It’s a Thursday night at 4:50 p.m. and Frank the Pizza King is buzzing — no open tables and a long line of customers waiting to be seated or place takeout orders.
Since news broke that the stand-alone building at 4701 South Broadway in Englewood has been sold to a new landlord and the business must leave by mid-May, “it’s been a whirlwind,” says GM and co-owner Matt Krascek. “We’ve been slammed all week.”
The elephant in the room is palpable. Servers float from table to table, chatting with concerned regulars and answering questions as best as they can about the fate of this longtime Englewood joint.
Staying in the current spot, where Frank the Pizza King opened in 1961, is not an option. “It’s a done deal here," says Krascek. “We’d love to find a new location in Englewood, but there’s always a chance we’ll have to close for good.”
Pizza king Frank, who immigrated from Italy in 1955, was Krascek’s grandfather. For the last 64 years, the neighborhood favorite has been family-owned and -operated. “That’s my aunt over there, and my nephew is in the back,” says Krascek.
He grew up in and around the pizzeria, and recalls being in the kitchen as a young child. “It’s a second home,” he says.
The City of Englewood has offered a $10,000 grant if the restaurant relocates to another location in Englewood.
In the meantime, Krascek encourages stopping in for pizza over the next few weeks, and following Frank the Pizza King on social media for updates. Anyone interested in supporting the family financially can donate to the GoFundMe that was started to help with closing and relocation fees.
“It hurts my heart,” Krascek concludes. “This place means a lot to everyone, not just my family. We’ve had an unbelievable response from customers. I’m grateful.”
For now, Frank the Pizza King is open from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday at 4701 South Broadway, Englewood. For more information, call 303-789-2279 or go to frankthepizzaking.com.
