Fran's Filling Station Reviews List

Dined on 5/18/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"This was our third visit and service was lacking a little bit. Food still good."

Dined on 5/18/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 2 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Love Fran's

Dined on 5/08/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Have dined at Fran's five or six times in the past year when visiting Charlotte on business. Food is top notch here. Whether you are looking for something simple like a burger or salad, or a more substantial meal like salmon or steak, Fran's has it all.

The menu is brimming with locally sourced specialties that are simple and delicious. NIghly specials like pot pies on Wednesdays are sumptuous and satisfying. Fran's also offers specialities like fried pickles and bacon-wrapped tater tots as starters and meatballs done several ways.

The service is great and Fran is a welcoming presence in the dining room. If you're looking for a place that is comfortable and satisfying (and reasonable), try Fran's."

Dined on 5/08/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot

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Review 3 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Neighborhood gem

Dined on 5/09/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Always a favorite for lunch or dinner as the tastes of the freshly prepared dishes are never disappointing. My lunch this visit was the veggie burger which I have ordered several times. The Greek salad with chicken is always crisp and delicious. Great wait person who was friendly, professional and watched for our needs. You never go wrong coming to Fran's."

Dined on 5/09/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, kid-friendly

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Review 4 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Superb

Dined on 4/29/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Second time at Fran's. first time had lobster tacos and LOVED. It was a special and hoped to get it again but they didn't have it. But the other choice was close to perfection."

Dined on 4/29/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem

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Review 5 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Delicious. Great value!

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Arugula with grilled orange salad and Tandoori (?) Salmon were excellent. Enjoyed chicken Parmesan as well! Quality is great and prices are reasonable."

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem

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Review 6 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

This was our second time at

Dined on 04/05/2013

2011

Dined on 04/05/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"This was our second time at Fran's - and it was just as good. We started with the Tator Tot duo app - who could pick WHICH bacon wrapped tator tot to eat, so why not get them both? My husband went with a meatball dish and I went with the buffalo chicken sandwich - both were super tasty and had just a hint of unique about them. I mean, a chicken sandwich is a chicken sandwich, but this one was really good, and it was on a pretzel bun!

We caved and got dessert which is unusual for us - but if you make it to Fran's - you've got to try their bread pudding. AMAZING! We will definitely be going back. Chill vibe, great to go with a few friends or just as a couple!"

Dined on 04/05/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 7 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Creative Menu

Dined on 03/27/2013

2007

Dined on 03/27/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Creative menu and great service marked out first visit to Fran's. we'll be back to try out more items on the menu."

Dined on 03/27/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem

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Review 8 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Based on other's reviews, we must have come on a bad day. We waited in the doorway almost 8 minutes before being greeted. After indicating our reservation we were told the only table available was in the back of the restaurant right in front of the kitchen pick up window. (And I mean RIGHT in front of the window). So we had the opportunity to watch the manager berate her staff during our entire lunch hour. It was embarrassing to watch. I can't imagine how the staff members felt. On top of that, the food was mediocre. I can't understand the high ratings - maybe dinner is better than lunch."

-1point

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Review 9 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Don't Hesitate to Try - Run!

Dined on 03/13/2013

2008

Dined on 03/13/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"I have eaten at Fran's with colleagues, clients and family for the past 2 years. I have had more than 50 meals at Fran's and I always look forward to the next time I am in Charlotte to partake in another wonderful culinary treat. There is no one business owner who cares more about her customer, the food that is served and the experience than Fran. The food is delicious. Her meatballs, eggplant parm and gnocchi are the BEST! I am a huge fan of her Great Big Salad and all her dressing are homemade and fabulous. My newest discovery is her brussels sprouts with pistachios.

We have used Fran for catered meetings and parties. Her creativity, presentation and scrumptious recipes will impress and satisfy the most discerning guests."

Dined on 03/13/2013

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch

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Review 10 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

the environment was very cold,

Dined on 03/16/2013

2007

Dined on 03/16/2013

2007

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"the environment was very cold, temperature and atmosphere. the tables were too small for two 6' tall boys and 2 parents. one son got a hamburger on a pretzel bun, good but messy-was not asked how he wanted it cooked. thank goodness he was able to eat the bun; the poor 2 year old next to us tried to eat his kid burger on a pretzel bun and couldn't even bite into it. we got the ravioli special, too much vinagerette dressing, and VERY over priced. a party of 4 paid almost $80(including tip) for 2 plates of raviloi, a burger, fies, a small plain chicken breast with small portion fries, and 3 drinks. no complimentary bread before meals, no salad included with meals and the fries were an additional charge. will NOT return!"

