Pages past - Dec. 19

On this date ...

1973: Louie Augustinos, longtime owner of Clovis' Coney Island Cafe, died from complications following a stroke.

Augustinos was born in Greece in 1894 and came to America in 1929. He operated Clovis' Coney Island from 1932 until his stroke on Oct. 18, 1973, newspaper archives show.

"In the front window of his cafe, Louie displayed his grill and rolling rack to cook hot dogs for everyone passing on the sidewalk to see and smell," historian Don McAlavy wrote.

McAlavy reported Clovis had 18 restaurants in its downtown area in 1932. Coney Island, he said, "had the best chili in town in my opinion."

It cost 30 cents for the chili and a glass of milk.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact him at:

[email protected]