 SEPTEMBER 12 • 2019 | 77

Detroit can boast about a true original.

the best of everything
Raskin

American Classic

H

ow could he know that when 
bringing his brother here from 
Greece, he was planting the 
seed for someone who would one day 
become his biggest competitor?
Constantine “Gust” Keros had 
opened his American Coney Island in 
1910 on Lafayette, Detroit … and a 
few years later sent for and brought his 
brother Bill to Detroit in 1917 from 
Greece to work with him at American 
Coney Island … Bill learned enough 
evidently to open his own place next 
door in 1925 and named it Lafayette 
Coney Island … Today, it is not owned 
by a Keros, having been bought by 
Ali-Hami who is said to have swayed 
from many of Bill’
s original and former 
ways as taught by his brother Gust …
and has also never 
had American’
s secret 
recipes.
But there is one 
person with the 
family name carrying 
on the wonderful 
tradition and name 
that have placed it 
among America’
s 
greatest and longest 
standing true Coney 
Island operations 
… She is Grace Keros, granddaughter 
of Gust, who, with her brother Chris 
Sotiropoulos, are co-owners of the 
wonderful American Coney Island 
restaurants here and in Las Vegas … A 
present bearer of the Keros name still a 

co-owner with her brother of the presti-
gious American Coney Island is indeed 
a tribute to its eminent distinction.
American Coney Island has its own 
secret family recipes along with owning 
its own chili company … Even the hot 
dog is different from others … a pro-
prietary hot dog made exclusively for 
American Coney Island … which also 
uses a secret family recipe for its gyro 
sauce.
The fact that American Coney Island 
continues to be among Detroit’
s tastiest 
dining spots is alone a tribute in itself 
… Even the beef used has its own dis-
tinction … It is gently stirred in a large 
pot with a hush-hush ancient Greek 
spice … not flopped on a greasy grill … 
And, in so many cases, also delicious by 
itself on the hot dog bun … The loose 
burgers are among its best sellers along 
with the Greek salad, chili fries, gyros, 
Coney Island hot dogs, etc. … And its 
own rice pudding is made by American 
Coney on its own premises plus the spe-
cial tzatziki sauce for gyros.
Having an American Coney Island 
within its midst is indeed a priceless 
pride … Detroit is justly proud to call it 
its very own.
CONSIDERED AMONG the finer 
Italian dining restaurants in this region, 
Mario’
s on Second Boulevard, Detroit, 
owned by Vince Passalaqua, continues 
to gain popularity as it celebrates its 
71st anniversary … It has not only 
carried on the fine Italian eatery tradi-
tions of its original owner, Mario Lelli, 

who used the money he got after his 
partnership separation from his cousin 
Nerio Lelli at their wonderful Lelli’
s on 
Woodward, Detroit, but also added a 
multitude of excellent dishes of his own 
… Thanks to Frank Passalaqua and son 
Vince, Mario’
s fine reputation has got-
ten even finer.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Three 
men arrive in New York from Europe 
and decide to meet again in 20 years to 
see how they all made out in America.
After 20 years, the first says, “When 
I came to this country, I didn’
t know 
how to make a living and looked at my 
last name, Goldstein, so I went into the 
gold business and made a fortune.”
The next man said, “Well, I looked 
at my name, Silverman, so I went into 
silver and also made a fortune.”
They both turned to the third man 
and asked what happened to him.
“I didn’
t know how to make a living 
either and saw that my last name was 
Taylor and said that’
s no good. I will 
never make a living as a tailor. So I went 
to the synagogue and prayed. ‘
God, if 
you make me a wealthy man, I promise 
to make you my partner.’
”
Both men ask, “So what happened? 
“What, you never heard of Lord and 
Taylor?”
CONGRATS … To Brenda 
Saperstein on her birthday. 

Danny’
s email address is 
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

Brother and sister Chris
Sotiropoulos and Grace Keros

COURTESY OF AMERICAN CONEY ISLAND 

The Whitney proudly honors the 
commitment and vision of our 
community’s best and brightest. 

Champagne reception

Strolling dinner and open bar 

Live Entertainment through-

out the Mansion

Black Tie Optional

For info www.thewhitney.com
 (313) 832-5700

201
9
L
E
GA
C
Y
 
DI
NNE
R

 A Salute to Danny Raskin 

Sunday, September 22nd, 6:00 - 10:00

