A Detroit culinary staple, the Coney Island hotdog is covered in chili and onions. The two most famous places to get one happen to be next door to each other on West Lafayette Boulevard, and they share a historic rivalry dating back to when each business was owned by a brother in the same family. Detroiters say that Lafayette is the hometown favorite and has a better atmosphere, but many feel American’s hotdogs and chili are superior.

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. It’s a downtown dive institution that serves the best Detroit-style coney dogs in the world. “One up with everything” is the basic order, which is a hot dog with chili, onions, and mustard on a bun.

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.

Detroit's contribution to gastronomy is the Coney dog: a hot dog topped with cheese, onions, and chili, all in a bun. Every day, suburbanites...Read More

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).

Select locations of Leo’s Coney Island — including the local chain’s restaurants in Dearborn, Plymouth, Rochester Hills, and Royal Oak — are open for 24 hours a few days of the week. Just like any Coney Island, Leo’s offers up a solid variety of options, including Coney Dogs, Greek specialties like Gyros and Spinach Pie, fried food such as Onion Rings and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, breakfast specialties like French Toast and a Vegetarian Omelet, and milkshakes and Rice Pudding. Prepare for a rush at Leo’s — and premium people watching — when the bar crowd hits up the restaurant’s downtown-area locations after a night out.

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.

In a Pat’s vs Geno’s–style face-off, on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Lafayette Boulevard stand Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island, two chili hot dog joints opened by rival brothers in the early 1900s. Regardless of the origin of the Coney dog, taste-wise and ambiance-wise I am firmly in Lafayette’s corner today. Nick and I will saddle up to a cozy counter spot, and I'll want at least two for myself, plus some fries.

Lafayette Coney Island -There’s one thing you probably didn’t know about Detroit that you probably should by now, DETROIT HAS CONEY WARS. Lafayette will give you a great look at the 'coney war' with its 1970’s style hot dog diner, cash-only service, no-frills menu, and to-die-for delicious chili topped dogs, burgers, and fries. The owner's keep their Greek roots visible here too, with seriously tasty gyros, pitas, and even wings!

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.

You’ll find Coneys all over Michigan as a local specialty, but the real deal is in downtown Detroit where the first Coney is thought to have been invented in 1917. Today, American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island are the two most beloved hot dog shops. Every local is fiercely loyal to their own favorite, but if you’re a traveler, you can’t go wrong with either option.

When it comes to Detroit’s best coney dogs, the debate is heated over whether American of Lafayette takes the cake. While both eateries are fantastic, we’re partial to Lafayette for its unassuming atmosphere and focus on classically delicious dogs. Lafayette Coney Island is a cash-only restaurant so be sure to bring your bills when you stop by to dine.

Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island Back on the mainland, it’s time for lunch. Detroit’s hot dog of choice is the Coney Dog—piled high with chili, diced onions, and a squiggle of mustard—and a number of restaurants wrestle to lay claim to the best in town. Two of the contenders happen to be right next door to each other.

We're not going to disclose which of the adjoined diners is our favorite, but both are great for a quick, filling lunch for nearby office workers. Two with everything and a Vernor's is a good bet, or you can wolf down some chili fries or be good and get a salad (at American only). Hours and more details: Lafayette and American

In the age-old American vs. Lafayette coney war, American has Lafayette beat in terms of who was there first. Founded by Constantine "Gust" Keros, a Greek immigrant, American Coney Island has been serving classic coney dogs since 1917. Gust's brother William "Bill" Keros founded next-door Lafayette a few years later in 1924.

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.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,076 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Fast Food- Address: 118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226-2609- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Top 25 songs in Detroit on Shazam in the past week

Pictures of famous people stopping by for Lafayette’s famous coney dogs bedeck the dining room walls — testaments to this Detroit icon and the city’s signature junk food. Stop in, take a seat at the bar and taste these simple, snappy and sloppy dogs to discover why the locals keep coming back for more.

Detroit's famed Lafayette Coney Island has been allowed to resume business after a city heath inspection. But the greasy spoon, for generations a downtown mainstay right next door to fierce rival American Coney Island, had to make "significant" upgrades. Apparently it did so all within 24 hours.

If you’re in Detroit, then you need to get a Detroit-style hotdog. If you talk to locals, there’s no better place to get one than Lafayette Coney Island, located in Downtown Detroit. You can find it on the corner of Griswold Street and W Lafayette Boulevard near the waterfront.

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.

You may know Lafayette Coney Island for their famous hot dogs, but that's not the only thing they have going. Their golden french fries are crispy and delicious -- and smothered in savory chili. It's rich, indulgent, and incredibly satisfying.

Detroit is known for its unique take on the Coney Island hot dog, featuring a savory chili sauce and diced onions. Jars of Detroit-style Coney Island sauce allow you to bring a taste of the city’s culinary heritage home.

There are a lot of Coney Island hot dog restaurants throughout Detroit, but Lafayette is one of the oldest and best places to go. Eat it like they do in Detroit with everything on it (onions, chili sauce, and mustard).

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.