NYCReview
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Lil Frankies
Included In
A while back, we invented a game. This game is called “Can Lil Frankie’s Fix Your Dining Dilemma?” The best thing about this game is that you almost always win.
Lil Frankie’s is not a restaurant you’ll see on a lot of “best of” lists on sites other than this one. But it is possibly the restaurant we recommend wholeheartedly most often—be it for a big, loud birthday or a quiet dinner for two. Pretty much whatever your situation, Lil Frankie’s pulls through.
Someone’s vegetarian? No problem. Someone doesn’t want to spend much? Fine. It’s a big group, and you don’t want to put down a credit card because putting down a credit card is just generally annoying? Perfect—this place doesn't take credit cards anyway. Brunch? Yes. Open until 2am on the weekends? Check. Need to impress some out-of-towners with a “great neighborhood spot?" It’ll do. Just feeling a little sh*tty about your week so far and want to fill your body with carbs and wine? Go to Lil Frankie’s. Are you tired of reading this yet? That’s the point. In an almost unbelievable number of situations, Lil Frankie’s has your back.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
But Lil Frankie’s is also more than just useful. The food—Neapolitan pizzas, nice salads, simple pastas, well-executed vegetables, and great entrees—is consistently tasty, ideal for sharing, and highly satisfying. The room here always has a lot of energy, which is a key part of why we like Lil Frankie’s more than its sister restaurants Frank and Supper. The others also don’t serve pizza, which docks them a few more points.
Can Lil Frankie’s do it? The answer is probably yes.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Whole Roasted Eggplant
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Pizza
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Spaghetti Limone
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Gnocchi
photo credit: Noah Devereaux