EATER — Franklin Hall Nears Opening, Teases Menu

Beer pints and stein mugs are almost ready to start clinking inside Franklin Hall.

Tin Shop’s huge 5,600-square-foot project inside the Manhattan Laundry Building (1346 Florida Avenue NW) is wrapping up construction, with recent finishing touches including the addition of couches, cushions on benches, TVs, and fireplaces.

The space, which can pack 220 eaters and drinkers, could open by mid-May, pending permitting.

Tin Shop, the restaurant design/development firm also behind Smoked & Stacked, Big Chief, and Lost & Found, tells Eater the food style at Franklin Hall will be “an American take on a classic German beer hall.”

The chef’s identity is being kept under wraps for now, but menu details aren’t.

Its core offering of gourmet sausages are available "dressed" with specialty toppings. A sampling: spicy Thai pork sausage with pickled veggies, shaved jicama, and Sriracha-lime aioli, as well as Polish kielbasa with beef chili, Cheese Whiz, diced onions, and pickled jalapeño.

Or order sausages "naked;” a condiment counter will be stocked with house versions of ketchup and mayo, as well offerings from Gordy's Pickle Jar.

Fun bar bites include Frito pie with chili and cheese, and churros with dulce de leche.

A brunch menu — think: breakfast tacos, breakfast quesadilla with carnitas and a sunny side-up egg, and a breakfast BLT — is also in the works to pair with weekend soccer games.

Expect a startup-heavy scene inside (WeWork’s offices are located above), but turning off tech is encouraged. “Long beer tables hopefully encourage conversation and game watching,” said Tin Shop marketing director Bryan Wynkoop.

Douglas Development’s Manhattan Laundry Building will get more restaurant action this fall with the arrival of Maydan, Compass Rose’s sophomore establishment.