A New Chicken & Smash Burger Restaurant Has Opened in Iowa City

Folks in Johnson County have a new restaurant to check out! Frank's Hot Chicken and Smash Burgers opened its doors in Iowa City last month!

Franks Hot Chicken and Smashed Burgers via Facebook

Where is it?

Frank's Hot Chicken and Smash Burgers is located at 1621 S 1st Ave in Iowa City, which was previously home to Marco's Grilled Cheese and Milio's Sandwiches. The new restaurant opened its doors in late June.

What's on the menu?

The official menu for Frank's Hot Chicken and Smash Burgers has been posted to the business' Facebook page, which you can check out HERE. In addition to several different types of smash burgers and chicken sandwiches, the restaurant also offers boneless wings, chicken tenders, loaded fries, salads, and fried shrimp. Sides include coleslaw, mac & cheese, fries, and pickles.

Like any good chicken restaurant, Frank's has a variety of sauces to choose from. There's BBQ, Chipotle Ranch, Mango Habanero, Sweet Chili, and more. Early reviews on Google recommend the restaurant's signature 'Crown Sauce.'

When is it open?

Frank's Hot Chicken and Smash Burgers in Iowa City is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Interior seating is very limited, but there are a few tables outside on the patio available, too. Google also indicates that there is another Frank's Hot Chicken and Smash Burgers location in West Burlington, Iowa that opened in 2025.