Скачать или смотреть Does Lil' Frankie’s Have the Best Late-Night Italian Food in NYC? | Night Shift

NEW YORK -- It's been more than 20 years since Lil' Frankie's opened in New York City's East Village. The city around it may have changed but the restaurant's ethos - authentic Italian fare and commitment to impeccable service - has stayed the same.

"[From] the very beginnings, this was more of a neighborhood spot, like you know, like one of those around-the-corner punk rock pizzerias," says longtime General Manager Oli.

Today, the clientele has expanded beyond neighborhood regulars to include guests from all across the city. On weekends, the restaurant stays open until 4 a.m., so Lil' Frankie's sees more than just the regular dinner crowd. They serve everyone from bar-hoppers and club-goers to restaurant-industry folks looking for a late-night place to eat after finishing their own shifts.

Opened by restauranteur Frank Prisinzano in 1999, Lil' Frankie's pays homage to Prisinzano's childhood summers spent with family in southern Italy. The menu comprises unpretentious, rustic Italian dishes meant to be shared family-style, including fan-favorites like spaghetti limone and whole fire-roasted eggplant.

"Well, I grew up with a lot of people that loved to feed people and I fed off that energy. I saw the joy that they felt when I told them that I loved what they made me," Prisinzano explains in a video posted on TikTok.

The many regulars the restaurant has accrued over more than two decades are a testament to the success of Prisinzano's vision.

"We have people that love coming here every day. They sit at the bar, they know what they're getting and they leave and we're a part of their day-to-day. I feel like they're like sort of the family here so they kind of are our staples. And they love it here. And we love them," says host Ethina.

The emphasis on family also extends to the Lil' Frankie's employees, a significant number of whom have worked at the restaurant for more than 15 years.

"We're more than just a community here, we're a family," says Chef de Cuisine Ricardo, who began working at Lil' Frankie's in 2006 as a dishwasher after a referral by a family member.

The many years of working together, coupled with the late-night hours, have built immeasurably strong bonds among the staff.

"The night shift is great here," adds pizza chef Alberto. "We're definitely all happy. I hope it always stays like this."

You can visit Lil' Frankie's at 19 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003 and check out their website and Instagram for more information.

"Night Shift" is a series from ABC Localish taking you behind the scenes of an overnight shift at the best late-night establishments across New York City, celebrating everyone from the chefs behind them to the staff who work them to the diners who love them.

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