Papa Frank's — Restaurant in Springfield

I used to be a restaurant manager and did it for 6 years back in the early nineties. Consistent quality and service is a challenge, even for those finest restaurants out there. Which is why I firmly believe that it takes more than one visit; sometimes it takes three to four visits to establish a broad and fair review.

I visited on a Monday night. It's very modern it's nice very clean I had high expectations. I was seated promptly by the hostess but waited what felt like 10 minutes for a waitress. There had to be maybe four maybe five parties or tables there that night. So, it was very slow that night.

I ordered one of my all-time favorite dishes chicken with capers and tomato. I also ordered a side salad which came with iceberg lettuce and diced tomato. The main course offered several sides I chose spaghetti and sauce. And to drink I ordered a glass of Ruffino Chianti.

Okay here goes: the chicken had no flavor it was overcooked It was overly tender and fell apart at the slightest touch. The Capers seemed to be overcooked as well as it had no flavor no tartness. The side salad was larger that I had care for I would prefer a smaller salad with my meal but with more ingredients nothing against iceberg lettuce and tomato I do like other ingredients besides those two. They offer another salad for another buck-fifty higher but again it's a large salad which does not interest me I'm only interested in flavors and variety.

I will definitely visit again I enjoyed my visit I was disappointed in the food but I saw several other dishes that I would love to try this place looks highly successful three stars for now I...

Growingly terrible service.

We were semi-regulars at Papa Franks. I would estimate that my friends, family, and I spend $6000 a year there. But we will not be going back and I will suggest that they don't either.

As an ex-manager of a restaurant and with years of service industry experience in Chicago, I am shocked at how ineffectual Sierra is as a bartender/server. She does not really greet us with any enthusiasm. We are not offered the bread with our order. Our glasses of water continuously went empty and we would have to flag her down to give us refills and fresh cocktails. Mind you, there were 3 people at the bar, and only a couple of tables were filled. Sierra spent most of her time talking with the other waitresses. We wanted to buy more food and drinks but got tired of trying to get her to do her job and left. She has obviously checked out of her responsibilities a long time ago as this was not the first time we have encountered this lackluster attitude from her. When I asked her who was the manager, she exclaimed, "We really don't have a manager. I guess I am."

At this point, I realized that it was not so much "her problem" as it is an "owner's problem." I am quite shocked that Papa Frank runs without a manager on some evenings. The owners should considered retaining her - and possibly others on your staff.

Also, the lasagna was...

This is definitely overrated place. I've been to numerous places and could not get worse food than this.. So, here it goes I went there to pickup my to-go order for dinner.. I ordered Cheese Bread, Papa Franks salad and Minestrone soup.

First, the to go order was given in a card board crate, like you bought something from Costco and put all your things in there for easier moving. Delivering food like that looked weird to me.

Cheese Bread, is like a deep fried bread covered with some sauce & a thick layer of Parmesan cheese. Never had cheese garlic bread like this.

Minestrone soup, the quantity for a cup is way smaller and not worth the price. It was given in a small styrofoam coffee cup (seriously??) And the taste is not great. It looked like a thick paste rather than soup.

Salad, wow what a mix, almost half bowl full of crumbled cheese, couple of tomato pieces (a regular tomato not salad tomatoes) some lettuce. When I tossed it in the box, it tasted as if I'm eating the bowl full of spreaded cheese.

The food is not even close to lukewarm after 15 mins drive from restaurant to hotel.

Overall, its a overrated place and I'm not going...