Blog Garbage Plate Glory

The Garbage Plate is a quintessential breakfast dish that has garnered national attention, including a feature on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” It’s a customizable, hearty meal designed to satisfy even the biggest appetites.

What’s in a Garbage Plate?

The base of a Frank’s Diner Garbage Plate consists of a generous portion of hash browns, green peppers, and onions, all mixed with either three eggs (for a half plate) or five eggs (for a full plate). From there, diners can personalize their plate with a variety of additions:

  • Meats: Options typically include ham, bacon, sausage, chorizo, Spam, or scratch-made corned beef hash.
  • Cheeses: Choices range from American, cheddar, Swiss, and mozzarella to hot pepper jack and feta.
  • Veggies: Beyond the foundational green peppers and onions, additional vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach can be added. Jalapeños are also a popular free add-in for those who like a little kick.

The ingredients are all mixed together and grilled on a flattop, creating a delicious medley of flavors and textures. Each Garbage Plate is served with Frank’s Diner’s famous homemade toast, often praised for its unique yogurt-based recipe.

A Challenge for the Hungry

For the truly ambitious, Frank’s Diner offers a “Garbage Plate Breakfast Challenge.” This formidable meal includes a full Garbage Plate (with five eggs, five meats, five cheeses, and all the veggies and hash browns) alongside a tall stack of three gigantic homemade pancakes and two slices of homemade toast. Challengers have 45 minutes to finish this nearly six-pound feast with no breaks and clean plates to earn a t-shirt and a spot on Frank’s Wall of Fame.

What do the locals think? 

Just ask James Schend, a longtime patron. “I’ve been coming to Frank’s Diner since I could reach the counter, and the first thing I ordered is what I still get today. It’s the Garbage Plate for me, EVERY SINGLE TIME! It’s not just a meal; it’s practically a Kenosha landmark on a plate. My perfect order? Pile on the Spam and enough jalapeños to make my taste buds wake up. It’s the only way to start the day! Or, sometimes, recover from the night before.”

Even out-of-towners find themselves converted. Josh Carter, visiting from Arley, Alabama recounts, “When my friends dragged me here and said, ‘You HAVE to try the Garbage Plate,’ I was definitely leery. I mean, who wants to eat something with ‘garbage’ in the name? But that first bite, man I was hooked. And since I love all things Mexican, chorizo, jalapeños, and pepper jack cheese were an absolute must for my first attempt at the ‘garbage.’ Best decision ever!”

Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or just a piece of local history, Frank’s Diner and its legendary Garbage Plate are a must-try when in Kenosha.