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Address and Contact Information
Address: 75 Portsmouth Ave, Exeter, NH 03833
Phone: (603) 418-7281
Website: https://www.leefranks.com/
Menu Photos
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Locations – Lee Frank’s
Exeter, NH. 75 Portsmouth Ave Exeter, NH 03833 · (603) 418-7281 · ORDER ONLINE. Lee Franks South Berwick. South Berwick, ME. 12 Portland Street South Berwick, …
Lee Frank’s
Currently in South Berwick, Maine and Exeter, NH. Lee Frank’s is a classic burger joint that pays homage to Chef Lee Frank’s childhood in Southern California.
New burger spot in Exeter, NH serves smash burgers – Facebook
Exeter NH Chef Lee Frank on NBC’s Yes Chef … Lee Frank is the owner of Otis restaurant in Exeter, as well as Lee Frank’s classic burger joints …
Reviews
Tony B
Such a disapointment.
This restaurant is owned by Lee Frank, a very successful chef in the Seacoast Area. He has been the executive chef at Anneke Jan (RIP) in Kittery, and is currently the owner/chef at Otis in Exeter. He was also a James Beard semi-finalist. The man knows how to cook and knows how to run a restaurant.
I’ve eaten at Otis and Anneke Jan’s several times and always enjoyed my experience at both.
Knowing that, I expected this burger joint to at least be better than average. News flash, it isn’t.
Walking through the door gave me my first clue as what to expect. It was like walking into a morgue. Quiet. Still. Not sure you want to be there. There was absolutely no atmosphere. No vibe. And since Lee Frank’s is in the location of the former Donut Love shop, it looks a bit like a donut shop. In fact, the tiled wall still says Donut Love.
Like another reviewer said, the seating is limited and the overall feel is like an unfinished project.
I ordered anyway. Cheeseburger with everything, chili cheese fries, and a Coke.
The cheeseburger, smashburger style, was actually pretty good. The meat was well seasoned and the veggies were fresh. I would go back for the burger. I wish the bun was toasted, and I kind of expected it to be since that seems more upscale and in-line with Frank’s style.
The fries were the next big disappointment. Crinkle cut, probably from a Sysco box, topped with a chili, that while pretty good, tasted closer to a bolognese than a chili, and finished with still-cold, pre-shredded, packaged cheese, also probably from Sysco. They couldn’t even melt the cheese first?
The Coke was a Coke because it came in a plastic bottle straight from the factory.
I’m sure Lee Frank knows how to run a kitchen. And I’d bet he knows how to run a restaurant. What I don’t know is why he runs his namesake restaurant like this. It seems like an insult to himself.
… moreThis restaurant is owned by Lee Frank, a very successful chef in the Seacoast Area. He has been the executive chef at Anneke Jan (RIP) in Kittery, and is currently the owner/chef at Otis in Exeter. He was also a James Beard semi-finalist. The man knows how to cook and knows how to run a restaurant.
I’ve eaten at Otis and Anneke Jan’s several times and always enjoyed my experience at both.
Knowing that, I expected this burger joint to at least be better than average. News flash, it isn’t.
Walking through the door gave me my first clue as what to expect. It was like walking into a morgue. Quiet. Still. Not sure you want to be there. There was absolutely no atmosphere. No vibe. And since Lee Frank’s is in the location of the former Donut Love shop, it looks a bit like a donut shop. In fact, the tiled wall still says Donut Love.
Like another reviewer said, the seating is limited and the overall feel is like an unfinished project.
I ordered anyway. Cheeseburger with everything, chili cheese fries, and a Coke.
The cheeseburger, smashburger style, was actually pretty good. The meat was well seasoned and the veggies were fresh. I would go back for the burger. I wish the bun was toasted, and I kind of expected it to be since that seems more upscale and in-line with Frank’s style.
The fries were the next big disappointment. Crinkle cut, probably from a Sysco box, topped with a chili, that while pretty good, tasted closer to a bolognese than a chili, and finished with still-cold, pre-shredded, packaged cheese, also probably from Sysco. They couldn’t even melt the cheese first?
The Coke was a Coke because it came in a plastic bottle straight from the factory.
