Franks Market is exactly what is wrong with this neighborhood. I agree that it is good for people in the community to have a place to shop for nice organic produce and meats, but sadly Franks isn't it. It has super high prices, much higher than Fairway, the produce constantly looks wilted and old, and they don't have a great selection of meats. The best thing I can think of from Frank's is their olive and cheese section, and even that's not too good. As a chef, I feel that I know about shopping for food, and what a good gourmet store is, and Frank's isn't it. Frank's tries too hard to cater to the new gentrified population of the heights, and doesn't really do a good job at being gourmet. Instead of trying to be this cool "neighborhood" place where everybody knows your name, and where you can finally get "gourmet" food in the hood, they should focus on stocking their shelves and especially their produce section with good quality products, and include some items of a median price range for the blue collar people who still live in the neighborhood. If I am going to pick something up in the neighborhood, I'd rather shop at Jin's on 181st. At least they have firm tomatoes.
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