Franklin Street Social — Restaurant in Red Lion

I’m writing this review in the hope that the vendors will see it as constructive feedback. I genuinely want them to succeed and for this place to thrive because I see so much potential. I also really want to love the food here, and there were some standout elements, but there are areas for improvement.

First, the Pho. The flavor was amazing, but it was far too salty. As big pho fans who’ve enjoyed it at many different places, we were disappointed that some fundamental elements like sprouts, limes, and sriracha weren’t provided or readily available. If these were available upon request, that wasn’t communicated. The portion size was also smaller compared to other pho spots in the area. With a few tweaks—offering the traditional garnishes and adjusting the salt balance—they could turn this dish into something spectacular. I would definitely give it another try if these changes were made.

Our son tried the BBQ, and while he appreciated the sweet and spicy sauce, he felt it didn’t really taste like BBQ he’s had before. That may come down to personal preference, but it’s worth noting.

The burgers and hot dogs, unfortunately, were quite disappointing. They were small, the bread was underwhelming, and overall, they didn’t feel elevated or special. When we eat out, we’re looking for something better than what we can make at home, and in this case, we honestly prefer our homemade versions.

On a positive note, the steaks were great for the price. They’re not aiming to be a filet mignon dinner, and that’s fine, but I think the sides could use improvement. The zucchini didn’t translate well, and the sides overall were a bit bland. I think they could come up with their own sides that wouldn't be super expensive, but that could really elevate their offerings. I even found myself wishing we had paired the steak with a mac and cheese from another vendor—it just needed something more exciting alongside it.

We also noticed the Latin vendor struggled to attract attention, and I think it might be more of a branding and presentation issue than a food issue. Their menu and design were a bit overwhelming and confusing in such a bustling environment. I’d love to try their food, but I’d need more clarity on the menu without having to engage in a long conversation in a busy/crazy environment.

That said, there were definite highlights! Outside of being crowded, the environment is fantastic, every vendor we went to was extremly accomodating. The Thai food was fantastic, and if you’re in the mood for a great sub, Hefty Lefty's was awesome. I’m still looking forward to trying the sushi, waffles, and other options on my next visit.

I believe that with a few adjustments, this place could be truly exceptional. I’m rooting for all of the vendors and will definitely give it...

The variety is what makes this place 5 stars. Nearly every type of food is represented. A pizza place would be the final piece, but there is plenty without that.

When it gets busy on a Friday or Saturday night, getting a table can take a little bit of patience depending on how long people stay. At night, some stands close at different times, which is strange, but it could be inventory based.

Hefty Leftys subs are legendary and live up to the internet hype. The amount of meat and the way everything is perfectly wrapped up with the soft but firm roll is perfect.

Greers smashburgers are good and consistent. The garbage fries end up making all of the random things have the same generic bland fried taste.

The best two places are Thai Street and Taqueria El Camino. Everything at Thai Street has great flavor, and if you like heat, tell them, and it really gives it a great kick. Everything at Taqueria El Camino is good, the best being the Birria Ramen.

There are several different meat options for Steaks and BBQ. We have not tried them, but the portions look huge, and people seem to enjoy them.

For deserts, the most popular and best is Sweet Tooth. The waffles are soft and delicious with any of the toppings. However, because it is popular there can be a bit of a line and a long wait when they get very busy.

Overall, it's great for families and adults looking to have a drink and socialize. There is a play house area and a giant slide for kids and adults. It's worth the trip to Red Lion, and it would be nice if there were more places like this...

2025 update: After being around for a year, I've had the opportunity to try multiple different places here. To date, Hefty Lefty's and Thai Street are still on point and do such a fantastic job with the food. The other places aren't our favorites and always leave us disappointed.

For the new updates, I haven't had a chance to try the new pizza place yet but I do think the arcade area looks fun (haven't tried it yet). They have a little play area for kids under 5 and the arcade for older kids, but nothing for the kids in between any more which is why we slowed down in going. It's sad because they did have a fun area at one point but too many radical kids destroyed it. They have a private room now, which could be fun but I'm not sure what a private room would be used for at a place like this. So I should look into that too see what it is they are offering for that.

Overall, not nearly as excited about this establishment as I used to be because I have a 6 year old who can't do anything anymore, and we have had a lot of misses with the food lately, outside of the two listed above.

2024: Great place to be with the family. So many different types of cuisine to choose from. I love how we can all go in and each get...