Just outside DC, between College Park, MD (University of Maryland) and the heart of DC, Franklins has been there forever in this town that likes to think it is a mini Austin, keep Hyattsville Weird is a thing. Franklin’s really is 2 parts, the general store that you can spend a good 30-45 min just asking around finding old candies, old school gadgets and everything you expect in a place labeled as a general store. There is also a nice selection of micro-brews in the back and wine so if you are looking to grab some to go its a nice option. The second part is the restaurant and brewery. The downstairs feels a bit like a diner with solid food that I have never been disappointed with, the upstairs is bar setting with multiple brews on tap that change depending on time of year. It is a functioning nano-brewery so make sure to enjoy the fresh local brew. If you are looking for an interesting Saturday just outside DC, this would be where you stop for the late lunch/early dinner after going to a place like Community Forklift to check out some of their architectural salvage items, maybe a walk around the campus at College Park (I am biased as an alum but its a pretty campus), and there are also a few small breweries on Rt. 1.
Franklin’s General Store and Restaurant
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