How a Greek immigrant built a Detroit Coney Island empire

George Dimopoulos isn’t one to boast, but he’s quick to answer who has Metro Detroit’s best Coney Island.

Lafayette Coney Island or his Senate Coney Island?

“We’re better,” Dimopoulos said.

On Greg Wier’s “More Than Just Luck” podcast, the 80-year-old shared his journey from earning 50 cents a week in Athens to owning Senate Coney Island locations in Livonia, Dearborn and Northville.

“I appreciate everything that this country gives to me,” Dimopoulos said on the podcast. “I appreciate all my friends, my customers who come into my restaurant. I’m happy to greet them.”

At age 12, Dimopoulos left his Greek village, traveling 250 miles to Athens for work. In 1958, he earned 10 drachmas (50 cents) a day, selling cigarettes, candy and newspapers.

“I survived,” he said.

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He swept barbershop floors, worked in a butcher shop and sometimes went hungry. Unable to afford rent, he slept in a factory.

At 20, he was drafted into the army and learned to cook. His mother, battling cancer, died 17 days after he left for service. By the time he received permission to return, she had been buried.

“I had to go to the cemetery to see my mom,” he said.

Dimopoulos married Kathy and came to Detroit in 1969, joining siblings. He worked two restaurant jobs, sometimes until 1 a.m.

He was robbed while waiting for a bus, losing the $17 in his pocket. He considered returning to Greece until a travel agent urged him to stay.

“He said, ‘George, don’t go nowhere'”, he said. “This country is beautiful.”

Dimopoulos listened. He opened his first restaurant in Taylor in 1972, selling it last year. He later built his Senate Coney Island business on hard work, quality food and personal service.

“I worked real hard for all I have,” he said.

Remembering his own hunger, Dimopoulos has provided free Thanksgiving food to people in need for a decade. He distributed as many as 220 turkeys one year and raised nearly $35,000 for disadvantaged children.

“I didn’t have food at one time,” he said. “And I know some of the people who are hungry. Never forget where you come from.”

Detroit sports legends Gordie Howe and Ernie Harwell were customers. Howe visited with his dog and Harwell became a close friend. Before Harwell’s death in 2010, he called to thank Dimopoulos.

“Who am I? Nobody,” Dimopoulos said, reflecting on Harwell’s call. “That’s what kind of person he was.”

Now 80, after heart surgery and knee replacements, he works 12 to 14 hours daily, arriving at work before 6 a.m.

“I could retire tomorrow,” he said. “But I feel good and my family has helped me a lot.

“My wife will put an apron on and help in the kitchen and my boys are working real hard. God has been good to us.”

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