Coney Island
MY NYC NABE
More than 11 million people poured into Coney Island last summer, but local residents get to enjoy the Boardwalk’s wonders year-round. “This is such a great area,” says Fred Kogan, 26, who grew up on the sandy strip. “This is the place to be in the summer.” 1 Although Kogan moved inland to Sheepshead Bay, the French Culinary Institute grad came back a year ago to open Wildwood Chicken (1204 Neptune Ave., at W. 12th St.), specializing in rotisserie birds and slow-cooked ribs. “Our soul food is healthier than a lot of what you find on the Boardwalk,” he says. 2 There’s still plenty on Surf Ave. to whet his appetite, such as the Coney Island Circus Sideshow (386 W. 12th St., at Surf Ave.). “I go to the freak show all the time,” he says. “It’s so much fun. And I love the pictures.” 3 The 85-year-old Coney Island Cyclone (Surf Ave. at W. 12th St.) is an American legend. “I grew up in it,” says Kogan, staring at the 85-foot-tall wooden coaster. “It’s a landmark.” Rides today run $8, compared with 25 cents when it opened in June 1927.
4 Luna Park (1000 Surf Ave., between W. 10th and W. 12th Sts.) opened in 2010 on the old Astroland Amusement Park site, incorporating the Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel. The park’s Scream Zone expanded this season to include a raceway for go-karts and a Skycoaster. 5 Duke Davis, 5, bites into one of Nathan’s Famous franks (1310 Surf Ave., at Stillwell Ave.). “We came here when we were kids with our father,” says mom Gail Stein, from Brooklyn, “so we wanted to bring Duke.” Adds Kogan, “Even people from Brooklyn have to get a Nathan’s hot dog. It’s a tradition.”
6 Williams Candy (1318 Surf Ave., at Stillwell Ave.) puts the cherry on top of a perfect day at the beach with its family candied apple recipe, cotton candy, popcorn and soft-serve ic cream (try the pistachio). “We’ve been here since 1971, and we’re next to Nathan’s — you have to have good-quality food to make it here!” says owner Peter Agrapides Jr., who also runs the adjacent Pete’s Clam Stop (1320 Surf Ave., at Stillwell Ave.), which shucks fresh oysters, clams and mussels.
7 The cozy Coney Island Brewing Company (3008 W. 12th St., at Surf Ave.) opened