Detroit Free Press business reporter Katherine Yung and Joe Grimm of the Michigan State University School of Journalism will present a program relating to their new book, Coney Detroit, that explains why Detroit became the world capital for Coney Island hot dogs.
This is the Grosse Pointe Historical Society's annual Bicknell Lecture. The book is published by Wayne State University Press.
The story begins with Greek immigrants selling popcorn from carts and develops into hundreds of Detroit area coney island restaurants run by people of many nationalities. You will see and hear about some notable Coney Islands outside of Michigan and will learn that Detroit is the capital of the Coney Nation.
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The book explains why Coney Islands, which have deep roots in many places, found favor in Detroit as they have nowhere else in the world. You will also hear about the families and individuals that stand behind the counters, and are often the owners, and see the pride they take in serving up Metro Detroit's favorite food.
Note: A dozen photographers, led by Bobby Alcott and Ted Fines of EXPOSURE.Detroit, helped to illustrate this book.
