ONE YEAR TO THIS VERY DAY, FRANCO’S RISES FROM ASHES
South Walkerville restaurant re-opens just down road from original location
A kitchen fire broke out at 4 a.m. exactly one year ago today – Dec. 7, 2018 – forcing the temporary closure of Franco’s Restaurant, a popular dining destination on Tecumseh Road East. The owners, the undaunted Donato family, are now pleased to welcome everyone back to Franco’s in South Walkerville.
“We relocated our restaurant just down the street from the original to 1459 Tecumseh Rd. E.,” says Frank Donato.
To create a new setting appropriate to the flavour of Franco’s Real Taste of Italy, “we had lots of help. Fortunately, Windsor-essex County has very talented and skilled people in the design and construction industry who were able collaborate with us and craft our team’s vision for Franco’s new era.”
Before imagining the new space, the Donatos drew on their 22 years of listening to their local guests and giving them what they want. While food quality has always been at the centre of Franco’s, the experience is equally important.
“Our aim is to make guests feel uplifted by our décor and warmed by our ambience,” says Donato of Franco’s which was first opened in 1958 and owned by his family during the last 22 years. “After all, we are a local family feeding our neighbours since 1997. So whether guests come for their regular midweek meal or a celebratory dinner, we strive to make every visit feel like a special occasion.”
Loyal guests and people who are about to discover Franco’s Restaurant for the first time will encounter modern Euro as it meets urban industrial design in Franco’s new dining room.
The neutral palette is calm and inviting, with rustic wood plank floors and most walls finished in soft white and unique tile imported from Italy. Light brown vegan leather upholsters the settees and chair seats. At the slate blue bar topped in white marble, guests can sit on stools and chat with the bartenders as they make signature cocktails. Everything is illuminated by black wrought iron globe chandeliers and schoolhouse pendants.
“This is an attractive come-asyou-are kind of place, ideal for casual date nights, business dinners and family meals,” Donato says.
The new restaurant gives Franco’s a fresh start.
“When electrical failure in our former kitchen sent flames and smoke throughout our building and caused $350,000 in an original estimate but which quickly escalated , we had to live through every restaurant owner’s nightmare,” Donato recalls. “Windsor Fire & Rescue Services subdued the fire in our kitchen within two hours. Windsor Police Service kept local traffic contained and people safe. Fortunately, no one was hurt. On a very distressing day, we felt Franco’s was in good hands.”
After the smoke cleared, the Donato family assessed their options and found a temporary site at 2055 Sandwich West Parkway. They new they had to start at a new location because the timeline to rebuild at their old location would be more than two years.
“We believed we had no choice but to rebuild on another site nearby and create a new restaurant with a dining room. In the meantime, we cleaned up the scorched Franco’s and reopened (at 2055 Sandwich West Parkway) within a week of the devastation the flames left behind,” Donato says.
“Throughout this past year, we received amazing encouragement from our takeout customers.”
In honour of Franco’s reopening in South Walkerville, the restaurant has just launched its menu featuring guests’ tried-and-true favourites along with some new selections. Pasta, pizza, seafood, chicken, appetizers, soups and salads are prepared to order.
All items are prepared in house, from salad dressings to breads.
“Everything we make is authentically Italian,” Donato promises. “If you can’t decide what to try, dive in with our Tour of Italy, which includes breaded chicken and veal parmigiano served with lasagna and veggies for $24.95 plus tax. Expect to take food home to enjoy the next day.”
Franco’s is celebrating the reopening with money-saving specials for pick-up only. The Terminator 28-piece pizza with cheese and four items is just $25.95 plus tax. A large 16-piece pizza with cheese and four toppings is $19.95 plus tax. Chicken or veal parmigiana is on now for $12.50 plus tax. Free delivery is available throughout the city.
The South Walkerville dining room hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are required for Sunday dining. Delivery and pickup are available from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
“Thank you to all of our loyal customers for sticking with us. We are also very grateful to all of our staff for their hard work during these challenging months,” Donato says. “With holiday celebrations underway throughout the city right now, it feels terrific to put the fire behind us and usher in the New Year with the new Franco’s Restaurant.”
For more information, call 519-258-3151 or visit the website francospizzawindsor.com.