Frank's Steak House — Restaurant in Cambridge

Update: I didn’t want to have to say it, but the hostess acted like a bouncer instead of a hostess. Upon first “greeting” me, she was literally inches from my face (aside from presenting as posturing and rude, it’s utterly gross considering what we’ve been through with Covid, masking, etc).

I told her that it was my first time there, but that I’d heard they had Caeser salads and wanted to see what they had in terms of seating (I'm not obtuse; I KNOW coming into a restaurant with a service dog in a stroller is unusual!) That being said, there are ALWAYS SOLUTIONS WHEN PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO ACT INTELLIGENTLY.

I even said that I respect the amount of work it takes to manage a dining room! That was me trying to de-escalate 🫠

I genuinely wanted to support a local business.

However, I was NOT treated with dignity or respect—not asked any questions about how to make sure I could be comfortable. She didn’t even ask if my service dog could come out of the buggy—something that IS a common question when going into spaces with a service dog in a stroller (the stroller doubles as a disability aid for me, but I am ambulatory and NOT in a wheelchair).

The lack of awareness and plain ignorance was palpable. When I told the hostess that I wasn’t feeling it, and that her delivery of communication was aggressive, she backfired at me with, “You think I’m being aggressive?” or something to that effect, as if trying to provoke me. I told her, as I just had, that her verbiage and delivery was aggressive. No tact, no grace, no clarity.

She did not explain the nature of the seating being offered, only obtusely said that she couldn’t seat me on the main floor because the stroller would “be a danger.”

Look, are you a hostess or a bouncer? Because a hostess knows how to talk to people, a bouncer knows how to keep people out. This “hostess” created a wall that I could not communicate through, making it clear that Frank’s is not the kind of place I want to be in.

I feel sorry for the hostess because she's clearly the kind is human going around creating her own chaos and problems. How do you damn-near start a fight with a 5-foot, 100lb disabled person? Only a bully does that.

I even told her that I respect how much work it takes to manage a restaurant, and again, there was no intelligent reciprocity in the conversation. It was like talking to an aggressive wall.

Original: --Yikes--aggressive hostess acting like we had beef in high school! BIG BULLY ENERGY. Unfortunately, I was immediately treated like a second class citizen upon walking in with my service dog. Even my attempts to communicate that my boundaries were being crossed was not met with any semblance of a mature response--as if the hostess had made up her mind about my presence there without ever meeting me before. I'm disabled and was not accommodated on any level here. Gross energy, literally standing inches...

A Once Beloved Neighborhood Gem - Now on the Decline

Franks used to be one of my favorite local spots. I’d genuinely get excited every time I stepped through the door. It had that welcoming, old-school charm - a place that felt like a staple for neighborhood families and retirees... serving high-quality meals at a very reasonable price. Even when Franks reopened during Covid, it didn’t miss a beat.

Starting on a positive note: the waitstaff and bartenders are still exceptional. Many have been there for years and their service remains top notch. They’re truly keeping this neighborhood staple afloat. The prime rib and tomahawk (the priciest item on the menu) also continue to deliver great flavor.

Unfortunately, things started to change a year and a half or two years ago. While prices have stayed relatively reasonable, the quality and flavor of the food have taken a noticeable hit.

The biggest issue seems to be with the meat - whether it’s the cuts or the sourcing, something has definitely changed. Franks was once known for perfectly cooked, well seasoned steaks, but now the quality feels like an afterthought. The new chef (who’s likely been there about a year and a half) seems to have an aversion to seasoning - particularly salt. Most steaks now come out bland, as if they were thrown in a pan without much care or attention.

Adding to the disappointment is a newer host or "manager" who’s been with the restaurant for about two years. Her off putting attitude makes the atmosphere feel less welcoming. I can’t help but feel like her arrival marked a broader shift in the vibe, disappointment in food and decline of the overall experience.

It’s truly unfortunate to see such a beloved local spot slide downhill. I’m still hopeful this is just a phase and that Franks can find its way back to what...

I’ve gone there countless times with my husband once or twice a year over the last thirty years or so. Their steaks are of high quality, prepared as requested and about as good as you can get around here. If that’s your main criterion, then this is the place for you. On the other hand, the ambiance is not the best, many of the seats fairly uncomfortable and the acoustics could be improved. Not major stuff, but something to think about. My main gripe is that the last four times I’ve made a reservation at Franks’s I’ve had to wait at least twenty minutes past the time of the reservation. Each time we walked in at the time of the reservation, were told, “Your table will be available shortly”, and then we waited and waited. Once for FORTY minutes! When we inquired it was clear they’d lost track of us completely. That never used to happen; now it’s the norm. Yesterday we took my husband to Frank’s for Fathers Day. He always gets the burger there and always loves it. It’s about as good a burger as you can get in the area. It’s made from Frank’s high quality meats and many customers love them. But after waiting to be seated twenty-five minutes past our reservation time, we were presented with a “Special Fathers Day Menu”, which did not offer the option of their great burgers! Why would they do that? Even worse, when I asked the waitress if she could ask in the kitchen whether they might make one up for a long-time client she said, “I’m sorry, you’ll have to choose from the menu”. She wouldn’t even ask. When we paused, not knowing quite what to say, she said,You know, you don’t have to stay?” So we left. And I doubt we’ll...