Special to The Laker/Lutz News
Here’s one for you: A family walks into a restaurant. The mom wants an upscale seafood entrée and a glass of wine. The kids are thinking more along the lines of spaghetti, or maybe chicken tenders with a soda or chocolate milk. The dad, he just wants a country-fried steak with mashed potatoes.
The solution to this riddle is pretty simple: The family has obviously walked into Franky D’s Family Kitchen in Lutz, where there’s something for everyone.
Twin brothers Dan and Dennis Demarco saw the need for such a place in the community, and decided to tackle it head on. They come well-qualified, too. Dennis has degrees in culinary arts and nutrition from Johnson & Whales University. He and his wife, Mireya, are the ones making the magic happen in the kitchen. Dan and Shellie have the business and marketing end covered.
“So long as they stay out of my kitchen, I’ll do whatever Dan and Shellie ask,” Dennis says, half jokingly. “But seriously, we’re a family. We all work hard at what we do, and we want this to be a place where others can bring their family and friends and enjoy!”
Dennis also prides himself on having a kitchen with no microwave. “All our food is served fresh and cooked properly. No nukes!”
With an obvious sense of family pride, Dan adds that the name “Franky D’s” is a tribute to their father. “He’s truly a wonderful and hard-working man. And, our 50-seat, private meeting room honors our mother, Jackie Mae. Growing up, her kitchen was a place where all were welcome, and no one left hungry.”
Shellie likes to point out that the Jackie Mae room has a large screen TV, that can be used for PowerPoint or other video presentations. “Instead of holding yet another meeting in the ‘bored’ room, why not get your staff out of the office for a change?”
Franky D’s has recently begun serving breakfast as well, making it an ideal place to visit morning, noon or night. So whether it’s a simple burger, or a savory prime rib, there really is something for everyone at Franky D’s.
18450 N. US 41 • Lutz, FL 33549
813-591-6139 • Franky-Ds.com
Published January 17, 2018
