If there is one quintessential Detroit food item, itÂ’s the coney dog. ItÂ’s obvious by the sheer number of Coney Island restaurants that inhabit the city and the suburbs that as long as you make a mean coney dog, you have a place in a Detroiters heart. We sought out to rank metro DetroitÂ’s best Coney Island restaurants based on Google and Yelp reviews, as well as word of mouth reputation. See if your favorite cut the mustard.

Words by Mike Dionne

27. Coney Time Coney Island 15098 E. Seven Mile Rd. What time is it? At the corner of Seven Mile Road and Hayes Street, it’s always Coney Time. Open 24 hours with a drive-thru. Photo by Mike Dionne
26. Leo’s Coney Island Locations all over metro Detroit Let’s face it, Leo’s Coney chain are a dime a dozen. But even so, they’re delicious (and clean). And there are enough of them all over town that you can’t be let down. Photo via James R. Martin / Shutterstock.com
25. Lou’s Coney Island 19100 Mound Rd., Detroit Another solid all-hours coney establishment. Photo by Mike Dionne
24. Sunrise Coney Island 22935 Van Dyke Ave., Warren Warren’s best. This unassuming spot at Nine Mile and Van Dyke is a shining example of an underrated coney plus a reputable breakfast menu. Photo by Mike Dionne
23. Woodward Coney Island 616 Woodward Ave., Detroit Circle back for seconds at this love it or hate it family-owned coney near Campus Martius. Photo with permission from Paulina V. Alstrom / fka_paulina_paulina
22. Detroit’s Finest Coney Island 13337 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit The east side’s finest. They have three locations that tiptoe Detroit’s border. One on Jefferson Avenue just before Grosse Pointe Park, one on Eight Mile Road near Schoenherr Road, and one in St. Clair Shores. Photo with permission from destinylea1007
21. Johnny’s Coney Island 5101 E. McNichols Rd., Detroit Heeeeere’s Johnny’s! A 24-hour hut on the acute angle formed by McNichols Avenue and Davison Street. Photo by Mike Dionne
20. Grandy’s Coney Island 1200 Holbrook Ave. / 4004 Outer Dr. E. / 22001 Fenkell Ave., Detroit The low-key small chain. Greasy. Grimey. Good. Multiple locations of 24-hour delights from McDougall-Hunt to Outer Drive to Brightmoor. Photo by Mike Dionne
19. L Georges Coney Island 13635 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit No frills. No fuss. They claim to serve NY-style dogs, but they don’t skimp on the portions so L Georges gets a W from us. All their locations are on Detroit’s west side. Photo by Mike Dionne
18. Classic Coney Grill 24041 Dequindre Rd., Hazel Park Yes, a coney island in a strip mall in Hazel Park can be just as delicious as the rest. Photo by Mike Dionne
17. Keko’s Coney Island 12250 Dix Hwy., Southgate The downriver coney champ now has a Madison Heights location. The reviews have been cuckoo for Keko’s. Photo by Mike Dionne
16. Hollywood Coney Island 20240 Grand River Ave. / 12033 Grand River Ave. / 9951 Gratiot Ave., Detroit Another mini chain that holds down Grand River Avenue on the west side and Gratiot Avenue on the east. These Hollywood stars are always open! Photo with permission from ace7mile.19
15. Hamtramck Coney Island 9741 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck No one can compete with the consistent love that this downtown Hamtown staple gets from people of all backgrounds. Photo with permission from ericapnea
14. National Coney Island Locations all over metro area The best big coney chain since the 1960s. The Gratiot Ave. and Royal Oak locations are prime time drunk people watching zones (although the closing of Luna in Royal Oak might tone that down a bit. Eh, probably not.) Either way, they serve a nice menu full of good cheap eats, most are 24 hours, and you can’t go too far outside Detroit without running into one. Photo by Mike Dionne
13. Coney King 1350 W. Fort St., Detroit The name Coney King is a heavy crown to wear, but this west side industrial location has been earning it’s jewels since 1990. Photo by Mike Dionne
