If I'm in Shoreditch I'm always very torn between Franco's and Ruby's for my lunch. The boys at Franco's are always hysterical and I do enjoy a bit of flirtation as I order but the queue's here are sometimes just silly and I know that Ruby's food is just as nice. If I do decide on Franco's then it has to be tagliatelle Vongole (clams, chilli and garlic). Now this is a risky decision because regardless of how delicious it is, I know I will stink of garlic for the rest of the day and that no one will want to be within a mile of me. Sometimes though, when the pasta is this good, you just have to make certain sacrifices. Franco's pasta truly is the best comfort food and it's how I imagine a proper Italian mamma would cook for her children. No fuss, no special garnishes or side salads, just a bowl of steaming, spicy pasta. A warning to the health conscious, Franco's probably cooks with more oil, cheese and cream than the average Lidl's stocks yearly and their portions are enormous. Nonetheless, when it's proper comfort you need, calories just shouldn't be counted. Franco's is a great alternative to Shoreditch's more expensive eateries and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap, filling and tasty meal. read more

Franco's Take Away - Fast Food Near Me - London, XGL

When I was a lowly 19-year old runner at a media company in Shoreditch I was dispatched to Franco's on an almost daily basis to collect all manner of grub. Both a sandwich bar and a restaurant, Franco's is run by a charming bunch of lads from Madeira whose pastas are the stuff of local legend. Specialising in satisfying comfort food rather than fine cuisine, Franco's carbonara is just about perfect if likely constituting a week's worth of calories. read more

Franco's Take Away - Fast Food Near Me - London, XGL

Franco's is great even if you are not hungover. I used to work close by to this lovely cafe and once a week, me and my colleagues would head here for a tasty personalized panini as a treat for the week. I like the fact that it is run by real Italians and the ingredients are fresh and tasty. The pasta is made in front of you, which is always fun and it does make a nice treat during those hungover days. It is very popular on weekday lunch hours when the queues spill out on the street. read more

What a friendly little take away (or sit down) place with quick service. The staff is very friendly and quick. They have some amazing choices for omelettes. The spanish one is great with chips and they have deli style salads like some cheese and tomatoes in olive oil etc. Highly recommend for a quick bite. read more

There's always a queue outside this place at lunchtime, which can only be a good sign. So whether you fancy a sandwich made to order or a hot pasta takeaway, you'll get very satisfying nosh here. I always go for the spaghetti vongole and ask for a little chilli to be added to the sauce to give it a little kick. They cook to order, so you'll have to wait while they make it, but the cook is fast and you can watch it being prepared in front of you. There's usually two or three people serving, plus the cook, in a really small space, so it's amazing they can work so fast without bumping into each other. You might even get a cheeky bit of banter if you're lucky. There's seating at the back, which is functional if not particularly salubrious! read more

Another proper East London caff ... and for hip-n-hustlin' Rivington Street, a bit of a reality check. Lunch (http://londonist.com/2008/01/whats_for_lunch_38.php) is good (if kinda greasy) here. And it's the sort of place that no matter how crowded there always seems to be room to squeeze in. The homey atmosphere, the tea, the clanking of silverware and banter of the cooks and wait staff. Ahh ... it's a lovely little place. I'm not nearly as gaa-gaa over Franco's as some of the other reviewers here on Qype but I like it and will be glad to go back. It's one of the better old school cafes in Shoreditch. read more

Franco's is truly great no doubt, but in a kind of shameless we-don't-mind-sticking-a-1-inch-slab-of-mozarella-in-your-deep-fried-chicken-ciabatta. tasty, cheap and honest. They love the drama too, they create a bit of scene for your entertainment or theirs, it's hard to tell. read more

I agree. Francos is superb. Authentic, and great value for money. This is the type of place we will lose, if the chains like Subway and Starbucks continue to take over. Look after the independent lunch outlets, and our unusual sandwiches, made by someone who remembers your name. Doesn't matter whether you fancy a healthy salad or some more naughty food; it's all there. The pasta is made to order and delicious. The El Grande is certainly worth trying. read more

Love this place! The best sandwiches in London! They also serve a variety of pasta dishes, jacket potatoes and salads to sit in or takeaway. But the hot sandwiches .mmmmm..dreamy! They have all these different specials - I'm a huge fan of Flo's special..all are shamelessy covered in mozzarella with various sauces lashed on generously. Ununusal combinations you may think at first glance, but believe me they work! Not badly priced either. At lunchtime, there's always a huge queue out the door down Rivington Street. There's a reason for this. As a result lunchtime is almost a like a stage performance with a carefully rehearsed routine put into action and you always get a wink at the end when you finally get your sandwich:) read more

