MENDOTA – There are plenty of different food options in Mendota.

However, there is something missing.

Johnny Arteaga wants to fill the fried chicken void in the city with Frankies’ Tavern.

“Our main concept is fried chicken. We’re in the Midwest and in Mendota, we’ve been brought up on fried chicken,” Arteaga said. “We have places to get tacos and pizza, but fried chicken is where it’s at. It’s a family affair to bring everyone out for chicken. I think it’s something we need in Mendota.

“We’ve had a lot of great places in Mendota that lasted forever like Main Street, Andy’s Tavern, and Sip-N-Snack. They all put in a lot of work and did it with their families to bring other families together. We want to do the same thing.”

Frankie’s Tavern is a new name and a new restaurant/bar in Mendota, but the building is far from new and is well recognized by Mendota residents and outside travelers.

The location, 701 Jefferson St., was The Hub for decades.

Although the name is changed, Arteaga knows it’s going to take some time for the new name and the new business to be as recognized as the building and its history.

“I decided to use my grandson Frankie’s name for the name of the restaurant and I’m going to name something in the menu after my grandson Roman,” said Arteaga about Roman, who is 7 and Frankie who is 4, his grandchildren from his daughter and son-in-law, Erica and Jeff Currier. “I had a brother who passed away when he was 2 years old. His name was Frankie. I thought between my brother and my grandson, the name of the tavern should be Frankie’s. It’s something different to Mendota.

“This place will always be known as The Hub. It’s always going to be associated with the name. But I want to change the environment and the culture. We took out the pool tables and there won’t be 50 cent or $1 drafts. Those days are over with.

“We’re going to have craft beer and some of the nicer tequilas. This place is going to be nice.”

The building has been remodeled, seating is in place, the menu is created, and the chicken is ready to hit the fryer.

However, Frankie’s Tavern hasn’t opened yet due to delays from the health department, exit signs, fire extinguishers, fire safety in the kitchen, and a few pieces of equipment not delivered yet.

But Arteaga is ready to roll as soon as they are.

With Frankie’s Tavern, the owner also owns Uncle Joe’s Gaming Café, J.C.’s Headquarters (which is leased to a business owner), Arteaga Tree Service & Landscaping, Arteaga Concrete, numerous real estate properties, co-owns Jerry’s Tap in Compton, and co-owns Sammy’s Roadhouse in Arlington.