Popular downtown Columbus hot dog spot closed for now. Where to get them in the meantime

Brittany McGee
·2 min read

The owner of Frank’s Alley on Broadway temporarily closed the “New York street food joint” earlier this year, leaving Columbus residents wondering how to get the hot dogs.

Owner Ross Horner, former president and CEO of Uptown Columbus, temporarily closed the restaurant in January after the death of his mother, he told the Ledger-Enquirer.

“I have family things that I need to take care of,” Horner said. “And they happen to be out of state.”

He is grateful to his business’ landlord who helped Horner be in a position to take some time away from Frank’s Alley. After calling his landlord to explain that his mother was ill, Horner said, his landlord advised him to leave and be with his family.

Ross Horner is the owner of Frank’s Alley in downtown Columbus, Georgia.
Ross Horner is the owner of Frank’s Alley in downtown Columbus, Georgia.

“I’m grateful because I was there with my mom when she passed,” he said.

The future of Frank’s Alley is very personal, Horner said, and he would like to see the restaurant stay open. He is confident that the restaurant will reopen and continue operating.

But this temporary closure doesn’t mean Columbus residents are completely without hot dogs. While there is not a set schedule, Horner said, Frank’s Alley fans might be able to catch the mobile stand outside the restaurant selling hot dogs occasionally during special events.

Ross Horner, owner of Frank’s Alley, said fans of the restaurant’s hot dogs might be able to catch the mobile stand outside the restaurant selling hot dogs occasionally during special events.
Ross Horner, owner of Frank’s Alley, said fans of the restaurant’s hot dogs might be able to catch the mobile stand outside the restaurant selling hot dogs occasionally during special events.

Along with ensuring Frank’s Alley continues operating in Columbus, Horner is committed to ensuring Glizzy Fest continues on Broadway every fall. Frank’s Alley started the festival a couple years ago, bringing live music and fun activities and events for both adults and kids to Broadway.

Glizzy Fest takes place during the Georgia Bulldogs football team’s bye week.

“The Dawgs aren’t playing,” Horner said. “So come eat dogs.”

The second Glizzy Fest will hit Broadway Saturday and it will feature many fun and crazy events that are sure to keep the kids and adults entertained. This year’s Glizzy Fest features live music, an escape room, caricature drawings, van painting, a chef competition, kids area and many other fun activities and events. Started by Frank’s Alley owner Ross Horner last year, the festival has grown in the year since its inception.

While Horner expects Frank’s Alley to reopen, he doesn’t have a set timeline on when that will be. But he is happy to have had an impact on the Columbus community.

“I don’t know if that includes me in the future or not,” he said. “I just don’t know. But I know that Frank’s has the opportunity to keep going, and I’m pursuing that.”