The Downtown Dirty Frank’s location at 248 South Fourth Street is not only a regular hangout spot and eatery for a hip, young crowd, but also a go-to destination for many visitors to our fair city.

But Dirty Frank’s is also small. Its one-room, diner-style layout lends itself to a curious intimacy that’s part of the appeal of the joint, but its tininess means that only a limited number of people can enjoy the food and atmosphere there at ant given time.

A second Dirty Frank’s location is the only way to resolve the growing issue of how to please more people more of the time, hot-dog wise.

“When the concept caught on, we began to get a lot of complaints about the small space and requests to expand,” shares local restaurateur Elizabeth Lessner on her decision to bolster the Dirty Frank’s brand. “The new location is roughly double the size of the current Dirty Frank’s, and it will seat around 80 people. We have a bar area, and then additional room with more seating.”

Dirty Frank’s Westgate will open at 2836 West Broad Street, at the former site of Jack’s Coneys. The new 2,500 square-feet store will be windowless, building on the close-knit communal atmosphere generated at the original Dirty Frank’s, and have a small stage where a Johnny DiLoretto puppet show may become the order of the night (not really, but we can hope!)

Lessner’s brother Thom, will be recreating the same kind of kitchy hot-dog-meet-rock-star art that adorn the walls of the original for the newest Dirty Frank’s. But the menu will be smaller here, as community input will be driving, and reflecting, what will be served.

So Lessner is holding a contest for the recipe for the Westgate Dog, and neighbors are encouraged to help choose the specials and items for the new menu. Alcohol will be served at the new Dirty Frank’s, except on Sundays, as that part of town is dry on that day of the week (the issue is on the ballot, and if passed, Sunday booze service will begin in November).

Dirty Frank’s Westgate will also feature locally-made sodas from Rambling House Soda Pops. John Lynch and his team create whimsical flavors like Columbus Cola and Salted Caramel Soda at Rambling House, and fun flavors are in the works for Dirty Frank’s, which will be announced soon.

The Westgate neighborhood is historically symbolic in Columbus, but it’s one that hasn’t necessarily gotten a lot of retail attention — at least the kind you want. Lessner’s choice to expand to this community is a move that brings a much-needed spark of life to our west side neighbors.

“Broad Street has long fascinated me,” adds Lessner. “I love all the history behind Route 40, and have became saddened by the number of beautiful commercial buildings that are sitting vacant. When Jack’s closed, I heard from some Westgate neighbors who thought a Dirty Frank’s would go great in the space. I agreed.”

Dirty Frank’s Westgate will be the seventh restaurant to join the Columbus Food League family of restaurants headed by Lessner. For more on the grand opening, follow them at www.facebook.com/dirtyfrankswestgate.

Photo by Walker Evans.