American Coney Island is located directly next door to Lafayette and is actually the original of the two, while Lafayette is the result of a family fight. The two are pretty similar, with American being the more updated, 24 hour option (Lafayette closes at 3am). Consider trying coneys from both before deciding where your allegiance lies, but never trust a Detroiter who doesn’t have a preference.

The Two best known are Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island, which are next door and were founded by brothers in 1917. Lafayette is my favorite, with its 1950s fixtures and feel.

Roma Café had the distinction of being Detroit’s oldest restaurant. After operating continually from 1890 through 2017, it closed briefly and reopened under new ownership the same year as Amore da Roma. Joining Amore da Roma on the list of legendary eateries still operating today are Jacoby’s (1904), Ivanhoe Café, home of the Polish Yacht Club (1909), American Coney Island (1917), Andrews on the Corner (1918), Duly’s Place Coney Island (1921), Lafayette Coney Island (1924), Marcus Hamburgers (1929), Dakota Inn Rathskeller (1933), Cadieux Café (1933), London Chop House (1938), Buddy’s Pizza, formerly known as Buddy’s Rendezvous Pizzeria (1946), Mario’s (1948), Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina (1949), and Caucus Club (1952).

American Coney Island is Detroit’s classic tourist destination, brightly decorated in red, white and blue, where friendly, efficient servers can often be seen bringing the spot’s signature dish by the armful to tables full of locals and out-of-towners alike. The downtown restaurant has been around since 1917, opened by Gust Keros, who started off selling chili-covered hot dogs just outside its current location. His brother, Bill, immigrated to the United States shortly after the opening and started his own restaurant, Lafayette Coney Island, next door, using a different recipe for the chili sauce.

At the corner of Michigan and Lafayette, the side-by-side Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island have been Detroit legend for decades, especially for late-night after-hours crowds, serving up their unique hot dogs on steamed buns with chili, onions, and mustard, plus chili fries, and even a cold beer. Heading north from downtown diners will find sushi at Oslo, the Whitney in a restored Victorian mansion, Agave, Atlas Bistro, and Union Street. West of downtown, near the Ambassador Bridge, Mexican Village has several Mexican restaurants, as well as Spanish and Guatemalan fare.

American Coney Island -Some in Detroit say there is no real competition, that American Coney takes it all, so we thought it would be best to let your kids decide!. The simple menu of classic coneys here at this Detroit diner will sell you instantly, and that’s before you even try the island-style steamed bun hot dogs and crunchy fries, the recipes dating back to 1917. Dearborn sausage, Keros family secret chili sauce recipe, a steamed bun, mustard, and onion make this dog so special!

The first thing I noticed when I entered American Coney Island is that it didn’t have the vibe I expected from a century-old favorite diner. There’s no atmosphere, no dirty grunge, and nothing that gave it the feel of an all-hours institution (after all, a meal consisting of a hot dog and chili cheese fries seems like a better idea at 3am after a few drinks). Instead, American is a cute, family-friendly place somewhere between a fast food chain and a diner.

American Coney Island/Lafayette Coney Island A two-for-one stop, but only if you haven’t picked your favorite yet. Locals know, once you pick a favorite downtown Coney Island, you’re locked into that choice for life – switching allegiances from Lafayette to American (and vice versa) is frowned upon in these parts. That being said, a Coney dog is a vital part of any good Detroiter’s diet.

Possibly Detroit’s most famous eatery, American Coney Island is open 24 hours a day and has been family-owned and operated since 1917. When it comes to coney dogs, no other city compares to Detroit — and the classic tastes you’ll indulge it at American will leave you full and happy. Whether it’s your first coney or your five hundredth, you’ll have a blast dining at this special spot.

Family owned and operated since 1917, The American Coney Island has been a consistent favourite with Detroit locals and visitors alike for over a century. The stalwart diner serves a simple but perpetually popular menu of classic, specially-seasoned Coney Island-style steamed bun hot dogs & fries, augmented by a closely-guarded family-secret Chili sauce recipe dating back decades.

No one makes a mean dog quite like this family-owned Detroit original, satisfying customers since 1917. Many Detroiters attest that American set the bar for southeast Michigan coney achievement, from the secret family chili sauce recipe to the specially seasoned casings for natural hot dogs. Do you have a family member who loves coneys living in another state?

Two side-by-side spots – American Coney Island (114 W Lafayette Blvd) and Lafayette Coney Island (118 W Lafayette Blvd) – battle it out for the title of best Coney Island hot dog in Detroit. Taste-wise, the American and Lafayette Coney dogs are delectably similar, so you’ll have to eat one of each to pick your favorite.

Wondering how American Coney Island fits into the Detroit food landscape?. By offering incredible chili dogs that bring NYC fare further inland, of course!. A part of the Detroit food scene since 1917, this regional landmark is the point at which the East Coast meets the Midwest.

For years there has been debate over which Coney offers Detroiter’s the best hot dog, American Coney Island or Lafayette Coney Island?. Today, the argument plays itself out on a national stage of late-to-the-party magazines and cable TV food shows.

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (432 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Fast Food- Address: 114 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226-2609- Read more on Tripadvisor

After arriving in downtown Detroit, we took our starving bellies straight to American Coney Island, the best option we could find in terms of the “famous local food” in the Motor City.

When discussing African cuisine, folks tend to think Ethiopian, however, West African cuisine is making strides in American palates and has definitely won over this foodie.

Detroit coney island institutions American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island sit side by side on Lafayette street and are side by side in our poll.