That’s what you call an underpass when you have a 10 foot truck with a two foot ventilation bowl attached to the top of it.  You wonder if you’re going to make it through!

I did it.  I went to Pittsburgh’s casino yesterday. I was going to play a few dollars worth of quarters in the quarter slot machines, but quarter slot machines no longer take quarters!  You have to buy a card with credits on it.  Forget that.  Instead I enjoyed a free whipped coffee from a push button machine.  And I watched a chicken play tic-tac-toe.

A couple of thoughts.  Surely places such as Chuck E. Cheese (in my neck of the woods it was Sports Park USA) exist to cultivate young gamblers.  Their look and feel is a perfect match.  Curiously, when you become an adult you advance from losing your money by playing games that might earn you tickets for cheap stuff you didn’t want in the first place to simply losing your money with the push of a single button.  Is that progress?  I’m not sure.  That’s not to say a wager here and there can’t be fun and worth its cost in amusement value alone.  It’s just that most of the people in these places don’t really look like they’re enjoying themselves.  Vapid blank stares are the norm.

So about that casino card you need to use to play the slots…  Many a patron kept his on a lanyard worn around the neck while meandering through the facility.  Sort of like Frodo did with the ring on his way to Mordor.  One woman had her card inserted in a machine while also keeping the lanyard around her neck.  While sitting down, the card was a little bit above the level of her head.  A noose, as it were, or if you want to be kind, a leash.  My precious, indeed.

I have to say, the whole experience made me very proud… of what I strive to do.  Make an honest living.  Deliver a real product to customers with every transaction.  Create something from nothing while benefiting my community, my farmers and suppliers, my employees, and myself.  Aspire for affluence through hard work rather than a stroke of dumb luck at the pull of a lever.  Enough tooting my own horn, though.  There are lots of people who do worthwhile things.

The point is that the difference at the core of a business like Franktuary and a business like The Rivers Casino is nothing short of monumental.  Call me crazy, but I’d like to see even more innovative small businesses around this city.  Starting them is the kind of gamble I support.  Even if you lose, you win for trying.  Plus, when you compare starting a restaurant to winning a casino jackpot, the odds of success don’t seem so very long at all.  Alas, small business success will never occur at the simple flip of a switch.  Granted, there should be less red tape to cut through on your way to starting a business, but that’s a whole other story.  In spite of the red tape, in spite of the risk, in spite of the sacrifices you might have to make, go for it anyway.

Otherwise Pittsburgh might cease to be known as a city with a rich history of creative energy and tangible accomplishment, instead forever associated with games of chance like “Man vs. Chicken“.  The choice is ours.  Gamble the right way.

A woman named Rachel just got engaged. What did she do next? Visit Franktuary. Seriously. I can see her enjoying a veggie dog right now.

It’s sort of like when you win the Super Bowl and then proclaim that you’re going to Disney World, only better:

Announcer: “Rachel, you just got engaged.  What are you going to do now?”

Rachel: “I’m going to Franktuary!”

Well, there was no announcer (this time), but aside from that this is a true story.  Let’s make it a Pittsburgh tradition!

In other news, five years ago I wrote about a woman named Julia Flowers in this very space.  This weekend I discovered an apartment complex named Julia Gardens in Newark, NJ.  Alas, I do not actually know Julia Flowers.  I only once saw her name in the program for a Schenley High School play.  Regardless, I think we can all agree that there needs to be a Julia Flowers in the Julia Gardens.

Gosh, folks.  It’s May 11, yet I could see my breath this afternoon.  What’s going on??  Well, I can’t speak for the weather, but I can speak for Franktuary.  We’re working hard on getting our truck ready for its health department inspection.  Hopefully that will be in about a week.  From there we’ll apply for our mobile vending permit.

Until we’re road ready I humbly suggest that you use your wheels (or feet) to come and visit Franktuary downtown.  And even once we’re road ready… we’d like it if you continue to visit us downtown then, too.

What else is going on?  The Igloo may be hosting it’s final hockey game tomorrow evening.  Regardless of whether the Pens can beat the Canadiens, the old barn has had quite a run:

On Monday our truck will be driven from New Jersey to Pittsburgh!  Then it will need to go through the appropriate licensing process.  Not sure how long the licensing stuff will take.  Nonetheless, wow.  We hope to see a lot of you more often soon.

