Century-old Gary restaurant celebrated in hit episode of "The Bear"
Chicago Tribune • • entertainment
Key Points:
- A century-old diner-style restaurant, Koney King in Gary, Indiana, gained global recognition after being featured prominently in the surprise episode "Gary" of the final season of Hulu's "The Bear," released May 5.
- The episode centers around characters Richie “Cousin” and Mikey traveling from Chicago to Gary to deliver a package, with Koney King, known for its chili cheese hot dogs and 106-year legacy, serving as a key location.
- The episode has become a worldwide streaming hit, ranking No. 2 on Disney+ for most-streamed episodes globally, boosting local interest and foot traffic to Koney King, whose owner James Hendricks maintains the restaurant's traditional recipes and atmosphere.
- The Koney King scene was unscripted, filmed in one take, and features real employee Elisha Evans, who was surprised by the show's success and the attention from viewers recognizing her on social media.
- The episode highlights Gary's community spirit and history, with the show's creators and actors, some of whom are Emmy winners, co-writing the episode to authentically represent the city and its iconic eatery.
