Meet Mike Kalush of MIke’s Coneys

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Kalush.

Mike, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been in the TV news business since 1979, starting as a news photographer. My father was also a news photographer in Flint and Detroit and I always wanted to follow in his footsteps and that’s exactly what I did. For 40 years I worked for all the major networks and eventually had my own television production business traveling the world and telling other people’s stories. Everywhere from India to China, Europe and South America and right here in the United States.

In January of this year, my father passed away unexpectedly and I was crushed. He was my hero. I grew up as his only son with seven sisters so we had a special relationship.  We shared everything.

One of the things we did whenever I came home to Michigan where I grew up, we would hit our favorite Coney Island joint as soon as I landed.  That was our tradition.

A few years ago, I decided to ride my unicycle across the entire state of Colorado to honor single parents, since most of my sisters are single parents… it was my dad who I called to help me.  My dad supported me by following me in a motor home for two weeks.  He was 78 at the time.  He truly was a great man.  He would do anything for me, and I for him.  So after he died, I decided to open Mike’s Coneys. His name was Mike as well.

Through Mike’s Coneys I get to do something totally different and connect with people in a whole different way.  I really love serving people and making them happy.

As a new photographer/producer, I would interact with people on a day when they might be nervous or hurting or uncomfortable with being on TV… today I can interact with them just because they are hungry and want something to eat. I get to really connect with them in a pure and organic way… I love that.  And I can do what I do and not feel like I have to share everything with the world.  It’s mine to keep and enjoy.

Besides, my wife is a TV news anchor here in Denver and has worked at Denver7 for 35 years so when I feel like I’m missing out on the news business, through her I can get all the drama from the news world that I need.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve never worked in a restaurant in my life. so having a mobile restaurant is something so foreign and exciting. I have never been afraid of a challenge. Figuring everything out as I go is exciting. Fake it till you make it. I Video production you don’t need to worry about keeping people safe and healthy.

When you’re dealing with food, it’s a whole different story. I’ve had to figure all that out. My brain hurts at the end of the day! How much food should I carry on the truck? How many people might come today? When should I shut it down for the night. There are no straight answers. I just have fun and try to share my excitement with my customers.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Please tell us about MIke’s Coneys. What should we know?
My food truck is all about fun. We wear paper hats and white aprons. Everyone loves my sign and instantly feels happy when they approach my truck. I made my lighted sign myself after I had a dream about it.  I get so many people talking about my sign even more than my food! I have no problem with that because I know I have good food and already have repeat customers! Everything is flown if from Michigan where I grew up… so all the food is spot-on authentic.  And I love it when people take pictures of my truck, and a lot of people do.  My wife, my sisters and nieces, and nephews work with me… It’s a true family business.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I would spend any free day with my dad at work. If I had a day off school I would ask my dad if I could go to work with him. He was a TV News photographer in Detroit for WXYZ TV.

So we had many interesting stories to go on. And of course, for lunch, we would stop at Lafayette Coney Island restaurant for a coney. I loved that. I didn’t go to college… spending time with him was my education. I had a very successful career with what I learned from my dad.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 303 507-9800
• Email: Mikesconeys@gmail.com
• Instagram: @mikesconeys
• Facebook: @mikesconeys

Image Credit:
Jeff Howe, Mike Huling,

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