Footlong hot dogs: Coney Island Drive-Inn expands to Eustis

Coney Island Drive-Inn, known for its iconic footlong hot dogs and rich history dating back to 1960, has opened its newest location in Eustis.

With its roots tracing back to the original Coney Island Drive-Inn in Brooksville, the Lee family, which currently owns and operates all seven locations, is proud to continue expanding in Florida.

The story of Coney Island Hot Dogs is surrounded in nostalgia, with famous moments such as Elvis Presley's visit in 1961 and the filming of the movie "Death Dream" on location in 1972.

“With the addition of this location, we will most likely sell 1 million footlong hot dogs this year, second only to Disney in the state of Florida,” Carter Lee said. “It’s absolutely what we are famous for.”

Carter Lee, son of John and Sally Lee, is currently managing the new Eustis location to get it up and running. This is their first venture into Lake County, with Wildwood and Bushnell locations opening in the last couple years. This location is a partnership between the Lee family and eight-time national tractor pulling champion Joe Eder.

Known for its signature footlong hot dogs, made any way you like, Coney Island offers them in regional styles, including Detroit-style, with Coney sauce and onion; the cole slaw dog; Southern chili dog; Chicago-style dogs on poppyseed buns with neon green relish, yellow mustard, pickle spear, sport peppers and tomato; and New Yorker dogs.

The restaurant also serves the Reuben, with Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and spicy mustard; or Norm’s BIGG Dog, topped with loose meat, chili, cheese, salt and onion rings. There’s even a Gator dog on the menu, made with smoked alligator and swamp relish.

All dogs are also offered in “shorts,” or regular sized hot dogs, with a choice of all beef or traditional pork.

In addition to the famous hot dogs, the menu includes chicken wings, chicken and fish sandwiches, chopped pork sandwich, all American burger, Texas or Carolina burger, and crispy fries cooked in beef fat. There’s also Mexican fries, deep fried pickle spears, fried okra, fried corn and poutine.

For drinks, they serve Milo’s sweet and unsweet tea, sugar sweet lemonade or thick spoon shakes.

Coney Island Drive-Inn renovated the location of a former Circle K gas station and converted the car wash into a drive-thru. The restaurant is at 15851 U.S. 441 in Eustis and open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.famousfootlongs.com .

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Footlong hot dogs: Coney Island Drive-Inn expands to Eustis