The Franklin stands on an ungentrified street, and the neo-Beatnik, all-black décor can scare off casual browsers. But there’s usually a wait for tables as South End twentysomethings on a budget and smart foodies with a yen for Dave Du Bois’s no-nonsense cooking fill the place. Each simple dish has an original twist, such as a grilled double-thick pork chop served on apple-sage bread pudding with bourbon gravy. The whole menu is available until 1 am.

Franklin Cafe Information:

• American menu. Dinner, late-night. Bar. Casual attire.