By: Dennis R. Getto
Journal Sentinel dining critic

Published:Dec. 6, 2001

It's been 11 months since the old Benedetto's Restaurant closed its doors in Franklin, and six weeks since Terry Hanley opened his new casual bar and grill in the same location. Hanley's Grille & Bar offers a great line-up of sandwiches, appetizers and steaks as nightly specials.

Hanley's last name should be familiar to many south siders. His father, Ken Hanley, ran a successful steak house onS. 27th St. for years. The elder Hanley died in 1984. Terry said he and his brother, Ken Jr., ran their dad's place until 1996.

Ken Jr. moved toIdaho after the sale of his father's 27th Street restaurant, and Terry began looking around for a new location. When the spot on S. 76th St. opened up, he said, he and his wife, Debby, began remodeling and setting up a new menu.

Folks interested in after-work appetizers will find an extensive line-up ranging from searing hot Buffalo wings to quesadillas with chicken and bacon bits.

The seven burgers on the menu are all half-pound fresh ground Black Angus beef. The Bayou Burger that a friend of mine chose (withLouisiana spices and pepper jack cheese) was quite good, and just as impressive as a huge, delicious club sandwich served on marble rye.

In the months to come, Terry Hanley plans to add more dinner items. Look for additions of pasta dishes, steaks and fajitas. The restaurant serves a cod fish fry on Fridays for $8.50.

* Items and prices subject to change without notice. *