Tale of the Two Franks
Meet Frank Maganello Jr. and Frank Mills—Frank #1 and Frank #2, respectively.
There are a number of men named Frank living in Washington, D.C., but there are two in particular who are beloved in the bartending community: Frank Maganello Jr. and Frank Mills of Primrose and Jack Rose, respectively. Although there are conflicting accounts of the story—one involving a bar tab at Service Bar DC and another a trip to Whistlepig Farm—Maganello has been dubbed Frank #1, and Mills, Frank #2. How do they really rank? We asked the Franks.
Frank Maganello Jr. | Primrose
Hometown: Boynton Beach, Florida
Nights you’re behind the bar: Almost every night. I don’t work on Thursdays.
Favorite bar to visit on your days off: The Pub & The People. It’s in my neighborhood, and it’s a quiet, unassuming place to get a drink.
Favorite cocktail on your menu right now: N’osez Pas, an apple brandy Manhattan, using French products, including calvados and vermouth
A drink you want someone else to make for you: Sazeracs or any Old Fashioned variations
Who calls you Francis: My mother when she’s upset with me. The only other person is Frank Mills. It’s his one leg up on me—his name is actually Frank.
What spirit are you: American rye
Your zodiac sign: Leo-Virgo cusp
Your feelings on being Frank #1: I just told Frank [Mills] this last week, but I’ve decided to retire as Frank #1. Instead of #1 and #2, I’ll just introduce Frank as my sous chef, my special assistant, Frank Mills.
What you want the world to know about Frank #2: Mills has a trillion megawatt smile and an infectious laugh that captivates everyone around him. He’s an incredibly smart and genuine guy. And that’s the reason we’re friends.
Frank Mills | Jack Rose
Hometown: Alexandria & Herndon, Virginia. I had both parents in both, so I split my childhood running the streets in two cities
Nights you’re behind the bar: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturdays ... always
Favorite bars to visit on your days off: Service Bar DC, Eighteenth Street Lounge, and my home bar!
Favorite cocktail on your menu right now: Cashews Everything Around Me, because my boy Christian Madsen created it, and it’s all about the C.R.E A.M! Cashew orgeat cream to be exact. It’s a bourbon Mai Taiger-style cocktail with great flavor and an even better name.
A drink you want someone else to make for you: Pineapple rum daiquiris and Painkillers
Who calls you Francis: NOBODY CALLS ME FRANCIS. Unlike Maganello, my actual name is Frank.
What spirit are you: Cask-strength peated Scotch. It’s brown, rich, strong, sophisticated, full of smoke, and most people like it, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
Your zodiac sign: Pisces
Your feelings on being Frank #2: Since it’s in good fun, I don’t stress about it, but to be clear, I am nobody’s #2.
What you want the world to know about Frank #1: Frankly speaking, I want to solidify how cool it is to share a namesake with another member of the hospitality industry who is doing so well within our craft. Since we met, I believe four years ago, there hasn’t been a dull moment between us—only good times shared and positivity attached to being Frank M’s #1 or #2. Both of our middle names should be “Amazing” so we can be F.A.M. forever.
