Coney dogs are all but extinct in Chicago but I'm not sure they ever gained much of a foothold here. Decades ago, a few Coney parlors were scattered around in areas like W Madison (then Skid Row) and Back of the Yards. In other Midwestern cities, most notably Detroit (
here's an article by the Tribune's Alan Solomon), Coney Island restaurants from the 1920s and before are thriving today. Closer to Chicago,
Coney Island Hot Dog Restaurant in Milwaukee, remains much as it was 80 years ago. Why these places never proliferated in Chicago (if that is indeed true) could be due to the already-strong frankfurter culture in Chicago early in the 20th century.
Looking over fairly recent compilations of restaurants in Gary, I was struck by the number of Coney Islands still listed. When Cathy and I began exploring northwest Indiana we found some still around in various degrees of operation. Why are there so many in Gary of all places? I suspect at least part of the reason is that not much gets torn down. Fans of early 20th century architecture and mid-century signage will find plenty of interest in Gary.
The most robust example is Koney King on Broadway toward the southern edge of Gary. This business began in 1920 although I'm not sure it's at the original location.
In any case the interior has certainly been remodeled but the curving counters and spinning stools speak of an earlier era.
The menu and friendly service, too, seem from another time. For those who might be interested, grilled ham sandwiches are not available Friday or Saturday.
I enjoyed my Koney Dog, an admittedly nondescript frankfurter blanketed in chili with the right levels of spice and grease.
Driving north on Broadway from Koney King you'll pass dozens of notable buildings and signs including the abandoned Lincoln's Submarine.
Charlie's Coney Island, another old Gary business, is on 25th just west of Broadway. It went by the name of Brother's Coney Island before Charlie took over.
It seems the focus has shifted away from Coney dogs (although chili dogs are still listed) toward diner fare and soul food.
For some reason I ordered a chili burger and was rewarded with a pretty good but very sloppy version. Its picture can be found in the NWI Burger thread,
here (it may not look that sloppy but just try to eat the thing). Cathy was more adventurous and got the special of neck bones, potato, and corn bread.
I'm not sure the last time I've seen more food for $4. It was plain cooking to be sure but really quite satisfying.
Just past 18th is LL's Coney Island. I don't know how long LL's has been in business but it looks like it's been a while.
They seem to keep erratic hours. We had but one chance to visit and passed it up, not realizing it may have been our last opportunity. It's a cool-looking old place and I hope we get another chance.
At Broadway and 17th is the old Lovell's Barber College, the façade apparently remodeled in the 1960s and not touched since.
Also on Broadway is the old Palace Theater with its ever-hopeful marquee.
You can see the window facings with cheery flower pots are peeling off the boarded up windows.
If you turn off Broadway onto 5th, heading toward Jimmie's Coney Island, you should make a slight detour to see what's left of Frank Lloyd Wright's Wynant House at 600 Filmore (between Broadway & Grant).
This is one of Wright's extremely rare prefabricated homes and if you want to see it you'd better hurry. There were restoration efforts underway but it was further damaged by fire a year ago. I spent a little time poking around inside, all the while wondering if there was a basement and hoping I wasn't about to find out.
At this point you won't be far from Peerless Potato Chip.
Might as well stop and pick up a case
as Cogito suggested.
Jimmie's Coney Island, on 5th Avenue near the western edge of Gary (not far from
Tennessee Country Meats) is interesting in that it opened in 1973, relatively recent by Coney Island standards.
As the sign says it's more than just hot dogs, and many of the offerings are southern style dishes. I can't say I was overly impressed with their biscuits & gravy or catfish & spaghetti but I enjoyed sides of collard greens and johnnycakes.
The Coney dogs ($2.50 for a pair) were rather unexceptional though I liked the nontraditional addition of fresh jalapeño slices.
There are plenty of non-Coney hot dogs and such in NWI but we didn't sample much. One vendor I should mention is Polish on Wheels we came across in an empty lot on Route 12/20 in Gary.
The owner couldn't have nicer and his $2 Polish was really quite good.
It came dressed with three types of peppers. What's not to like?
There are quite a few interesting Coney threads on LTHForum (search!) and there are still other Coney Islands left to explore in NW Indiana. I'm not sure these Coney Islands in Gary will make Detroiters forget Lafayette and American but it's interesting to note a little cluster so close to Chicago.
Koney King
4601 Broadway
Gary IN
219-887-1843
Charlie's Coney Island
2490 Broadway
Gary IN
219-883-2117
LL's Coney Island
1744 Broadway
Gary IN
219-882-2287
Jimmie's Coney Island
3350 W 5th Av
Gary IN
219-944-1321
Last edited by
Rene G on January 10th, 2007, 7:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.