An old-fashioned counter joint. The food's decent and cheap. If you didn't get this from the other reviews, this isn't your place if you're looking for locally sourced, organic, vegan, etc. This isn't your place if you're looking to be greeted with a smile. Atmosphere can be a little cold... I felt a bit like an outsider on my first visit. My dad took me to places like this growing up, so I love it. Reminds me of the hot dog joint from Dirty Harry.
As far as the neighborhood being "rough"... it's no Market Square, but it's no South Central either. There's a school across the street, the auto dealerships nearby don't look like prison yards, and the street is well lit. Would I walk there alone late at night? Probably not... but I wouldn't walk alone most places in a city.