EV road trip postcard: A century of history and burgers in Zeeland

• In downtown Zeeland, a century-old diner is a time capsule into Michigan’s past
• Frank’s started out as a confectionary operated by Italian immigrants
• Today, it balances tradition with baby steps into the future (like accepting credit cards)

ZEELAND — With electric vehicle chargers still far less common than gas stations in Michigan, stopping to charge on a road trip can slow you down and force you to stop in places you may otherwise have passed by.

That can be a good thing.

After draining our rented Chevy Bolt’s battery down to about 55 miles on our way out of Lansing en route to Muskegon, Bridge Michigan’s EV road trip crew stopped to use a ChargePoint charger in downtown Zeeland at a reader’s suggestion.

(Speaking of which, we’ve received so many fantastic tips about traveling by EV, and suggestions about where to eat and what to see and do from all along Lake Michigan Thank you! With only five days to explore, we won’t get to everything. But we’re incorporating your ideas into our route where we can.)

Related:

• EV road trip update: Bridge reporters learn how to drive an electric vehicle
• And they’re off: Bridge begins five-day EV road trip around Lake Michigan
• Watch Bridge’s Lunch Break on the impact of electric vehicles on Michigan

To pass the time during Monday’s delay, we stopped for lunch at the nearest open restaurant, and quickly realized we were at an historic landmark.

Stepping into Frank’s in Zeeland feels like stepping into an Archie and Jughead comic book: The burger grill sizzles behind a soda counter with cushioned chrome stools. The walls are covered in old newspaper clippings. 

The restaurant is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, with a big bash Aug. 10 complete with wait staff dressed up in attire from every decade the place has been open.

Italian immigrants Frank and Mary Dionise opened the business as a candy shop in 1924. At the time, it was named Dionise Confectionary.

While the name and offerings have changed over the years — today, Frank’s serves diner-style breakfast, lunch and dinner along with drinks in a new expansion next door — many things have remained the same.

Burgers are still flipped on a grill from the World War II era. Signs with the original business name still hang behind the counter.

Some regulars are in their 90s, and have dined here since the 1940s.

Like Michigan’s automotive industry, Frank’s is balancing staying relevant in the future with honoring the past. 

After four generations of family ownership, Teresa Vander Zwaag assumed ownership of the restaurant about two years ago, though the family remains involved in the business and Vander Zwag is committed to maintaining Frank’s vintage authenticity.

“It’s a delicate balance,” she said. “Zeeland is a very traditional town…but we all know change has to happen.”

Not long ago, the business didn’t even accept credit cards. That has changed. The charm hasn’t.

“This place has lasted 100 years for a good reason,” Vander Zwaag said. “And we're going to keep those good reasons going.”