Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island, Detroit, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island are two hot dog diners that stand side by side on West Lafayette Boulevard in downtown Detroit. Together they are the best-known home of the Detroit coney dog, a hot dog topped with beanless meat chili, mustard and chopped onion. Locals have argued for generations over which one does it better.

The story behind it

The coney dog came to Detroit with Greek and other immigrant restaurateurs in the early twentieth century, and these two diners are its most famous address. American Coney Island is the older of the pair, opened in 1917 by Gus Keros, a Greek immigrant. Lafayette Coney Island followed next door in the 1920s, founded by his brother Bill.

The family connection is why the rivalry feels so personal. Two near-identical diners sharing a wall of the same block, each with its own loyal customers, have become a Detroit institution, and a stop here is a classic part of a day downtown.

What to look for

• The two storefronts sit right next to each other, each with its own sign, so you can compare them before choosing a side.
• The classic order is a coney dog with chili, mustard and onions, usually eaten at the counter or a simple table.
• Both are old-school diners rather than polished restaurants, with a short menu and quick, no-fuss service.
• The surrounding blocks of downtown Detroit hold older office buildings and busy streets, so look up as you walk to and from the door.

Tips for your visit

• Plan about 30 to 45 minutes for a meal, longer if you want to try a coney dog at both places and decide for yourself.
• Both diners are casual, and you eat inside, so you can go in and sit down. Check current opening hours and payment options before you go.
• The Guardian Building and Campus Martius Park are a short walk away, which makes this an easy lunch stop on a downtown route.
• Expect queues at busy meal times and after events downtown. Going a little before or after the usual lunch rush is easier.

Explore it on a quest

Downtown Detroit is best seen on foot, and a coney dog is a good reason to start. Discover the streets around Lafayette Boulevard on one of Questo's self-guided quests, with the app leading you from place to place, telling you about each one and setting a puzzle in what is in front of you. Browse the quests in Detroit and start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.