I’m sure Lee Frank knows how to run a kitchen. And I’d bet he knows how to run a restaurant. What I don’t know is why he runs his namesake restaurant like this. It seems like an insult to himself.
Lydia Alexander
⭐ 3.3/10 = 1.66/5 – Only two stars because 1.5 isn’t an option.
Food – 2/5 ⭐ French fries are pre-frozen and generic. Reading here seems people have better luck with onion rings. I’ll never know because I’m not coming back.
Also sure their chili is probably fine but not vegetarian and I can’t eat both a burger and chili in one sitting. My partner is veg. so having options is important. We would have shared this together on fried items.
Ordered no ketchup/no mustard cheeseburger, add mayo, to-go. Burger was cooked well and delicious, bun held up well and was a good texture, veggies were good AND MY PICKLE WAS MISSING.. so a good patty isn’t all it takes to make a good restaurant..
Mayo arrived as ONE cold 0.4oz Heinz packet.. for a burger.
If the bottom bun is drowning in shredded lettuce and vegetables and the top bun is adhered to the smash-burger by a slice of cheese, I’m supposed to either lose all my lettuce and make a mess or destroy my top bun to add mayo, or what? For $7.63 I expect my burger to be wrapped and ready the way I ordered it. It’s not a complicated offering.
No real vegetarian option beyond a basic black-bean burger. No condiments beyond ketchup, mustard, mayo, and ranch for salad… Shame.
At least the veggies were good and fresh.
Five Guys for an extra $1.25 will give you all your condiments on your sandwich and the have a dozen more options.
Families – 1/5 ⭐ Children and families: No booster or high seats, only something like 4-5 tables. No entertainment, no coloring mat, no music on any overhead speakers- nothing.. If they can hold their heads up you’re going to have to BYOFun. Don’t leave coloring books and tablets in the car- assuming you can get them all at the small tables in a small area and still enjoy your small meals with nothing more than elbow space..
Atmosphere – 1/5 ⭐ What atmosphere? A few small tables, boring walls, no music, not even a soda fountain.. this is upscale?
♿ 1/5 ⭐ – Business space is narrow but the lot offers handicap parking. I wouldn’t even come in if you need mobility assistance/space. No place for probably with stamina issues to wait on a to-go order except one wall bench. Wheelchair users will be crowded at the register if there’s people waiting and no reasonable way to enjoy the tables or even make it down the long hallway to the bathroom without traffic and width being an issue, but I haven’t seen inside the bathroom and you can make it in the front door…
Service 2/5 ⭐ There’s currently only one front agent for waiting tables, taking orders, and customer complaints. I think the front has enough space for a standing queue but nowhere for people to organize themselves or go. What’s the long-term plan if this place ever gets busy? I won’t want to be there for it.
The personnel themselves was brief and okay in passing, no real praising or complaints–
… moreFood – 2/5 ⭐ French fries are pre-frozen and generic. Reading here seems people have better luck with onion rings. I’ll never know because I’m not coming back.
Also sure their chili is probably fine but not vegetarian and I can’t eat both a burger and chili in one sitting. My partner is veg. so having options is important. We would have shared this together on fried items.
Ordered no ketchup/no mustard cheeseburger, add mayo, to-go. Burger was cooked well and delicious, bun held up well and was a good texture, veggies were good AND MY PICKLE WAS MISSING.. so a good patty isn’t all it takes to make a good restaurant..
Mayo arrived as ONE cold 0.4oz Heinz packet.. for a burger.
If the bottom bun is drowning in shredded lettuce and vegetables and the top bun is adhered to the smash-burger by a slice of cheese, I’m supposed to either lose all my lettuce and make a mess or destroy my top bun to add mayo, or what? For $7.63 I expect my burger to be wrapped and ready the way I ordered it. It’s not a complicated offering.
No real vegetarian option beyond a basic black-bean burger. No condiments beyond ketchup, mustard, mayo, and ranch for salad… Shame.
At least the veggies were good and fresh.
Five Guys for an extra $1.25 will give you all your condiments on your sandwich and the have a dozen more options.
Families – 1/5 ⭐ Children and families: No booster or high seats, only something like 4-5 tables. No entertainment, no coloring mat, no music on any overhead speakers- nothing.. If they can hold their heads up you’re going to have to BYOFun. Don’t leave coloring books and tablets in the car- assuming you can get them all at the small tables in a small area and still enjoy your small meals with nothing more than elbow space..
