Franklins — Restaurant in Maryland

(Updated 10/2023) Franklins is one of the better locally-owned restaurants in PG County. It has consistently the best eatery in Hyattsville for many years. Unfortunately, Franklin's has begun to slip, I'm assuming due to the amount of inflation we've had.

Dinner for 2 at 5 pm on a Sunday was okay. The restaurant was about 70% full upon our arrival, and we were seated upon entering. Unfortunately, we were stuffed in a corner booth and promptly forgotten about. This is of no fault to the waitress as it seems there was a miscommunication. Stuff happens. I do not know the names of anyone who served us, as nobody introduced themselves. Prices have increased considerably lately, but that is to be expected. What I did not expect was a considerable reduction in portion size. The fish & chips (pictured below) consisted of about 4oz of fish, and the rest was batter. The burger I ordered was good, but the bun fell apart immediately upon handling, and there were no condiments on the plate or table. Our server was very nice, but this visit to Franklin's was reminiscent of a ridiculously overpriced trip to Applebee's. We will return at some point, but given our current economic situation, I just can't justify spending $60 on dinner in exchange for an experience like this.

(From 9/2021) Franklin's is one of only a few truly locally owned restaurants in the area. I've enjoyed my experiences over the 10+ times I've dined there over the past 2 years. It's the only restaurant in Hyattsville that offers a considtenly good product in addition to a unique atmosphere. The interior dining area is rustic and colorful. Walls are decorated with paintings from independent artists. There is also a general store that sells novelties, candy, beer and other knick-nacks.

Dinner for 2 outside on a Friday evening was very good. Parking can be a little tight. We were seated in a reasonable amount of time. Service was prompt, and courteous. Rail drinks are also well made and relatively inexpensive. The "Tiki Menu" features specialty cocktails that are great for dining outdoors. The beer menu features a house brewed drinks to suit whatever beer you prefer. The Main menu is well curated with just enough variety to satisfy anyone's taste buds, without being too large or overwhelming. Most of the meat is local or regionally sourced. Each dish has a unique flare. Dessert options are limited, but they are very high quality, never overpowering or too sweet and portioned generously.

Overall Franklin's is the best restaurant experience in the area, outside of traveling to Annapolis, or...

I had never heard of this brewery before, but when I had a pint of Franklin's Hefeweizen at another restaurant a few nights before, I had to seek this place out. Yes, their hefe is THAT good.

I strolled into Franklin’s around 7pm on a Friday night and was told there was a wait for a table, but I could go right upstairs to the bar and drink and eat with no wait.

Here comes the WOMP, WOMP, WOMP….

They didn’t have the hefeweizen that inspired my trek to their brewery (insert sad face emoji here). They explained it was seasonal and some restaurants still had kegs, but they had quit brewing it for the season. I settled for a rye (Das Roggenbier $6 for a pint) and was satisfied with it. I really wish I could have had the hefe though.

The margaritas at Franklin’s are made from scratch, not from a mix. All the ingredients are added one by one and made to order.

Now here comes the food – I had the Crabcake Sammie – a decent crab cake on a bun, with lettuce, tomato, cocktail sauce, and tartar sauce on the side. It was an ok crab cake, but not the best I’ve ever had (that was experienced long before my Yelp days). The food is on the pricy side here. $16 for the Crabcake Sammie and it didn’t include any sides. I ordered Aunt Deb’s Baked Beans for $4 and a cup of the Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili for $4.

I LOVED, LOVED the chili and the baked beans – they were really good. I just wasn’t overly impressed with the crab cakes for the price.

After you eat, take a few minutes and stroll through their general store area. It’s kinda like a Cracker Barrel general store, but not as cramped and not as full of slow-moving people. The merchandise is pretty much the same though. Stationary, cheap games, trinkets, gag gifts, etc. But they also have TONS of wine and beer choices to purchase here.

Service and food were good, just a bit on the pricey side. But...

From home cooking (meatloaf, pot pies) to elegant selections, this town favorite of the SoFo district serves tasty meals at great prices. This long-time favorite is a locally owned business, which has not strayed from its historic locale. The bar and restaurant, favored by locals as much as by passers through, has thrived here for years, and there's a reason. I've been going there since 1996.

The atmosphere changes from downstairs to up, where the bar serves an extensive beer and wine menu, to the family-friendly main floor, through to the fun and funky general store (great for browsing when lines are long).

Menu items range from classic American to gourmet. The menu is a bit schizophrenic, incorporating the standards: luscious personal pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches, with the gourmand-pleasing touches: the Mussels, or the Chicken Satay appetizer, and yummy cheddar beer soup.

A healthy menu, overall, with a few unexpected pleasures--such as a believable fish 'n' chips--vying for attention with the diner standards--salads to and don't miss the Chicken Pot Pie. All in all, it's a menu to appeal to fans of any age and taste, from Deep Southern to Asian/California Fusion, local Maryland fare to Americana.

When they finally get around to paving the old trolley trail, be sure to park your bike out front (as soon as they install a bike rack!) and stop in at Franklin's General Store and Brewery, in the old Hyattsville Hardware Company.

Parking next door will be "pay" parking soon! I saw new machines installed, but not yet online (3/12/09).

Final thoughts: Dependable service. Nice seating. Loudish bar. Onsite brewery. Prices range from $4 - $20.

[Although I am a professional writer, I did not receive any compensation -- monetary or otherwise -- to write...