West-side Chicago Alderman annoyed at hot-dog stand logo

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1542901,...-042409.article

Alderman Fioretti red hot over felony hot dog stand opening on West Side

2009/04/24

RUMMANA HUSSAIN Criminal Courts Reporter

Call off the dogs. Or rather, the Felony Franks.

Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) is more than a weenie bit mad over the name and logo of a new hot dog stand that will be opening in his ward in a few weeks.

Fioretti said he fully supports Felony Franks’ mission of providing ex-convicts with jobs, but he thinks the moniker and paintings outside the West Side eatery of googly-eyed hot dogs behind bars are in bad taste.

“This, no matter what anybody says, is not that cute of an idea. It’s a great concept for ex-offenders, but it’s a poor theme for a restaurant,” Fioretti said, emphasizing that the business’ slogans, “Food so good, it’s criminal” and “Home of the misdemeanor wiener” only glamorize criminal behavior.

Owner Jim Andrews should be extra sensitive given the crime in the neighborhood, including the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Ruben Ivy outside Crane High School last year, Fioretti said.

“This is distracting from what I consider the real challenges of ex-offenders when they are released from prison,” the alderman said.

Andrews, however, refuses to roll over. The restaurant’s name will only ease the stigma and curb recidivism, a goal the alderman supports, he said.

“I’m not afraid to use the name felony to turn a negative into a positive. When they get out of jail, why don’t you just tattoo a a ‘felony’ sign on their foreheads, that’s what society does. I want to take that tattoo away. Give them a chance,” said Andrews, of Oak Park.

Andrews says he has already received 50 to 60 applications from potential employees at his restaurant, 229 S. Western. Although he will not discriminate which felons can be hired, Andrews said he will not employ convicted pedophiles at that location since Crane is only a block away. He hopes to open roughly three dozen more Felony Franks in the city and surrounding areas.

That may be an uphill battle.

Fioretti is so red hot and has received so many complaints, he said he will not grant Andrews a permit to place a Felony Franks sign above the sidewalk near the restaurant.

“Then I’m going to open without a sign,” Andrews, 63, said. “Shame on him [Fioretti]. Hooters has a sign. Bare Assets has a sign. . . . Why can’t Felony Franks have a sign?”

Along with Felony Franks and Misdemeanor Wieners, the restaurant’s menu includes such staples as Cell Mate Dog, Custody Dog, Chain Gang Chili Dog, Burglar Beef, Bail Bond BBQ beef, Lawbreaker Meatball Sandwich, Mobster Mozzarella Sticks and Prison Jalapeno Poppers.

“Come and eat by us,” Andrews said, working in another catch phrase. “The only thing you’ll be convicted of is having good food.”

[Ban Hammer 14,569]

doggone it!