Habemus Papam Dirty Frank’s, Philadelphia

This blog  is especially for some of the young bloggers – young perhaps only in spirit, I am unsure – whose work I am enjoying. 

Among others, the proprietors of:

CRITICAL DISPATCHES; GOOD MUSIC SPEAKS; LEMANSHOTS; CARTER LIBRARY; THE POLITICS OF WRITING; MADE BY MITZA.  And the blogs of the textile artists JUDY MARTIN (JUDY’S BLOG); and JUDE HILL (SPIRIT CLOTH).

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While the city of Philadelphia will shortly be in holy suspension, Dirty Frank’s will be in full glory.

At 13th and Pine, within a few blocks of City Hall and well within the security grid designated for Pope Francis’ visit.   A Philly taproom which has survived the lengthy history of the transformation of the city center from near-slum to recent gentrification. Cheap food and drink.  No windows.  Friendly:  everyone has always been welcome.

No name anywhere: only the murals on the outer walls indicate that this is Dirty Frank’s. These were painted in 2001 and very recently renovated by David McShane for the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

The word frank  or franc occurs in the name of each element or character.

Benjamin Franklin * Aretha Franklin * FDR * Frank Sinatra * Frank Zappa * Frankie Avalon * Frankenstein’s monster *  a frankfurter (sausage) * the actor Frank Morgan from a director  L. Frank Baum scene in the Wizard of Oz * Barney Frank * Frank Oz,  the puppeteer; (Frank) Tug McGraw * Frank Perdue, the chicken magnate* the architects Frank Furness and Frank Lloyd Wright * Frank Burns from M*A*S* H *Frank Sherlock, recently Poet Laureate of Philadelphia and former bouncer of Dirty Frank’s *a coin of La Republique Francaise * Francis of Assisi *  Pope Francis.

Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-09  Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-04

Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-08  Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-10  Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-11

Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-12  Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-06  Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-07

Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-03  Franks at Dirty Franks, 13 and Pine, 09122015-01

2 thoughts on “Habemus Papam Dirty Frank’s, Philadelphia”

  1. I was once refused service here after working all day doing demolition work. All I wanted was a six pack of beer to go but was told to get the fxxx out. I ran into the bartender at an early Sting concert two weeks later, ordered a Bloody Mary and dumped it on him.

    1. Pope Francis would approve your action. Likewise Dionysos. I certainly do. The Pope has said that he would knock down anyone insulting his mother………………

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