Atmosphere – 1/5 ⭐ What atmosphere? A few small tables, boring walls, no music, not even a soda fountain.. this is upscale?
♿ 1/5 ⭐ – Business space is narrow but the lot offers handicap parking. I wouldn’t even come in if you need mobility assistance/space. No place for probably with stamina issues to wait on a to-go order except one wall bench. Wheelchair users will be crowded at the register if there’s people waiting and no reasonable way to enjoy the tables or even make it down the long hallway to the bathroom without traffic and width being an issue, but I haven’t seen inside the bathroom and you can make it in the front door…
Service 2/5 ⭐ There’s currently only one front agent for waiting tables, taking orders, and customer complaints. I think the front has enough space for a standing queue but nowhere for people to organize themselves or go. What’s the long-term plan if this place ever gets busy? I won’t want to be there for it.
The personnel themselves was brief and okay in passing, no real praising or complaints–
Sheila Coombs
I was excited to try Lee Frank’s but not as good as some of the reviews especially the onion rings that received excellent reviews. They were the worst greasy onion ring I have ever had. I liked my cheeseburger, although I requested no mustard or ketchup and they put it on. I also like a toasted bun. The fries were very good and no idea why the onion rings were so bad ! The atmosphere was leftover from Donut Love so really didn’t go with a burger joint.
… moreNicholas Noonarby
Excellent diner with a no fuss menu. The milkshakes are hand-scooped and the burgers are generously sized. The crinkle-cut fries are nicely salted.
Online ordering is still being set up; they are waiting to see how orders come in before enabling it fully. But calling to place an order also works in the meantime.
… moreOnline ordering is still being set up; they are waiting to see how orders come in before enabling it fully. But calling to place an order also works in the meantime.
Intervention302
Pleasure to be the 2nd review ever… I really enjoyed Lee Frank’s.
Simple and quality ingredients and very friendly prices.
Our group had two hot dogs (New York and Chicago), 2 single cheese burgers dirty, and a chili cheese burger. Very tasty.
Only potential feedback was maybe a few less raw onions on the chili cheese burger, it was a bit overwhelming. The griddled onions dirty style on my cheeseburger were fantastic however.
… moreSimple and quality ingredients and very friendly prices.
Our group had two hot dogs (New York and Chicago), 2 single cheese burgers dirty, and a chili cheese burger. Very tasty.
Only potential feedback was maybe a few less raw onions on the chili cheese burger, it was a bit overwhelming. The griddled onions dirty style on my cheeseburger were fantastic however.
J D
Looking for an In & Out or 5 Guys smash burger? This is the place. Unbelievable good & probably the best onion rings I’ve ever had. The ranch that goes with the onion rings is fantastic too
… moreJ
If you’re craving something that tastes just like In-N-Out, this is the place to go. The burgers and hot dogs hit the spot, and the onion rings are light, crispy, and absolutely delicious. Lee clearly knows what he’s doing back there — everything’s made with care. On top of that, the prices are super reasonable. Can’t recommend this local gem enough. Definitely worth checking out!
… moreScott Bornstein
Berwick is better, but not by a lot. Stopped in for lunch today. Very clean and very quiet. For a while we were the only ones there at noon on a Saturday. That says something. Food was fresh especially the vegetables, no doubt, but the wafer thin burger lacked flavor. Price point is great if you’re feeding kids. You can get far better burgers locally for just a couple extra bucks, and I suggest you do.
… moreKelsey Clark Cossuto
Very disappointed with the customer service. Accidentally placed an online order at the Maine location, which I realized immediately and tried to course correct. I called the Maine store had them cancel and then physically went into the Exeter store to explain what happened and asked if they would fill the order I already paid for. They said I would have to reorder and pay for a new order. Something that could have been easily addressed after speaking with the owner and the Exeter location was unwilling to work with me.
… moreJeffrey Falkingham
if you like in-n-out style – this is the place! Great burgers, onion rings, and fries. If you get your In-n-Out double double animal style, order it dirty style at Lee Franks. Service was particularly good and fast. The only caveat was that the fries were really salty, something to consider when ordering if you like them lightly salted.
… more