Down Highway 52 in Helena, Frankie&8217;s Market and Caf/ is a refreshing treat for anyone who has had one too many fast-food lunches.

Inside, you can enjoy fresh grown vegetables through sight and taste. The restaurant is a vegetable market as well as a caf/. Frankie Cacioppo, the restaurants owner, said he came up with the concept after working for Bruno&8217;s for more than two decades.

&8220;I&8217;ve always been a produce man,&8221; Cacioppo said. &8220;We have a fresh produce market, and not only do we sell it fresh, we cook it fresh daily.&8221;

ATMOSPHERE

A relaxing atmosphere immediately greets you at Frankie&8217;s. With shelves full of fresh produce and a lunch buffet made with those same vegetables, you feel like you&8217;re back at Grandmaw&8217;s farm.

Cacioppo and his workers have created an inviting restaurant with a small water lily pond in the center and tables covered by pretty grape decorated cloths.

Above the veggies is a mural of a watermelon farm. But the smell of fresh food is what will keep you coming back.

MENU

Cacioppo said he often has people come in to purchase entire pans of squash casserole.

Other popular items include fresh catfish and grouper that are cooked up on a daily basis. To go with those fresh fish fillets a variety of side options are offered daily.

If you find yourself craving Italian food on a Thursday night or a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning;,Frankie&8217;s is the place to be.

SERVICE

Once you go, it&8217;s hard to not become a regular. Two-year-old Anna Kate Driver has been coming with her family since before she could walk. Regulars like this, as well as any new customer, receive a friendly smile and good hot food when they visit Frankie&8217;s.

FIND IT

4257 Highway 52 W

Helena, Ala.

685-8622

Sun. – Tues. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wed. – Fri. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sat. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.