There is a dark, enclosed patio to the left, and eerie red lighting and candelabra, complete with an organ in the back, to add to the morbid effect.

A former funeral parlor may seem like an odd place to convert into a bar/restaurant. But Ismail Ozcan and Susan Van Schaik, owners of the House of Frank N Stein, located at 726 E. Center St. in Riverwest, have made the spooky atmosphere work to their advantage, dubbing it “the classiest hot dog joint in the U.S.A.”

The building, which housed Leszynski Funeral Home before the restaurant opened in December 2005, is more than 100 years old, and not surprisingly, is rumored to be haunted. Ozcan, originally from Istanbul, Turkey, lives in the apartments upstairs, and is used to hearing inexplicable noises from time to time, although he’s pretty convinced it’s not the ghost of Frankenstein.

The cavernous atmosphere of Frank N Stein simply adds to the fun, claims bar patron Angela Berwick. “I love this place. It’s very underrated,” she said. “We have a lot of fun here.”

“I bring my friends here for the cheap drinks and karaoke,” says her friend, East Sider Matt Trotter.

Upon walking in the front door, patrons are greeted by tombstones, pictures of Frankenstein himself and old movie posters such as “Night of The Living Dead.” There is a dark, enclosed patio to the left, and eerie red lighting and candelabra, complete with an organ in the back, to add to the morbid effect.

The pool table, along with the Budweiser and Miller posters, gives you the feel of a true Milwaukee watering hole; albeit the fact that it used to house corpses and coffins.

Frank N’ Stein offers a menu of none other than—hot dogs! Chili and “Monster” nachos, with a smorgasbord of ingredients including jalapenos, salsa and cheddar cheese, are also popular menu items.

Prices are reasonable—around $3 a dog; add a little more for special ingredients including tomatoes, chili and sour cream. The bar also serves a $1.50 bottomless cup of coffee, as well as a variety of pastries.

Frank N’ Stein does not serve wine or hard liquor, but the owners compensate for that by offering a wide beer selection of domestics and imports, including appropriately named beers such as Rogue Dead Guy, Headless Man and Bitter Woman, along with your typical Miller High Life.

Strongbow and Lakefront Brewery beers are among the most popular. For non-beer drinkers, malt beverages such as Smirnoff Ice are available.

Every night, the bar offers two-for-one happy hour from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., but the place really gets moving around 10 p.m. when nightly karaoke starts and continues until bar time. The deejays will even take customer requests and sing such gems as “How Can We Be Lovers” by Michael Bolton, “Baby Got Back,” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, and the classic Billy Ray Cyrus tune “Achy Breaky Heart.”

The House of Frank N Stein is opened Monday - Saturday 8 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. and closed Sundays. This year, the restaurant will host a costume contest on Halloween, Oct. 31. Winners will receive beer memorabilia and perhaps a hefty bar tab.

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