James Original Coney Island

James Original Coney Island is a privately held quick-service restaurant brand with deep roots in Texas and select Midwest markets. Founded in 1923 by brothers James and Tom Papadakis, who immigrated from Greece, the company began as one of the earliest Coney Island restaurant concepts in the United States. The brand’s namesake, James Papadakis, helped establish its reputation for serving classic Coney Island hot dogs, a tradition that continues today.

As of November 2025, James Coney Island maintains a stable footprint concentrated in the Houston metropolitan area, with its corporate office located at 11,111 Katy Freeway in Houston. The company has consistently focused on its core Texas markets, operating multiple locations but not pursuing aggressive expansion or franchising initiatives in recent years. Its operational approach over the past five years has emphasized market penetration and unit-level performance within its established regions rather than seeking national growth.

James Coney Island is recognized for its authentic menu, which features signature Coney Island hot dogs topped with seasoned meat sauce, mustard, and onions, as well as complementary items like loose hamburgers, chili fries, and Greek-American dishes such as gyros and souvlaki. This blend of Greek immigrant culinary heritage and American diner fare has helped the brand maintain a loyal customer base across generations.

With a history spanning more than a century, James Coney Island stands out as a mature, regionally focused quick-service operator. Its long-standing presence and menu consistency offer credibility and operational stability, making it a reliable tenant for shopping centers, street retail, and mixed-use projects in Texas and select Midwest locations. The company’s sustained relevance and deliberate market focus reflect a business model built on local loyalty and proven performance within its geographic boundaries.