Historic railcar diner + garbage plate = winner

After having a late breakfast today, my thoughts turned to breakfast at a cool Kenosha, Wisconsin eatery - Frank's Diner. It's one of those classic greasy spoons, where you really don't want to know the calorie count of your meal, but the menu makes it well worth moving the belt out a notch.

It's always a bonus when a lively place with delicious food has a cool history and Frank's does. Opened in 1926 after arriving by a flat railcar, the diner was purchased for $7,500 by Anthony Franks. The family operated the business until 2001. It boasts original family recipes and offers daily specials. They've got regular diner fare for breakfast and lunch -- patty melts, club sandwiches, soups, omelets. The menu item they're known for is the garbage plate, a heap of hash browns, eggs, various veggies and a choice of meats.
It's pictured above. A word to the wise: order the half garbage plate. Or if you're up for a challenge, order the full plate.

Frank's Diner has been featured on the Food Network. They've also had a string of celebrity guests pay the diner a visit. If you're passing through Wisconsin, take a little side trip off I-94 into Kenosha, where there are several free museums, a breathtaking lakefront and a neat streetcar system that circles the downtown and lakefront. And stop on by Frank's for a garbage plate or sandwich. It's open for breakfast and lunch only, so plan accordingly. For more info, visit http://www.franksdinerkenosha.com/.