Franklin originals around the corner
Dinner and a movie. It’s the classic duo for any weekend. Even in Franklin, there are some essential hometown spots to hit. Mi Pueblo is popular among students for its colorful atmosphere. The Willard is known for its more rustic and homely feel. Then there is the Artcraft, to relive all of those classic movies you haven’t seen in years but loved as a child. But where to go first? Order Arroz Con Pollo at Mi Pueblo For Mi Pueblo owner Vanessa Aguirre, returning students give the restaurant a special feel. "We enjoy the noise, them patronizing our restaurant," she said. The first sign of the eighth-month return of students ready for Mexican cuisine comes in early August -- football players. With brightly colored walls, Mexican music in the background, and throw in a sombrero or two, Mi Pueblo has a fun and energetic feel to it. Though the menu is flush with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, Arroz Con Pollo, remains a dining delight. For those not fluent in Spanish, it’s a Mexican favorite that consists of chicken with rice and a cheese sauce on top with just enough of an American spin. While Mi Pueblo has served the role of gathering place well, new improvements may appeal to those who need to study or just want to watch some television with a bowl of chips at their side. Flat screen televisions now adorn the walls of the restaurant, while laptops may soon become a new fixture as well, thanks to the Wi-Fi network Aguirre recently installed. With the new amenities, Aguirre said she still believes that it is the quality of the food products that keep customers coming back, even if they don’t finish their food the first time. "They complain that they’re too full," said Aguirre. Find the perfect drink to go with pizza and wings at The Willard If vibrant colors and spicy foods aren’t your thing, The Willard’s relaxed dining experience makes both feeling comfortable and full an easy feat. Originally a hotel and used as a post office, the historic restaurant has a warm, cozy atmosphere. "All the brick walls you see are part of the original building," said Stacy Burton, the manager of The Willard. This loyalty to keeping the building original lets you know you’re somewhere special. Even during their busiest days, Friday and Saturday, they’re ready to serve customers their favorites. "Pizza and chicken wings are always the staple here," said Burton. "Our bartenders are good. They can make anything anybody wants." Since The Willard does have an age limit of 21, some of the college is hindered from being able to experience the ambiance of being in a place that’s the epitome of "where everyone knows your name." But it’s not the bar that keeps people coming back, it’s the food. "You can go about anywhere to get alcohol. People come back for the food," said Burton. See "A Christmas Story" at the Artcraft After you eat, there’s one more stop to make on any weekend date – a movie theatre. Sure $8 new releases may be the more popular destination on a Friday night, but a stop at the historic Artcraft Theatre means much more than just a ticket stub. After going through major renovations to restore it to its classic look as a silent movie theater in a vaudeville house, the theater is now one of the most popular hangouts for students on the weekend. "There’s an appeal here you can’t get from other theaters," said Rob Shilts, executive director of Franklin Heritage, Inc. As soon as audience members walk in, the lobby engulfs them into a world gone by. Posters of James Dean and The Wizard of Oz immediately catch your attention. These big lobbies were made for conversing with old friends and to gather beforehand to talk, said Shilts. "There’s a magic to it here. Here you can hear the film as it’s about ready to get changed over," said Shilts. "You’ll have grandparents, parents, and kids watching the same movie." To him, these movies are like the classic books you’re supposed to read in school. They’re the classic movies you’re always supposed to see, said Shilts. To request a movie that you’d like to see, there’s a request form in the lobby of the theater that all the movies selected come from. But a movie that will never be replaced in the theatre’s yearly lineup is that of "A Christmas Story" "That has been our most popular, every Christmas it’s sold out. We tell people to buy their tickets in advance," Shilts said.
The Willard is far from homely, but one might consider it to be homey. Further, 21 is the minimum age to enter the Willard, not the limit.
