Felony Franks, the hot dog stand that employs ex-offenders, is re-opening in Oak Park Thursday.
The original restaurant at 229 S. Western Ave. opened in 2009 and became irresistible for local media — “Food so good, it’s criminal” made for nice visuals on the six o’clock news.
But it also attracted less-than-favorable headlines. Chicago 2nd ward Ald. Robert Fioretti opposed granting the restaurant a sign permit, saying it would draw attention for the wrong reasons.
“I’m all for hiring ex-offenders, but why give more stigma to the fact?” Fioretti told the Wall Street Journal. “We’re here to assimilate people into our society and not have them stand out like a sore thumb.”
A federal judge eventually intervened and allowed the sign – nearly two years after the restaurant applied for the permit — and the city settled with the restaurant. But by then, business was slowing down, and the restaurant shuttered in 2012.
Thursday, the restaurant re-opens at a strip mall at 6427 W. North Ave. in Oak Park. Like the workers they hire, the restaurant is seeking a second chance after years of fighting the legal system.
[email protected] More Top Picks Best Ice Axes For Mountaineering
Twitter @pang