[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 159 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGE'S CONEY ISLAND IN 
                        WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 26, 2018

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
anniversary of George's Coney Island in Worcester, Massachusetts on 
Sunday, September 30, 2018.
  Mr. Speaker, everyone from Central Massachusetts is familiar with 
George's Coney Island. Since its opening in 1927, the restaurant has 
become one of New England's most iconic eateries. I grew up enjoying 
their hot dogs, and still try to visit whenever I'm back home in 
Worcester.
  George's Coney Island is an important piece of Worcester's history. 
George Tsagarelis opened Coney Island in 1927 after he bought an 
existing luncheonette. George ran it with his wife, Catherine, 
eventually passing ownership down to their children. The restaurant is 
now run by Kathryn Tsandikos, who is George's granddaughter.
  As for the hot dogs--the restaurant's signature style is to smother 
them in chili and top them with mustard and onions. What many people 
don't realize is that this style was made popular in the United States 
by Greek immigrants like George, who migrated to the U.S. during the 
early 20th Century.
  Because so many immigrants passed through New York's Ellis Island, 
they were familiar with Coney Island--this is how the Coney Island hot 
dog was born.
  I'm especially grateful to George and Catherine for opening George's 
Coney Island nearly a century ago. The restaurant has been a staple for 
visitors and locals alike. The dark wooden booths that line the sides 
of the dining room are covered with decades of graffiti as customers 
etch their names and initials into the booths.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of everyone that knows and loves George's 
Coney Island, I'd like to offer a sincere ``thank you'' to Kathryn and 
her grandparents for making George's Coney Island such a treasured 
landmark. For all of us in Central Massachusetts, their restaurant is a 
point of pride. I'm proud to represent such an iconic, beloved piece of 
Worcester.

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