Louie's Coney Island (Since 1937) Kokomo IN

On a recent trip to Indianapolis we took a roundabout way back to Chicago thru Kokomo. To those that are asking, a detour thru Kokomo? I know, lets just say that place isn't the paradise the Beach Boy's sang about. Unless their idea of the pearly gates was "a few bakes".


In case you find yourself in Kokomo...

I have a sick addiction, no not to the same stuff many of Koko's low low's shoot up, to old school Midwest Coney shops. I try to stop in at every and any Rene G reviewed shop rec'd here on LTH as well as any others I have read or heard about and Louie's was on my list. They've been around since 1937 when a local Greek guy opened up shop. As seen in the picture above, unlike most of the coney shops which are straight out of yesteryear, Louie's is in a new building, taking away the old time charm that the others possess. It's moved a few times, burned down and had a name change according to an online article however the Coneys and Bakes remain the same and it's an icon around that way.


a Bake (L) and a Coney (R)

They both look the same eh? So what the hell is a bake? Well let me tell ya. It's a spiced hamburger log. Huh? Yep it's unlike anything else I've tasted or seen. It's ground beef in tube form (casingless) that's secretly seasoned with a very unique combination of spices. The raw formed logs are then baked until cooked thru while bathing in a special sauce. Baked Hamburgers or "bakes" as the locals call them come served in a hot dog bun and topped with some gravy from the bake, coney sauce, mustard and onions. Cheese is extra and they're $1.40 each.


The "Bakes" baking away

Only a few folks from Louie's know exactly what goes into them. No they arent pleasant looking and they're definitely artery clogging but I like them. Marcus Hamburgers in Detroit is the closest thing I've seen to these but the taste between the two places is very different. Consistency wise, bakes are half hamburger, half hot dog. As far as taste goes, they taste like a bake...I guess that's why their so treasured by those from Kokomo.


The insides

Louie's Coney Island
1700 East Hoffer Street
Kokomo, IN 46902-2424
(765) 459-9649