A jewel in the take away crown of Shoreditch!! The working population of the area would be totally lost without Franco's. Wholesome food, served efficiently by friendly staff ensure there is usually a queue outside of the door. Especially at lunch. But it's worth the few minutes' wait. A great range of food from breakfast, through to lunch and meals to about 5pm. Sandwiches, panini's, pastas, salads, omelettes, soups And all at reasonable prices, which makes the good food taste even better!! You don't have to spend a fortune to eat well. Honest decent food. You really can't go wrong. read more

I used to visit this place frequently. The food is amazing, and the service is swift... It's just a shame that the queue tends to come out of the building and down the road during lunchtimes. read more

Franco's is awesome. Every lunchtime there's a queue out the door - a testament to the quality - but the staff are quick at churning through all the orders and cramming as many people as possible into the restaurant and out of the queue. They're also really friendly and great at remembering faces, which is important when they've got 20 odd orders on the go at the same time. The sandwich specials here are the real stars, particularly the Ana Special or the L Grande, both with a massive chicken escalope and a variety of sauces and cheese. I'm yet to sample their pasta, but the number of people ordering it means it must be good. I just can't tear myself away from that big, greasy sandwich. And the fact that it's under a fiver is amazing. Your clothes might smell of fried food after you leave, and you might lose a few years off your later life if you eat here every day but honestly, who wants to be old anyway? read more

This is a an excellent stop for a cheap and delicious lunch. The omelettes are big and tasty. The people who run it are really friendly too. Bring cash. read more

Great hot sandwiches for a great price! Sizes are generous, was fully satisfied with a Napoli sandwich which included chicken and red sauce! You won't spend more than £8! Quick, easy, friendly. read more

Maybe I tried the wrong kind of sandwich (cheese) but I was not too impressed. Shame as I was looking forward to sampling their fayre.

Perhaps the best sandwiches in the city. They make their own ciabatta bread and also have really good pasta. Expect to queue during lunch hour - but this one is worth the wait. It's mostly a take-away place, although there are a few tables inside as well. Tip: Try Ana's special (chicken escalope, bacon, brie cheese melted on toasted ciabatta bread). read more

Franco's too good, that it's frustraiting looking at the daily queues! Good value tho

This place has long queues at lunch time, but the staff work like mad and churn through it pretty quick. The food is amazing for the price. Great pasta and a variety of specials, like the vegetarian bap for £3.50. A meal on it's own. Lots of Italian shouting. A stressful queue if you're there for the lunchtime rush, but it's worth it. read more

This used to be my favourite place for lunch during my internship. I always had a potato with ham, cheese and mayoneise. This place is very friendly! read more

We've all been there; it's Friday lunchtime and your hangover shows no sign of shifting, you know you need to pay a visit to a good old café to restore you to your former glory. This is where Franco's comes in. Boasting a predominantly Italian menu (with an all day breakfast thrown in to please all) this is affordable eating with a capital A. Now The Ivy it isn't, but the queues outside of a lunchtime speak for themselves. With daily specials (charmingly scrawled across paper that looks like it's been hanging there since the 80's), and huge steaming plates of pasta coming in for under a fiver I know where I'd rather be! You can choose the pasta shape you'd like (spaghetti, penne, tagliatelle, etc) and get presented with a bowl of grated parmesan to apply yourself as lavishly as you wish, this is comfort eating at its best. Aside from the standard menu (which has something for most tastes) are the specials; I have it on good authority that the special lasagne and chips is a treat but arrive very early to avoid disappointment. The menu also features a large selection of ciabattas, baguettes and sandwiches and if you can't see what you want on the menu they can always make it up for you. Beside the lunchtime rush Franco's is usually inhabited by some brilliant characters, the local old man who pops in for his cup of tea and read of the paper (there is a sign on the counter that warns during the lunchtime rush you must order something over the value of £1 or else you aren't allowed to sit in), this is the perfect alternative to the overpriced trendy eateries popping up around Shoreditch; the greasy spoon ambience is fully achieved by the plastic tables, chairs and bottles of vinegar and ketchup on the tables - no organic balsamic here! Whilst it may not be the healthiest option in town, it certainly does the job on those hangover days. read more

Whilst accepting that Friday lunchtime will always be very busy, the staff totally forgot about the order for one of our group after an inordinate delay when we arrived. When we queried, no apology was made and they then subsequently brought the order 20 minutes after everyone elses and it was not what we requested. Again, after waiting far too long for the bill, they charged the wrong amount to two cards. Admittedly the food was very good but the service was appalling to put it mildy and they clearly have no concept of how to manage a busy restaurant or how to make an apology when things have gone wrong. read more