In 2019, Frankie's Tortas and Tacos opened in the most unlikely of locations: a former kebab kiosk in a tiny car park, seating maybe 15 people behind chain-link fencing. The setting was unassuming, almost accidental. The food was anything but.
Word spread quickly through Melbourne's food community about the authentic Mexican flavors emerging from this hole-in-the-wall. The tortas—Mexican sandwiches on soft Vietnamese-style rolls—became the stuff of local legend. The fish torta, featuring fried blue grenadier with pickled onion, jalapeño mayo, and salsa verde, was whispered about as the perfect warm-weather lunch. The al pastor version, loaded with marinated grilled pork, Oaxacan cheese, refried beans, and Frankie's signature Red Hot Sauce, drew devoted regulars week after week.
By 2021, the lines had grown too long for the kiosk to contain. Frankie's found a proper home on Johnston Street in Fitzroy, expanding into a full brick-and-mortar restaurant without losing the charming, low-key energy that made the original so beloved.
With more space came more ambition. The drinks program evolved into something special, featuring a curated selection of imported Mexican beers, refreshing cocktails, and a dedicated back bar stocking some of the rarest and highest-quality tequilas and mezcals in Melbourne. An agave club was launched to educate enthusiasts and showcase premium spirits—transforming casual diners into connoisseurs.
The tacos remain beautifully simple: minimal toppings like onion, coriander, and a dollop of salsa, letting quality ingredients shine. The grilled chicken tacos arrive with mango-habanero salsa; the pork version comes adorned with a slice of caramelized pineapple. Add lime, hot sauce, and something magical happens.
Most recently, Frankie's introduced a weekend breakfast menu, bringing the same bold flavors to the morning hours. Breakfast tortas arrive stuffed with fried eggs, hash browns, and avocado verde, with optional chorizo or mushrooms. Cold brew with a touch of horchata provides the perfect wake-up.
The journey from car park kiosk to Johnston Street institution happened because Frankie's never compromised on what mattered: fresh tortillas made in-house, meats carefully prepared, and an atmosphere that welcomes everyone from first-time visitors to the regulars who've been coming since those chain-link fence days. Some restaurants expand and lose their soul. Frankie's somehow found even more of it.