12. Detroit One Coney Island Restaurant 3433 Woodward Ave., Detroit / 5 W Seven Mile Rd., Highland Park One at Woodward and Mack Avenue. One at 7 Mile Road and John R. Both are open 24 hours. Reviewers cite their expansive menu, reasonable prices and especially their late night delivery to the Woodbridge and Midtown areas as their claim to fame. Photo with permission from guyeppel
11. Hambo Coney Island 22900 Woodward Ave., Ferndale The best coney brunch award goes to this Ferndale favorite. Family-owned early bird at the corner of Woodward and Vester Avenue for over 20 years, with rave reviews for their crispy and delicious breakfast specials. They close before dinner so get there early! Photo with permission from johnrbreakfastjams
10. Motown Coney Island 1940 E. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit Best strip mall coney. Tucked away in a shopping center at the intersection of 8 Mile Road and Dequindre Street, this is a must-try establishment in a central location with a collection of positive reviews. Photo by Mike Dionne
9. Jimmy’s Coney Grill 37246 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights / 16651 E. 14 Mile Rd., Fraser The best of the burbs. Jimmy’s is one of the most underrated and off-the-radar coney restaurants if you’re out in the suburbs of Sterling Heights or Fraser. But they are as friendly as they come and have an all-star menu to prop up their coney specials. The fish’n’chips are some of the best around as well. Photo by Mike Dionne
8. State Fair Coney Island 20731 John R Rd., Hazel Park The coney underdog at John R and 8 Mile Road. Hazel Park patrons say this is the go-to for a quick bite with no-nonsense, great prices, and friendly atmosphere. Even their worst reviewers can’t hate it. Photo by Mike Dionne
7. U of D Coney Island 16126 Livernois Ave., Detroit The favorite of the University District, Martin Park, and Franklin crowds since the 80s. This small, old school style diner boasts a great reputation without trying too hard. Photo by Mike Dionne
6. Zeff’s Coney Island 2469 Russell St., Detroit Eastern Market’s coney is another Detroiter favorite. Maybe it’s just the location. Maybe it’s the magical nostalgic atmosphere combined with the chilli and mustard. The breakfasts are served anytime and many people come just for that. Added bonus: an Aretha Franklin mural currently graces the wall outside. Photo by Hannah Ervin / Detroitstockcity.com
5. Onassis Coney Island 1501 Michigan Ave., Detroit Corktown’s coney king right across from the ghost of ol’ Tiger Stadium. They also have a location on the west side on Livernois Ave.. The locals swear by the Corktown location and say it contends for the best in the city. Photo with permission from alluringchicago
4. Red Hots Coney Island 12 Victor St., Highland Park The darkhorse for best coney is Red Hots. Something about the family’s secret chilli recipe propels this little diamond in the rough up to compete with Detroit’s top dogs. They’ve been holdin’ it down in Highland Park since 1921 so they’ve obviously got the secret in the sauce. Photo by Mike Dionne
3. Duly’s Place 5458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit “Every time I visit Detroit,” the late Anthony Bourdain said on his show Parts Unknown, “somebody asks me if I’ve had a good Coney yet. Apparently, I never had a great one. I finally got one. I understand now.” Bourdain was referring to a $1.71 coney dog from Duly’s Place. It is, in part, thanks to that segment that Duly’s has turned the tide of tastebuds to Southwest Detroit when searching for the best coney in the city. Photo by Mike Dionne
2. American Coney Island 114 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit You’ve clicked this far. You knew this was coming. Now you already know what’s next. Democrats and Republicans. Dogs and cats. Howe and Yzerman. Death and taxes. American and Lafayette. American might be the best one day, Lafayette the next. Most people pick one and stick with it. Photo via James R. Martin / Shutterstock.com
1. Lafayette Coney Island 118 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit There’s not much left to say. Pass the mustard. Photo via Cynthia Longhair Douglas / Shutterstock.com

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