamic glaze dressing, and focaccia croutons. All dishes on the menu come with chips. Frank & Frank’s officially opens on Friday, July 17, so expect menu tweaks until then.
Frank & Frank’s only offers outdoor seating, but Ayala and Aguilar plan to add more tables and a television screen to watch local teams and the World Cup. Although orders are placed through a window, Frank & Frank’s also stations a staff member outside to greet customers. “Customer service is the biggest factor in why a restaurant succeeds,” Ayala says. “Being behind a window, you don’t feel that service. To be the best, you have to present as the best.”…