Kenosha Restaurant Week returns, highlights local restaurants

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It doesn't take a Restaurant Week special to bring folks into Frank's Diner in Kenosha. The food speaks for itself.

"I eat here often," said John Parker, who enjoyed breakfast at Frank's Diner Sunday morning. "I try to eat something new all the time, but it seems like I'm always going to the same place."

However, the annual week celebrating local restaurants and food shops does give those establishment's a chance to showcase their hometown product and the community they call home.

"We like to say it's the week we love to hate," joked owner Keven Ervin, who took over the popular restaurant with his wife, Julie Rittmiller, over a decade ago. "Brings in lots of business, but it really puts a lot more work into it."

Ervin has a great staff that helps him keep the diner up and running, and isn't afraid to get his hands a little doughy himself, helping cook up some of the Frank's Diner homemade cinnamon rolls.

"I'm making a double batch of cinnamon rolls because it is Restaurant Week," Ervin said. "Probably all week I'll be doing double batches."

Frank's Diner has been a part of restaurant week since the annual tradition started eight years ago.

The nine-day event features over fifty restaurants with many offering special Restaurant Week menus and discounts. It's meant to encourage folks to get outside and support local businesses during the winter months, especially after a challenging two years for both the restaurant industry and the city of Kenosha.

"It's really important for everybody," Ervin explained. "It gets people back out on the streets. Kenosha had a little rough time about a year or so ago, but it brings people from all over to say 'Hey look, Kenosha's a fine place. It's a great little place; safe little city to come to.' It gets people to come downtown Kenosha and go 'Yeah, this is a neat little place. I'd like to see the town.'"

Restaurant Week lasts until Sunday, February 27, 2022. For a list of participating restaurants visit the website here.