After 35 years behind a radio microphone, Justin McDonald is trading sound bites for snap-and-sizzle — opening his first brick-and-mortar hot dog shop in downtown Hillsboro.

Franko’s Hot Dogs opens Saturday, July 18, at 137 S.E. Third Ave., turning the Forest Grove food cart McDonald launched in 2022 into a permanent restaurant with indoor seating and all-weather hours.

The move came after a challenging year for McDonald and his wife, Renee, who underwent brain surgery after doctors discovered a tumor during a routine scan. McDonald said the experience strengthened his resolve to keep building the business.

“I was like, ‘You know what? We’re going to do it,’” he told the Hillsboro News-Times.

The new shop will serve Thumann’s all-beef hot dogs, bratwurst and Polish kielbasa, with more than 30 toppings to mix and match. Menu standouts include the Wasabi Doggie, the Ono Dog with grilled pineapple and cream cheese, and the Blitzen, made with grilled reindeer sausage.

The signature touch: a burnt pineapple mustard created with Portland chef Leather Storrs.

Prices start at $6 for the classic Franko dog. The restaurant will skip the fryer and fountain drinks, sticking with bottled Coca-Cola products.

For McDonald, the restaurant is also a tribute to his father, Jerry, whose love of cooking inspired the idea. A photo of his father hangs inside the new space.

Franko’s will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Forest Grove cart will pause temporarily while the Hillsboro location gets rolling, with plans to return at select markets later this year.