Here’s some big news.  Franktuary now owns this catering truck.  In a former life it was known as “Bonnie and Clyde’s Roadside Grill.”   Soon it will become “Franktu-anywhere-y.”  Well, that’s how a good friend once referred to our concept, anyway.

We’re still sorting out some red tape issues, but we expect to be on the road in Pittsburgh sometime this spring.  We’re working with several local farms to make local grass-fed beef available throughout the city. Thoughts about where you’d like to see our truck?  Ideas for designing the exterior?  Suggestions on what to do with a deep fryer (we’ve never owned one before)?  Let us know!  We’re doing everything we can to be up and running as soon as possible.

Because this blog is usually skimpy when it comes to media content, I’m including a bonus video today!

Happy Baseball Season!  On your way to the Buccos game?  Stop in and see us, too.  Grab a dog to go and enjoy the walk from downtown to PNC Park!  Is this the season the Pirates finally put together a winning record?  Hope springs eternal.

Of course, if Gyro Gearloose lived in Pittsburgh and Huey, Dewey, and Louie cheered for the Pirates, things might turn around in a hurry.  But they live in Duckburg and root for the Mallards.  At least there are no Beagle Boys in this ‘Burg(h).  No idea what I’m talking about?  Duck Tales, my friend.

In other news, Allegheny County appears to be moving toward a system where restaurant health inspection results are posted online.  Go ahead, we’re ready!

Here’s a tip!  This Wednesday you can enjoy Franktuary, after hours.

That’s because we’ll be providing food at the Human Rights Arts Festival being organized by Duquesne University’s chapter of Amnesty International.   The event is designed to raise awareness about conflict occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Sasha Levhnez, of The Grassroots Reconciliation Group, will be speaking about his organization’s work with child-soldiers in both Congo and Uganda.

Over 15 artists will have their work on display and musicians will perform throughout the evening.  The event costs only $5 and will be held at Duquesne’s Union Ballroom, 600 Forbes Ave., on March 31st from 6 pm to 10 pm.  For more details follow this link.

In case you didn’t know, “Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all.”  That’s straight from their website.

In case you didn’t know, “Franktuary has won numerous awards for its quality food and atmosphere…and sources a frankfurter made of local, organic grass-fed beef.”  That’s straight from our website.

Recently I learned of an organization called Burgh Bees. The people of this organization teach people like you and me how to raise and care for a hive of honeybees.  In my opinion, these people should be celebrated.  I mean who doesn’t like honey?  Who doesn’t like pollination?  Who doesn’t appreciate a good work ethic?  Finally, when you get down to it, how many of us would have stung someone at some point in our lives, if only we had a stinger?  And since honeybees can only sting once (they lose their lives shortly after) you know they’re not stinging for “kicks” and giggles.

I’ve heard it said that a world without honeybees would quickly become a world without human life.  While I have no idea if that’s true, I’ve also heard many times over that the bee population is struggling.  By all accounts, bees could use our help and we would benefit by aiding them.

Maybe there should be a little more of the Burgh Bees mindset in all of us.  Regardless of where you’re reading this, here’s what Burgh Bees says you can do to help.  There are plenty of options less involved than maintaining a hive.

And where would the hot dog be without honey mustard, anyway??  Well, honey mustard wouldn’t have real honey for one thing.  Probably it would be full of corn syrup which you’d unknowingly be consuming while you down your lunch (somewhere other than Franktuary).  Wait just a minute…

Those of you in the know are aware that the Allegheny County Health Department requires restaurants to have a 3 basin sink for dishwashing as well as a separate sink for handwashing.  Also, a separate mop sink is almost always a must.  Add things up and you get 5 basins of sink!

Well, at Franktuary we seek to go above and beyond the call of duty.  That’s why we now boast a full 7 basins of sink!  But it’s not what you’re thinking.  You’ve got to see it.  Just another reason to visit Franktuary for lunch!

Here’s a hint; glass bottle recycling has never been more fun!  And if you’re reading this ACHD, with 7 basins of sink what could possibly go wrong??  You may never feel the need to inspect Franktuary again!