Its probably no surprise to learn that Franks Kitchen in Rural Hall serves breakfast all day once you know that owner Frank Romero is a 15-year veteran employee of IHOP restaurants.

Frank's turkey sandwich from Frank's Kitchen in Village Square shopping center in Rural Hall includes turkey breast, turkey bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and avocado on sourdough bread.

Franks Kitchen opened July 24 after extensive renovation of the old Little Italy location at 1027 Bethania-Rural Hall Road. Little Italy had vacated that spot in early 2022 after building a larger restaurant about a quarter-mile away.

Despite years of restaurant experience, this is Romeros first time as an owner. I wanted to do something for my kids, for my family, he said of his reason for opening his own place.

Franks Kitchen not associated with Franks Restaurant on Broad Street in Rural Hall - serves breakfast all day seven days a week, but its not only breakfast fare. We have something for everybody, Romero said, including burgers, sandwiches and salads.

One of the most popular items is Franks turkey sandwich ($10.99 with fries), served warm on grilled sourdough bread and filled with turkey breast, turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pepper Jack cheese and avocado.

Theres also the AB burger ($10.99 with fries), named after a family uncle Albiel, nicknamed AB, who lives in New York. We marinate the beef patty in house, said Carolina Romero-Benitez, Franks daughter who manages the dining room. The burger is topped with peppers, mushrooms, onion and pepper Jack.

Chorizo omelet from Frank's Kitchen in Village Square shopping center in Rural Hall includes Mexican sausage and cheddar cheese with pico de gallo and sour cream.

Other sandwiches include a chicken, cheeseburger and Philly cheesesteak. There are small appetizers of onion rings and mozzarella sticks, and larger ones of chicken strips, mozzarella sticks and onion rings together or a chicken quesadilla the latter just one hint of Romeros native home of Mexico.

Theres also a house salad and one with grilled chicken.

Still, the menu though modest in size for a diner or breakfast spot - is predominantly American and predominantly breakfast.

"We love breakfast, Romero-Benitez said. Even when my dad wasnt working, we would always go out and get breakfast.

Pancakes comes with two eggs, hash browns and two pancakes. The hash browns are made in-house with Romeros secret seasoning blend. He keeps the recipe in a safe, his daughter said with a laugh.

Chicken quesadilla from Frank's Kitchen in Village Square shopping center in Rural Hall.

Pancakes are $8.99 with corned beef hash, $9.99 with bacon or sausage, or a bit more with chicken, pork chop or steak.

Franks Kitchen also has waffles, French toast and crepes. A Nutella banana crepe combo comes with two eggs, hash browns, and bacon or sausage for $9.99.

Chicken and waffles ($10.75) feature house-marinated sliced chicken breast that is breaded and fried to order.

All this is fresh thats why people like it, Romero said.

Frank Romero, (foreground), his wife Carolina Benitez (background) and chef Leo Mejia work in the kitchen of Frank's Kitchen in Village Square shopping center in Rural Hall.

There also are omelets, two of which have a Mexican touch. The chorizo omelet ($9.99) has Mexican chorizo sausage inside and outside, and is served with pico de gallo, an extra sprinkling of cheese, and sour cream on the side.

The fajita omelet ($11.25) offers a choice of chicken or steak with peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomato and cheddar.

Diners also can get oatmeal topped with strawberries, blueberries, pecans and bananas ($7.99) or Carolinas yogurt ($8.99), a combination of Greek yogurt, granola, strawberries, blueberries, bananas and honey.

Franks Kitchen is a true family affair, with Romeros wife, Carolina Benitez, and five children all helping out. Everyone does everything. Sometimes youre in the back washing dishes, sometimes youre out front.

Frank's Kitchen owners Carolina Benitez and Frank Romero (center) with three of their daughters Camila Benitez-Romero (left), Stephanie Benitez-Romero and Carolina Benitez-Romero (right).

And, Romero, well, hes the director of everything, Romero-Benitez said. Hes not the chef they have Leo Mejia for that but he helps with the cooking or wherever hes needed.

And from what his family says, after 15 years as a server at IHOP, Romero still loves to be out in the dining room. He really enjoys serving. He like to talk to people, Romero-Benitez said.

Apparently, he has had no shortage of opportunities for that. Opening weekend was crazy, he said, and business has been pretty steady since then.

The family said the reviews have been good so far though they have been asked about adding Mexican fare to the menu.

Frank Romero proudly talks about the work his family did getting their restaurant, Frank's Kitchen in Rural Hall, ready to open.

Weve had a lot of people ask about that, Romero-Benitez said.

Frank's Kitchen in Village Square shopping center, 1027 Bethania-Rural Hall Road, Rural Hall.

Romero added, We probably will put out a new menu in a couple weeks not a lot of changes, but a few things.

Were always going to focus on American breakfast, Romero-Benitez said, but well throw in a little of our heritage.

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Longtime IHOP server opens his own breakfast place in Rural Hall - Winston-Salem Journal