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
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GA
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A Salute to Danny Raskin
Sunday, September 22nd, 6:00 - 10:00