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| Felony Franks' red-hot logo. Photo: FelonyFranks.com. |
That's a question Chicagoans are facing with the opening of a new Chicago-style stand near the city's West Loop. Jim Andrews, the owner, says he created the restaurant to give criminals who've served their time a second chance at becoming a productive member of society.
But not everyone's in love with Felony Franks.
A local city councilman has said he thinks the name of the restaurant is closer to criminal.
"For a restaurant theme, it's a poor choice," Alderman Robert Fioretti told WBBM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Chicago.
But Andrews says the purpose of the stand -- which boasts such specialties as the Felony Frank, the Misdemeanor Wiener and naturally, freedom fries -- is to help his employees -- now numbering 10 full-time ex-offenders.
"We are creating jobs for ex-offenders, and we are going to really become an advocate for changing the way society thinks about ex-offenders," Andrews told Slashfood. "Once you've been to jail, you're branded as no good. There are a lot of good people coming out of jail that need a second opportunity in life or a second chance in life."
Andrews, who also runs the charitable Rescue Foundation, uses Red Hot Chicago franks for his dogs. Each Felony Frank is a 1/6-pound link of beef, lightly seasoned with garlic. Misdemeanor Wieners are slightly smaller at an eighth of a pound. As it's the Windy City, the dogs come dressed in Chicago hot-dog stripes -- yellow mustard, onions, tomatoes, relish, celery salt and the essential sport pepper. "Are they hot!" Andrews said.
Felony Franks, located at 229 Western Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Thus far, Andrews said, business has been gangbusters. His hope is to eventually turn Felony Franks into a chain that will give even more ex-offenders a chance to start off life anew.
"If you've got a good product and the people like it, they will come," Andrews said, adding "as long as you serve good food and good quality product and give them enough food for their money, the people will support you."
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