Kathryn Tsandikos, Owner; photo courtesy of George’s Coney Island
By: Phyllis M. Cahaly, CMD, Director of Partnership Marketing, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Jump to recipe of the month: Pastitsio
In 1926, Catherine and George Tsagarelis purchased George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs in Worcester, Massachusetts and the restaurant has been serving up delicious hot dogs, (and more!), ever since. Catherine and George purchased the simple lunch counter which opened in 1918 and quickly realized their plan to create a destination landmark Worcester restaurant, now in its fourth generation, by focusing on the humble wiener as their main menu item.
Third generation and current owner Kathryn Tsandikos has that same insurmountable energy as her grandmother, Catherine, with whom she worked alongside at the restaurant as a child. Katheryn eventually went on to college and worked in the hospitality industry in Boston, but something kept drawing her back to George’s Coney Island. Finally, the pull was too strong, and Kathryn returned to the restaurant and hasn’t looked back since.
“I loved it then and I love it now; I never left and I’m good at it and it just seems to be my calling. I can’t wait to get to work every day, I love the adrenaline rush of service, the interaction with our staff, and just getting it done,” says owner Kathryn. “After almost 50 years, it has become just like breathing. I can’t believe it’s been that long, but I love it so much and it doesn’t feel like work. I always want to be at the restaurant, the vibe is great, the energy is great, and it’s just a fun place to be.”
Just ask her loyal 10-15 staff members like Buki who has been there for 20 years, and Josh now at 15 years, or many of the loyal college students who return year after year. “Some customers will say to me ‘’you’re still here, are you ever going to retire?”, says Kathryn, “And to that I say, the older I get, the more I want to keep going! All the kids I work with here, we learn from each other; to some I’m like a mother, to others, more of a grandmother, but one thing is for sure, if you surround yourself with kids, they keep you young!”
There’s something about the place that just pulls people in, from the iconic, splendiferous neon sign outside, to the old-fashioned juke box and the historic wooden booths inside, to that family secret chili meat sauce recipe, it’s a place that you must experience in person. “The focus here has always been on the customer and the relationships we form with them,” says Kathryn. “During the Great Depression my grandparents would give away hot dogs to boys from the Boys Club who didn’t have a nickel to buy a hot dog. People remember that. Today, we have several generations of customers, really more like friends, who come to the restaurant with their kids and grandkids and want to share that nostalgic feeling with their loved ones.”
“The legendary neon sign was my grandfather George’s idea when they renovated the restaurant in 1938 with an art deco style. He simply held up a dog and someone took a picture and then the sign was modeled after it,” says Kathryn. “The secret to Coney Island is that we still do things the way my grandparents taught us. They loved this business which has endured through the Great Depression, two world wars and a dozen presidents and now my son, the fourth generation, is learning the business in the same manner.”
While tradition means everything at George’s Coney Island, they decided to spread their wings when the Red Sox came calling earlier this decade and asked them to open a spot at the new Polar Park where the Worcester Red Sox play, (the Red Sox’s Triple-A Minor League team). The family weighed all angles and ultimately, Kathryn’s son, Solon Kelleher, took the reins and jumped in. The first year at Polar Park, they were asked to work from a pushcart, however, due to their extreme popularity, they quickly outgrew that business model. The second year, they were moved into their own concession stand on the concourse of the third base line where they are featured as a “Worcester hot dog institution and a must-eat at WooSox games.” “My son, Solon, runs our business at Polar Park and he has done a great job,” says Kathryn. “The visibility has been amazing, and I think after water bottle sales, we are the top seller at the park. It’s been a great opportunity; one location is helping the other and we are just thrilled to be there.”
Let’s get back to that famous, flavorful family secret chili meat sauce which hasn’t changed in generations. You can have it slathered over your Chelsea, Massachusetts made Kayem grilled hot dog or a grilled hamburger. Either way, just be sure you try it. The menu at George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs is simple and tasty, yet still hard to choose from because everything is perfectly prepared: hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and a few perfect sides like a variety of locally made Wachusett chips, pickles, homemade hot and steamy baked beans, and their famous mac ‘n cheese. A super selection of soda, Snapple, milk, water and seltzers go side-by-side with a bevy of beer in cans or bottles and locally made Table Talk pies to round out dessert.
At George’s Coney Island, you’ll find a daily special for every day of the week, except Tuesdays when they are closed. Specials might include a Nighttime Meal Deal for $25 which includes 8 hot dogs, 2 bags of chips, 2 pies, and 2 pickles or the famous Worcester Special for $10.95 which includes 2 hot dogs, pickle, pie, and soda, (cheese costs for specials are extra).
If you’d like to treat your guests to George’s Coney Island, you have two options from which to choose. You can either have your function of 85 people on-site at the restaurant or choose the off-site catering option which can accommodate up to 1,000 of your closest friends and attendees!
At this point, you might be wondering why there is a restaurant in Worcester, Massachusetts named Coney Island Hot Dogs and the answer is quite simple: a Coney Island hot dog, or a Coney dog or a Coney is a particular style of hot dog served in a bun topped with a savory meat sauce and/or sometimes other toppings like mustard or onions. It’s also referred to as a chili dog but the chili is without beans. This type of meat sauce recipe was invented by Greek immigrants and popularized in the early 20th century when it was brought to the United States.
In 2018, George’s Coney Island celebrated their 100th anniversary and it was an amazing commemoration for them and for Worcester. The street was closed and customers lined up all along Southbridge Street and up Madison Street waiting in line for their favorite dog. “The celebration of our 100th anniversary is an unforgettable memory,” Kathryn fondly recalls. “Two of our staff members from years ago, Terese and Ginger who had long moved to Texas and Arizona, respectively, traveled together and came back to the restaurant to work with us over the weekend and to join in the festivities. This business is about the relationships you form with your staff, with your customers, and with the community.”
One visit to Coney Island Hot Dogs and you’re hooked, and as Kathryn says, “if you have one hot dog, you’ll have another.” With a quick visit to the George’s Coney Island Merch Store, fans now have the chance to proudly display their devotion and purchase a souvenir T-shirt, mug, iconic sign ornament or Kathryn’s book “Two Up and a Bag of Chips!”
Kathryn says she will never say no to anyone who wishes to cook for her, but it brings her great delight to cook a big Sunday family dinner. She and her family frequent Cape Cod and she has warm childhood memories of the Cape. If she could find some time in her schedule, she would love to learn more about The Berkshires and take an explorative trip there soon.
“At George’s Coney Island, we think it is a privilege to serve the customer, and we know we have touched their lives. We feel that we are feeding both their bodies and their souls,” says Kathryn. “I’m just the keeper of the flame and I hope that this story goes on for generations to come.”
Recipe for Pastitsio
(Pastichio)
Courtesy of Kathryn Tsandikos, Owner, George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs, Worcester, Massachusetts
Ingredients:
1 lb. Ziti macaroni
1 stick plus 2 Tbls. Butter
1 lb. Feta cheese
1 ¼ cup grated Romano cheese
6 eggs
1 pint half & half
3 cups of milk
Directions:
Boil macaroni until firm. Rinse with cold water and drain. Butter pan. Mix macaroni, Feta cheese, 1 cup Romano cheese, butter and 5 beaten eggs. Put into buttered baking pan spread it even and add half & half and milk to cover macaroni. Beat one egg and sprinkle over and add the ¼ cup rest of the Romano cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown. Good luck!
