Coney Dogs: Detroit’s Tasty Staple
Detroit has a long history with Coney Island hot dogs. While many people can’t agree on where the infamous “coney dogs” originated, there is one thing that everyone seems to agree on, and that’s the undeniable flavors and cravings for Detroit’s tasty staple.
A Coney Island hot dog is not just your average classic American hot dog. Several things differentiate a coney dog from a regular hot dog including chili sauce, diced white onions, and mustard.
The first Coney restaurant in Michigan, Todoroff’s Original Coney Island in Jackson, Michigan, was founded in 1914. Just a few years later, Detroit’s American Coney Island opened in 1917 in downtown Detroit.
In 1917, Gust Keros, a Greek immigrant, opened the famed American Coney Island. A few years later, in 1924, his brother William came to help run the business. When a space opened up next door to American Coney Island, William jumped at the opportunity to open his own shop, Lafayette Coney Island. Both restaurants have been battling for coney dog dominance ever since, thus, creating the rivalry between American and Lafayette Coney Island.
American Coney Island continues to be owned by the third-generation Keros family. Lafayette Coney Island, on the other hand, is no longer in the family. It was passed down to William’s son George who ran it until 1991, when he sold it to employees. Not too worry, though. Lafayette still uses the same old recipes that we know and love.
Are you hungry yet? Now it’s your turn to explore the many Coney Island choices in the Detroit area and decide which you think is the best. Here’s a list of the top 10 places to get a Coney Dog in Detroit.
- American Coney Island 114 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226
- Lafayette Coney Island 118 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226
- Duly’s Place Coney Island 5458 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
- Coney Man 3031 W. Grand Blvd., Ste. 230, Detroit, MI 48202
- Coney Town 200 GM Renaissance Center, Level A, Detroit, MI 48243
- Detroit One Coney Island 3433 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
- Main Street Grill & Coney Island 1985 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48207
- Olympic Grill 119 W. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
- Woodward Coney Island 616 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
- Zeff’s Coney Island 2469 Russell St., Detroit, MI 48207