Dined on 03/16/2013

2007

-1point

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Review 11 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Foodie Find

Dined on 03/09/2013

2006

Dined on 03/09/2013

2006

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Eclectic. Complex flavors. Staff know food. Fun food combinations."

Dined on 03/09/2013

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 12 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Fun little neighborhood spot

Dined on 03/02/2013

Dined on 03/02/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Fun little neighborhood spot with a menu that offers some variety relative to many of the other local options. The ambiance is kind of no-frills/shabby chic, which gives it a relaxed feel. Our service was a bit slow, but not as bad as some reviews would lead us to fear. Fran, the owner, was very engaging as she worked the room."

Dined on 03/02/2013

2010

Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem

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Review 13 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

I'd call this a rare find.

Dined on 02/14/2013

2007

Dined on 02/14/2013

2007

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I'd call this a rare find. I had just heard about it from a friend a few weeks ago, and happened upon it again while looking for a Valentine's Day dinner spot. The menu which seems to change often is full of interesting and very tasty options like the sweet corn fritters with goat cheese ranch dressing for dipping. The filet mignon, a special for Valentine's Day, was very good, and the stuffed chicken was incredible.

I had been warned that the service was so-so, but I did not find that to be the case. On the contrary, they were very accommodating to my special (low carb) diet needs. We'll definitely be going back, hopefully when I can enjoy more than one of the fritters!"

Dined on 02/14/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 14 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Much ado about nothing

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Fran's Filling Station sounded awesome to foodies like my husband and myself, but the reality wasn't anything special. The food is decently priced until you find out your $11 burger comes with no sides, sides are $4 each, and while the menu sounded really really cool...everything was bland. Nothing made us go 'MMMM!' and the consensus was it was overpriced and not worth going back to. It was cold outside and the table was close to the door despite our reservation so we froze whenever anyone opened the door.

We tried a sampler of sweet potato hashbrowns wrapped in bacon, a turkey burger, steak, half an order of meatballs($5 and it was just...a meatball)and a slice of cake. Meh. For $90 for two people I'd have expected better."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

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Review 15 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Loved Fran's Filling Station

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Loved Fran's Filling Station all the way around. The food was excellent from the PEI mussels, crab cakes, Gnocchi to the bread pudding, which was a culinary delight...not your typical bread pudding...100 times better!"

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 16 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Friday nights are a 'zoo'

Dined on 02/08/2013

Dined on 02/08/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Friday nights are a 'zoo' there but don't let that deter you. At 6:30 the families are there so you have to anticipate some disruptions.
Service is slower than weekday (of course) but the friendly staff do the best they can. Fran is moving around the tables and that keeps all of us settled down....she knows the dynamic and tempers the antsy feeling you start to feel between courses. It's all part of the scene but if you bring first time guests with you they could get impatient...just warn them. We had a 6:30pm reservation and left at 9:15 which was about 40 minutes longer than we would have thought....but hey, the food was divine and topping off with the homemade coconut cake and the warm apple tart left us feeling quite satisfied."

Dined on 02/08/2013

2010

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot

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Review 17 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Fabulous restaurant with great

Top 1000 contributor

Dined on 02/06/2013

2004

Dined on 02/06/2013

2004

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Fabulous restaurant with great food at reasonable prices.
Excellent wine list & I love the mussels."

Dined on 02/06/2013

2004

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, hot spot

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Review 18 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We've been there several times

Dined on 01/26/2013

Dined on 01/26/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We've been there several times and I have always enjoyed the food. The service, however, has not always been the best. This time, it was very good and quick. The hostess even changed the bar television station for us. I had the special, which was a take on bouillabase, and it was excellent. The fried pickles were good; although I wish they had drained them a little more before service."

Dined on 01/26/2013

2010

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 19 for Fran's Filling Station

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

My "go to" spot for the best

Dined on 02/01/2013