Experts' Choice Award Lafayette Coney Island
What the experts agree on
Lafayette Coney Island is the birthplace of Detroit's iconic Coney dog—a hot dog smothered in perfectly balanced chili—served cash-only in a timeworn diner that's been a downtown constant since the 1930s.
“Coney Islands are a way of life in Detroit and while the city has gone through a lot of changes over the years, Lafayette Coney Island remains one of the few constants.”
– The Infatuation
Fodor's "Detroit's contribution to gastronomy is the Coney dog: a hot dog topped with cheese, onions, and chili, all in a bun." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Crowded with Formica tables that have seen better days, Lafayette Coney is a beloved institution that seems to have been in Detroit as long as its eponymous river." Full review
Gayot "The Lafayette is where the Coney dog, that marriage between a specially seasoned natural skin-wrapped hot dog and spicy chili, was first grilled and mated on a bun." Full review
Zagat "This iconic, cash–only Downtown joint has served up classic chilli topped hot dogs since the 1930s, alongside heaping portions of loaded fries...formica tables, a long lunch counter, tiled walls" Full review
Time Out "The call between Lafayette and neighbor American Coney Island is a tough one, but our loyalties lie with the former, whose chili is perfectly balanced and just a little spicy." Full review
Afar Magazine ""Oh my God, we have to take you into town to get a Coney. It's a taste of pure Michigan," exclaimed one of my friends who I visited for a summer weekend. Take a hot dog on a steamed bun..." Full review
New York Times "For the classic Detroit experience, go to Lafayette Coney Island for a coney, a hot dog topped with chili, mustard and onions ($2.60)."
36 Hours in Detroit
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