Back in the day, Frank’s Family Drive-In was located where one can now find Flip-N-Out Burgers on South 12th Street, across from the Mandolin Café. From about 1996 to 2004 owner Marti Fote occupied the space that is forever destined to house a greasy homemade burger joint. After 2004, Fote decided to move her business to the building adjacent to Ruston Way’s Les Davis Pier, where they’ve served up all the homemade goodness this walking passerby could imagine for the past five years. I couldn’t help but stop and question what it’s like to be inside the teensy-weensy building making food.
 
STEPH DEROSA: Thanks for letting me come in from the cold.

MARTI FOTE: Of course we let you in. You looked pathetic out there. Plus we’re nice people, we couldn’t let you stand out in the chilly breeze and talk to us.

DEROSA: Thanks again. Wow, it is a very confined space in here. I bet it’s hard to get work done. You probably just heat up food in a microwave and serve it, huh?

FOTE: All of our burgers, fries, and hot dogs are made-to-order. The burgers are hand made, and the fish-n-chips are cut and breaded by me, not microwaved.

DEROSA: No way! In this tiny joint, I’d have figured otherwise. I assume you guys are busier in the warm summer months, right? How many employees do you house in here?

FOTE: You’re smarter than you look. Yes, we’re busier in the summer. The most we’ve had in here is 10 people, and it gets really, really hot.

DEROSA: I see the fans over there in the corner. There’s a sign on them that says, “Don’t turn my fans off unless you plan on paying the repair bill. Put some clothes on.” Put some clothes on? Do you guys have naked employees? If so, I’d like to apply as the grill cook.

FOTE: No, they’re not naked. I have the fans on to keep the refrigeration equipment from overheating. If they overheat, I have repair bills. If people are cold, they need to put some more clothes on. Make sense?

DEROSA: Unfortunately, yes. And I’m a little disappointed at the non-nakedness, to be honest with you.

FOTE: So there really is no reason you should have your shirt off, Steph.

DEROSA: Do I need a reason?

FOTE: Funny, now I forget the reason we let you in.

[Frank’s Family Drive-In, 3427 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.759.2809]