One of the better hot dog places I've eaten at over the years is the Coney Island in La Crosse, WI. It's been in existence since 1922 when Greek immigrants Tom Sideras and Jim Kappellas opened on S. 4th Street in downtown La Crosse. They continue to serve hot dogs in the original location today.
Tom Sideras died in 1962, and Jim Kappellas' son, Tom, bought the business in 1963. Jim Kappellas officially retired at that time, but continued to help his son in the business up until his death in 1975.
Over the years, Coney Island expanded to four locations and three of Tom Kappellas children manage three of the four locations around the La Crosse area.
The Coney Island dogs are pretty thin and cooked on a flat stove top grill (very similar to George's in Sioux City). The chili dogs are good, but the chili, in my opinion, is a little bland. And it doesn't matter if you order a hot dog with or without chili - it costs the same.
Over the years, Coney Island has added french fries (served in a cup), sandwiches (hot ham and cheese, grilled chicken) and gyros to the menu. A guy told me when I was eating there one time that the place was better before they had the sandwiches. I still thought the hot dogs were pretty good on their own.
Still, with the history behind Coney Island in La Crosse, you have to stop in and get one (or two - they're small!) when you're in town.
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