Frankie's Patriot BBQ Opens in Honor of Fallen Army Corporal

An Oldsmar man opened Frankie's Patriot BBQ in June and the restaurant is not just a place for good food, but a landmark that honors one young man's ultimate sacrifice.

Although Craig Gross always knew he wanted to open a restaurant, he never thought it would be named in memory of his son, Army Cpl. Frank Robert Gross. 

According to Craig Gross, his son was killed in action on July 16, 2011, during a rescue mission he volunteered for. 

"That was just the type of person Frank was," Gross said. 

Corporal Gross held a master's degree in business entertainment management and planned on starting a T-shirt company made from organic material.

Not long after Corporal Gross' untimely death, his father made a life-changing decision.

After more than 30 years in the food industry, Craig Gross was prepared to seize the day. 

"After my son was killed, I just lost interest in working for corporate America," Gross said. 

When Roe's Place, a delicatessen at 2364 Keystone Road, closed and the space became available, Gross said it was a no brainer.

According to Gross, the building was a bit of a mess. With a rundown property and a blueprint of the ideal restaurant, he and his business partner, Skip Lehmkuhl took over the space with pride.

Less than a month after purchasing the property, Gross and Lehmkuhl were opening the doors to Frankie's Patriot BBQ. 

It wasn't an easy process getting to the point of a grand opening, but Gross said it has all been worth it. 

He said there was a time when he wasn't sure what he would do. Gross had lost his 25-year-old son and nothing else seemed to matter.

"Sometimes it was a struggle to even get out of bed," Gross remembered. "But this restaurant has been good therapy for me."

Support for the Gross family comes in a number of ways including badges from fellow military members to a friendship with Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

The decor inside Frankie's is mostly donations, according to Gross, from flags to photos and military memorabilia. 

Corporal Gross' Army combat uniform is framed on a wall while photos of the hero are scattered throughout the restaurant. 

Craig Gross, along with his wife, Toni, oversee and work at the Tarpon Springs establishment together. 

A friendly staff and an array of homemade barbecue sauces have created an impressive return rate of regular customers. After only six weeks of being open, Gross said the business is doing great.

The brisket is rumored to be "some of the best in the country" and the pulled pork often sells out. Catfish strips and alligator tail are some other options on the menu. Meat is also available by the pound at Frankie's.

At the end of the day, the Gross' void is not filled, but the restaurant is a reminder of their son that keeps them going.

"I knew that I wanted to do something in his memory," Gross said. "He would have loved this place."

Frankie's Patriot BBQ, located at 2364 Keystone Road, can be reached at 727-935-4838 and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.