Francis Burger Joint

Francis, a plant-based food truck previously parked at Sociable Cider Werks as part of their rotating culinary series, opened their new brick-and-mortar vegan restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis in January 2023. Featuring delicious plant-based burgers, Francis moved into 2422 Central Ave NE., a little over a year after their food truck debut.

Now up and running, Francis has expanded their menu at the Northeast location, including more plant-based burger options, crispy fries, “chicken” sandwiches and nuggets. In addition, they serve cocktails, local beers, and non-alcoholic options. A popular Francis menu feature are the large number of homemade sauces, highlighted by the Francy Sauce, "like 1000 island but FRANCIER!"

The roomy space features a full service bar with funky chairs and an iconic "Killer Burgers" neon sign adorning the area next to the doorway. The bar area is comforting and encourages mingling, while the dining room is open and bright, ideal for groups and couples looking to comfortably snag some awesome plant-based fare. Francis wants to be a gathering place for everyone, not just vegans and vegetarians.

Looking for a unique space to call their own, the Francis team worked with Element's Aaron Meyers on site selection. After beloved Northeast Thai restaurant Yai Sen Lek closed in 2022, the vacancy turned into a perfect opportunity for Francis; the site was chosen for the former food truck's brick-and-mortar location.